IMAGE FORMATION DEVICE

• Main Authors: TAMURA MASASHIGE, TAKAHATA KAZUAKI, NITOBE MANABU, FUJINO TAKESHI, YASUDA JUNJI, KOYAMA FUYUKO, TANAKA TAKAYUKI, NISHIDA SHINICHI
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: 05.01.2015
• Subjects: CINEMATOGRAPHY; ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY; PHOTOGRAPHY; PHYSICS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform stable detection of a residual amount of developer without relying on a shape of a developer storage bag in a developer replenishment container using the developer storage bag, which is composed of a flexible bag and the shape of which is deformed.SOLUTION: An image formation device comprises: a developer storage bag that accommodates developer to be used for forming an image, is composed of a flexible material, and has an exhaust part externally exhausting the developer; a pump that controls a volume of the developer storage bag by introduction of air or inhalation thereof; state detection means that, when the volume of the developer storage bag is controlled by the pump and the developer storage bag is filled with air, detects a change in a state of the developer storage bag; and developer residual amount detection means that, when the developer storage bag is filled with the air by the pump until it is determined by the state detection means that the developer storage bag becomes in a prescribed state, detects a residual amount of the developer accommodated in the developer storage bag on the basis of drive information on the pump. 【課題】柔軟な材料で構成され、形状が変形する現像剤収納袋を用いた現像剤補給容器において、現像剤収納袋の形状によらず、安定した現像剤の残量検知が行う。【解決手段】画像の形成に用いる現像剤を収容し、柔軟な材料で構成され、現像剤を外部に排出する排出部を有する現像剤収容袋と、空気の導入または吸引により現像剤収容袋の体積を制御するポンプと、ポンプにより現像剤収容袋の体積を制御して空気を充填した場合に、現像剤収容袋の状態の変化を検知する状態検知手段と、状態検知手段によって現像剤収容袋が所定の状態となったと判断されるまでポンプにより現像剤収容袋に空気を充填した場合に、ポンプの駆動情報に基づいて現像剤収容袋に収容されている現像剤の残量を検知する現像剤残量検知手段とを具備する。【選択図】図７