| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner replenishing device capable of restraining the generation of a standby time in an unnecessary image forming state by suitably controlling the stirring time of a toner according to the flowability of a replenished toner. <P>SOLUTION: A second toner detector 13 for detecting the presence/absence of the toner 5 in the vicinity of a detecting surface 13a is disposed above a first toner detector 11. The rotating operation of a stirring roll drive motor 16 is controlled based on a toner presence/absence signal of the second toner detector 13 by a control part 15. When the replenished toner 5 reaches the detecting surface 13a of the second toner detector 13 in supplying the toner into a toner storing chamber 3, the flowability of the toner is determined to be favorable, and the second toner detector 13 outputs a signal indicating that the toner is present. According to the toner present signal, toner stirring by the rotation of a stirring roll 2 id determined to be unnecessary, and the rotation of the stirring roll 2 is not performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT |
