| 摘要 |
<p><P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remaining developer amount detection device that detects the amount of a remaining developer at low cost with high precision. <P>SOLUTION: The remaining developer amount detection device detects the amount of the remaining developer in a developing unit which can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus body, and includes: a detection unit which has a rotatable detection member installed in the developing unit to detect the amount of the remaining developer in the developing unit, and varies a rotation angle range of the detecting member as the amount of the remaining developer in the developing unit varies; a rotating unit which has a rotating member installed outside the developing unit and rotating as the detection member rotates; and an optical sensor which detects the rotating member rotating so as to determine a state in which the amount of the remaining developer in the developing unit is large enough, a state in which the developer is almost runs short of, or a state of no developer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT</p> |
