JP2005010507A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and precisely detect a waste toner container being full. <P>SOLUTION: A partition plate member 34 is arranged to partition a waste toner storage space 33 in a waste toner container 30 and rotate on a specified fulcrum, and the partition plate member rotates according to movement of waste toner. A waste toner detecting sensor 32 is shielded from reflected light from a reflecting plate 37 as the partition plate member rotates by a prescribed angle from a predetermined initial position. Consequently, it is decided that the amount of waste toner in the waste toner container reaches a specified amount. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer using an electrophotographic process, and more particularly to waste toner for detecting the amount of waste toner collected in a waste toner container in the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a quantity detection device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in an image forming apparatus, after forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner to form a toner image on the image carrier. This toner image is finally transferred onto a recording sheet, but the toner remaining on the image carrier is removed by a cleaning device and collected in a waste toner container as waste toner.
[0003]
A so-called color image forming apparatus further includes an intermediate transfer member such as an intermediate transfer drum as an image carrier, and transfers a color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member onto a recording sheet. In the apparatus, the toner remaining on the image carrier including the intermediate transfer member needs to be removed by a cleaning device and collected in a waste toner container.
[0004]
As described above, the toner remaining on the image carrier is collected as a waste toner in a waste toner container. However, since the capacity of the waste toner container is limited, the waste toner container is filled by a detection sensor or the like. When the full state is detected, the fact is notified, and when this notification is received, the user or the like discards the waste toner container and newly puts it in the waste toner container. I am trying to attach it to.
[0005]
By the way, for example, a light-shielding sensor is used as the above-described detection sensor, and the light-shielding sensor is shut off according to the waste toner entering the waste toner container, that is, as the amount of waste toner in the waste toner container increases. As a result, there is one that detects the fullness of the waste toner container.
[0006]
However, the fluidity of the waste toner in the waste toner container is likely to vary. In particular, in the color image forming apparatus, when the waste toner amount is detected by shielding the waste toner itself as described above, the waste toner is bright, such as yellow toner. Since the color toner is also included, the light is irregularly reflected by the waste toner, the light is not substantially blocked by the waste toner, the light shielding sensor cannot detect the full state of the waste toner container, and the waste toner container Although the toner is full, the waste toner is discharged into the waste toner container, and an unexpected failure may occur in the image forming apparatus itself.
[0007]
On the other hand, in order to prevent the waste toner detection sensor from operating before the waste toner container is full, a waste toner detection space is provided behind the waste toner storage space of the waste toner container. When the vertical cross section is made smaller than the cross section of the waste toner storage space and an elastic partition member is arranged at the boundary between the waste toner detection space and the waste toner storage space, the waste toner detection is performed when the waste toner storage space is full of waste toner. There is one in which waste toner enters a space (see Patent Document 1).
[0008]
Further, the waste toner container is provided with a detection lever that shifts depending on the amount of collected toner, and when the toner in the waste toner container reaches a predetermined amount, at least a part of the light beam for image formation is blocked by the detection lever, There is one that detects the amount of waste toner in a waste toner container (see Patent Document 2).
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-84480 (paragraph (0010) to paragraph (0011), FIGS. 1 and 4)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-186891 (paragraph (0014) to paragraph (0016), FIGS. 1 and 2)
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a waste toner detection space is provided behind the waste toner storage space of the waste toner container. When the waste toner storage space becomes full of waste toner, the waste toner detection space is discarded. Although toner is allowed to enter, the amount of toner is detected by the waste toner itself that has entered the waste toner detection space. Therefore, as described above, when the light shielding sensor is used, light is emitted from the waste toner. If the light is irregularly reflected, the approach of waste toner cannot be detected, and there is a problem that the detection accuracy is poor.
[0011]
On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the waste toner container is provided with a detection lever that changes according to the amount of waste toner, and when the toner in the waste toner container reaches a predetermined amount, the detection lever performs image formation. Considering that the detection lever slides in the vertical direction, when the waste toner entering the waste toner container pushes the detection lever from the side, the detection lever is good. As a result, it becomes impossible to accurately detect whether or not the waste toner container is full.
[0012]
Further, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the image forming light in the image forming process is detected because the light speed for image formation is blocked by the detection registration to detect that the waste toner container is full. Since the apparatus is substantially stopped, when replacing the waste toner container and resuming image formation again, at least the image carrier such as the photosensitive drum must be initialized, and control is therefore performed. There is a problem that becomes complicated.
[0013]
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect a full state of a waste toner container easily and accurately.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred to a recording sheet to form an image, and the residual toner remaining on the image carrier is collected as a waste toner in a waste toner container. In the image forming apparatus, the waste toner storage space in the waste toner container is partitioned and the partition member arranged to be rotatable around a predetermined fulcrum, and the partition member is defined in advance from a predetermined initial position. Detecting means that detects that the amount of waste toner in the waste toner container has reached a predetermined amount when the angle is rotated, and the partition member rotates according to the movement of the waste toner collected in the waste toner container. An image forming apparatus characterized in that it moves is obtained.
[0015]
In this manner, the waste toner storage space is divided into the waste toner container, and the partition member that can be rotated around a predetermined fulcrum is arranged, so that the partition member responds to the movement of the waste toner collected in the waste toner container. If the partition member is rotated at a predetermined angle from a predetermined initial position, the waste toner is irregularly reflected by detecting that the amount of waste toner in the waste toner container has reached a predetermined amount. Therefore, the detection accuracy is not lowered, and the rotation of the partition member is not hindered by the movement of the waste toner, and the amount of waste toner can be detected easily and accurately.
[0016]
In the present invention, for example, the waste toner storage space extends in the horizontal direction, and the partition member rotates in the horizontal direction. Thus, if the waste toner storage space extends horizontally and the partition member rotates in the horizontal direction, the partition member rotates in the same direction as the movement of the waste toner. The rotation is not hindered by the movement of the waste toner.
[0017]
In the present invention, the waste toner container is provided with a waste toner inlet through which the waste toner enters, and the partition member has a non-reflective surface formed of a non-reflective material on at least one surface thereof. The storage space is divided into a first storage part on the waste toner inlet side and a second storage part located behind the waste toner inlet and having a smaller capacity than the first storage part, A reflective member is disposed in the second storage portion, and the detection means includes a reflective sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing the reflective member, and the waste toner according to the amount of light received by the light receiving portion. Determining means for determining whether or not the amount of waste toner in the container has reached a predetermined amount, and the partition member positions the non-reflective surface on the reflective sensor side and the predetermined rotation angle. When it rotates, the reflection member Between capacitors and the reflective member is shielded.
[0018]
Further, according to the present invention, the waste toner container is provided with a waste toner inlet through which the waste toner enters, and the partition member has a reflective surface having at least one surface formed of a reflective material, and the waste toner storage space. Is divided into a first storage part on the waste toner inlet side and a second storage part located on the back side of the waste toner inlet and having a smaller capacity than the first storage part, and the detection means Is a reflective sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing the reflecting member, and whether or not the amount of waste toner in the waste toner container has become a predetermined amount according to the amount of light received by the light receiving portion. Determination means for determining, and the partition member may be rotated with the reflective surface positioned on the reflective sensor side.
[0019]
In addition, according to the present invention, the waste toner container is provided with a waste toner inlet through which the waste toner enters, and the partition member separates the waste toner storage space from the first storage portion on the waste toner inlet side and the waste toner. The waste toner container is transparent or at least corresponding to the second storage portion, and is divided into a second storage portion that is located behind the toner inlet and has a smaller capacity than the first storage portion. The detection means is formed of a translucent sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing each other with the second storage portion interposed therebetween, and the waste according to the amount of light received by the light receiving portion. A determination unit configured to determine whether or not the amount of waste toner in the toner container has reached a predetermined amount; and a light shielding member that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the partition member. When the rotation angle is rotated, the light shielding member moves forward. Between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion may be is blocked.
[0020]
In the present invention, for example, the toner image is a color toner image, and the waste toner is a color waste toner.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to the description unless otherwise specified. It is just an example.
[0022]
First, an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The illustrated image forming apparatus is a color image forming apparatus. Around a photosensitive drum 11 as a first image carrier, there are a charger 12, each color (for example, yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta, and the like. (M) and black (BK)) developing devices 13 to 16 are disposed, and a cleaning unit 17 is disposed. An intermediate transfer drum 18 as a second image carrier is in contact with the photosensitive drum 11.
[0023]
When image formation is performed, the charging surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged by the charger 12, and then the photosensitive drum 11 is exposed according to image data by an exposure unit (not shown). An electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 11. The electrostatic latent image is first developed by the Y developing unit 13 to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 11 and transferred to the intermediate transfer drum 18 (primary transfer).
[0024]
After the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 11 is removed by the cleaning unit 17, the photosensitive drum 11 is charged again, and thereafter the C developing unit 14, the M developing unit 15, and the BK developing unit 16 similarly perform the photosensitive unit. A toner image is formed on the drum 11 and transferred to the intermediate transfer drum 18, and the color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer drum 18 to form a color toner image.
[0025]
This color toner image is transferred (secondary transfer) to a sheet (not shown) conveyed to the secondary transfer position by the transfer belt 19 (secondary transfer), conveyed to the fixing unit 21 by the conveyance belt unit 20, and on the intermediate transfer drum 18. Residual toner is removed by the cleaning device 18a. Then, after the color toner image on the sheet is fixed by the fixing unit 21, the sheet is faced down to the sheet discharge tray 24 by the sheet discharge device (sheet discharge mechanism) 23 via the sheet discharge path 22 (the printing surface is changed). The paper is discharged.
[0026]
The residual toner removed by the cleaning unit 17 and the residual toner removed by the cleaning device 18a are respectively sent as waste toner to a waste toner container (not shown in FIG. 1) via a waste toner path (not shown). Stored in a waste toner container. The waste toner container is located on the back side of the conveyance belt unit 20 in FIG.
[0027]
Here, referring to FIG. 2, a waste toner inlet 31 is formed on the upper surface 30 a of the waste toner container 30. In FIG. 2, the waste toner storage space in the waste toner container 30 is a waste toner inlet 31. To the left (horizontal direction). Then, the waste toner entering from the waste toner inlet 31 gradually moves from the right side to the left side in the drawing.
[0028]
A waste toner detection sensor 32 is disposed at a position away from the waste toner inlet 31, and the waste toner detection sensor 32 detects whether or not the waste toner container 30 is full. The waste toner detection sensor 32 is attached to, for example, an image forming apparatus casing (not shown), and when the waste toner container 30 is attached to the image forming apparatus casing, the waste toner container 30 is disposed of as shown in FIG. The toner detection sensor 32 is positioned.
[0029]
Referring also to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section of the waste toner container 30 (cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 1). In the vicinity of the toner detection sensor 32, the depth is shallow. That is, the bottom surface 30b of the waste toner container 30 is provided with a standing surface 30c as shown in the drawing, and the depth of the waste toner storage space 33 is changed by the standing surface 30c.
[0030]
In FIG. 3, a partition plate member 34 is arranged corresponding to the bottom surface 30 b located on the right side of the standing surface 30 c, and the partition plate member 34 is formed of a material that hardly reflects light or the partition plate. A cover material (sheet material) that does not reflect light is attached to the surface (one surface) of the member 34. That is, a non-reflective surface is formed on at least one surface of the partition plate member 34.
[0031]
The partition plate member 34 divides the waste toner storage space 33 into a first storage portion 33a located on the waste toner inlet 31 side and a second storage portion 33b located on the back side. Note that the volume of the second storage portion 33b is extremely smaller than that of the first storage portion 33a.
[0032]
The waste toner that has entered from the waste toner inlet 31 is conveyed from the right to the left in the drawing by a toner conveyance body (toner conveyance sweep roller) 35 and is sent to the first storage portion 33a. As described above, since the first storage unit 33a is deeper than the second storage unit 33b, the waste toner is stored in the first storage unit 33a and is stored in the first storage unit 33a. When the amount of waste toner reaches a predetermined amount, the waste toner gradually moves leftward, the partition plate member 34 is pushed by the waste toner, and the partition plate member 34 rotates as will be described later.
[0033]
Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a view showing the waste toner container 30 from above with the upper surface 30 a removed, and the partition plate member 34 is rotatably disposed on the bottom surface 30 b, with respect to the bottom surface 30 b. One end side edge of the shaft body 36 extending in the vertical direction is fixed. The partition plate member 34 divides the toner storage space 33 into first and second storage portions 33a and 33b.
[0034]
As shown in the figure, a reflection plate 37 is disposed in the second storage portion 33b so as to face the waste toner detection sensor 32, and the reflection plate 37 defines a waste toner container that defines the second storage portion 33b. 30 is disposed in contact with the inner surface of the side wall (in FIG. 2, it is disposed in contact with the inner surface of the side wall indicated by symbol “A”). Note that the reflecting plate 37 does not hinder the rotation of the partition plate member 34.
[0035]
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the waste toner detection sensor 32 is a reflection type sensor, and includes a light emitting element (light emitting unit, for example, a light emitting diode) and a light receiving element (light receiving unit), and light emitted from the light emitting element is received. Reflected by the reflecting plate 37, the reflected light is received by the light receiving element.
[0036]
As described above, when the waste toner accumulated in the first storage portion 33a reaches a predetermined amount (for example, full), the waste toner gradually moves leftward. When 34 is pushed, the partition plate member 34 is fixed to a shaft body 36 that is rotatably attached to the bottom surface 30b. Therefore, the partition plate member 34 is removed by waste toner that has reached the second storage portion 33b. 4 is gradually rotated in the direction indicated by the solid line arrow (that is, the partition plate member 34 is rotated in the horizontal direction with the shaft body 36 as a fulcrum, and this rotation direction is the entrance of waste toner. Almost the same as the direction).
[0037]
When the partition plate member 34 is rotated and rotated by a predetermined rotation angle from the initial position indicated by a symbol “B” in FIG. 4, the partition plate member 34 is positioned between the waste toner detection sensor 32 and the reflection plate 37. As a result, at least the reflected light from the reflecting plate 37 does not reach the light receiving element. That is, light is shielded by the partition plate member 34. At this time, the non-reflective surface C faces the waste toner detection sensor 32 side.
[0038]
As described above, when light shielding is performed, the amount of light received by the light receiving element becomes extremely small or becomes zero, and the control device (determination means: not shown) has a threshold (first value) for which the amount of received light is set in advance. For example, the waste toner container full is displayed on an operation panel (not shown) of the image forming apparatus.
[0039]
As described above, the partition plate member 34 is rotated in the horizontal direction by the waste toner, and the toner detection sensor 32 and the reflection plate 37 are shielded from light, so even if the waste toner is a toner of various colors. Even in this case, reflected light is not received by the waste toner detection sensor due to irregular reflection of the toner itself, and the fullness of the waste toner container can be accurately detected. Further, since the partition plate member 34 is rotated in the horizontal direction, the movement of the waste toner is very unlikely to prevent the rotation, and in this respect as well, it is possible to accurately detect the fullness of the waste toner container.
[0040]
In the above-described example, the waste toner detection sensor 32 is shielded by the partition plate member 34 and the fullness of the waste toner container 30 is detected. However, the reflection plate 37 is not disposed, and one side of the partition plate member 34 (waste) The surface facing the toner detection sensor 32) is a reflection surface, and by the rotation of the partition plate member 34, the reflection surface faces the waste toner detection sensor 32, and the light from the light emitting element is reflected by the reflection surface. In this case, the control device may recognize that the waste toner container 30 is full.
[0041]
At this time, when the amount of light received by the light receiving element becomes larger than a predetermined threshold (second threshold), the control device recognizes that the waste toner container 30 is full.
[0042]
Further, instead of the waste toner detection sensor, an angle sensor that detects the rotation angle of the partition plate member 34 is arranged, and when the partition plate member 34 rotates by a predetermined rotation angle from the initial position, the control device It may be recognized that the waste toner container 30 is full.
[0043]
In any case, since the partition plate member 34 rotates in the horizontal direction, the rotation of the partition plate member 34 is hardly hindered by waste toner, and the detection accuracy can be improved.
[0044]
Here, referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the same constituent elements as those shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a light-shielding type waste toner detection sensor 41 is used instead of the reflection type waste toner detection sensor 32, and this waste toner detection sensor 41 has a pair of arm portions 411 and 412. A sensor frame 41 a is provided, and the arm portions 411 and 412 face each other through the waste toner container 30. For example, a light emitting element is disposed on the arm portion 411, a light receiving element is disposed on the arm portion 412, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other via the waste toner container 30. In the illustrated example, the waste toner container 30 is transparent or translucent.
[0045]
6 is a perspective view with the upper surface 30a removed, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view from above with the upper surface 30a removed, and a partition plate member 34 having a mounting support portion 34a is attached to the shaft body 36. The light-shielding plate member 42 having the shaft body 36 as a fulcrum is attached to the attachment support portion 34a at a predetermined angle from the partition plate member 34. The light shielding plate member 42 rotates around the fulcrum as the partition plate member 34 rotates.
[0046]
As described above, when the partition plate member 34 is rotated in the direction indicated by the solid line arrow in FIG. 7 due to the waste toner, the light shielding plate member 42 is also rotated horizontally around the fulcrum. When the partition plate member 34 reaches a predetermined rotation angle (this angle is, for example, an angle at which the waste toner container 30 is full and is obtained in advance through experiments or the like), the light shielding plate member 42 has the arm portions 411 and 412. The light-shielding plate member 42 is rotated around the fulcrum and is positioned between the arm portions 411 and 412, and the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are inserted by the light-shielding plate member 42. Is shielded from light.
[0047]
As a result, the amount of light received by the light receiving element becomes extremely small or zero, and the waste toner container 30 becomes full in the control device when the amount of light received by the light receiving element is less than a predetermined threshold (third threshold). And a full toner container is displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus. Even in this case, the fullness of the waste toner container 30 can be detected with accuracy.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the partition member can be collected in the waste toner container by separating the waste toner storage space in the waste toner container and disposing the partition member rotatable around a predetermined fulcrum. So as to detect that the amount of waste toner in the waste toner container has reached a predetermined amount when the partition member is rotated by a predetermined angle from a predetermined initial position. Therefore, the detection accuracy is not lowered due to irregular reflection of the waste toner, and the rotation of the partition member is not hindered by the movement of the waste toner, and the amount of waste toner can be easily and accurately detected.
[0049]
In the present invention, since the waste toner storage space extends horizontally and the partition member rotates in the horizontal direction, the partition member rotates in substantially the same direction as the movement of the waste toner. There is an effect that the rotation is not hindered by the movement of the waste toner, and the amount of waste toner can be detected easily and accurately.
[0050]
In the present invention, when the partition member positions the non-reflective surface on the reflective sensor side and rotates by a predetermined rotation angle, the partition member shields light between the reflective sensor and the reflective member, and the waste toner container Since the toner amount is detected to be a predetermined amount, there is an effect that the toner amount can be accurately detected with a simple configuration.
[0051]
Furthermore, in the present invention, since at least one surface of the partition member is formed of a reflective material, and the partition member rotates with the reflective surface positioned on the reflective sensor side, when light is received by the reflective sensor. Thus, it is detected that the toner amount in the waste toner container has reached a predetermined amount, and the toner amount can be accurately detected with a simple configuration.
[0052]
In the present invention, the waste toner container is formed of a transparent or translucent material corresponding to at least the second storage unit, and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged in a state of facing each other with the second storage unit interposed therebetween. Since the light shielding member is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the partition member, and the partition member is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle, the light shielding portion shields light from the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. Thus, there is an effect that the toner amount can be accurately detected with a simple configuration.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an overview of an example of a waste toner container used in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 together with a waste toner detection sensor.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
4 is a view showing the waste toner container shown in FIG. 2 from above with its upper surface removed. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an overview of another example of a waste toner container used in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 together with a waste toner detection sensor.
6 is a perspective view showing the waste toner container shown in FIG. 5 with its upper surface removed. FIG.
7 is a view showing the waste toner container shown in FIG. 5 from above with its upper surface removed. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Photosensitive drum 12 Charger 13 to 16 Developer 17 Cleaning unit 18 Intermediate transfer drum 19 Transfer belt 20 Conveyor belt unit 21 Fixing unit 22 Paper discharge path 23 Sheet discharge device 24 Paper discharge tray 30 Waste toner container 31 Waste toner inlet 32 , 41 Waste toner detection sensor 33 Waste toner storage space 34 Partition plate member 35 Toner transport body 36 Shaft body 37 Reflecting plate

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus in which a toner image formed on an image carrier is transferred to a recording sheet to form an image, and residual toner remaining on the image carrier is collected as waste toner in a waste toner container.
A partition member arranged to divide a waste toner storage space in the waste toner container so as to be rotatable around a predetermined fulcrum;
Detecting means for detecting that the amount of waste toner in the waste toner container has reached a predetermined amount when the partition member rotates by a predetermined angle from a predetermined initial position;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the partition member is rotated in accordance with the movement of the waste toner collected in the waste toner container. The waste toner storage space extends in a horizontal direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the partition member rotates in a horizontal direction. The waste toner container is provided with a waste toner inlet through which the waste toner enters,
The partition member has a non-reflective surface at least one surface of which is formed of a non-reflective material, and the waste toner storage space is located on the back side of the first storage portion on the waste toner inlet side and the waste toner inlet. And a second storage unit having a smaller capacity than the first storage unit,
A reflective member is disposed in the second storage part,
The detecting means includes a reflective sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing the reflecting member, and whether the amount of waste toner in the waste toner container has reached a predetermined amount according to the amount of light received by the light receiving portion. Determining means for determining whether or not,
When the partition member positions the non-reflective surface on the reflective sensor side and rotates the predetermined rotation angle, the partition member shields light between the reflective sensor and the reflective member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The waste toner container is provided with a waste toner inlet through which the waste toner enters,
The partition member has a reflection surface at least one surface of which is formed of a reflective material, and the waste toner storage space is located on the back side of the first storage portion on the waste toner inlet side and the waste toner inlet. It is divided into a second storage part having a smaller capacity than the first storage part,
The detecting means includes a reflective sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing the reflecting member, and whether the amount of waste toner in the waste toner container has reached a predetermined amount according to the amount of light received by the light receiving portion. Determining means for determining whether or not,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the partition member is configured to rotate with the reflecting surface positioned on the reflective sensor side. The waste toner container is provided with a waste toner inlet through which the waste toner enters,
The partition member has a waste toner storage space in a first storage portion on the waste toner inlet side and a second storage portion located on the back side of the waste toner inlet and having a smaller capacity than the first storage portion. Divided into
The waste toner container is formed of a transparent or translucent material corresponding to at least the second storage portion,
The detection means includes a transmissive sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing each other with the second storage portion interposed therebetween, and a waste toner amount in the waste toner container is predetermined according to the amount of light received by the light receiving portion. Determination means for determining whether or not the amount of the light-shielding member, and a light-shielding member that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the partition member,
3. The image according to claim 1, wherein when the partition member is rotated at the predetermined rotation angle, the light-shielding member shields light from the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion. 4. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner image is a color toner image, and the waste toner is a color waste toner.

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