Remaining amount of developer detection device, development device, process unit, and image forming apparatus
US7965952B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/183
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A disclosed remaining amount of developer detection device includes a remaining amount of developer detection section detecting a remaining amount of developer in a development device, an operation amount computation section computing an operation amount of the development device corresponding to a developer consumption amount, and a remaining amount detection control section accumulating the operation amount and detecting the remaining amount of developer based on the accumulated operation amount. In this device, when the remaining amount of developer detection section has detected the remaining amount of developer that has been reduced to a first threshold, the remaining amount detection control section initializes the accumulated operation amount and starts accumulating a new operation amount of the development device corresponding to a developer consumption amount, and determines whether the remaining amount of developer in the development device is in a toner-end status based on the new operation amount.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.