Image forming apparatus that cleans detection surface of sensor for detecting developer accommodated in containing unit
US9804528B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 2016 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0897
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus including a motor for rotating a stirring member and a cleaner to which a driving force of the motor is transmitted via a transmission mechanism. In a buffer container of a toner replenishment device of a developing device, a gear connected to a restriction member for stirring toner in the buffer container and restricting toner from dropping into a toner conveying section and a cleaning member for cleaning the detection surface of a toner sensor are driven by a motor. A CPU controls a timing at which a clutch stops transmission of the driving force from the motor to the gear, based on a result of detection by a flag sensor that detects an amount of rotation of the gear, and a rotational speed of the motor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.