Image forming apparatus

摘要

An image forming apparatus includes a control portion. The control portion determines a developer near end when the residual amount of a developer is in a range from a first predetermined amount to a second predetermined amount, and determines a developer end when the residual amount of the developer is equal to or lower than the second predetermined amount. Besides, in a case where the control portion determines the developer end after a predetermined number of printings are executed in a developer near end state, the control portion supplies the developer from a developer supply device to a development device via a first supply opening, and in a case where the control portion determines the developer end after more than the predetermined number of printings are executed, the control portion supplies the developer from the developer supply device to the development device via a second supply opening.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a developer supply device that stores a developer; a development device that stirs a developer supplied from the developer supply device by means of a stir member, conveys and supplies the developer to a development roller; a first supply opening that supplies the developer from the developer supply device to the development device; a second supply opening that is disposed at a position having a developer convey distance to the development roller longer than the first supply opening and supplies the developer from the developer supply device to the development device; and a residual amount detection sensor that detects a residual amount of the developer in the development device; and a control portion that when based on a detection result from the residual amount detection sensor, determines a developer near end when the residual amount of the developer is in a range from a first predetermined amount to a second predetermined amount that is smaller than the first predetermined amount; determines a developer end when the residual amount of the developer is equal to or lower than the second predetermined amount, and performs control to supply the developer from the developer supply device to the development device via either of the first supply opening and the second supply opening; wherein in a case where the control portion determines the developer end after a predetermined number of printings are executed in a developer near end state, the control portion supplies the developer from the developer supply device to the development device via the first supply opening, and in a case where the control portion determines the developer end after more than the predetermined number of printings are executed in the developer near end state, the control portion supplies the developer from the developer supply device to the development device via the second supply opening.