| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To obtain the toner absence detecting mechanism which securely operates without reference to an environmental change before a decrease in image density is caused at low cost by composing the mechanism of a toner amount detection plate which follows up the top surface of toner, a movable body which is associated with it, and a converting device which converts the position of the movable body into an electric signal. CONSTITUTION:The toner amount detection plate 5 is on the top surface of the toner 2 in a toner tank 1 by its own weight and shifts down in position as the toner 2 is consumed. The motion of the toner amount detection plate 5 is transmitted to a movable lever 6 outside the toner tank 1 by a link mechanism and the position of the movable lever 6 corresponds to the rest of the toner. Namely, when the amount of the toner is sufficient, the movable lever 6 which is at a lower position, but the lever moves up as the toner rest decreases. Its position is inputted as an electric signal to a controller 8 through a microswitch 7. Consequently, the absence of toner can be detected. |
