Image forming apparatus and method for obtaining appropriate toner density
US6055388A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0891
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a latent image forming device that forms a latent image on the image bearing member, a developing device that develops latent image on said image bearing member to a toner image with a two-component developer, and a toner density detecting device that detects toner density of the two-component developer in which the toner image is formed and outputted as a visible image onto a transfer member. A control device is provided for agitating the developer for a predetermined time period during an initial setting is performed for the developer, detecting a toner density of said developer after the predetermined agitation, and performing an abnormal process when a result of the detection is out of the predetermined range. A corresponding method recovers from a deterioration of an amount of charge of the toner and decreased bulk of the developer, and includes the steps of detecting a developer amount with an unused-state detection switch, detecting an output value of a toner density detecting sensor, agitating the developer, measuring an agitating time period, stopping the agitating operation indicating warning, and indicating err…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.