| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To easily detect the amount of a developer in a device main body by generating a charge on a conductive member provided in a main device body by mutual friction against the developer, detecting the current generated as the result of the generation of the charge, and detecting the remaining amount of the developer. CONSTITUTION:When an agitating member 7 rotates around a rotary shaft 6 along the internal wall surface of a hopper 1, toner T rotates along with the agitating member 7 and is agitated while rubbed against the conductive member 21; and the toner T is charged positively and electrostatically by the mutual friction against the conductive member 21 and a negative charge is generated on the conductive member 21. The negative charge generated on the conductive member 21 is detected by a detecting circuit 22 as a current or the amount of charge accumulated for a certain time and then compared with a preset value by a comparator 23, so that an empty state is displayed on a display device 24 when the empty state is detected. In such case, another conductive member is provided in the hopper 1 and grounded, and the excessive charge of the toner is made to leak. |
