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Image forming apparatus and developer remaining amount detecting method

  • US 7,532,828 B2
  • Filed: 02/28/2007
  • Issued: 05/12/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An image forming apparatus, which uses a developing device including:

  • a developer carrying member developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer;

    a developer containing portion containing the developer;

    an agitating member provided rotatably in the developer containing portion to agitate the developer; and

    a developer remaining amount detecting member outputting a signal for detecting a remaining amount of the developer contained in the developer containing portion, the image forming apparatus comprising;

    a main body controller to which the signal is input, and which detects the remaining amount by using a first detecting unit that sets a reference value serving as a reference for detecting the remaining amount by the signal, and thereafter calculates the remaining amount based on an amount of change in the signal from the reference value, and a second detecting unit that detects the remaining amount based on a band of fluctuation in the signal corresponding to a rotational period of the agitating member.

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