| 摘要 |
A toner detecting system includes an image forming apparatus (10) having a toner reservoir (32). A toner sensor (44, 144, 244) of the system has a toner sensing element (60, 160) of piezoelectric material, the toner sensor (44, 144, 244) carried within the toner reservoir (32) to detect a toner level (52) condition. A driver (84) of the system is disposed to structurally excite at least a portion of the toner sensor (44, 144, 244) when the portion is not immersed in toner (34), the excited at least a portion stressing the toner sensing element (60, 160) so as to impart a detectable output signal indicative of flexing of the toner sensor (44, 144, 244). A detector (78) of the system is configured to receive the detected output signal and detect the toner level (52) condition. <IMAGE> |
