| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent depletion of toner from being detected wrongly, even if the fluidity of magnetic toner is lowered in the mechanism for detecting the depletion of the magnetic toner, in the developing apparatus of an image forming apparatus. SOLUTION: The developing apparatus (3) is provided with the stirring member (30), provided with a cleaning member (22) for performing the cleaning of the position of a toner sensor (10), a toner reservoir (24) and a magnetic metallic body (21). Since the apparatus (3) is equipped with the metallic body (21) for preventing wrong detection of a toner depletion alarm and the toner reservoir (24) at the sensor position of the stirring body, the toner sensor artificially generates toner detection output, even if the fluidity of the magnetic toner deteriorates, so that the depletion of the toner is prevented from being detected wrongly. Therefore, the wrong detection of the toner depletion alarm is avoided, the excessive replenishment of the toner is prevented, and the blowoff and the leakage of the toner are prevented from occurring, so that normal printing can be performed. Since the remaining amount of the toner is controlled normally, the toner is consumed without wastage. |
