JP2000259054A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively use the capacity of a waste-toner recovery container without the use of a plurality of sensors by, when the proximity to the full of the waste-toner storage container is detected, estimating, based on image formation history up to that time, an amount for image formation executable by the time a full state reaches, and displaying a sign of the full of the storage container at the time of reaching the estimated amount for image formation. SOLUTION: When a full proximity detection sensor 123 detects that removed stuff 122 such as waste toner is stored to a full proximity level, the product of the value of a first counter 126 and a constant is stored in a memory 128, the first counter 126 is reset and also the counting operation of a second counter 127 is started. Subsequently the second counter 127 continues to count toner- dispensing time, and when the value of the second counter 127 reaches the value in the memory 128, an image forming operation after that is inhibited and massage for urging an operator to replace a waste-toner recovery bottle is displayed on a display device 129.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc., for example, which can form toner images of different colors sequentially formed by image forming means. An image forming apparatus that forms an image by temporarily transferring multiple images onto the intermediate transfer body once and then secondary transferring the toner images transferred multiple on the intermediate transfer body onto a transfer member at once.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a technique for detecting a full state of a waste toner collecting container collected by a cleaning unit that removes toner remaining on a photosensitive drum or an intermediate transfer member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer utilizing the above-mentioned electrophotographic process, there is, for example, the following one. As shown in FIG. 17, the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 200 to a predetermined potential with a scorotron 201 for primary charging. ROS (R
An electrostatic latent image is formed by performing a scanning exposure with an output scanner 202. The image forming apparatus converts the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 200 into developing units 203Y, 203M, 203C, 20
3K, the photosensitive drum 200 is developed.
A toner image of yellow, magenta, cyan, black or the like is sequentially formed thereon. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus primarily transfers the toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and the like sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 200 in a state where they are superimposed on each other on the intermediate transfer belt 204. The toner image of a predetermined number of colors, which is multiplexed and transferred onto the belt 204, is transferred to the transfer paper 2 by the pressing force between the backup roll 205 and the secondary transfer roll 206 and the electrostatic force.
After the images are collectively transferred onto the transfer sheet 07, a predetermined number of unfixed toner images are fixed on the transfer paper 207 by the fixing device 208, thereby forming a color or monochrome image.

An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer described above moves a photosensitive drum 200 from an intermediate transfer belt 20.
After transferring a toner image of a predetermined color onto the photosensitive drum 200, untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 200 is removed by a cleaning device 208 having a cleaning brush, a cleaning blade, and the like. The image forming apparatus such as the copying machine or the printer adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 204 after the secondary transfer of the unfixed toner image of a predetermined number of colors from the photosensitive drum 200 onto the transfer paper 207 is completed. The cleaning device 210 having a cleaning blade made of an elastic material such as polyurethane removes the toner, paper powder, and the like, thus preparing for the next image forming step.

The waste toner collected by the cleaning device 208 for the photosensitive drum and the cleaning device 210 for the intermediate transfer belt is collected by a waste toner collecting unit (not shown) and collected by the waste toner collecting unit. The waste toner is stored in a waste toner collection bottle.

In the waste toner collection bottle, in order to make the replacement interval as long as possible with a minimum capacity, the waste toner is not collected while leaving an extra space. It is desirable that a warning be issued before the tank is full so that a spare waste toner collecting bottle can be prepared in advance.

For this reason, in the prior art, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
No. 9 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-338993 have already been proposed.

The cleaning device according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-202529 is a first detecting means for detecting that the amount of the residue in the container for storing the residue removed from the surface of the image carrier has reached a predetermined amount. And second detection means for detecting that the amount detected by the first detection means has reached an amount different from the first detection means, wherein the first detection means and the second detection means use the same detection circuit. It is configured to be used for both purposes.

[0008] The control apparatus for displaying the number of copies that can be copied according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 4-338993 discloses a container for storing the waste toner collected from the photoreceptor, and a container in which the waste toner in the container is full. A recovery toner full detecting means for detecting, and a full warning display on the operation display unit based on a full detection signal from the detecting means, and a predetermined number of copies can be made even after the warning, and after the predetermined number of copies are completed, A control unit for performing a copy prohibition display on the operation display unit, wherein the control unit operates the maximum number of copies that can be made before the copy prohibition when the fullness detection signal is output from the detection unit. In addition to the display on the display unit, the number of copies made after the detection of the full state is subtracted, the remaining copyable number is displayed, and the remaining copyable number becomes zero. Those constructed as to perform the copy inhibition displayed.

[0009]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, in the case of the cleaning device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-202529, the first device for detecting that the amount of the residue in the storage container that stores the residue removed from the surface of the image carrier has reached a predetermined amount. The problem that the detection means and the two sensors which are the second detection means for detecting that the amount detected by the first detection means has reached an amount different from the first detection means is required, which leads to an increase in cost. There was a point.

Further, in the case of the copy number display control apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-338993, the control unit controls the maximum number of copies that can be made before the copy is prohibited when the detection means outputs a full detection signal. Is displayed on the operation display unit, the remaining copyable number is displayed by subtracting the number of copies made after the fullness is detected, and the copy inhibition display is performed when the remaining copyable number becomes zero. However, the collection container must not overflow after the detection means detects that the container is full and before the copying operation is prohibited. However, the amount of toner collected up to the remaining number of copies depends greatly on the image density, image size, transfer efficiency, and in the case of a color printer, the ratio between color and black and white. It was necessary to take enough space from the mouth to the mouth. Therefore, in many cases, copying is prohibited while leaving a margin in the collection container, and there has been a problem that the capacity of the collection container cannot be used as efficiently as possible.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to avoid the cost increase due to the use of a plurality of sensors and to reduce the cost. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of effectively utilizing the capacity of a toner collection container.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner image bearing member carrying a toner image and a toner image bearing member on the toner image bearing member. Cleaning means for removing toner remaining on the toner image carrier after being transferred to the member, waste toner collecting means for collecting waste toner removed by the cleaning means at a predetermined timing, and waste toner collecting means An image forming apparatus including a waste toner collecting container for storing the waste toner collected in the step (a), wherein a full proximity position detecting means for detecting that the waste toner is stored to a position close to the full state of the waste toner collecting container; When the full proximity position detecting means detects the full proximity of the waste toner container, the process is executed until the waste toner container becomes full based on the image forming history up to that time. It predicts the ability of image forming amount, when it reaches to the predicted image forming amount, in which the waste toner container is configured with a control means for controlling to display that it is full. Here, as the toner image carrier, for example, both the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer belt correspond to this, but only one of them, or a carrier that carries another toner image. Needless to say, there is no particular limitation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner image carrier carrying a toner image, and after transferring the toner image on the toner image carrier to another member, Cleaning means for removing toner remaining in the toner, waste toner collecting means for collecting the waste toner removed by the cleaning means at a predetermined timing, and waste toner collecting container for storing the waste toner collected by the waste toner collecting means In the image forming apparatus, the full proximity position detecting means for detecting that the waste toner is stored up to the full proximity position of the waste toner collecting container, and the full proximity position detection means detect empty. A first counter for counting the amount of image formation executed during the period, and a second counter for counting the amount of image formation while the full proximity position detecting means detects a full state. Calculation means for calculating the maximum value of the second counter based on the value of the first counter when the full proximity position detection means detects the full proximity position from the sky; and Display means for displaying that the waste toner container is full when the value is counted.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, when the value of the first counter when the full proximity position detecting means detects the full proximity position from the sky is out of a predetermined range, the full proximity position detection means may include 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the previous value is used without updating the maximum value of the second counter.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a color electrophotographic copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of a color electrophotographic copying machine, and an original 2 is automatically conveyed to an upper portion of the main body 1 of the color electrophotographic copying machine in a state where documents 2 are separated one by one. An automatic document feeder 3 and a document reading device 4 for reading an image of the document 2 conveyed by the automatic document feeder 3 are provided. This document reading device 4
The original 2 placed on the platen glass 5 is illuminated by the light source 6, and a reflected light image from the original 2 is transmitted through a reduction optical system including a full-rate mirror 7, half-rate mirrors 8 and 9, and an imaging lens 10. Scanning exposure is performed on an image reading element 11 composed of a CCD or the like, and the color reading light image of the document 2 is scanned by the image reading element 11 at a predetermined dot density (for example,
(16 dots / mm).

The color material reflected light image of the original 2 read by the original reading device 4 is, for example, original reflectance data of three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) (each 8 bits). Is sent to the image processing apparatus 12, and the image processing apparatus 12 performs shading correction, position shift correction, lightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame erasure, color / movement editing on the reflectance data of the document 2. And other predetermined image processing.

The image data subjected to the predetermined image processing by the image processing device 12 as described above includes yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (B
K) ROS13 (Raster Output Scann) as four-color original color material gradation data (8 bits each)
er), and the ROS 13 performs image exposure using laser light according to the original color material gradation data. Note that the color electrophotographic copying machine is configured to also function as a printer. After data is input and subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing device 12, the image data is output to the ROS 13 as original color material gradation data of four colors.

An image forming means A capable of forming a plurality of toner images of different colors is provided inside the color electrophotographic copying machine main body 1. The image forming means A mainly includes a photosensitive drum 17 as an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a plurality of images having different colors by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 17. And a rotary developing device 18 as a developing means capable of forming a toner image of the type described above.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ROS 13 modulates a semiconductor laser (not shown) according to original color material gradation data, and emits a laser beam LB from the semiconductor laser according to gradation data. The laser beam LB emitted from the semiconductor laser is deflected and scanned by the rotary polygon mirror 14 and is scanned and exposed on the photosensitive drum 17 as an image carrier via the f · θ lens 15 and the reflection mirror 16.

The photosensitive drum 17 on which the laser beam LB is scanned and exposed by the ROS 13 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed along a direction indicated by an arrow by a driving means (not shown). The surface of the photosensitive drum 17 is
After being charged to a predetermined polarity (for example, negative polarity) and potential by the primary charging scorotron 19 in advance, the laser beam LB is scanned and exposed according to the original color material gradation data to form an electrostatic latent image. Is done. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 17 is yellow (Y),
For example, the charging polarity of the photosensitive drum 17 is adjusted by a rotary developing device 18 rotatably provided with developing devices 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K of four colors of magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The toner image is reversely developed with a negatively charged toner having the same polarity as that of the toner image to form a toner image of a predetermined color. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 17 is charged with a negative polarity or the like by a pre-transfer charger 20 as necessary, and the charge amount is adjusted.

The toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 17 are placed on an intermediate transfer belt 21 as an intermediate transfer member disposed below the photosensitive drum 17 as a primary transfer means. The image is multiply transferred by the transfer roll 22. The intermediate transfer belt 21 is
3. The driven roll 24a, the driven roll 24b, the tension roll 24c, the driven roll 24d, and the backup roll 2 as an opposing roll constituting a part of the secondary transfer means
5, the photosensitive drum 17 is supported rotatably in the direction of the arrow at the same moving speed as the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 17.

On the intermediate transfer belt 21, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) are formed on the photosensitive drum 17 according to the color of the image to be formed. All or some of the four color toner images are
The images are transferred by the primary transfer roll 22 in a state of being sequentially superposed. The toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred to a transfer sheet 26 as a transfer member which is conveyed to a secondary transfer position at a predetermined timing. The transfer is performed by the press-contact force and the electrostatic force of the secondary transfer roll 27 that forms a part of the secondary transfer unit that presses against the backup roll 25. The transfer paper 26 is, as shown in FIG.
Paper feed cassettes 28 and 29 as a plurality of transfer paper housing members disposed at a lower portion in the color electrophotographic copying machine main body 1;
A sheet of a predetermined size from one of the sheets 30 and 31 is fed by the feed rolls 28a, 29a, 30a and 31a. The fed transfer paper 26 is transported to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined timing by a plurality of transport rolls 32 and registration rolls 33. And, as described above, on the transfer paper 26,
The backup roll 25 and the secondary transfer roll 27 as the secondary transfer means transfer a toner image of a predetermined color from the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a time.

The transfer paper 26 on which the toner image of a predetermined color has been transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 21 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21 and then conveyed to a fixing device 35 by a conveyance belt 34. The toner image is fixed onto the recording paper 26 by heat and pressure by the fixing device 35, and in the case of one-sided copying, the toner image is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 36 as it is, and the copying process of the color image is completed.

On the other hand, in the case of double-sided copying, the transfer sheet 26 on which the color image is formed on the first side (front side) is not discharged onto the discharge tray 36 as it is, but is conveyed downward by a reversing gate (not shown). The direction is changed, and the three rolls are once conveyed to the reversing path 39 by the tri-roll 37 and the reversing roll 38 pressed against each other. Then, the transfer sheet 26 is conveyed to the two-sided passage 40 by the reversing roll 38 which is reversed this time, and is once conveyed to the registration roll 33 by the conveying rolls 41 provided in the two-sided passage 40 and stopped there. The transfer paper 26 is again conveyed by the registration roll 33 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the transfer / fixing process of the toner image on the second surface (back surface) of the transfer paper 26 is performed. After the operation is performed, the sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 36.

In this embodiment, a cleaning device 42 is provided for removing residual toner, paper dust, and the like from the surface of the photosensitive drum 17 after the transfer process is completed. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 32 after the transfer process is completed is disposed near the driving roll 23 of the intermediate transfer belt 21.
A cleaning device 43 for removing residual toner, paper dust, and the like from the surface of the printer is provided.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 44 denotes a manual feed tray.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the image forming means A of the color electrophotographic copying machine.

In this color electrophotographic copying machine, as described above, after the surface of the photosensitive drum 17 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the scorotron 19 for primary charging,
An image corresponding to a predetermined color is exposed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 17 by the ROS 13 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent images formed for the respective colors on the surface of the photosensitive drum 17 are developed by the developing units 18Y and 18 of the corresponding colors.
The toner image T is developed by M, 18C, and 18K, and a toner image T of a predetermined color is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 17.

For example, if the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 17 corresponds to yellow, the electrostatic latent image is developed by a yellow developing unit 18Y, On the surface 17, a yellow toner image T is formed. Also, for the other magenta, cyan, and black colors, toner images T of corresponding colors are sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 17 by the same process.

The toner images T of the respective colors sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 17 are transferred from the photosensitive drum 17 to the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a primary transfer position where the photosensitive drum 17 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 21. Transferred to the surface.
At this primary transfer position, a semi-conductive primary transfer bias roll 22 is disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the intermediate transfer belt 21 is moved by the primary transfer bias roll 22 to the photosensitive member. It comes into contact with the surface of the drum 17. A voltage having a polarity opposite to the charge polarity of the toner is applied to the bias roller 22 for the primary transfer, and the toner image T formed on the photosensitive drum 17 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 by a pressing force and an electrostatic force. Is done.

In the case of forming a monochromatic image, the toner image T of a predetermined color primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 is
Immediately after the secondary transfer onto the transfer paper 26, when forming a color image in which a plurality of color toner images T are superimposed, formation of a predetermined color toner image T on the photosensitive drum 17 and toner The process of the primary transfer of the image T onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 is repeated for a predetermined number of colors.

For example, when a full-color image is formed by superimposing four color toner images T of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK), the photosensitive drum 17 , For each rotation, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (B
The toner images T of each color K) are sequentially formed, and these four color toner images are sequentially primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 in a superimposed state.

At this time, the intermediate transfer belt 21 rotates at a period synchronized with the photosensitive drum 17 while holding the yellow unfixed toner image T which has been primarily transferred first.
On the intermediate transfer belt 21, an unfixed toner image T of magenta, cyan, and black is formed every one rotation thereof.
The image is transferred in a state of being sequentially superimposed on the yellow unfixed toner image T.

The unfixed toner image T primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 in this manner is transported to a secondary transfer position facing the transport path of the transfer paper 26 with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 21. You.

The transfer sheet 26 is fed from feed cassettes 28, 29, 30, and 31 by feed rolls 28a, 29a, 30a, and 31a as described above.
3 and the secondary transfer roll 27 and the intermediate transfer belt 21 are moved by the registration roll 33 at a predetermined timing.
Is fed between the nip portions.

Further, on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at the secondary transfer position, a backup roll 25 serving as a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll 27 is provided. At the secondary transfer position, a semi-conductive secondary transfer roll 27 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined timing, and a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charge polarity of the toner is applied to the backup roll 25 to thereby perform the intermediate transfer. The unfixed toner image T transferred onto the belt 21 is electrostatically secondarily transferred onto the transfer paper 26 at the secondary transfer position.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Instead of directly applying a voltage having the same polarity as the charge polarity of the toner to the secondary transfer roll 27, the transfer bias is applied by the bias roll 45 to the backup roll 25 pressed against the secondary transfer roll 27 via the intermediate transfer belt 21. A voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is applied from a transfer bias high voltage power supply (not shown) as a voltage applying unit. However, it is a matter of course that the secondary transfer roll 27 may be configured to directly apply a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charge polarity of the toner.

Then, the transfer paper 26 onto which the unfixed toner image T has been transferred is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21, sent to the fixing device 35 by the transport belt 34, and subjected to the fixing process of the unfixed toner image T.

The intermediate transfer belt 21 is made of polyimide,
An appropriate amount of a conductive agent such as carbon black is dispersed in a synthetic resin such as polycarbonate, polyester, or polypropylene, or various rubbers, so that the volume resistivity is 10 ⁶ to 1.
Is formed by adjusting the film-like belt such that 0 ¹⁴ Ω · cm. The thickness of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is set to, for example, 0.1 mm. The circumference of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is set to an integral multiple (for example, three times) of the circumference of the photosensitive drum 17.

The secondary transfer roll 27 is disposed so as to be able to contact and separate from the intermediate transfer belt 21 as required. When a color image is formed, the unfixed toner image of the final color is formed. T is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21 until T is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21.

Further, the secondary transfer roll 27 has a surface layer made of a urethane rubber tube in which carbon is dispersed, and an inner layer made of foamed urethane rubber in which carbon is dispersed. Is coated with fluorine. The secondary transfer roll 27 is formed such that its volume resistivity is set to 10 ³ to 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm, and the roll diameter is φ28 mm.
The hardness is set to, for example, 30 ° (Asuka C).

On the other hand, the backup roll 25 has a surface layer made of a blended rubber tube of EPDM and NBR in which carbon is dispersed, and an inner layer made of EPDM rubber, and has a surface resistivity of 10 ⁷ to 10 ⁷ . 10 ¹⁰ Ω
/ □, formed so that the roll diameter is φ28 mm,
The hardness is set to, for example, 70 ° (Asuka C).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 46 denotes an erase lamp for removing electricity.

FIG. 3 shows a rotary developing device 19 of the electrophotographic copying machine constructed as described above.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rotary type developing device 18 has the same configuration and includes four developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18M,
18C, these four developing units 18K, 1
The developing units 8Y, 18M, and 18C are attached to the developing device holder 51 formed of a substantially cylindrical frame at symmetric positions different from each other by 90 degrees about the rotation shaft 50.
The four developing units 18K, 18Y, 18M, and 18C are:
As described above, black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) developers are stored, respectively. The four developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18
Needless to say, the order of the colors M and 18C and the colors of the developer to be contained may be different from the above order and colors.

The rotary type developing device 1
4, four developing units 18K and 18 are driven by a rotary drive motor 99 via a large-diameter rotary gear 98 provided at one end in the axial direction, as shown in FIG.
The developing device holder 51 holding the Y, 18M, and 18C is rotatable, and the developing devices 18K, 18Y, and 18 containing toner of a predetermined color to be developed by this driving mechanism.
M and 18C are sequentially rotated and moved to a developing position opposed to the photosensitive drum 16, thereby enabling development of a predetermined color. Further, the above four developing devices 18K, 1
8Y, 18M and 18C can be moved to a predetermined position such as a home position besides the developing position by a driving mechanism and stopped.

Each of the developing units 18K, 18Y, 18M, and 18C of the rotary type developing device 18 has a photosensitive drum 1 at an opening of a developing unit housing 52 as shown in FIG.
6, a first screw auger 55 as a stirring and conveying member provided along a partition wall 54 at the lower rear side of the developing roll 53, and The second screw auger 56 and the first and second screw augers 5
5 and 56, the toner T is agitated while being sequentially conveyed.
And a carrier C, and a toner supply member disposed at an intermediate portion on the back side of the developing device housing 52 and serving as a connecting / conveying member for conveying toner T supplied from a toner supply device described later. The main part of the screw auger 59 is formed. Each of the developing units 18K, 1
8Y, 18M, and 18C, inside the developing device housing 52, a developer tank 61 in which a two-component developer 57 including a toner T of a predetermined color and a carrier C which is a magnetic particle is stored.
It has become.

As shown in FIG. 5, the developing roller 53 has a cylindrical developing sleeve 62 which rotates in the direction of the arrow.
And a magnet roll 63 fixedly disposed therein, and a surplus developer 57 is scraped off by a spike restricting member 64 disposed above the developing sleeve 62 so that the outer peripheral surface is A fixed amount of magnetic brush is formed. Then, the developing roller 53 having a predetermined amount of magnetic brush formed on the surface thereof transports the developer 57 to the developing area where the photosensitive drum 16 is opposed to the photosensitive drum 16 with the rotation of the developing sleeve 62, and the developer 57 is placed on the photosensitive drum 16. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed with toner of a predetermined color. In addition,
The magnet roll 63 disposed inside the developing sleeve 62 has a plurality of magnetic poles having a predetermined polarity at predetermined positions on the outer periphery thereof in order to obtain predetermined developing characteristics and developer transport characteristics.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the first and second screw augers 55 and 56 have rotary shafts 65 and 66 which are driven at low speed by a drive motor via a drive gear (not shown). It is composed of conveying blades 67 and 68 formed spirally in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shafts 65 and 66. The transfer blades 67, 68 of the first and second screw augers 55, 56 have transfer blades 67 for receiving the developer 57 at one end thereof.
a, 68a are provided short. The first screw auger 55 has its transport blade 67 made of a non-magnetic stainless steel material (non-magnetic SUS304) or a synthetic resin member (a material to which toner does not easily adhere, such as polycarbonate). It is not affected. 6 and 7, the first and second screw augers 55 and 56 transport the developer 57 in the developer tank 61 while stirring the developer 57 in the arrow direction, as shown in FIGS. In a state where the developer 57 has been transported to the ends of the second screw augers 55 and 56, an opening 69 provided in the partition wall 54,
The transfer of the developer 57 is carried out via 70, and the developer 57 is circulated and conveyed while being stirred.

As shown in FIG. 5, the screw auger 59 for supplying toner is disposed at the middle portion on the rear side of the developing device housing 52. As shown in FIG. 6, the screw auger 59 for supplying toner is provided with a second screw auger 5 from outside of one end of the developing device housing 52.
Along the longitudinal direction of the second screw auger 5
6 is arranged to the vicinity of the other end. A return screw auger 59a formed at a fine pitch in the opposite direction is formed short at the downstream end of the toner supply screw auger 59 in the transport direction, and is conveyed by the toner supply screw auger 59. The supplied toner T is reliably supplied into the developing device housing 52. As shown in FIG. 6, the toner supply screw auger 59 is driven to rotate by a gear 72 provided at an end of a rotary shaft 71 meshing with a drive gear 74 attached to a drive motor 73. It has become so. The drive motor 73 is fixedly mounted on a support frame 75 of a digital color copying machine, corresponding to a developing position where a developing unit faces the photosensitive drum 16. Further, a gear 7 attached to the end of the rotating shaft 71 of the screw auger 59 for supplying toner is used.
2 is provided in each of the developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18M, and 18C, and is provided in each of the developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18M, and 1C.
The gear 72 is configured to mesh with a drive gear 74 attached to a drive motor 73 when the 8C moves to the developing position.

The toner supply screw auger 59
5 and 6, is covered by a cylindrical member 76. An opening 77 is provided at one end of the cylindrical member 76 so that toner can be supplied from a toner supply device 80 described later. And at the other end,
Second screw auger 56 in developer housing 52
A large opening 78 for supplying toner is provided at the top of the printer.

FIG. 4 shows a toner supply device.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner supply device 80 is disposed above the rotary type developing device 18, and each developing device 19 of the rotary type developing device 19 is provided.
K, 19Y, 19M, and 19C are configured to supply toner of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK). The toner supply device 80 includes toner supply units 80 for each color of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).
K, 80Y, 80M, and 80C are arranged in parallel along the horizontal direction. These toner supply units 80K, 8
0Y, 80M, and 80C have the same configuration.

FIG. 7 shows the structure of the toner supply section of the toner supply device.

These toner supply units 80K, 80Y, 8
0M and 80C are provided on the upper part of the rotary type developing device 18 along the horizontal direction, and the developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18
M, 18C. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the toner supply devices 80K, 80Y, 80M, and 80C accommodates the corresponding color toner of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). And toner cartridges 81K, 81Y, 81M, and 81C as toner storage containers.
Is accommodated in the upper part of the rotary multicolor developing device 18 in the digital copying machine main body 1 as shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 8, the toner cartridge 81 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a relatively short length, and contains a predetermined amount of toner T of a predetermined color. The toner cartridge 81 contains a toner T
A toner transport agitator 82 for stirring and transporting the toner is provided. The toner transport agitator 82 is, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. The cartridge is rotatably driven by a cartridge motor 84, which is one of the toner-dispense motors, which is a driving motor composed of a motor or the like. The above toner cartridge 8
Reference numeral 1 denotes a digital color copier main body 1 as shown in FIG.
It is attached by inserting it into a predetermined position from the near side of the. When the toner cartridge 81 is inserted to a predetermined position of the digital color copying machine main body 1 by rotating the handle 85 provided on the front surface of the toner cartridge 81 by a predetermined angle, As will be described in detail later, the shutter of the toner cartridge 81 is opened so that the toner T can be supplied from a toner supply opening 86 provided at the lower part on the back side. The toner transport agitator 82 provided in the toner cartridge 81 is set to have a large toner transport capacity. If toner is present in the toner cartridge 81, the toner transport agitator 82 is driven for a predetermined time. By doing so, a sufficient amount of toner can always be supplied from the toner supply opening 86.

As shown in FIG. 7, a reserve tank 87 for transporting the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 81 to the developing device 18 is provided below the rear end of the toner cartridge 81. I have. As shown in FIGS. 7, 10, and 11, two toner storage portions 88a having a U-shaped cross section are provided at the bottom of the reserve tank 87.
88b and one toner supply unit 88c having a U-shaped cross section located between the two toner storage units 88a and 88b.
Are provided. The two toner storage portions 88a,
A spiral agitator 89a, 89b that conveys the toner while stirring it is rotatably provided inside 88b, and a screw that conveys the toner while stirring it is provided inside one toner supply unit 88c. Auger 89c is provided. These spiral agitators 89a and 89b and the screw auger 89
In (c), the agitators 89a and 89b having a spiral shape are set to have a larger toner conveying capacity than the augers 89c having a screw shape. Then, the toner T supplied from the toner cartridge 81 into the reserve tank 87 is supplied by spiral agitators 89a and 89b provided in the two toner storage portions 88a and 88b.
While the toner is conveyed while being circulated while being stirred, a part of the toner is conveyed by a screw-shaped auger 89c provided in the toner supply unit 88c.
As shown in FIG. 7, a developing device 1 is provided through a toner supply tubular member 91 through a toner discharge port 90 provided on the bottom surface of the developing device 1.
8 is supplied with toner.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, on the side wall of the area 92 of the reserve tank 87 where the toner T is supplied from the toner cartridge 81, as shown in FIGS. Is attached.

The cylindrical member 91 for supplying the toner is formed as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
7 is located below the toner outlet 90,
The other end where the opening 94 is provided downward is arranged so as to supply the toner T to a developing device (not shown). A screw-shaped auger 95 for conveying the toner T is provided inside the cylindrical member 91 for supplying toner.

Two spiral agitators 89 provided in a reserve tank 87 of the toner supply device 80
The screw-shaped auger 89c provided in the cylindrical member 91 for supplying the toner and the screw-shaped auger 89c, a and 89b are composed of a synchronous motor or the like as shown in FIGS. A plurality of gears 97 are driven by a toner dispensing motor 96 which is a driving motor.
a to 97d and a gear (not shown).

Further, in the color electrophotographic copying machine according to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, cleaning for removing adhering substances such as residual toner and paper powder adhering to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. A device 43 is provided. The cleaning device 43 includes a cleaning blade 51 made of an elastic body that presses against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 that moves at a predetermined speed and removes deposits on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. During cleaning, the cleaning blade 51 starts pressure contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 while the intermediate transfer belt 21 is moving, and stops at a predetermined pressure contact state to stop the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. It is designed to remove deposits.

The cleaning blade 101 of the cleaning device 43 normally waits at a position separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21 until a final toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21. The toner image transferred onto the transfer belt 21 is not disturbed. After the final toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21, the cleaning blade 101 comes into pressure contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the residual toner or paper dust adhered to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. Remove the deposits such as.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a cleaning device.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 43 denotes a cleaning device for the intermediate transfer belt. The cleaning device 43 is disposed near the upstream side of the driving roll 23 for driving the intermediate transfer belt 21 of the color electrophotographic copying machine. Has been established. The cleaning device 43 is provided with a cleaning blade 101 that is pressed against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined timing to remove extraneous matters such as residual toner and paper dust adhered to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. . As the cleaning blade 101, for example, a blade made of an elastic material such as polyurethane having a thickness of 2 mm is used, but the thickness and the material of the blade 51 are not limited to this. Also,
The cleaning blade 101 is fixed to a sheet metal 102 having a substantially L-shaped cross section by bonding or the like, and the sheet metal 102 to which the cleaning blade 101 is fixed is attached.
Is attached to a metal pressing plate 103 bent at a small angle at the center by means such as welding or bolting. The pressing plate 103 has a fulcrum 104
And a pressing portion 105 extending above the pressing plate 103 is provided with an eccentric cam 1.
06 is in contact. The pressing plate 103 is urged by a spring (not shown) in a direction in which the pressing plate 103 comes into pressure contact with the eccentric cam 106, that is, in a clockwise direction. Then, the cleaning device 43 rotates the eccentric cam 106 by a predetermined amount at a predetermined speed by a driving motor and a driving gear (not shown), and the pressing plate 10 is rotated by the eccentric cam 106.
3 by moving the pressing portion 105 clockwise, the cleaning blade 101 attached to the pressing plate 103 via the sheet metal 102 is pressed against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 as shown in FIG. It is configured. Further, the cleaning device 43 rotates the eccentric cam 106 by a predetermined amount at a predetermined speed by a driving motor and a driving gear (not shown).
6, the pressing portion 105 of the pressing plate 103 is moved in the counterclockwise direction.
Cleaning blade 101 attached via 2
Are separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 as shown in FIG. Thus, the cleaning blade 101 is attached to the intermediate transfer belt 21 so as to be able to advance (contact) and retract (separate) by rotating the eccentric cam 106.

Further, the cleaning device 43 has a storage section 107 for storing extraneous substances such as residual toner and paper dust removed by the cleaning blade 101, and the storage section 107 is substantially U-shaped with an upper opening. It is formed in a character shape. Further, when a certain amount of deposits such as residual toner and paper dust removed by the cleaning blade 101 is accumulated in the storage unit 107, the dust is rotated at a predetermined timing, and the accumulated attachments are rotated. An auger 108 for transporting the kimono to the outside of the cleaning device 43 is provided.

Further, the cleaning device 43 is provided on the side of the housing 107 which faces the cleaning blade 101 in order to prevent the adhered matter such as the residual toner and paper dust removed by the cleaning blade 101 from leaking outside. A seal member 109 for sealing the opening is provided. As the sealing member 109, for example, a Mylar film having a thickness of about 100 μm is used. The seal member 109 has one end fixed to a pivot member 111 that pivots about a fulcrum 110,
The rotating member 111 is interlocked with a pressing plate 103 to which the cleaning blade 101 is attached via a link mechanism (not shown) so that the rotating member 111 rotates counterclockwise with the rotating operation of the pressing plate 103. Has become.
Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the sealing member 109 is attached to the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the cleaning blade 101.
The surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is similarly pressed in conjunction with the operation of pressing against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

The housing 107 of the cleaning device 43 may be configured to move toward the intermediate transfer belt 21 in accordance with the operation of pressing the cleaning blade 101 against the intermediate transfer belt 21.

By the way, in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, after transferring the toner image bearing member carrying the toner image and the toner image on the toner image bearing member to another member,
Cleaning means for removing toner remaining on the toner image carrier, waste toner recovery means for recovering waste toner removed by the cleaning means at a predetermined timing, and waste toner recovered by the waste toner recovery means An image forming apparatus including a waste toner collecting container to be accommodated,
A full proximity position detecting means for detecting that the waste toner has been stored up to the full proximity position of the waste toner collection container, and when the full proximity position detection means detects the full proximity of the waste toner storage container, Is estimated based on the image formation history of the above, the amount of image formation that can be performed until the waste toner container becomes full, and when the estimated image formation amount is reached, the waste toner container is full. It is configured to display that.

More specifically, a full proximity position detecting means for detecting that the waste toner has been stored to the full proximity position of the waste toner collecting container, and a state in which the full proximity position detection means detects empty. And a second counter for counting the amount of image formation while the full proximity position detecting means detects a full state.
And a calculating means for calculating the maximum value of the second counter based on the value of the first counter when the full proximity position detecting means detects the full proximity position from the sky, and the second counter Display means for displaying that the waste toner container is full when the maximum value is counted.

At this time, when the value of the first counter when the full proximity position detecting means detects the full proximity position from the sky is out of the specified range, for example, the maximum value of the second counter is set. Configured to use the previous value without updating the value.

That is, in the color electrophotographic copying machine according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the waste toner collected by the cleaning device 42 for the photosensitive drum and the cleaning device 43 for the intermediate transfer belt. An auger pipe 120 having an auger therein is provided as waste toner collecting means for collecting the removed matter. Further, the removed matter 122 such as waste toner collected by the auger pipe 120 is configured to be accommodated in a waste toner collection bottle 121 as a waste toner collection container. Further, a transmission type optical sensor is provided as a full proximity position detecting means for detecting that the waste toner collection bottle 121 contains the removed material 122 such as waste toner up to the full proximity position of the waste toner collection bottle 121. Is provided at a predetermined position.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the color electrophotographic copying machine.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 125 denotes a control device comprising an electronic circuit centered on a CPU for controlling the image forming operation of the color electrophotographic copying machine; 123, a full proximity detection sensor provided in the waste toner collecting bottle 121; , 96
Are the developing units 19Y, 19M, 19C, 1 of the developing device 19.
A dispensing motor 126 for supplying the toner of each color to 9K. A toner dispensing motor 126 is output every time the control device 125 outputs an operation signal of the dispensing motors 84 and 96 while the full proximity detection sensor 123 detects the sky. A first counter 127 that adds time is a counter 127 that controls the dispense motors 84 and 96 while the full proximity detection sensor 123 detects the full state.
Each time the operation signal is output, the second counter 128 for adding the toner dispensing time is controlled by the control unit 12.
A memory 129 for storing the values calculated in step 5, etc., serves as display means for displaying that the waste toner container 121 is full when the second counter-127 has counted the maximum value. It is a display device provided. Note that the control device 125 sets the maximum value of the second counter-127 to a full proximity detection sensor 123.
Also serves as calculating means for calculating based on the value of the first counter 126 when the full proximity position is detected from the sky.

In the above configuration, in the case of the color electrophotographic copying machine according to this embodiment,
It is possible to effectively utilize the capacity of the waste toner collecting container without increasing the cost due to the use of a plurality of sensors.

That is, in the case of the color electrophotographic copying machine, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as the color or monochrome image is formed, the developing units 18Y, 18M, 18C, The toner of each color is consumed by 18K, and the untransferred toner and the like remaining on the photosensitive drum 17 without being transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 are removed by the cleaning device 42 for the photosensitive drum. Further, untransferred toner and the like remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 21 without being transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 21 onto the transfer paper 26 are removed by a cleaning device 43 for the intermediate transfer belt. The removed material 122 such as waste toner removed by the photosensitive drum cleaning device 42 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 43 is collected by the auger pipe 120 and sequentially placed in the waste toner collection bottle 121. Will be accommodated.

At this time, the control device 125 composed of an electronic circuit centered on the CPU operates the waste toner collecting bottle 121.
While the full proximity detection sensor 123 provided in the developing unit 18 detects empty, a toner dispense motor 84 for supplying new toner from the toner cartridge 80 to each of the developing devices 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K of the developing device 18,
Every time 96 operation signals are output, the toner dispense time is added to the first counter-126. When the full proximity sensor 123 detects that the removed object 122 such as waste toner is stored up to the full proximity position, the product of the value of the first counter 126 and the constant is stored in the memory 128 and the first counter 126 Is reset, and the counting operation of the second counter 127 is started.
The constant used in this calculation is the weight ratio of the removed material 122 such as waste toner between the time when the full proximity detection is performed and the time when the detection is full thereafter. Depending on the shape of the waste toner collecting bottle 121, this constant can be substituted by the volume ratio of the volume in which the removed matter 122 such as waste toner is stored and the remaining volume.

Thereafter, the second counter 127 keeps counting the toner dispensing time while the full proximity sensor 123 detects the full proximity.
When the value of 27 reaches the value in the memory 128, the subsequent image forming operation is prohibited, and a message urging the operator to replace the waste toner collecting bottle 121 is displayed on the display device 129. When the waste toner collection bottle 121 is replaced and the full proximity detection sensor 123 detects empty, the second counter 127 is reset and the first counter 126 starts counting again.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the control of this embodiment.

First, a full proximity detection sensor 1 that monitors the toner accumulation state in the waste toner collection bottle 121
Reference numeral 23 outputs a low-level signal while it is empty, and outputs a high-level signal when toner is accumulated and interrupts the optical path.
Therefore, the control device 125 sets the full proximity detection sensor 1
It is determined whether or not 23 is outputting a low level (step 102). While the full proximity detection sensor 123 is outputting a low level, the second counter 127 is set to 0.
(Step 113). Next, the control device 1
25 determines whether the signals for operating the dispense motors -84, 96 are ON (step 114), and the signals for operating the dispense motors -84, 96 are ON.
In the case of the state, the toner dispensing time is added to the first counter-126 (Step 115), and Step 1 is performed.
Return to 02.

The above operation is repeated to form a color or black and white image by the color electrophotographic copying machine.

Thereafter, when the control device 125 determines that the full proximity sensor 123 has reached the high level (step 102), the display device 129 indicates that the waste toner collecting bottle 121 is almost full (step 102). 1
16) Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the first counter 126 is equal to 0 (step 103), and the first counter 1 is determined.
If the value of H.26 is equal to 0, the first counter-126
Is calculated by multiplying the count value by a constant (threshold) and stored in the memory 128 as the threshold (step 11).
1), the first counter 126 is reset to 0 (step 112), and the process returns to step 103. This calculation is performed only once when the output of the full proximity detection sensor 123 changes from low to high. Then, the control device 125
In step 103, when the count value of the first counter 126 is reset and it is determined that the count value is equal to 0 (step 103), while the full proximity detection sensor 123 is outputting a high level, the dispense motor 8 is stopped.
A value corresponding to the time for operating the fourth and 96 is added to the second counter 127 (steps 104 and 105). Then, the controller 125 controls the dispense motor 8
After adding the value corresponding to the time for operating the fourth and 96 to the second counter 127, the value of the second counter 127 is compared with the threshold value stored in the memory 128 (step 106), and the second counter-127 When it is determined that the count value is equal to or larger than the threshold value, the display device 129 displays that the waste toner collecting bottle 121 is full (step 107). At that time, the control device 125 detects whether the image forming operation has been completed (step 108).
If an image is being formed, the operation is continued. If the image formation is completed, the operation is prohibited (step 109), and the control flow ends (step 110). The operation prohibited state is
The worker replaces the waste toner collection bottle 121 with a new one, and is released when the output of the full proximity detection sensor 123 turns to a low level or by a reset operation by the operator.

At this time, the output becomes unstable during a transition period in which the removed matter 122 such as waste toner accumulates in the waste toner collection bottle 121 and interrupts the optical path of the full proximity detection sensor 123. Therefore, if an operation such as calculation of a threshold value is simply performed when the output of the full proximity detection sensor 123 changes from low to high as full proximity detection, a very small value may be set as the threshold value. . Also, if the waste toner collection bottle 121 is replaced with a new one before the full-close state is detected at that time, the next calculated threshold becomes large, and the machine is stopped at that threshold. If the control is performed so that the toner is stopped, the toner may overflow from the bottle 121 before the stop.

Therefore, a control for avoiding such a problem is shown in FIG. 16. When the output of the full proximity detection sensor 123 becomes high and the threshold value is calculated, the count value of the first counter 126 is reduced. It is determined whether or not the value is within the specified range (step 211). If the count value of the first counter 126 is determined not to be within the specified range, an unexpected situation as described above occurs. Therefore, the threshold value is not calculated from the count value of the first counter 126, and the value remaining in the memory 128 is used as it is.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the amount of waste toner collected per image varies greatly depending on image density, image size, transfer efficiency, and the like. Full proximity detection sensor 1 provided in
By dividing the counters until the full proximity is detected by the 23 and the capacity ratio after that until the full proximity detection is known before and from the capacity ratio after that, it is determined when the machine should be stopped according to the state, use environment and usage of the machine. Can be accurately predicted, it is not necessary to take an excessive margin for the capacity of the waste toner collecting bottle 121, and the size of the machine can be reduced. Also, since only one sensor is required to detect the waste toner collected in the waste toner collection bottle 121,
There is no increase in cost.

The present invention utilizes the fact that the usage (image formation amount) of the image forming apparatus, such as the output image density, does not fluctuate greatly when viewed in a long range for the same user. Therefore, the counter counts not only the toner dispensing time but also the number of prints, the number of colors, the number of pixels, the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum, and the like.

[0088]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to form an image by effectively using the capacity of the waste toner collecting container without increasing the cost by using a plurality of sensors. An apparatus can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming unit of a color electrophotographic copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a color electrophotographic copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a developing device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a toner supply device.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a developing device of a rotary developing device.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a drive system of the developing device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a toner supply device.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating a toner cartridge.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a mounted state of the toner cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional configuration diagram showing a toner supply device.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating a toner supply device.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning device for an intermediate transfer belt.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning device for an intermediate transfer belt.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Digital copier main body, 17: Photoconductor drum, 18:
Developing device, 21: intermediate transfer belt, 42: cleaning device for photosensitive drum, 43: cleaning device for intermediate transfer belt, 84, 96: dispense motor, 1
20: waste toner collecting means, 121: waste toner collecting bottle, 123: full proximity detection sensor, 125: control device, 126: first counter, 127: second counter, 128: memory, 129: display device.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A toner image carrier carrying a toner image,
Cleaning means for removing the toner remaining on the toner image carrier after transferring the toner image on the toner image carrier to another member, and collecting waste toner removed by the cleaning means at a predetermined timing And a waste toner collecting container for storing the waste toner collected by the waste toner collecting device, the waste toner is stored to a position close to the full position of the waste toner collecting container. A full proximity position detecting means for detecting that the waste toner container is full when the full proximity position detecting means detects the full proximity of the waste toner container based on the image forming history up to that time. Control is performed so as to display that the waste toner container is full when the predicted image formation amount is reached. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a control means. 2. A toner image carrier carrying a toner image,
Cleaning means for removing the toner remaining on the toner image carrier after transferring the toner image on the toner image carrier to another member, and collecting waste toner removed by the cleaning means at a predetermined timing And a waste toner collecting container for storing the waste toner collected by the waste toner collecting device, the waste toner is stored to a position close to the full position of the waste toner collecting container. Full proximity position detecting means for detecting that the full proximity position detecting means detects the sky, a first counter for counting the amount of image formation executed while the full proximity position detecting means detects the sky, and A second counter that counts the amount of image formation while detecting the position, and a full proximity position detecting unit that detects a full proximity position from the sky with the maximum value of the second counter. Calculating means for calculating based on the value of the first counter when the waste toner container is full when the second counter counts the maximum value. An image forming apparatus comprising: 3. When the value of the first counter when the full proximity position detecting means detects a full proximity position from the sky is outside a prescribed range, the maximum value of the second counter is updated. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a previous value is used without performing the process.