Toner supplying method for image forming apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
- a latent image formation portion which forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor based on an inputted image signal;
a development portion which causes a toner to adhere on the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor, to develop a toner image;
a transfer portion which transfers the toner image onto a paper sheet;
a carriage portion which carries the paper sheet;
a residual quantity detecting portion which detects a toner residual quantity of the development portion;
a first detecting portion which detects the toner residual quantity by using the residual quantity detecting portion during printing;
a second detecting portion which stops supply of power to the transfer portion when shortage of the toner residual quantity is detected by the first detecting portion, and again detects the toner residual quantity by using the residual quantity detecting portion; and
a supply portion which supplies the toner to the development portion when the shortage of the toner residual quantity is detected by the second detecting portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
When shortage of a toner residual quantity is detected during printing, toner redetection is performed immediately after completion of printing. This toner redetection is carried out by stopping supply of a high-voltage power to, e.g., a transfer charger and supply of a power to a motor such as a paper carriage motor in order to avoid generation of noise. As a result, a toner sensor can correctly detect the toner residual quantity, and the toner can be appropriately supplied.
11 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
-
a latent image formation portion which forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor based on an inputted image signal; a development portion which causes a toner to adhere on the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor, to develop a toner image; a transfer portion which transfers the toner image onto a paper sheet; a carriage portion which carries the paper sheet; a residual quantity detecting portion which detects a toner residual quantity of the development portion; a first detecting portion which detects the toner residual quantity by using the residual quantity detecting portion during printing; a second detecting portion which stops supply of power to the transfer portion when shortage of the toner residual quantity is detected by the first detecting portion, and again detects the toner residual quantity by using the residual quantity detecting portion; and a supply portion which supplies the toner to the development portion when the shortage of the toner residual quantity is detected by the second detecting portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An image forming apparatus comprising:
-
a latent image formation portion which forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor based on an inputted image; a development portion which causes a toner to adhere on the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor, to develop a toner image; a transfer portion which transfers the toner image onto a paper sheet; a carriage portion which carries the paper sheet; a residual quantity detecting portion which detects a toner residual quantity of the development portion; a first detecting portion which detects the toner residual quantity by using the residual quantity detecting portion during printing; a second detecting portion which stops supply of power to the transfer portion and redetects the toner residual quantity by using the residual quantity detecting portion after completion of a current printing operation when shortage of the toner residual quantity is detected by the first detecting portion; and a supply portion which supplies the toner to the development portion when the shortage of the toner residual quantity is detected by the second detecting portion.
-
-
12. A toner supplying method for an image forming apparatus comprising:
-
forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor based on an inputted image signal; causing a toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor by using a developer and developing a toner image; transferring the toner image onto a paper sheet by using a transfer portion; detecting a toner residual quantity of the developer during printing; stopping supply of power to the transfer portion when shortage of the toner residual quantity in the developer is detected, and again detecting the toner residual quantity; and supplying the toner to the development portion when the shortage of the toner residual quantity is detected as a result of redetection of the toner residual quantity. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification