Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a developing unit including an accommodating portion and a developing roller, a notification portion, and a controller. The controller controls the notification portion in a case where an accumulated movement distance obtained by integrating a movement distance of the developing roller in a predetermined section of a surface of the developing roller from an initial use of the developing unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined first supply determination threshold, therefore, a notification for prompting a user to supply the developer is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device. Background Art

[0002] In the developing device of an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic imaging type, the toner carried on the developing roller is constantly rubbed against a supply roller for supplying the toner contained in the developing device to the developing roller and a developing blade for controlling the toner amount of the toner on the developing roller. Through this friction, external additives and the like added to the toner are detached and embedded, and the toner gradually deteriorates as the number of imaging increases. In addition, filming occurs, which causes the external additives and fine particle toner detached from the toner to adhere to and deposit on the surface of the developing roller, so that the toner carrying capacity and charging property of the developing roller are reduced and image defects are caused.

[0003] In Japanese Patent No. 4743273, a configuration is disclosed in which the amount of deterioration depending on the amount of remaining toner in the developing device of the image forming apparatus is calculated, thereby judging the life of the developing device. In addition, in Japanese Patent Application (JP-A) 2016-161645, a configuration is disclosed in which the weighting of the amount of use of the developing roller is changed according to the environment in which the image forming apparatus is used, and thus the replacement time of consumables is changed according to each use environment.

[0004] In JP-A 2022-103540, a developing device is disclosed to which toner can be supplied from a supply container such as a toner pack or a toner bottle. The toner supply type includes a type in which toner is sequentially supplied in an amount corresponding to the amount of toner consumed by an image forming operation, and a type in which toner is centrally supplied when the amount of toner in the developing device is reduced to a predetermined amount. In such an image forming device to which toner can be supplied, there is a configuration in which, when a situation in which toner is not supplied continues and toner is consumed to the point in which the image forming device is placed in a state in which appropriate image forming cannot be performed, the image forming operation is interrupted and a notification is provided to prompt the operator to supply toner.

[0005] In an imaging device including a developing device capable of supplying toner from a supply container as described in JP-A 2022-103540, the degradation state of the toner in the developing device changes when the supply of the developer is performed. In addition, the consumption state of the developing roller changes according to the degradation state of the toner in the developing device. Therefore, when the appropriate supply timing and the judgment of reaching the end of life are not made in consideration of the degradation state of the toner due to the supply and the consumption state of the developing roller, there is a possibility of generating fogging caused by filming of the developing roller and improper density of halftone images. In Japanese Patent No. 4743273 and JP-A 2016-161645, the changes in the degradation state of the toner and the consumption state of the developing roller caused by the supply of toner from the supply container to the developing device are not considered. Summary of the invention

[0006] A main object of the present invention is to appropriately notify, in an image forming apparatus including a developing device to which a supply container for supplying developer is detachably mountable, the supply timing of developer to the developing device and the life of the developing device.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device, which includes: a photosensitive drum, on the surface of which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing unit, which includes a accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a developing roller, wherein the developing roller is used to supply the developer from the accommodating portion to the photosensitive drum, and a supply container for supplying the developer to the accommodating portion can be detachably mounted to the developing unit; a notification portion, which is configured to provide a notification to a user; and a controller, which is configured to control the notification portion, wherein, in a case where a cumulative moving distance obtained by integrating a moving distance of the developing roller in a predetermined interval on the surface of the developing roller since the initial use of the developing unit is above a predetermined first supply judgment threshold, the controller controls the notification portion so as to provide a notification prompting the user to supply the developer.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device, which includes: a photosensitive drum, on the surface of which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing unit, which includes a accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a developing roller, wherein the developing roller is used to supply the developer from the accommodating portion to the photosensitive drum, and a supply container for supplying the developer to the accommodating portion can be detachably mounted to the developing unit; a notification portion, which is configured to provide a notification to a user; and a controller, which is configured to control the notification portion, wherein, in a case where a cumulative moving distance obtained by integrating a moving distance of the developing roller in a predetermined interval on the surface of the developing roller since the initial use of the developing unit is above a predetermined life judgment threshold, the controller controls the notification portion so as to provide a notification meaning that the developing unit has reached the end of its life.

[0009] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an imaging device.

[0011] Figure 2A is a schematic front view of a toner package.

[0012] Figure 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner pack is mounted to a developing device.

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a light guiding member of the toner amount sensor.

[0014] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the sensor portion of the toner amount sensor.

[0015] Figure 5A is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of an imaging device.

[0016] Figure 5B : is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the imaging apparatus of Embodiment 1.

[0017] Fig. 6A This is a flowchart of the supply request / life notification sequence in Example 1.

[0018] Figure 6B This is a flowchart of the supply requirement (request) / lifetime notification sequence in Example 1.

[0019] Figure 7 The evaluation test results in Example 1 are shown.

[0020] Figure 8 : is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the imaging apparatus of Embodiment 2.

[0021] Fig. 9A This is a flowchart of the supply request / life notification sequence in Example 2.

[0022] Fig. 9B This is a flowchart of the supply request / life notification sequence in Example 2.

[0023] Fig.10 The evaluation test results in Example 2 are shown.

[0024] Fig.11 : is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of an imaging apparatus of each of Embodiments 3 to 5.

[0025] Fig. 12A This is a flowchart of the supply request / life notification sequence in Example 3.

[0026] Fig. 12B This is a flowchart of the supply request / life notification sequence in Example 3.

[0027] Fig.13 The correction coefficient in Example 3 is shown.

[0028] Fig.14 Different examples of the correction coefficient in Embodiment 3 are shown.

[0029] Fig.15 The evaluation test results in Example 3 are shown.

[0030] Fig.16A This is a flowchart of the supply request / lifetime notification sequence in Example 4.

[0031] Fig. 16B This is a flowchart of the supply request / notification life sequence in Example 4.

[0032] Fig.17 The relationship between the toner supply amount and the correction coefficient in Embodiment 4 is shown.

[0033] Fig.18 The relationship between the toner supply amount and the supply execution inter-supply travel distance threshold value in Embodiment 4 is shown.

[0034] Fig.19A This is a flowchart of the supply request / lifetime notification sequence in Example 5.

[0035] Fig.19B This is a flowchart of the supply request / lifetime notification sequence in Example 5.

[0036] Fig. 20 The correction coefficient in Example 5 is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, the imaging device according to the present invention will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings. However, the size, material, shape, relative arrangement, etc. of the constituent elements described in the following embodiments should be appropriately changed according to the construction and various conditions of the device to which the present invention is applied, and the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments.

[0038] <Overall Structure of Imaging Apparatus>

[0039] First, the overall structure of the imaging apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 1 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the imaging device of Embodiment 1. In the following description, with respect to the imaging device 100, the front-rear direction ( Figure 1 The left and right directions) are the X direction, and the left and right directions (perpendicular to Figure 1 The X direction and the Y direction are parallel to the horizontal direction, and the Y direction is parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the developing roller 4, the supply roller 5, the transfer roller 13, etc. The imaging device 100 of Embodiment 1 is a monochrome laser printer capable of forming a black (monochrome) image on a sheet-like recording material P by using an electrophotographic type, and the process cartridge 9 is configured to be detachably mounted to the main component M of the device. Here, the main component M of the device is a component from which the process cartridge 9 is removed from the imaging device 100. Incidentally, the imaging device to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to the imaging device having the basic structure described in Embodiment 1. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a color laser printer including a plurality of process cartridges detachably mountable thereto, and the color laser printer forms a full-color image, etc. by transferring a plurality of color toner images onto a recording material P using an intermediate transfer member such as an intermediate transfer belt. Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the process cartridge 9 is detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus 100, but the present invention is also applicable to an image forming apparatus in which a process unit having a configuration similar to that of the process cartridge 9 in Embodiment 1 is provided in the apparatus main assembly.

[0040] The process cartridge 9 includes a photosensitive drum 1 which is a rotatable drum-shaped (cylindrical) photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member) as an image bearing member, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. In addition, the process cartridge 9 includes a charging roller 2 (which is a roller-shaped charging member) as a charging device and a developing device 8 as a developing device at the periphery of the photosensitive drum 1. In addition, the process cartridge includes a brush member 12 as a paper powder collecting member and a discharge device 11 as a discharge device at the periphery of the photosensitive drum 1. In addition, the process cartridge 9 includes a memory 15 as a nonvolatile memory device. In addition, the process cartridge 9 includes a toner amount sensor 20 as a developer amount detection device. The charging roller 2, the developing roller 4 provided in the developing device 8 as a developer bearing member, and the brush member 12 are arranged to contact the surface (peripheral surface) of the photosensitive drum 1. The process cartridge 9 is constructed so that it can be easily and detachably mounted as a whole to the apparatus main assembly M by a mounting device (not shown) such as a mounting guide or a positioning member provided to the apparatus main assembly M and the process cartridge 9.

[0041] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a transfer roller 13 (which is a roller-shaped transfer member) as a transfer means, an exposure device 10 as an exposure means, and a fixing device 14 as a fixing means. The transfer roller 13 is arranged in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

[0042] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a controller 200 that manages control of the entire image forming apparatus 100, and includes an operation panel 60, etc. The operation panel 60 is configured by including a display portion for displaying information to an operator such as a user or a maintenance worker through control of the controller 200, and an input portion for inputting information to the controller 200 in response to an operation of the operator, etc.

[0043] <Imaging Operation>

[0044] Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. A driving force is transmitted from a driving motor (not shown) as a driving source constituting a driving device provided in the main assembly M of the apparatus to the photosensitive drum 1, so that the photosensitive drum 1 moves along the direction of the image forming apparatus 100 at a predetermined process speed. Figure 1 The processing speed here corresponds to the peripheral speed (surface movement speed), and the processing speed in Example 1 is 140 rpm.

[0045] The charging roller 2 forms a charging portion that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined contact pressure. A predetermined charging voltage (charging bias) (which is a DC voltage) is applied to the charging roller 2 from a charging voltage applying circuit (not shown) provided in the main assembly M of the device as a charging voltage applying device. Thus, the charging roller 2 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to a predetermined polarity (negative in Embodiment 1) and a predetermined potential. In Embodiment 1, a charging voltage of -1400V is applied to the charging roller 2 so that the surface potential (pre-exposure potential VD) of the photosensitive drum 1 becomes -800V. Incidentally, in Embodiment 1, a DC voltage is used as the charging voltage, but it is not limited to this, and an oscillating voltage in the form of a superimposed DC voltage and an AC voltage may be used as the charging voltage.

[0046] The uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is subjected to scanning exposure by being irradiated with laser light based on image information by the exposure device 10, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) on the photosensitive drum 1. In Embodiment 1, the exposure device 10 is composed of a scanner unit. Image information input to the imaging device 100 from an external device (not shown) connected to the imaging device 100 (such as a personal computer, etc.) is converted into a time-series electronic digital image signal by a video controller 206 provided in the imaging device 100. The exposure device 10 is controlled by the controller 200, and emits a laser modulated corresponding to the time-series electronic digital image signal, so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is scanned and exposed. Thus, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. In Embodiment 1, the exposure device 10 is at 0.45 μJ / cm 2 The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is irradiated with laser light with a light amount of 100 V, so that the post-exposure potential VL of the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 becomes -100 V.

[0047] The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed (visualized) by supplying the toner 3 as a developer thereto by the developing device 8, thereby forming a toner image (toner picture, developer image). The developing device 8 includes a developing roller 4. The developing roller 4 forms a developing portion by contacting the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined contact pressure. On the developing roller 4, a toner layer formed by the toner 3 charged to a predetermined polarity (negative in Embodiment 1) is formed. A predetermined developing voltage (developing bias) (which is a DC voltage) is applied to the developing roller 4 from a developing voltage applying circuit (not shown) as a developing voltage applying device provided in the main component M of the device. Thus, in the developing portion, the toner 3 is deposited on the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. Thus, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. In Embodiment 1, a developing voltage of -400V is applied to the developing roller 4. In Embodiment 1, the toner 3 charged to the same polarity as the charge polarity of the photosensitive drum 1 (negative in Embodiment 1) adheres to the exposed portion (image portion) on the photosensitive drum 1 whose absolute value of potential has been lowered by exposure after being uniformly charged (reversal development type). In Embodiment 1, the normal charge polarity of the toner 3 (which is the main charge polarity of the toner 3 during development) is negative.

[0048] The transfer roller 13 forms a transfer portion that contacts the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined contact pressure. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording material P sandwiched and conveyed by the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 13 in the transfer portion. During the transfer, a predetermined transfer voltage (transfer bias) (which is a DC voltage) is applied to the transfer roller 13 from a transfer voltage applying circuit (not shown) as a transfer voltage applying device. In Embodiment 1, a transfer voltage of +1500V is applied to the transfer roller 13.

[0049] The recording material P (transfer material, recording medium, sheet) is supplied toward the transfer portion from the feeding portion 30. The feeding portion 30 is constituted by including a cassette 31 as a recording material containing portion, a feeding roller 32 as a feeding member, and the like. The recording materials P contained in the cassette 31 are separated one by one by the feeding roller 32 and the like, and are fed from the cassette 31. The recording material P is conveyed to the transfer portion by a conveying roller 50 (registering roller) as a conveying member in synchronization with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1.

[0050] The recording material P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 14 as a fixing means. The fixing device 14 fixes (melts, adheres) the toner image on the recording material P while applying heat and pressure to the recording material P. The recording material P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged (output) onto a tray 40 as a discharge portion provided outside the main assembly M of the apparatus.

[0051] On the other hand, the toner (transfer residual toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 and not transferred to the recording material P in the transfer step is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in the following manner. The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer step enters the charging portion after being discharged by the discharge device 11 (discharge lamp) so that the surface potential becomes 0V. The transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 includes, in a mixture, toner charged to the positive polarity and toner charged to the negative polarity but without sufficient charge. The transfer residual toner is charged to the negative polarity by the discharge in the charging portion. The transfer residual toner charged to the negative polarity in the charging portion reaches the developing portion as the photosensitive drum 1 rotates.

[0052] Here, on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 that reaches the developing part, an electrostatic latent image depending on the image information is formed. The transfer residual toner deposited on the non-exposed part (non-image part) of the photosensitive drum 1 moves from the photosensitive drum 1 to the developing roller 4 by the potential difference between the pre-exposure potential VD of the photosensitive drum 1 in the developing part and the developing voltage, and is collected in the developing chamber 8b of the developing device 8. Incidentally, the toner collected in the developing chamber 8b is used again for imaging. On the other hand, the transfer residual toner deposited on the exposed part (image part) of the photosensitive drum 1 does not move from the photosensitive drum 1 to the developing roller 4 in the developing part, but cooperates with the toner moved from the developing roller 4 to the photosensitive drum 1 to form a toner image. Then, the toner is transferred to the recording material P in the transfer part and is removed from the photosensitive drum 1.

[0053] Furthermore, a brush member 12 as a paper dust collecting member is provided for removing paper dust fibers deposited from the recording material P to the photosensitive drum 1 in the transfer step and generated by the recording material P. The brush member 12 is arranged to contact the photosensitive drum 1 at a side located downstream of the transfer portion and upstream of the charging portion with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The brush member 12 rubs the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 as the photosensitive drum 1 rotates, and captures and removes paper dust fibers from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

[0054] <Detailed Structure of the Developing Device 8>

[0055] Next, the detailed structure of the developing device 8 in the image forming apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 will be described. In Embodiment 1, the developing device 8 is a single-component contact developing device using a non-magnetic single-component developer (toner) as a developer. The developing device 8 includes a developing container 80 (frame) which is constituted by including a developing chamber 8b as a developing member accommodating portion and a toner accommodating chamber 8a as an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer. The developing chamber 8b and the toner accommodating chamber 8a are connected to each other through an opening. In the developing chamber 8b, a developing roller 4 as a developer carrying member (developing member) for supplying the toner from the toner accommodating chamber 8a to the photosensitive drum 1 and a supply roller 5 as a supply member for supplying the toner 3 to the developing roller 4 are provided. In addition, the developing chamber 8b is provided with a developing blade 6 as a regulating member for regulating the amount of toner on the developing roller 4 while imparting a charge of a predetermined polarity to the toner 3 on the developing roller 4. The developing roller 4 is rotatably arranged at the opening of the developing chamber 8b (developing container 80), and conveys the toner 3 from the inside of the developing chamber 8b (developing container 80) to the outside by rotating while carrying the toner 3. In the toner containing chamber 8a, the toner 3 as the developer is contained. In addition, the toner containing chamber 8a is provided with a stirring member 7 for conveying the toner 3 from the toner containing chamber 8a toward the developing chamber 8b while stirring the toner 3 in the toner containing chamber 8a.

[0056] Incidentally, in Embodiment 1, the developing device 8 uses a contact developing type in which the image bearing member and the developer bearing member are arranged to contact each other, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The developing device 8 may also use a two-component developing type using a two-component developer or a non-contact developing type in which the image bearing member and the developer bearing member are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap.

[0057] In Example 1, the developing roller 4 is formed by coating a base layer of silicone rubber and a surface layer of polyurethane rubber in order on the outer periphery of a core metal having a diameter of 6 mm to provide an outer diameter of 15 mm. In addition, in Example 1, the resistance value of the developing roller 4 is 1×10 4 Up to 1x10 12 Ω.

[0058] In Example 1, the supply roller 5 is a conductive elastic sponge roller formed by forming a foam member layer on the outer periphery of a core metal having a diameter of 6 mm. In Example 1, the resistance value of the supply roller 5 is 1×10 4 Up to 1x10 8 Ω, and the hardness is 200 gf. Incidentally, the hardness of the supply roller 5 is a value obtained by measuring a load in the case where a flat plate having a longitudinal width of 50 mm is made to enter the supply roller 5 by 1 mm from the surface of the supply roller 5 .

[0059] In Embodiment 1, the developing scraper 6 is a 0.1 mm thick SUS metal plate having a predetermined length in each of a longitudinal direction extending along the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 4 and a width direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The developing scraper 6 is arranged to contact the developing roller 4 in the longitudinal direction at a side surface near its free end relative to the width direction so that the free end points to the upstream side of the rotation direction of the developing roller 4. In Embodiment 1, a scraper prepared by cutting an end (free end) portion of a SUS metal plate from the contact surface side toward the developing roller 4 is used as the developing scraper 6. The end portion of the developing scraper 6 is bent in the cutting direction by cutting, and the bending amount of the end portion of the developing scraper 6 corresponding to the curvature radius R is 0.02 mm.

[0060] The movement of the toner 3 in the developing device 8 during driving will be described. A driving force is transmitted to the developing device 8 from a driving motor (not shown) provided in the main assembly M of the apparatus as a driving source constituting a driving means. Thus, the developing roller 4, the supply roller 5 and the stirring member 7 are respectively moved along the Figure 1 The photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the direction of arrow R2 (clockwise), the direction of arrow R3 (clockwise), and the direction of arrow R4 (counterclockwise). Incidentally, the driving source for the photosensitive drum 1 and the corresponding rotatable members (developing roller 4, supply roller 5, and stirring member 7) may be common. The stirring member 7 in the toner containing chamber 8a rotates so that the toner 3 in the toner containing chamber 8a is stirred and conveyed toward the supply roller 5 in the developing chamber 8b. The toner 3 retained in the foaming member layer of the supply roller 5 is sent to the contact portion in contact with the developing roller by the rotation of the supply roller 5. Then, the toner 3 reaching the contact portion is rubbed by the surface of the developing roller 4 and the surface of the supply roller 5 moving in different directions in the contact portion, so that a portion of it is deposited on the surface of the developing roller 4. Incidentally, in Example 1, a configuration in which the developing roller 4 and the supply roller 5 rotate in opposite directions in the contact portion is described as an example, but, for example, a configuration in which the supply roller 5 rotates in the contact portion in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow R3 (counterclockwise) and thus moves in the same direction as the rotation direction of the developing roller 4 may be adopted.

[0061] As the developing roller 4 rotates, the toner 3 deposited on the surface of the developing roller 4 is sent to the contact portion in contact with the developing blade 6. The developing blade 6 forms a uniform thin layer of the toner 3 by regulating the amount of the toner 3 deposited on the surface of the developing roller 4, and frictionally charges the toner 3. As the developing roller 4 rotates, the toner 3 formed into a thin layer is sent to the contact portion in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, and is used to develop the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive drum 1. The toner 3 remaining on the surface of the developing roller 4 and not used for development is conveyed to the contact portion in contact with the supply roller 5, and is removed from the surface of the developing roller 4 by the supply roller 5. The removed toner 3 is sent to the toner containing chamber 8a, and then stirred and mixed with the toner 3 in the toner containing chamber 8a.

[0062] <Toner Supply Structure>

[0063] Next, a toner supplying configuration for supplying toner toward the developing container 80 of the developing device 8 in Embodiment 1 will be described. The toner pack 16 as a supply container for supplying toner to the toner containing chamber 8 a is detachably attachable to the developing container 80 . Figure 2A 1 is a schematic front view of a toner pack 16 as a toner supply container in Embodiment 1. In addition, Figure 2B 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner pack 16 is mounted to the developing container 80 of the developing device 8 .

[0064] like Figure 1 and Figure 2B As shown, the developing container 8 is provided with a supply protrusion 8c. The supply protrusion 8c is formed so that its interior is a hollow portion and communicates with the colorant containing chamber 8a through the supply opening 8d. At the upper part of the main component M of the device, a top cover 17 is provided to be openable and closable. Incidentally, the upper surface of the top cover 17 constitutes the above-mentioned tray 40.

[0065] like Figure 2A As shown, in Embodiment 1, the toner pack 16 is constituted by including an easily deformable plastic bag 16a and a connecting portion 16b provided at one end portion of the bag 16a. The interior of the bag 16a and the interior of the connecting portion 16b are communicated with each other. Figure 2BAs shown, the image forming apparatus 100 is configured so that the supply protrusion 8c is exposed to the outside by opening the top cover 17 upward. The toner pack 16 can be mounted to the end portion of the supply protrusion 8c, and when the toner pack 16 is mounted to the supply protrusion 8c, toner can be supplied from the toner pack 16 to the toner containing chamber 8a. In a state where the top cover 17 is opened, the toner pack 16 is connected to the supply protrusion 8c by the connecting portion 16b, so that the toner pack 16 is mounted to the supply protrusion 8c in a state where at least a portion of the end side of the bag 16a of the toner pack opposite to the connecting portion 16b is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100. Incidentally, in Figure 1 and Figure 2B In the example of FIG. 1 , the top cover 17 as an openable (closable) member for exposing the supply protrusion 8a to the outside is also used as the tray 40, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration in which the top cover 17 can only open the portion above the supply protrusion 8c may be adopted.

[0066] When the toner pack 16 is mounted to the supply protrusion 8c, the interior of the toner pack 16 (the bag 16a, the connection portion 16b) and the interior of the supply protrusion 8c are communicated with each other. Then, the toner contained in the toner pack 16 is discharged into the supply protrusion 8c through an opening (not shown) provided in the connection portion 16b of the toner pack 16, so that the toner is supplied from the supply protrusion 8c to the toner containing chamber 8a through the supply opening 8d.

[0067] Incidentally, in Embodiment 1, the toner supply container is constituted by an easily deformable plastic bag, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the toner supply container may also be constituted by including a bottle container having a substantially conical shape or a substantially cylindrical shape. In addition, for example, the toner supply container may be constituted by including a container formed by paper. In addition, the method for discharging the toner 3 from the toner supply container may be appropriately a method in which the operator squeezes the toner bag 16 or the paper container with his (her) fingers when the toner supply container is a toner bag 16 or a paper container as in Embodiment 1, and may be appropriately a method in which the operator discharges the toner while vibrating the bottle container by tapping or hitting the bottle container when the toner supply container is a bottle container. In addition, in order to discharge the toner 3 from the bottle container, the bottle container may be provided with a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism may have a configuration in which the discharge mechanism is engaged with a drive mechanism provided in the device main assembly M of the imaging device 100 and receives a drive from the drive mechanism.

[0068] In addition, in order to prevent toner from leaking from the toner supply container, the toner supply container may be provided with a rotating or sliding shutter member. In addition, the shutter member may have a structure that allows the shutter member to be destroyed by being mounted to the supply opening 8d of the developing device 8, or may have a removable cover structure such as a seal.

[0069] <Toner Amount Sensor>

[0070] Next, the toner amount sensor 20 as a developer amount detecting device for detecting the toner amount (remaining toner amount) of the toner in the developing device 8 in Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 3 : is a schematic front view of the light guide member 18 constituting the toner amount sensor 20 in Embodiment 1. In addition, Figure 4 1 is a circuit diagram of the sensor portion 19 constituting the toner amount sensor 20 in Embodiment 1. In addition, Figure 5A and Figure 5B are schematic block diagrams each showing a control system of the imaging device 100 of Embodiment 1, wherein Figure 5A The controller 200 is schematically shown, and Figure 5B Functional blocks in the controller 200 are schematically shown.

[0071] like Figure 1 As shown, the developing device 8 is provided with a light guide member 18 constituting a toner amount sensor 20. Figure 3 As shown, the light guiding member 18 includes a light emitting side light guiding portion 18a and a light receiving side light guiding portion 18b. The light emitting side light guiding portion 18a guides light emitted from a light emitting element 19a of a sensor portion 19 described later to the interior of the developing container 80. The light receiving side light guiding portion 18b guides light passing through the light emitting side light guiding portion 18a and a spatial optical path Q inside the developing container 80 to a light receiving element 19b of a sensor portion 19 described later.

[0072] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, the developing device 8 is provided with a sensor portion 19 constituting a toner amount sensor 20. Figure 4 As shown, the sensor portion 19 includes a light emitting element 19a, a light receiving element 19b, and a substrate (not shown) on which the light emitting element 19a and the light receiving element 19b are arranged. In Embodiment 1, an LED is used as the light emitting element 19a, and a phototransistor is used as the light receiving element 19b. The phototransistor is placed in an ON state by light from the LED. In addition, the substrate is provided with a cable connector (not shown), and the sensor portion 19 is connected to a controller 200 described later in the device main component M of the imaging device 100 by a cable through the cable connector.

[0073] Next, the arrangement of the toner amount sensor 20 in Embodiment 1 will be described. The toner amount sensor 20 (light guide member 18, sensor portion 19) is arranged on the side surface of the toner holding chamber 8a of the developing container 80. In Embodiment 1, the toner amount sensor 20 (light guide member 18, sensor portion 19) is arranged at the central portion of the toner holding chamber 8a (developing container 80) with respect to the Y direction. The longitudinal direction of the toner holding chamber 8a is parallel to the Y direction. The toner inside the toner holding chamber 8a is concentrated in the longitudinal direction of the toner holding chamber 8a in some cases, but the concentration of the toner is small at the central portion of the toner holding chamber 8a with respect to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the toner amount sensor 20 (light guide member 18, sensor portion 19) is arranged at the central portion of the toner holding chamber 8a with respect to the longitudinal direction, so that the amount of the toner can be detected while suppressing the influence of the concentration of the toner.

[0074] Next, the method of detecting the toner amount by the toner amount sensor 20 will be described. Figure 4 In the embodiment, a switch (not shown) is provided between the light emitting element 19a and the power supply voltage Vcc, and is turned on (ON state), so that the light emitting element 19a is placed in a conducting state. On the other hand, a switch (not shown) is also provided between the light receiving element 19b and the power supply voltage Vcc, and is turned on (ON state), so that the light receiving element 19b is placed in a conducting state, so that the current flows according to the amount of light detected by the light receiving element 19b. The power supply voltage Vcc and the current limiting resistor R1 are connected to the light emitting element 19a, so that the light emitting element 19a emits light by the current determined by the current limiting resistor R1. The light emitted from the light emitting element 19a passes through the spatial optical path Q and is received by the light receiving element 19b. The power supply voltage Vcc is connected to the collector terminal of the light receiving element 19b, and the detection resistor R2 is connected to the emitter terminal of the light receiving element 19b. The light receiving element 19b (which is a phototransistor) receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 19a, and outputs a signal (current) depending on the amount of light received. The signal is converted into a voltage V1 by a detection resistor R2 and is input to an A / D conversion section 202 (described later) of the controller 200. That is, the light receiving element 19b changes the output value according to the toner amount of the toner contained in the toner containing chamber 8a. Power is supplied to the toner amount sensor 20 from a power source provided to the main assembly M of the apparatus.

[0075] The toner amount calculation section 300 (described later) of the controller 200 determines whether the light receiving element receives the light from the light emitting element 19a based on the voltage level input to the controller 200 by the toner amount sensor 20 and then converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion section 202. Then, the toner amount calculation section 300 calculates the length of time that the toner amount sensor 20 detects the light when the toner 3 in the developing container 80 is stirred for a predetermined time by the stirring member 7. In the ROM 203 (described later) of the controller 200, toner amount judgment information for judging (calculating, predicting, estimating) the toner amount is pre-stored as a table indicating the relationship between the above-mentioned time and the toner amount. Then, the toner amount calculation section 300 calculates the toner amount of the toner in the developing container 80 based on the voltage level input to the controller 200 by the toner amount sensor 20 and converted by the A / D conversion section 202 and the information of the above-mentioned table.

[0076] The toner amount calculation section 300 causes the memory 15 to store the toner amount of the toner in the developing container 80 calculated based on the detection result of the toner amount sensor 20. Incidentally, in Embodiment 1, the remaining toner amount T of the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating chamber 8a when the developing device 8 (processing cartridge 9) is new (initial use, unused state) is stored in advance in the memory 15.

[0077] In Embodiment 1, when the image forming operation is performed, the remaining toner amount T' detected most recently by the toner amount sensor 20 at the end of the image forming operation is calculated by the toner amount calculation section 300. Then, in a case where the calculated remaining toner amount T' is less than the remaining toner amount T stored in the memory 15, the toner amount calculation section 300 updates the remaining toner amount T stored in the memory 15 to the remaining toner amount T' (cause the memory 15 to store the remaining toner amount as T=T'). In addition, when the supply operation for supplying toner from the toner pack 16 to the developing device 8 is performed, the remaining toner amount T" detected by the toner amount sensor 20 during the supply operation is calculated by the toner amount calculation section 300. Then, in a case where the calculated remaining toner amount T" is greater than the remaining toner amount T stored in the memory 15, the toner amount calculation section 300 updates the remaining toner amount T stored in the memory 15 to the remaining toner amount T" (cause the memory 15 to store the remaining toner amount as T=T"). Thereby, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of an increase in the amount of toner during an image forming operation and erroneous detection of a decrease in the amount of toner during a supply operation.

[0078] In Embodiment 1, a method of calculating the toner amount based on the time when light is detected is used, but a method of calculating the toner amount based on pixel count information of an image, a method of calculating the toner amount based on electrostatic capacity, etc. may be used. The toner amount calculation method is not limited to these methods as long as the method can calculate the toner amount.

[0079] <Control Structure>

[0080] like Figure 5A As shown, in the apparatus main component M of the imaging apparatus 100, a controller 200 as a control device is provided. The controller 200 is constituted by including a CPU 201 as an arithmetic processing device (which is a central element) for performing arithmetic processing, an A / D conversion section (converter) 202, a ROM 203 and a RAM 204 as a storage device (storage medium), an input / output circuit 205, and the like. The A / D conversion section 202 converts an analog signal input to the controller 200 into a digital signal. In the ROM 203, a control program, a pre-acquired data table, and the like are stored. In the RAM 204, information input to the controller 200, detected information, processing results, and the like are stored. The input / output circuit 205 controls the input and output of signals between the controller 200 and a device connected to the controller 200.

[0081] The various parts (various driving devices, various power supplies, various sensors, etc.) of the imaging apparatus 100 are connected to the controller 200. The controller 200 controls the operation of the various parts by establishing two-way communication with the various parts of the imaging apparatus 100. The controller 200 performs the imaging operation by controlling the various parts of the imaging apparatus 100 based on signals (start signal, image signal) input from an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer in response to an operator's operation.

[0082] In addition, if Figure 5B As shown, in Embodiment 1, the controller 200 includes a toner amount calculation section 300. The toner amount calculation section 300 calculates the toner amount (remaining toner amount) of the toner in the developing container 80 based on the detection result of the toner amount sensor as described above. In Embodiment 1, the toner amount calculation section 300 is implemented by executing a program stored in the ROM 203 by the CPU 201.

[0083] In addition, if Figure 5BAs shown, in Embodiment 1, the controller 200 includes a developing roller travel distance detection portion 400 as a developing roller travel distance detection device. The developing roller travel distance detection portion 400 includes a developing roller travel distance measurement portion 401 for counting the travel distance of the developing roller 4 as development information related to the travel distance of the surface of the developing roller 4. Hereinafter, in this document, "the travel of the developing roller" is defined as meaning the rotation of the developing roller, and "the travel distance of the developing roller" is defined as meaning how far the surface of the developing roller travels by rotation. Therefore, "the travel distance of the developing roller" may also be referred to as "the surface movement distance of the developing roller" or "the number of revolutions of the developing roller". The developing roller travel distance detection portion 400 includes a total travel distance calculation portion 402 for calculating the cumulative movement distance obtained by integrating the travel distance of the developing roller 4 from the start of use (initial use) as development drive information. In Embodiment 1, the developing roller travel distance detection portion 400 (developing roller travel distance measurement portion 401 , total travel distance calculation portion 402 ) is realized by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 203 .

[0084] The controller 200 includes a judgment section 500 including a supply requirement (request) processing section 501 and a life judgment processing section 502. The supply requirement processing section 501 causes the operation panel 60 to display information prompting the operator to perform a supply operation. In addition, the supply requirement processing section 501 detects (recognizes) the execution of the supply operation based on a signal input from the operation panel 60 in response to the operator's operation. In addition, the supply requirement processing section 501 can detect the execution of the supply operation based on the opening / closing of the top cover 17 or the detection result of the toner amount. In Embodiment 1, the supply requirement processing section 501 is realized by executing a program stored in the ROM 203 by the CPU 201.

[0085] The life judgment processing part 502 causes the operation panel 60 to display information indicating a life notification to the operator. The life notification is an information notification for notifying the operator that a proper image may not be printed even when the supply of toner is performed. The life judgment processing part 502 detects (recognizes) the execution of replacement of the processing cartridge 9 based on a signal input from the operation panel 60 in response to the operator's operation. In addition, the life judgment processing part 502 can detect the replacement of the processing cartridge 9 based on the opening / closing of an openable / closable member (not shown) for replacing the processing cartridge 9 provided to the main component M of the device. Incidentally, the top cover 17 can also be used as an openable / closable member for replacing the processing cartridge 9. That is, it is possible to adopt a method such as Figure 2BThe configuration shown is that the process cartridge 9 can be replaced in a state where the top cover 17 is opened. In addition, replacement of the process cartridge 9 can be detected based on information communication between the controller 200 of the apparatus main assembly M and the memory 15 of the process cartridge 9. In Embodiment 1, the life judgment processing portion 502 is implemented by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 203.

[0086] The controller 200 functions as a notification device that provides notification prompting the user to supply toner through the operation panel 60 based on the processing results of the supply request processing section 501 and the life determination processing section 502, and provides notification to the effect that the developing device 8 has reached the end of its life.

[0087] Incidentally, in Embodiment 1, the process cartridge 9 is provided with a memory 15 (which is a nonvolatile memory device). The controller 200 is capable of reading information from the memory 15 of the process cartridge 9 and writing information to the memory 15 of the process cartridge 9. In the memory 15, information on the amount of toner, information on the threshold value of the amount of toner, information on the travel distance of the developing roller 4, information on the threshold value of the travel distance of the developing roller 4, and the like are stored as information for calculation of the use state (use history) of the developing device 8 and notification of supply requirements. Thus, even in the case of performing on / off of the power supply of the apparatus main component M and mounting and dismounting of the process cartridge 9, control can be appropriately performed in accordance with the process cartridge 9 (developing device 8) based on the above-mentioned information stored in the memory 15. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the information stored in the memory 15 in Embodiment 1 may be stored in a memory provided in, for example, the controller 200 of the apparatus main component M.

[0088] <Developing Roller Travel Distance Detection Control>

[0089] Next, the developing roller travel distance detection control for detecting the travel distance of the developing roller 4 in Embodiment 1 will be described. In Embodiment 1, the total travel distance TotalL is a value corresponding to the cumulative travel distance added up to each travel distance (predetermined developing roller travel distance) L of the developing roller 4 in a predetermined interval and obtained by integrating the travel distance of the developing roller 4 from the initial use to the present. The travel distance of the developing roller 4 in the predetermined interval is, for example, the surface movement distance of the developing roller 4 from the start to the end of the image forming operation.

[0090] <Supply Requirements / Lifetime Judgment Threshold>

[0091] Next, the supply requirement judgment threshold and the life judgment threshold in Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0092] In Embodiment 1, the operator can perform the supply operation at any time. However, when the state in which the toner is not supplied to the developing container 80 continues, problems may occur that cause image defects such as filming, for example. Filming is a phenomenon in which the developer and an external additive added to the developer are deposited on the developing roller, thereby causing the surface roughness of the developing roller to decrease and the resistance value of the developing roller to increase. Due to this filming, not only can an appropriate image density not be obtained, but also fogging, uneven density of a halftone image, etc. may occur.

[0093] Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 performs supply request notification based on the remaining toner amount T of the toner in the developing container 80 and the total travel distance Total 1L as the developing drive information, prompting the operator to perform a supply operation for supplying the toner from the toner pack 16 to the developing device 8. The remaining toner amount T is the remaining amount information, which is information about the amount of toner accommodated in the toner accommodating chamber 8a. The total travel distance Total 1L is the developing drive information, which is information about the surface movement distance of the developing roller 4.

[0094] In Embodiment 1, the supply requirement processing section 501 and the life determination processing section 502 make determinations by using three thresholds (remaining toner amount threshold Tth, total travel distance threshold TotalLth, and supply execution travel distance threshold L1th) in the following manner.

[0095] The supply request processing section 501 calculates the printable remaining toner amount Tj by the following formula (1) based on the remaining toner amount (total toner amount) T of the toner in the developing container 80 using the remaining toner amount threshold Tth as a supply determination threshold.

[0096] Tj=T-Th...Formula (1)

[0097] The life judgment processing section 502 calculates the total printable travel distance TotalLj based on the travel distance (total travel distance TotallL) from the start of use of the developing container 80 to the current driving of the developing roller 4. By using the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth (the travel distance corresponding to two sheets of 25,000 pages at intervals in Embodiment 1) as the life judgment threshold value, the total printable travel distance TotalLj is calculated by the following formula (2).

[0098] Tota lLj=TotalLth-Tota lL...Formula (2)

[0099] That is, the total printable travel distance Totalj is a value indicating the printable travel distance from that point in time until the end of the life is reached.

[0100] The supply request processing section 501 calculates the pre-supply travelable distance L1j based on the travel distance (total travel distance TotalL) from the start of use of the developing container 80 to the current driving of the developing roller 4. The pre-supply travelable distance L1j is calculated by the following formula (3) using the supply execution travel distance L1th as the supply judgment threshold.

[0101] L1 j=L1 th-Tota lL...Formula (3)

[0102] That is, the pre-supply execution travelable distance L1 j is a value indicating the printable travel distance from the time point (TotalL) to the supply requirement (L1 th).

[0103] Incidentally, a plurality of values ​​(eg, 10 km, 20 km, etc.) may be set in advance as the supply execution travel distance L1th.

[0104] In Embodiment 1, the remaining toner amount threshold value Tth, the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth, and the supply execution travel distance threshold value L1th are preset and stored in the memory 15. Each of these threshold values ​​is preset to a value at which there is a possibility that a proper image cannot be formed due to a decrease in the remaining toner amount or an increase in the travel distance of the developing roller 4.

[0105] Furthermore, the supply request processing section 501 and the life determination processing section 502 cause the memory 15 to store the calculated printable remaining toner amount Tj, printable total travel distance TotalLj, and pre-supply execution travelable distance L1j.

[0106] Then, in the case where Tj≤0 or L1j≤0 is satisfied, there is a possibility that a proper image cannot be printed, and therefore, the supply request processing part 501 performs a supply request notification to prompt the operator to perform a supply operation. Tj≤0 is a case where the remaining colorant amount T becomes less than a predetermined remaining colorant amount threshold value Tth (less than the remaining amount threshold value). L1j≤0 is a case where the total travel distance TotalL (accumulated moving distance) becomes more than the supply execution travel distance threshold value L1th (more than the first supply judgment threshold value). In addition, in the case where TotalLj≤0 is satisfied, there is a possibility that a proper image cannot be printed even when the supply of colorant is executed, and therefore, the life judgment processing part 502 performs a life notification to the operator. TotalLj≤0 is a case where the total travel distance TotalL (accumulated moving distance) becomes more than the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth (more than the life judgment threshold value).

[0107] In Embodiment 1, the supply request processing section 501 and the life judgment processing section 502 cause the operation panel 60 to display information prompting the operator to perform a supply operation or information notifying the operator that the developing device 8 has reached the end of its life as a supply request notification or a life notification. In addition, based on a signal input from the operation panel 60 in response to the operation of the operator, the supply request processing section 501 detects that the supply operation is performed. The signal is, for example, a signal input from the operation panel 60 in response to the operator's operation of a button of the operation section at the end of the supply operation. In addition, when the supply request processing section 501 detects that the supply operation is performed, the supply request processing section 501 drives the developing device 8 and obtains information on the remaining toner amount after the supply operation and the travel distance of the developing roller 4.

[0108] <Developer Supply Request / Life Notification Sequence>

[0109] The image forming apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 performs supply request notification and life notification to the operator based on the remaining toner amount of the toner in the developing container 80, the total printable travel distance TotalL, and the pre-supply travelable distance L1j. The supply request notification is a notification prompting the user to perform a supply operation for supplying toner from the toner pack 16 to the developing device 8.

[0110] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B 1 is a flowchart showing the timing of supplying toner to the developing device 8 or the sequence for determining the life of the developing device 8 in Embodiment 1. The controller 200 executes Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The respective processes shown in the flowchart are performed, and the toner supply request timing of the developing device 8 and the life of the developing device 8 are detected, and then the user is notified of the result.

[0111] First, from the start (S101), a print signal is sent to the image forming apparatus 100 (S102). Then, an image forming operation is started (S103), a developing roller travel distance L during the image forming operation is counted (S104), and then the image forming operation is ended (S105).

[0112] Next, the total travel distance Total 1L so far (until immediately before the imaging operations of S103 to S105 are performed) is read from the memory 15 (S106).

[0113] Then, the travel distance L traveled by the developing roller in the current image forming operation is added to the total travel distance TotalL(n-1) so far read in S106, thereby calculating the latest total travel distance TotalL(n) by the following formula (4) (S107).

[0114] Tota lL(n)=TotalL(n-1)+L...Formula (4)

[0115] Incidentally, in the above description, the process for updating the total travel distance so far after the imaging operation ends is described as an example, but the process for updating the total travel distance in real time during the execution of the imaging operation may be performed.

[0116] Next, the remaining toner amount T is measured ( S108 ).

[0117] Then, Total 1L(n) calculated in S107 is written into the memory 15 as the total travel distance TotalL updated to the latest value, and the remaining toner amount measured in S108 is written into the memory 15 as the latest remaining toner amount T ( S109 ).

[0118] Next, the remaining toner amount threshold value Tth, the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth, and the supply execution travel distance threshold value L1th are read from the memory 15 (S110).

[0119] First, the total printable travel distance TotalLj is calculated according to the above formula (2), and it is determined whether the relationship of TotalLj>0 is satisfied (S111).

[0120] When TotalLj>0 is not satisfied (S111: No), no printable travel distance remains, and therefore, the end of life is notified (S112), and replacement of the process cartridge 9 is performed (S118), and the process proceeds to "END" (S113).

[0121] When TotalLj>0 is satisfied (S111: Yes), the printable remaining toner amount Tj is calculated according to the above formula (1), and it is determined whether the relationship of Tj>0 is satisfied (S114).

[0122] In the case where Tj>0 is not satisfied (S114: No), no printable toner remains, and therefore, a toner supply request is notified (S115). Thereafter, a supply operation is performed (S116), and then the process proceeds to "END" (S113).

[0123] When Tj>0 is satisfied (S114: Yes), the travelable distance L1j before supply execution is calculated according to the above formula (3), and it is determined whether the relationship L1j>0 is satisfied (S117).

[0124] If L1j>0 is not satisfied (S117: No), there is no remaining travelable distance before supply is performed, so a supply request is notified (S115). Thereafter, the supply operation is performed (S116), and the process proceeds to "END" (S113).

[0125] When L1 j>0 is satisfied ( S117 : YES), the remaining travelable distance remains, and therefore the process proceeds to “END” ( S113 ).

[0126] By executing this series of flowcharts, in Embodiment 1, before fogging due to filming occurs, it is possible to notify the user of a supply operation requirement for supplying toner to the developing device 8 and the life of the developing device 8. The method of life notification may be a method of notifying the user of reaching the end of the life by using the operation panel 60 or the like, or may be a method of stopping the image forming operation.

[0127] Incidentally, the life advance notification threshold value may be determined before the total travel distance reaches the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth. For example, in the present embodiment, when the life advance notification threshold value is set to 90% of the total travel threshold value TotalLth, at a time point when the remaining life of the developing device 8 reaches 10% of the life end, a warning that the developing device 8 is approaching the life end may be notified to the user. Therefore, the user can prepare in advance to replace the developing device 8.

[0128] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the developing device 8 is provided with the memory 15 , but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the memory may be provided in the apparatus main assembly M of the image forming apparatus 100 .

[0129] <Low Print Rate Printing>

[0130] Here, an imaging operation with a low printing rate will be described. The printing rate can be defined as the ratio of the printing area (the area of ​​the portion in which the toner is placed in the image formable area of ​​the recording material) to the sheet area (the area of ​​the image formable area of ​​the recording material). As a typical imaging with a low printing rate, for example, imaging in which the toner consumption is small because the image is composed only of text or lines can be cited. In addition, even when the content of the image to be formed is the same, between a small-sized sheet and a large-sized sheet, the printing amount (toner consumption) of the small-sized sheet is smaller. Therefore, as another definition of the printing rate, when the printing amount in the case of forming a full black image (pure black image) on a sheet of a predetermined size (for example, a letter size) is taken as 100%, the printing rate can be defined as the ratio to the printing amount. Under this definition, when the content of the image is the same, the smaller the sheet size, the lower the printing rate of the imaging.

[0131] As a cause of image defects such as fog, deterioration of toner can be cited, and as one of the factors of toner deterioration, the flow of toner in the developing container during the imaging operation can be cited. The toner in the developing container 80 is repeatedly rubbed by the supply roller 5 and the developing blade 6 during the imaging operation, and gradually deteriorates due to the occurrence of external additives detaching from and embedding in the toner base material, deformation of the toner base material itself, etc. The toner that undergoes development during the imaging operation is a part of the toner in the developing container 80, so that a large amount of toner remains in the developing container 80 without undergoing development. In the case of continuous imaging operation at a low printing rate, this toner residue becomes noticeable. The lower the printing rate of the imaging, the larger the amount of toner in the developing container 80 stagnates in the developing container 80 without being consumed, and in the period before the toner supply to the developing container 80 is performed, the imaging operation is repeated multiple times. Toner deterioration is aggravated by the toner continuing to remain in the developing container 80 without undergoing development at each imaging operation. Therefore, the lower the printing rate of the image formation, the more the toner in the developing container 80 deteriorates before the toner in the developing container 80 is consumed to a predetermined amount for prompting the user to supply the toner, so that image defects are likely to occur before the toner supply is performed. That is, in the case where the image is mainly formed of text or lines or in the case where the size of the recording material is small, image defects due to the deterioration of the toner in the developing container 80 are likely to occur.

[0132] In Embodiment 1, even in the case where the image forming operation at a low printing rate is repeatedly performed, before the toner amount of the toner in the developing container 80 reaches the remaining toner amount threshold value Tth, the pre-supply travelable distance L1j reaches 0, thereby notifying the toner supply request, and then the toner supply is performed. Therefore, in a state where the toner consumption amount is small, since the travel distance of the developing roller 4 becomes too long, fresh toner can be supplied before the toner deteriorates and the consumption of the developing roller 4 increases. Thus, the occurrence of image defects such as fogging due to the deterioration of the toner and the consumption of the developing roller 4 can be suppressed.

[0133] <Evaluation Experiment of Example 1>

[0134] On 25,000 sheets of recording material, images were formed by using the image data for the experiment. Three horizontal line patterns with image printing rates of 4%, 2%, and 1.75% were used. In addition, the supply execution travel distance threshold value L1th was set to 10 km, and the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth was set to 25 km. Figure 7 , the results when the experiment was performed are shown. Each of four cases 1 to 4 will be described.

[0135] Case 1 (Reference Example 1): High print rate printing (image print rate: 4%)

[0136] Due to the high print rate printing, the toner consumption increases and the time when the printable remaining toner amount Tj becomes 0 becomes the time point of the total travel distance TotalL=5km. The toner is consumed before the degree of toner degradation and the consumption of the developing roller intensifies, so that there is no fog and the toner supply time has arrived. In addition, the supply operation is performed to replace the degraded toner in the developing device with new (fresh) toner. Thus, the influence of toner degradation and the consumption of the developing roller is alleviated, so that the imaging device can be used subsequently until the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth=25km without the occurrence of fog.

[0137] Case 2 (Reference Example 2): Low print rate printing (image print rate: 2%)

[0138] The printing rate is half of that in case 1, and therefore, the time when the printable remaining toner amount Tj becomes 0 is the time point when the total travel distance TotalL=10 km, which is twice the total travel distance TotalL in case 1. Compared with case 1, the toner consumption is small, and therefore, although the degree of consumption of the developing roller is aggravated, there is no fogging, and the toner supply time has arrived. In addition, similar to case 1, the supply operation is performed to replace the deteriorated toner in the developing device with new toner. Thus, the influence of toner deterioration and consumption of the developing roller is alleviated, so that the image forming apparatus can be used subsequently until the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth=25 km without the occurrence of fogging.

[0139] Case 3 (Comparative Example): Low printing rate printing (image printing rate: 1.75%)

[0140] The printing rate is slightly reduced from the printing rate in Case 2, and therefore, the time when the printable remaining toner amount Tj becomes 0 becomes the time point when the total travel distance TotalL = 11.5 km. The toner consumption amount is further smaller than the toner consumption amount in Case 2, and therefore, the degree of toner deterioration and consumption of the developing roller is further aggravated, so that fogging occurs at the time point when the total travel distance TotalL = 11 km before the time Tj = 0.

[0141] Case 4 (Example 1): Low print rate printing (image print rate: 1.75%) + setting L1 j

[0142] In a case similar to Case 3, by setting the supply execution travel distance threshold value L1th=10km, the supply operation is performed before the total travel distance reaches the total travel distance at which fog occurs. The deteriorated toner in the developing device 8 is replaced with new toner, thereby alleviating the influence of toner deterioration and consumption of the developing roller, so that the image forming apparatus can be used subsequently without the occurrence of fog until the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth=25km.

[0143] In the manner of intensively supplying toner as in Embodiment 1, fresh developer is supplied by supplying, thereby proving that the filming state of the developing roller 4 is significantly improved. As in Embodiment 1, by performing the supply operation at an appropriate timing, an image can be subsequently printed without fogging.

[0144] As described above, the pre-supply execution travelable distance L1j is set so that supply is executed before fog occurs, and therefore, the imaging apparatus 100 can be used without fog occurring thereafter.

[0145] In the first embodiment, only one value (10 km) is set as the supply execution travel distance threshold L1 th, but a plurality of thresholds may be set. For example, the first threshold L1 th1 = 10 km and the second threshold L1 th2 = 19 km are set, and first, in S117, the supply is executed by judging using the first threshold L1 th1 (10 km). Then, the threshold used in S117 is changed to the second threshold L1 th2 (19 km), and then, the supply may be executed according to the threshold L1 th1 (10 km). Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Execute the processing according to the flowchart of FIG.

[0146] In Embodiment 2, portions overlapping with those in Embodiment 1 will be omitted from the description, and portions unique to Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0147] In Embodiment 2, in addition to Embodiment 1, a supply interval travel distance Refi l lL, a toner usage amount T1, and a supply interval travelable distance L2j before supply execution are set. The supply interval travel distance Refi l lL (supply interval movement distance) is a distance obtained by integrating the travel distance (movement distance) of the developing roller 4 in a predetermined interval on the surface of the developing roller 4 after the toner is supplied. The toner usage amount is the toner usage amount from the initial stage or immediately after the toner is supplied. The supply interval travelable distance L2j before supply execution is a printable travel distance from the current time to the supply request. Thus, in the case where the toner usage amount is small and the supply interval travel distance is long, the supply request can be notified earlier. Thus, the occurrence of fog can be suppressed while suppressing the consumption of the developing roller 4 and the deterioration of the toner in the developing device 8.

[0148] <Control Structure>

[0149] exist Figure 8 , a block diagram used in Embodiment 2 is shown. Portions overlapping with those in Embodiment 1 will be omitted from the description. In Embodiment 2, the developing roller traveling distance detecting portion 400 further includes an inter-supply traveling distance calculating portion 403 in addition to the developing roller traveling distance measuring portion 401 and the total traveling distance calculating portion 402. The inter-supply traveling distance calculating portion 403 calculates the traveling distance from the start of use or from immediately after the supply operation is performed until the subsequent supply operation is performed.

[0150] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B 2 is a flowchart showing the timing of supplying toner to the developing device 8 or the sequence for determining the life of the developing device 8 in Embodiment 2. The controller 200 executes Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B The respective processes shown in the flowchart are performed, and the toner supply request timing of the developing device 8 and the life of the developing device 8 are detected, and then the user is notified of the result.

[0151] First, from the start (S201), a print signal is sent to the image forming apparatus 100 (S202). Then, an image forming operation is started (S203), a developing roller travel distance L during the image forming operation is counted (S204), and then the image forming operation is ended (S205).

[0152] Next, the total travel distance Total 1L so far (until immediately before the image forming operations of S203 to S205 are performed) and the inter-supply travel distance Ref 11L so far are read from the memory 15 (S206).

[0153] Then, the total travel distance so far read in S206 is represented by Total 1L (n-1), and the travel distance L traveled by the developing roller in the current imaging operation is added thereto, thereby calculating the latest total travel distance TotalL (n) (S207). The calculation formula for the latest total travel distance TotalL (n) is the formula (4) used in Example 1.

[0154] In addition, the supply-to-supply travel distance up to now read in S206 is represented by Ref il lL(n-1), and the travel distance L in the current imaging operation is added thereto to calculate the latest supply-to-supply travel distance Ref il lL(n)(S208). The latest supply-to-supply travel distance Ref il lL(n) is calculated by the following formula (5).

[0155] Refi l lL(n)=Refi ll(n-1)+L...Formula (5)

[0156] Next, the remaining toner amount T is measured ( S209 ).

[0157] Then, Total 1L(n) calculated in S207 is written as the total travel distance TotalL updated to the latest value in the memory 15. Furthermore, Ref il 1L(n) calculated in S208 is written as the supply-to-supply travel distance Ref il 1L updated to the latest value in the memory 15. Furthermore, the remaining toner amount measured in S209 is written as the latest remaining toner amount T in the memory 15 (S210).

[0158] Next, the remaining toner amount threshold value Tth, the toner usage amount threshold value T1th, the remaining toner amount T0 after the initial / immediate supply, the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth, and the supply execution inter-supply travel distance threshold value L1th are read from the memory 15 (S211). Regarding the remaining toner amount T0 after the initial / immediate supply, in the case where the supply operation has not been performed even once, the toner amount of the toner filled during the new product state is stored, and after the supply operation is performed, the remaining toner amount immediately after the supply operation is actually measured, and the remaining toner amount T0 after the initial / immediate supply is updated by the measured value.

[0159] First, the total printable travel distance TotalLj is calculated according to the formula (2) described in the first embodiment, and it is determined whether the relationship of TotalLj>0 is satisfied (S212).

[0160] When TotalLj>0 is not satisfied (S212: No), no printable travel distance remains, and therefore, the end of life is notified (S213), and replacement of the process cartridge 9 is performed (S222), and the process proceeds to "END" (S214).

[0161] In the case where TotalLj>0 is satisfied (S212: Yes), the printable remaining toner amount Tj is calculated according to the formula (1) described in Embodiment 1, and it is determined whether the relationship of Tj>0 is satisfied (S215).

[0162] In the case where Tj>0 is not satisfied (S215: No), no printable toner remains, and therefore, a toner supply requirement is notified (S216). Thereafter, a supply operation is performed (S217), and then the remaining toner amount T of the toner in the developing container immediately after the supply is measured (S218). Then, the inter-supply travel distance and the remaining toner amount at the initial / immediately after supply in the memory 15 are updated to Refil L=0 and T0=T, respectively (S219), and the process proceeds to "END" (S214).

[0163] When Tj>0 is satisfied (S215: YES), the toner usage amount from the initial stage or from immediately after supply is calculated by the following formula (6), and then compared with the toner usage threshold value T1th to determine whether the toner usage amount is small (S220).

[0164] T=T0-T...Formula (6)

[0165] When T1>T1th is satisfied (S220: YES), that is, when the toner usage amount T1 from the initial stage or from immediately after supply is large, it is determined that toner deterioration and developing roller filming do not occur, and the process proceeds to "END" (S214).

[0166] When T1>T1th is not satisfied (S220: No), that is, when the toner usage T1 from the initial stage or from immediately after the supply is small, the supply interval travelable distance L2j before the supply is executed is calculated according to the following formula (7), and it is determined whether there is a remaining printable travel distance (S221).

[0167] L2j=L2 th-Refi l lL...Formula (7)

[0168] That is, the pre-supply inter-supply travelable distance L2j is a value indicating the printable inter-supply travel distance from the current time (Ref il lL) to the supply requirement (L2th).

[0169] When L2j>0 is not satisfied (S221: No), new toner needs to be supplied from the viewpoint of toner deterioration and developing roller filming, and therefore, a toner supply request is notified (S216).

[0170] After that, the supply operation is performed (S217), and the remaining toner amount T in the developing container immediately after the supply is measured (S218). Then, the inter-supply travel distance and the remaining toner amount at the initial / immediately after the supply in the memory 15 are updated to Refil L=0 and T0=T, respectively (S219), and the process proceeds to "END" (S214).

[0171] In the case where L2j>0 is satisfied (S221: YES), the remaining toner amount is sufficient and the inter-supply travel distance has not excessively progressed, and therefore, it is determined that toner degradation and developing roller filming have not occurred, and the process proceeds to "END" (S214).

[0172] By executing this series of flowcharts, when the remaining toner amount T becomes less than the predetermined remaining toner amount threshold value Tth (less than the remaining amount threshold value), a supply request notification is provided. In addition, when the toner usage amount T1 since the last supply is performed is less than the predetermined threshold value T1th and the supply interval travel distance Refi l lL (supply interval movement distance) becomes more than the supply execution supply interval travel distance threshold value L2th (more than the second supply judgment threshold value), a request notification is provided. In Embodiment 2, before the occurrence of fogging due to filming, the user can be notified of the supply operation request to supply toner to the developing device 8 and the life of the developing device 8. The method of life notification may be a method of notifying the user of the end of life through the operation panel 60 or the like, or may be a method of stopping the image forming operation.

[0173] Furthermore, in Embodiment 2, an example of using only one value as the toner usage threshold value T1th for judging the toner usage T1 from the initial stage or from immediately after supply is described, but a plurality of toner usage threshold values ​​may be used. Then, the inter-supply travel distance Refi l lL may be judged by using a plurality of supply execution inter-supply travel distance threshold values ​​L2th according to the judgment result based on the plurality of toner usage threshold values. Thus, life setting corresponding to various printing rate modes may be performed.

[0174] In addition, in Embodiment 2, the supply execution time (S221) is changed according to the judgment result (S220) of the toner usage amount T1. However, the toner consumption amount per unit travel distance and the printing rate are calculated, and a different supply execution inter-supply travel distance threshold L2th can be set for each printing rate range or each toner consumption amount per unit travel distance. For example, when the printing rate is 0 to 0.5%, the threshold can be set to 4 km, and when the printing rate is 0.6 to 1%, the threshold can be set to 6 km.

[0175] In addition, in Embodiment 2, an example is described in which a supply execution judgment (S221) based on the pre-supply supply interval travelable distance L2j is performed according to the judgment result of the toner usage (S220). However, the supply execution judgment may be performed according to the judgment result of the toner usage in printing with a printing rate lower than a predetermined printing rate (low printing rate toner usage). For example, in a case where the operator mainly performs printing at a low printing rate, the judgment of S221 is performed when the low printing rate toner usage exceeds the low printing rate toner usage threshold.

[0176] By the way, in the case where supply is not performed even once, the inter-supply travel distance Refi l lL is equal to the total travel distance TotalL.

[0177] <Evaluation Experiment of Example 2>

[0178] On 30,000 sheets of recording material, images were formed by using the image data for the experiment. Three horizontal line patterns with image printing rates of 4%, 2%, and 1.5% were used. In addition, the toner usage threshold T1th was set to 30g, the supply execution supply interval travel distance threshold L2th was set to 7km, and the total travel distance threshold TotalLth was set to 30km. Fig.10 , the results when the experiment was performed are shown. Each of four cases 1 to 4 will be described.

[0179] Case 1 (Reference Example 1): High print rate printing (image print rate: 4%)

[0180] Due to the high print rate printing, the moment when the toner consumption intensifies and the printable remaining toner amount Tj becomes 0 becomes the time point when the total travel distance TotalL=5km. The toner is consumed before the degree of toner deterioration and developer roller consumption intensifies, so there is no fog and the toner supply moment has arrived. In addition, the supply operation is performed every 5km so that the total travel distance TotalL is 5km, 10km, ..., thereby replacing the deteriorated toner in the developing device with new (fresh) toner. Thus, the influence of toner deterioration and developer roller consumption is alleviated, so that the imaging device can be used subsequently until the total travel distance threshold TotalLth=30km without the occurrence of fog.

[0181] Case 2 (Reference Example 2): Printing with a low printing rate (image printing rate: 2%)

[0182] The printing rate is half of that in case 1, and therefore, the moment when the printable remaining toner amount Tj becomes 0 is the time point when the total travel distance Tota lL=10 km, which is twice the total travel distance TotalL in case 1. Compared with case 1, the toner consumption is small, and therefore, although the degree of consumption of the developing roller is aggravated, there is no fogging, and the toner supply time has come. In addition, the supply operation is performed every 10 km, so that the total travel distance TotalL is 10 km, 20 km, ..., thereby replacing the deteriorated toner in the developing device with new toner. Thus, the influence of toner deterioration and consumption of the developing roller is alleviated, so that the image forming apparatus can be used subsequently until the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth=30 km without the occurrence of fogging.

[0183] Case 3 (Comparative Example): Low printing rate printing (image printing rate: 1.5%)

[0184] The printing rate is slightly reduced from the printing rate in Case 2, and therefore, the time when the printable remaining toner amount Tj becomes 0 becomes the time point when the total travel distance TotalL = 13.5 km. The toner consumption amount is further smaller than the toner consumption amount in Case 2, and therefore, the degree of toner deterioration and consumption of the developing roller is further aggravated, so that fogging occurs at the time point when the total travel distance TotalL = 8.5 km before the time Tj = 0.

[0185] Case 4 (Example 2): Low print rate printing (image print rate: 1.5%) + setting (T1, L2j)

[0186] In a case similar to Case 3, the toner usage threshold value T1th=30g and the supply execution inter-supply travel distance threshold value L2th=7km are set. Thus, it is possible to judge a use state in which printing is allowed despite the remaining toner amount T (toner usage amount T1 is small) and the inter-supply travel distance Ref il lL becomes long. Even in such a use state in which low-print rate printing is mainly performed, in the case of Embodiment 2, the deteriorated toner in the developing device 8 is replaced with new toner by performing the supply operation at each inter-supply travel distance Ref il lL=7km (L2th). Thus, the influence of toner deterioration and consumption of the developing roller is mitigated, so that the image forming apparatus can be used subsequently until the total travel distance threshold value Total lLth=30km without the occurrence of fog.

[0187] As described above, the toner usage amount T1 and the pre-supply execution inter-supply travelable distance L2j are set so that supply is performed before fog occurs, and therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 can be used without fog occurring thereafter.

[0188] In Embodiment 2, an example of using one value (e.g., 30 g) as the toner usage threshold T1th is described, but a plurality of values ​​are set, and the supply execution inter-supply travel threshold L2th may be set differently for each toner usage threshold. For example, the second toner usage threshold T1th2=15 g is set, and the second supply execution inter-supply travel distance threshold L2th2=4 km is set.

[0189] Thus, for a user with a lower printing rate, the supply operation is performed before the degree of toner deterioration and consumption of the developing roller advances, so that the image forming apparatus can be used without fogging thereafter.

[0190] In addition, in Embodiment 2, an example of setting a value (e.g., 7 km) as the supply execution inter-supply travel distance threshold L2th is described, but a plurality of values ​​may be set. For example, it is set so that the threshold used for judgment in the second supply is 6.8 km, the threshold used for judgment in the third supply is 6.7 km, and after the first supply, it may also be set according to the number of supply times. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The flowchart is processed.

[0191] In Embodiment 3, in addition to the parameters described in Embodiment 1, it is characterized in that the corrected total travel distance and the corrected inter-supply travel distance are calculated using a correction coefficient for correcting the travel distance of the developing roller 4 .

[0192] In Embodiment 3, portions overlapping with those in Embodiment 1 will be omitted from the description, and portions unique to Embodiment 3 will be described.

[0193] <Control Structure>

[0194] exist Fig.13 , a block diagram used in Embodiment 3 is shown. Portions that overlap with those in Embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted from the description. In Embodiment 3, the developing roller travel distance detection portion 400 includes a corrected supply-to-supply travel distance calculation portion 404. The corrected supply-to-supply travel distance calculation portion 404 is a portion that corrects the supply-to-supply travel distance using a correction coefficient and then integrates it. Incidentally, the correction coefficient will be described later.

[0195] In Embodiment 3, in addition to the parameters described in Embodiment 1, the corrected total travel distance and the corrected inter-supply travel distance are calculated by using a correction coefficient for correcting the travel distance of the developing roller 4. Thus, in the case where the toner usage is small and the travel distance after supply is long, a large correction is made with respect to the travel distance, so that the supply requirement can be notified early. Thus, the occurrence of fog can be suppressed while suppressing the consumption of the developing roller 4 and the deterioration of the toner in the developing device 8.

[0196] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B 1 is a flowchart showing the timing of supplying toner to the developing device 8 or the sequence for determining the life of the developing device 8 in Embodiment 3. The controller 200 executes Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B The respective processes shown in the flowchart are performed, and the toner supply request timing of the developing device 8 and the life of the developing device 8 are detected, and then the user is notified of the result.

[0197] First, from the start (S301), a print signal is sent to the image forming apparatus 100 (S302). Then, an image forming operation is started (S303), a developing roller travel distance L during the image forming operation is counted (S304), and then the image forming operation is ended (S305).

[0198] Next, the total travel distance TotalL up to now (until immediately before the imaging operation of S303 to S305 is performed), the corrected total travel distance TotalL up to now, and the corrected supply travel distance up to now are read from the memory 15 ( S306 ).

[0199] Then, the total travel distance TotalL(n-1) so far read in S306 is represented by Total(n-1), and the travel distance L traveled by the developing roller in the current imaging operation is added thereto, thereby calculating the latest total travel distance TotalL(n) (S307). The calculation formula of the latest total travel distance Total(n) is the formula (4) used in Example 1.

[0200] Next, the remaining toner amount T is measured ( S308 ).

[0201] Then, by referring to the correction table ( Fig.13 ), a correction coefficient k depending on the remaining toner amount T is determined (S309).

[0202] Next, by using the selected correction coefficient k, the corrected travel distance Lu is calculated by the following formula (8) (S310).

[0203] Lu=L x k...Formula (8)

[0204] The corrected total travel distance so far read in S306 is represented by Total lLt(n-1), and the corrected travel distance Lu calculated by formula (8) is added to calculate the latest corrected total travel distance TotalLt(n) (S311). The latest corrected total travel distance TotalLt(n) is calculated by the following formula (9).

[0205] Tota lLt(n)=Tota lLt(n-1)+Lu...Formula (9)

[0206] The corrected travel distance Lu is a corrected travel distance obtained by correcting the moving distance of the developing roller 4 in a predetermined interval based on the remaining amount information, which is information related to the toner amount of the toner in the toner containing chamber 8a. The corrected total travel distance TotalLt is a corrected cumulative moving distance obtained by integrating the corrected moving distance of the developing device 8 from the initial use.

[0207] Next, the corrected supply-to-supply travel distance so far read in S306 is represented by Lt(n-1), and the corrected travel distance Lu calculated by formula (8) is added thereto to calculate the latest corrected supply-to-supply travel distance Lt(n) (S312). The latest corrected supply-to-supply travel distance Lt(n) is calculated by the following formula (10).

[0208] Lt(n)=Lt(n-1)+Lu...Formula (10)

[0209] The corrected inter-supply travel distance Lt is a corrected inter-supply movement distance obtained by integrating the corrected movement distance since the last toner supply was performed.

[0210] Then, Total 1L(n) calculated in S307 is written as the latest total travel distance TotalL into the memory 15. Furthermore, Total 1Lt(n) calculated in S311 is written as the latest corrected total travel distance TotalLt into the memory 15. Furthermore, Lt(n) calculated in S312 is written as the latest corrected inter-supply travel distance Total 1Lt into the memory 15. Furthermore, the remaining toner amount measured in S308 is written as the latest remaining toner amount T into the memory 15 (S313).

[0211] Next, the remaining toner amount threshold value Tth, the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth, and the supply execution inter-supply travel distance threshold value L3th are read from the memory 15 (S314).

[0212] First, the total printable travel distance TotalLj is calculated according to the formula (2) described in the first embodiment, and it is determined whether the relationship of TotalLj>0 is satisfied (S315).

[0213] When Totalj>0 is not satisfied (S315: No), no printable travel distance remains, and therefore, the end of life is notified (S316), and replacement of the process cartridge 9 is performed (S324), and the process proceeds to "END" (S317).

[0214] In the case where TotallLj>0 is satisfied (S315: Yes), the corrected total printable travel distance TotalL1j is calculated by the following formula (11), thereby determining whether there is a remaining amount (S318).

[0215] Tota lL1 j=TotalLth-Tota lLT...Formula (11)

[0216] That is, the corrected printable total travel distance TotalL1j is a value indicating the printable corrected inter-supply travel distance from the current time (TotalLt) to reaching the end of life.

[0217] When Total 1L1 j>0 is not satisfied (S318: No), no printable travel distance remains, and therefore, the end of the life is notified (S316), and the process proceeds to "END" (S317).

[0218] When Total1L1j>0 is satisfied (S318: YES), the printable travel distance remains, so the printable remaining toner amount Tj is calculated according to the formula (1) described in Embodiment 1, and it is determined whether Tj>0 is satisfied (S319).

[0219] In the case where Tj>0 is not satisfied (S319: No), no printable toner remains, so the toner supply requirement is notified (S320). Thereafter, the supply operation is performed (S321), and the corrected inter-supply travel distance in the memory 5 is updated to Lt=0 (S322), and then the process proceeds to "END" (S317).

[0220] When Tj>0 is satisfied (S319: Yes), the corrected pre-supply travelable distance L3j is calculated according to the following formula (12), and it is determined whether there is a remaining amount (S323).

[0221] L3j=L3th-Lt...Formula (12)

[0222] If L1 j>0 is not satisfied (S323: No), supply is required, so the toner supply requirement is notified (S320). After that, the supply operation is performed (S321), and the corrected inter-supply travel distance in the memory 15 is updated to Lt=0 (S322), and the process proceeds to "END" (S317).

[0223] In the case where L3j>0 is satisfied (S323: Yes), there is a remaining travelable distance, so the process proceeds to "end" (S317). By executing this series of flowcharts, when the corrected total travel distance Total Lt (corrected cumulative moving distance) becomes greater than the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth (above the life judgment threshold value), a notification is provided to the effect that the developing device 8 has reached the end of its life. In addition, when the remaining colorant amount T becomes less than the remaining colorant amount threshold value Th, a supply request notification is provided. In addition, when the corrected supply-to-supply travel distance Lt (corrected supply-to-supply moving distance) becomes greater than the supply-execution supply-to-supply travel distance threshold value L3th (above the third supply judgment threshold value), a supply request notification is provided.

[0224] In Embodiment 3, the supply execution judgment may be made based on the corrected travel distance obtained by correcting the actual travel distance according to the remaining toner amount. Fig.13 In the example shown, the larger the remaining toner amount is, the larger the correction coefficient is, and therefore, the longer the corrected travel distance is counted. That is, in the correction of the moving distance based on the remaining toner amount information, the correction is performed so that the larger the remaining toner amount is, the longer the corrected moving distance becomes. Therefore, in the use case where low printing rate printing is performed in most cases and the toner usage is small, the integral value of the corrected travel distance is likely to increase, thereby performing toner supply early. Thus, before the gray fog generated by filming occurs, the user can be notified of the supply operation requirement of supplying toner to the developing device 8 and the life of the developing device 8. The method of life notification can be a method of notifying the user of reaching the end of life through the operation panel 60, etc., or it can be a method of stopping the imaging operation.

[0225] Incidentally, in Embodiment 3, an example is described in which the judgment as to whether the travelable distance until toner supply is executed remains by using the supply execution inter-supply travel distance threshold value L3th is performed, but the judgment may be performed by using L1th used in Embodiment 1 or L2th used in Embodiment 2.

[0226] Furthermore, in Embodiment 3, an example of determining the correction coefficient based only on the remaining toner amount is described, but the correction coefficient may be determined based on other conditions. For example, in addition to the remaining toner amount, the correction coefficient may be determined based on the supply-to-supply travel distance when toner supply is performed or the remaining toner amount during the last toner supply. Fig.14 In the example shown, when the inter-supply travel distance is long, the correction coefficient is large, and therefore, as the travel distance increases, the corrected travel distance is counted longer. That is, the corrected travel distance becomes a value that is further corrected in the following manner: the larger the value of the inter-supply travel distance obtained by integrating the moving distance from the last toner supply is, the larger the value becomes. Therefore, in a use state where low-printing rate printing is performed in most cases and the travel distance is easily increased, the integral value of the corrected travel distance is easily increased, thereby performing toner supply early. In addition, the larger the remaining toner amount during the last toner supply is, the larger the correction coefficient is. That is, the corrected travel distance becomes a value that is further corrected in the following manner: the larger the remaining toner amount when the last toner supply is performed is, the larger the value becomes. Therefore, in the case of low-printing rate printing in which toner supply is performed with a small amount of toner used, the integral value of the corrected travel distance is easily increased, thereby performing toner supply early. Therefore, an appropriate correction coefficient can be used according to the degree of toner deterioration in the developing device 8 and the degree of the developing roller 4 during the supply operation. By the way, in Fig.14 In the example of , an example of changing the correction coefficient in two stages according to the travel distance between supplies is described, but the correction coefficient may be changed more finely according to the travel distance between supplies. For example, it is set so that the correction coefficient becomes larger as the travel distance between supplies is longer. Thus, in a use case where low print rate printing is performed in most cases and the travel distance is easily increased, supply requirements can be notified earlier.

[0227] <Evaluation Experiment of Example 3>

[0228] On 30,000 sheets of recording material, images were formed by using the image data for the experiment. Three horizontal line patterns with image printing rates of 4%, 2%, and 1% were used. In addition, Fig.13 In addition, the supply execution supply interval travel distance threshold L3th is set to 10km, and the total travel distance threshold TotalLth is set to 30km. Fig.15 , the results when the experiment was performed are shown. Each of four cases 1 to 5 will be described.

[0229] Case 1 (Reference Example 1): High print rate printing (image print rate: 4%)

[0230] In high-print rate printing, the moment when toner consumption increases and the printable remaining toner amount Tj becomes 0 becomes the time point when the total travel distance TotalL=5km. In addition, at the time point when the developing roller actually travels 5km, the corrected supply interval travel distance TotalLt becomes 10km, so that the preset supply execution supply interval travel distance L3th reaches 10km. In this case, the toner is consumed before the degree of toner deterioration and the consumption of the developing roller intensifies, so that no fog occurs, and the toner supply moment is reached. In addition, the supply operation is performed every 5km, so that the total travel distance TotalL=5km, 10km,... . Thus, the deteriorated toner in the developing device is replaced with new (fresh) toner, thereby alleviating the influence of toner deterioration and the consumption of the developing roller, so that the image forming device can be used subsequently until the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth=30km without the occurrence of fog. Thereafter, by repeating the toner supply every 5km, the life notification is provided at the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth=30km.

[0231] Case 2 (Reference Example 2): Printing with a low printing rate (image printing rate: 2%)

[0232] The printing rate is half of the printing rate in Case 1, and therefore, the time when the printable remaining toner amount Tj becomes 0 is the time point when the total travel distance Tota lL=10 km, which is twice the total travel distance TotalL in Case 1. In addition, at the time point when the developing roller actually travels 10 km, the corrected supply-to-supply travel distance Tota lLt becomes 10 km, so that the preset supply execution supply-to-supply travel distance L3th reaches 10 km. Compared with Case 1, the toner consumption is small, so although the consumption degree of the developing roller is aggravated, there is no fogging, and the toner supply time has come. In addition, similarly to Case 1, the supply operation is performed every 10 km, so that the total travel distance TotalL=10 km, 20 km, .... Thus, the deteriorated toner in the developing device is replaced with new toner, thereby alleviating the influence of toner deterioration and consumption of the developing roller, so that the image forming apparatus can be used subsequently until the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth=30 km without the occurrence of fogging. Thereafter, by repeating the toner supply every 10 km, the life notification is provided at the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth=30 km.

[0233] Case 3 (Comparative Example 1): Low printing rate printing (image printing rate: 1%)

[0234] The printing rate is lower than that in Case 2, and therefore, the time when the printable remaining toner amount Tj becomes 0 becomes the time point when the total travel distance Total L = 20 km. The toner consumption amount is further smaller than that in Case 2, and therefore, the degree of toner degradation and consumption of the developing roller is further aggravated, so that fogging occurs at the time point when the total travel distance Total L = 7 km before the time Tj = 0.

[0235] Case 4 (Comparative Example 2): Low print rate printing (image print rate: 1%) + setting L3j

[0236] In a case similar to Case 3, when the corrected supply-to-supply travel distance Lt is calculated by using a pre-set correction coefficient, Lt reaches the supply-to-supply travel distance threshold value L2th=10km at the moment when the developing roller travels 6km as the uncorrected supply-to-supply travel distance. Thus, the supply operation is performed at a time point of 6km before the appearance of fog at 7km. After that, the supply operation is performed every 6km, but after the third supply is performed at a time point of 18km, fog appears at 19km. That is, fog appears at 19km, and most of the toner supplied by the third supply cannot be used. This indicates that even when new toner is supplied by the supply operation, the toner deterioration and the development roller consumption in the developing device immediately before the toner supply and their influence cannot be alleviated, so it is difficult to continue to use the developing device further. Fog appears at 19km, so the evaluation is terminated before the total travel distance reaches the total travel distance threshold value Totalth=30km.

[0237] Case 5 (Example 3): Low print rate printing (image print rate: 1%) + setting (L3j, Total 1Lt)

[0238] In Embodiment 3, at the time point when the uncorrected total travel distance Tota 1L is 18 km and the third toner supply is performed, the corrected total travel distance Tota 1Lt reaches the total travel distance threshold value Total th=30 km, at which time the life notification is provided. Thus, the user can use the image forming apparatus 100 by performing replacement of the developing device 8 and the like without fogging and without wasting the toner supplied to the developing device 8.

[0239] As described above, the correction coefficient for correcting the development travel distance and the corrected total travel distance are set, and toner supply is performed before fog occurs. Thus, an image forming apparatus can be provided in which life notification is provided in a manner that toner supply is not performed uselessly without suppressing the occurrence of fog.

[0240] Embodiment 4 is characterized in that, in addition to the parameters described in Embodiment 1, the toner supply amount ΔT supplied from the toner pack 16 last time is set, and then a correction coefficient k depending on the toner supply amount ΔT is used. In Embodiment 4, portions overlapping with those in Embodiments 1 and 3 will be omitted from the description, and portions unique to Embodiment 4 will be described.

[0241] In Embodiment 4, even in the case where the amount of supplied toner is small and in the case where the amount of supplied toner is large, the supply requirement can be notified at an appropriate timing by setting the correction coefficient K in consideration of the aggravation of toner degradation and consumption of the developing roller 4. Thus, the occurrence of fog can be suppressed while suppressing toner degradation in the developing device 8 and consumption of the developing roller 4.

[0242] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B 1 is a flowchart showing the timing of supplying toner to the developing device 8 or the sequence for determining the life of the developing device 8 in Embodiment 4. The controller 200 executes Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The respective processes shown in the flowchart are performed, and the toner supply request timing of the developing device 8 and the life of the developing device 8 are detected, and then the user is notified of the result.

[0243] Fig.16A and Fig. 16B The flowchart of Example 3 Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B That is, S401 to S405, S407 to S408, S410 to S421 and S423 to S424 are respectively the same as Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B S301 to S305, S307 to S308, S310 to S321 and S323 to S324 in the flowchart of are the same. S406, S409 and S422 are different from S306, S309 and S322 respectively, and are added without Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B S4211 executed in the flowchart of Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B The content of different content.

[0244] At the timing of toner supply in S421, measurement of the toner supply amount ΔT is performed (S4211), and the corrected inter-supply travel distance Lt=0 and information on the toner supply amount ΔT are written to the memory 15 (S422). Here, the toner supply amount ΔT written during the last toner supply is read from the memory 15 (S406), and the correction coefficient k is determined by referring to the correction table based on the read toner supply amount ΔT (S409).

[0245] exist Fig.17 , an example of a correction table is shown. In each of the case where the toner supply amount ΔT is 80 g and the case where the toner supply amount ΔT is 40 g, a correction coefficient depending on the remaining toner amount T is determined. Therefore, the correction coefficient can be selected according to the last toner supply amount. In the case where the toner supply amounts are different from each other, the manner in which the toner deteriorates and the degree of consumption of the developing roller 4 is aggravated is different. Specifically, in the case where the toner supply amount is small, the toner deteriorates in the developing device 8 and the degree of consumption of the developing roller 4 is aggravated. In Fig.17 In the example of , the smaller the toner supply amount, the larger the correction coefficient, and therefore, the corrected inter-supply travel distance Lt becomes longer. That is, the corrected moving distance becomes a value that is further corrected in the following manner: the smaller the supply amount when the last toner supply was performed, the larger the value it becomes. Therefore, the supply judgment and the life judgment are performed earlier, so that the occurrence of fog and unnecessary toner supply can be suppressed.

[0246] Incidentally, in Embodiment 4, an example of obtaining the toner supply amount ΔT by actual measurement is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, information indicating the toner amount of the toner filled in the toner pack is stored in a memory provided in the toner pack, and a communication device that communicates with the memory of the toner pack is provided in the apparatus main assembly M or the developing device 8. Then, by receiving information from the memory of the toner pack at the timing of the supply operation, the toner supply amount is acquired, and then it can be written to the memory 15.

[0247] Furthermore, in the case where product information (e.g., model number, etc.) of the toner pack is stored in a memory provided in the toner pack, a communication device that communicates with the memory of the toner pack is provided in the apparatus main assembly M or the developing device 8. Furthermore, a table indicating a correspondence between the product information of the toner pack and the toner amount of the toner filled in the toner pack is pre-stored in the memory 15. Then, the product information is received from the memory of the toner pack, and the toner amount corresponding to the product information is acquired and then written in the memory 15.

[0248] Furthermore, in Embodiment 4, an example in which the correction coefficient is determined based on the toner supply amount ΔT is shown, but Fig.18 As shown in FIG. 1 , the supply execution inter-supply travel distance threshold value L3th may be set according to the toner supply amount ΔT. In this case, similarly to Embodiment 3, the correction coefficient may be determined only according to the remaining toner amount T. Fig.18In the example of , the smaller the toner supply amount ΔT when the last toner supply was performed, the smaller the supply execution interval travel distance threshold L3th (third supply judgment threshold). Therefore, when the toner deterioration in the developing device 8 and the consumption of the developing roller 4 are likely to increase and the toner supply amount is small, the supply judgment is performed earlier.

[0249] Embodiment 5 is characterized in that a correction coefficient different according to the number of times supply is performed is used in addition to the parameters described in Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 5, parts overlapping with those in Embodiments 1 and 3 will be omitted from the description, and parts unique to Embodiment 5 will be described.

[0250] In Embodiment 5, by setting the correction coefficient k in consideration of the toner degradation in the developing device 8 and the increased consumption of the developing roller 4 due to the increase in the number of supply times, it is possible to notify the supply request at an appropriate time. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of fog while suppressing the toner degradation in the developing device 8 and the consumption of the developing roller 4.

[0251] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B 1 is a flowchart showing the timing of supplying toner to the developing device 8 or the sequence for determining the life of the developing device 8 in Embodiment 5. The controller 200 executes Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B The respective processes shown in the flowchart are performed, and the toner supply request timing of the developing device 8 and the life of the developing device 8 are detected, and then the user is notified of the result.

[0252] Fig.19A and Fig.19B The flowchart of Example 3 Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B That is, S501 to S505, S507 to S508, S510 to S521 and S523 to S524 are respectively the same as Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B S301 to S305, S307 to S308, S310 to S321 and S323 to S324 in the flowchart of are the same. S506, S509 and S522 are different from S306, S309 and S322 respectively. Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B The content of different content.

[0253] After the supply operation (S521) is performed, the corrected supply interval travel distance Lt=0 and the latest supply number N are written into the memory 15 (S522). Here, in the case where the supply number until the last supply read in S506 is N(n-1) and the latest supply number is N(n), the latest supply number is calculated by N(n)=N(n-1)+1. The N(n) calculated in this way is written into the memory 15 as the latest supply number N (S522). Here, the written supply number N (S506) is read from the memory 15, and based on the read supply number N, the correction coefficient k is determined by referring to the correction table (S509).

[0254] exist Fig. 20 In FIG. 1 , an example of a correction table is shown. In each of the cases where the number of supply times is 0, 1, and 2, a correction coefficient depending on the remaining toner amount T is determined. Therefore, the correction coefficient can be selected according to the number of toner supplies. As the number of supply times increases, the toner in the developing device 8 deteriorates and the degree of consumption of the developing roller 4 increases. Fig. 20 As shown, as the number of supply times N increases, the correction coefficient increases, so that the corrected inter-supply travel distance Lt becomes longer. That is, the corrected moving distance becomes a value that is further corrected in the following manner: as the number of times when toner supply is performed increases, it becomes a larger value. Therefore, supply judgment and life judgment are performed earlier, so that the occurrence of fog and unnecessary toner supply can be suppressed.

[0255] Incidentally, in Embodiment 5, an example of determining the correction coefficient based on the number of supply times N is shown, but Fig.18 Similarly, the supply execution supply interval travel distance threshold value L3th can be set according to the supply number N. In this case, similar to Embodiment 3, the correction coefficient can be determined only according to the remaining colorant amount T. The larger the supply number N, the smaller the supply execution supply interval travel distance threshold value L3th. Thus, in the case where the toner deterioration in the developing device 8 and the consumption degree of the developing roller 4 are likely to increase and the supply number is large, the supply judgment is performed earlier.

[0256] Incidentally, the reason why the correction coefficient is made larger as the number of supply times increases in Embodiment 5 is that a case where low-printing rate printing is performed successively is assumed. For example, there is a case where a low-printing rate printing mode can be selected in the image forming apparatus 100, and the printing mode is set to the low-printing rate printing mode. Even when high-printing rate printing is performed once, it can be considered that the degree of toner deterioration and consumption of the developing roller 4 is improved.

[0257] Incidentally, in Embodiments 3 to 5, examples are described in which the travel distance L and the total travel distance TotalL are changed according to the remaining toner amount T. However, the second parameter used for supply judgment and life judgment may be changed according to the first parameter related to the aggravation of toner degradation and development roller consumption. As the first parameter, for example, the use environment (temperature, humidity, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 100, the number of times N of toner supply, etc. may be listed. In addition, the remaining toner amount T when the last toner supply was performed, the toner supply amount ΔT, the supply interval travel distance Refi l lL, the total travel distance TotalL, the corrected supply interval travel distance Lt, etc. may also be listed. On the other hand, as the second parameter, the total travel distance threshold value TotalLth, the supply execution travel distance threshold value L1th, the supply execution supply interval travel distance threshold value L2th, the supply execution supply interval travel distance threshold value L3th, the correction coefficient k, etc. may be listed. The method of changing the second parameter according to the first parameter can make it possible to change the second parameter according to the first parameter when toner degradation and development roller consumption are likely to increase, so that supply request notification and life end notification can be performed earlier.

[0258] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example of providing a life notification is shown when the total travel distance TotalL and the corrected total travel distance TotalLt reach the total travel distance threshold TotalLth, but the conditions for providing a life notification are not limited to this. For example, a life arrival notification can be provided when the number of supplies becomes above a predetermined threshold.

[0259] According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus including a developing device to which a supply container for supplying developer is detachably attachable, the supply timing of developer to the developing device and the end of the life of the developing device can be notified more appropriately.

[0260] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An imaging device, comprising: a photosensitive drum on the surface of which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing unit including a housing portion for housing a developer and a developing roller for supplying the developer from the housing portion to the photosensitive drum, and a supply container for supplying the developer to the housing portion being detachably mountable to the developing unit; a notification portion configured to provide a notification to a user; as well as a controller configured to control the notification portion, Wherein, when the cumulative movement distance obtained by integrating the movement distance of the developing roller in a predetermined interval on the surface of the developing roller since the initial use of the developing unit is above a predetermined first supply judgment threshold, the controller controls the notification part so as to provide a notification prompting the user to supply the developer.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein When the supply-to-supply movement distance obtained by integrating the movement distance of the developing roller in a predetermined interval on the surface of the developing roller since the last supply of the developer is greater than a predetermined second supply judgment threshold, the controller controls the notification part to provide a notification prompting the user to supply the developer.

3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein: The controller controls the notification portion to provide a notification prompting a user to supply developer when the usage amount of the developer since the last supply of the developer is less than a predetermined threshold and the inter-supply movement distance is greater than the second supply determination threshold.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein The controller controls the notification portion to provide a notification prompting the user to supply the developer, when a corrected supply-to-supply movement distance obtained by integrating the corrected movement distance from the last supply of the developer is above a predetermined third supply judgment threshold, wherein the corrected movement distance is a value obtained by correcting the movement distance of the developing roller in a predetermined interval of the surface of the developing roller based on the remaining amount information, and the remaining amount information is information related to the amount of the developer contained in the containing portion.

5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein: In a case where the developer supply amount when the last supply of developer was performed was small, a smaller value is used as the third determination threshold value.

6. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein: In the correction based on the remaining amount information, the correction is performed such that the larger the amount of the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion is, the larger the movement distance of the correction becomes.

7. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein: The corrected moving distance is a value that is further corrected in such a manner that the larger the amount of the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion when the last supply of the developer was performed is, the larger the corrected moving distance becomes.

8. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein: The corrected moving distance is a value further corrected in the following manner: the larger the supply-to-supply moving distance obtained by integrating the moving distance of the developing roller in a predetermined section of the surface of the developing roller since the last supply of the developer is, the larger the corrected moving distance becomes.

9. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein: The corrected moving distance is a value that is further corrected in such a manner that the smaller the supply amount of the developer when the last supply of the developer was performed is, the larger the corrected moving distance becomes.

10. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein The corrected moving distance is a value that is further corrected in such a manner that the larger the number of times the developer is supplied, the larger the corrected moving distance becomes.

11. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein In the case where the deterioration of the developer or the consumption of the developing roller is likely to increase, the controller controls the notification part to provide notification earlier, so that the second parameter used when the notification part makes a notification judgment changes according to the first parameter related to the deterioration of the developer or the increase in the consumption of the developing roller.

12. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein The first parameter is at least any one of the usage environment of the imaging device, the number of times the developer is supplied, the amount of developer contained in the containing portion when the last developer supply was performed, the amount of developer supplied when the last developer supply was performed, the cumulative moving distance from the initial use of the developing unit when the last developer supply was performed, and the supply-to-supply moving distance of the developing unit when the last developer supply was performed.

13. The imaging device according to claim 11, wherein The second parameter is at least any one of a first supply judgment threshold, a second supply judgment threshold, a third supply judgment threshold, and a correction coefficient for calculating a corrected moving distance.

14. An imaging device comprising: a photosensitive drum on the surface of which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing unit including a housing portion for housing a developer and a developing roller for supplying the developer from the housing portion to the photosensitive drum, and a supply container for supplying the developer to the housing portion being detachably mountable to the developing unit; a notification portion configured to provide a notification to a user; as well as a controller configured to control the notification portion, Wherein, when the cumulative movement distance obtained by integrating the movement distance of the developing roller in a predetermined interval on the surface of the developing roller since the initial use of the developing unit is above a predetermined life judgment threshold, the controller controls the notification part so as to provide a notification meaning that the developing unit has reached the end of its life.

15. The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein The controller controls the notification portion to provide a notification to the effect that the developing unit has reached the end of its life, in a case where a corrected cumulative moving distance obtained by integrating a corrected moving distance from initial use of the developing unit is greater than a predetermined life judgment threshold, wherein the corrected moving distance is a value obtained by correcting a moving distance of the developing roller in a predetermined interval of the surface of the developing roller based on remaining amount information, the remaining amount information being information related to the amount of the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion.

16. The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein The controller controls the notification portion to provide a notification to the effect that the developing unit has reached an end of its life in a case where the number of times the developer is supplied is a predetermined threshold or more.

17. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein The moving distance in the predetermined section is a moving distance from the start to the end of the imaging operation.

18. The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein The moving distance in the predetermined section is a moving distance from the start to the end of the imaging operation.

19. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: The developing unit is included in a cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus.

20. The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein The developing unit is included in a cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus.

Images