| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect a full state of a waste toner by a single waste toner detection sensor without any error in an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is configured to transfer a toner image from a toner image carrier to an intermediate transfer body or paper and remove a waste toner from the toner image carrier. The image forming apparatus includes: a waste toner box 20 for collecting and storing the waste toner removed from the toner image carrier; an optical waste toner detection sensor 25 disposed in such a position to be shielded from light when an amount of the waste toner stored in the box 20 reaches a specific amount; and control means receiving a detection signal from the sensor 25. Even when receiving a waste toner detection signal from the sensor 25 immediately after ending an operation of collecting the waste toner in the box 20, the control means determines that the waste toner is not full in the box 20 and, only when receiving the waste toner detection signal from the sensor 25 after a specific time has passed from the end of the collecting operation, determines that the waste toner is full. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&INPIT |
