| 摘要 |
<p>A developer detection apparatus comprises a detection member for detecting the developer contained in the developer container detachably mountable on the main body of an image forming apparatus, a biasing member for biasing the detection member to the developer container side, and interlocking means for being interlocked with the open and close operations of the opening and closing cover for attaching the developer container to or detaching it from the main body of the apparatus. In this developer detection apparatus, when the opening and closing cover is in the open state, the detection member is positioned by the interlocking means in a location not to be in contact with the developer container against the biasing force of the biasing member, and when the opening and closing cover is in the closed state, the detection member is in contact with the developer container by the biasing force of the biasing member. With the structure thus arranged, the detection member and the developer container are in contact with each other with an extremely stable contacting force, thus making it possible to perform a highly reliable detection of the presence and absence of developer or its remainders. <IMAGE></p> |
