| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To supply toner before the toner is consumed completely and to perform limitless toner supply by replacing a toner supply member when a toner end prediction is displayed. CONSTITUTION:When toner is used and a toner end prediction is detected by a toner near-end sensor 17, a control pat 22 receives its detection signal and turns on a near-end LED 25. Then, the sensor 17 can perform the detection regardless of whether a developing device is in copying operation nor in copy stand-by mode. In this near-end state, a little tone is still left, so the copying operation is carried on. Then when the toner is consumed completely, that is detected by a toner end sensor 20 and then the continuation of the copying operation becomes impossible. Then an operator opens a door dedicated to the toner supply member when the LED 25 illuminates to display the toner end prediction and replaces this supply member, so that toner is supplied before the toner is consumed completely. |
