JP2002304048A - Developing device and image forming apparatus equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device capable of preventing the erroneous detection of a developer amount detection means from occurring because developer distribution in a developer container gets in an uneven state by the attaching/detaching operation of the developer container, and to provide an image forming apparatus equipped with the developing device. SOLUTION: This developing device is equipped with a door sensor 32 detecting whether or not the attaching/detaching operation of the developer container 19 is performed, and a stirring bar 27 is set to perform leveling operation when the attaching/detaching operation of the container 19 is detected by the sensor 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device for visualizing a latent image as a developer image by applying a developer from a developer carrier to a latent image carrier for carrying the latent image, and a developing device for developing the latent image. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in such an image forming apparatus,
2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus that obtains an image by visualizing a latent image formed using an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method using a developer is known.

For example, in an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system, an electrophotographic photosensitive member as a latent image carrier and a process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus. A process cartridge system detachable from the main body is employed.

According to this process cartridge system,
Since the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a service person, the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, the process cartridge system is widely used in an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system.

Particularly, in an image forming apparatus employing such a process cartridge system, since the user must replace the cartridge by himself / herself, the remaining amount of the developer in the developer container is detected and the information is displayed. In order to notify the user by such means as the above, a developer amount detecting means is provided.

Here, the conventional developer amount detecting means will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional process cartridge.

The process cartridge includes a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive drum) 20 serving as a latent image carrier.
4. Charging roller 205 as charging means, developing roller 20
6, a developing device 218 including a developer blade 207 for frictionally charging the developer and a developer container 219, and a cleaning device 209 serving as a cleaning unit including a cleaning unit 209a and a waste developer container 209b. The image forming apparatus is mounted on an image forming apparatus main body and forms an image on a recording medium in an electrophotographic image forming process.

The developing device 218 includes a stirring rod 227 which is provided in the developer container 219 and is a stirring means as a leveling means for equalizing the developer distribution in the developer container 219. The stirring bar 227 includes a stirring blade 227a, and rotates in the direction of the arrow in the drawing to stir the developer in the developer container 219. The stirring operation by the stirring rod 227 promotes the conveyance of the developer to the developing roller 206, prevents the developer from remaining in the developer container 219, and makes the distribution of the developer around the developing roller 206 uniform. Has a function.

The developing device 218 of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 detects the absolute amount of the developer in the developer container 219, that is, detects the remaining amount of the developer successively. , A transmitter 222, a capacitance detection circuit 223, and a remaining amount detection antenna electrode 22 which is an electrode member
0.

The remaining amount detecting antenna electrode 220 has an input electrode 220a and an output electrode 220b as an electrode pair.
Both electrodes of the input electrode 220a and the output electrode 220b are arranged to face each other in the developer container 219, and the developer container 21
9 covers a wide surface on which the developer is distributed.

The sequential detection of the amount of the developer using the remaining amount detecting antenna electrode 220 is performed by changing the input electrode 220a and the output electrode of the remaining amount detecting antenna electrode 220 which change according to the remaining amount of the developer in the developer container 219. This is performed by detecting the capacitance between the capacitor 20b2. That is, since the capacitance between the input electrode 220a and the output electrode 220b changes sequentially according to the amount of the developer in the developer container 219, it is possible to sequentially detect the amount of the developer based on the capacitance. it can.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, an input electrode 220a as a first conductive portion is connected to a transmitter 222
And a predetermined AC voltage is applied. The detection of the capacitance is performed by the capacitance detection circuit 223, and the AC voltage from the transmitter 222 generated at the output electrode 220b as the second conductive portion is detected, and the remaining amount of the developer is detected. The corresponding signal level is output.

As described above, by providing the above-mentioned developer amount detecting means, the remaining amount of the developer in the developer container can be detected, and the information can be notified to the user by the display means or the like. .

[0015]

However, in the above-described developing device 18, the developer container 21 is determined based on the detected capacitance value between the input electrode 220a and the output electrode 220b.
Since the method of determining the amount of the developer in the developer container 9 is adopted, the remaining amount of the developer may be erroneously detected depending on the distribution state of the developer in the developer container 19.

This problem is caused, for example, when the user of the image forming apparatus mounts a new process cartridge or when a paper jam occurs in the apparatus, the user removes the process cartridge when the jammed paper is taken out. In such a case, when the process cartridge is mounted after being tilted once, the developer is in a non-uniform distribution state and occurs.

FIG. 1 shows a non-uniform state of the developer described above.
This will be further described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross section of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 11 as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG.
Note that the developer T distributed in the developer container 219 is indicated by hatching.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the developer in the developer container 219 is in a non-uniform state, the toner is present in a portion where the remaining amount detecting antenna electrode 220 is not provided (cannot be installed). In addition, the amount of the developer is erroneously detected as compared with the case where the toner is uniform.

Therefore, the present invention provides a developing device and a developing device which can prevent erroneous detection of the developer amount detecting means due to an uneven distribution of the developer in the developer container due to the attaching / detaching operation of the developer container. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus including:

[0021]

The main invention according to the present invention is directed to a developer container for storing a developer and a developer from the developer container which is disposed opposite to a latent image carrier for carrying a latent image. A developer carrying member that supplies the latent image to the latent image carrying member while carrying the latent image carrying member, wherein the latent image carrying member is provided with a developer from the developer carrying member to visualize the latent image as a developer image. An apparatus, comprising: a leveling unit that equalizes the distribution of the developer in the developer container; and a developer amount detecting unit that detects the amount of the developer in the developer container. On the other hand, in the developing device that is detachable,
Attaching and detaching detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the attaching / detaching operation of the developer container, wherein the leveling means is set to perform the leveling operation when the attaching / detaching operation of the developer container is detected by the attaching / detaching means. This is a developing device characterized by the following.

Another main invention according to the present application is an image forming apparatus for recording an image formed by a series of image forming processes on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus including the developing device. Device.

[0023]

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

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic laser beam printer 1 having a process cartridge 2 detachable from an apparatus main body, which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. is there.

The laser beam printer 1 according to this embodiment forms an image on a recording medium, for example, a recording paper, an OHP sheet, a cloth, or the like by an electrophotographic image forming process. Note that the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the laser beam printer 1 has a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive drum) 4 which is an image carrier rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure.
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 by a latent image forming means. That is, as the latent image forming means, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 5 as the charging means, and then the surface is exposed by the laser light L, and the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed. An image is formed. Next, the latent image is developed by applying a developer (including toner) by the developing device 18 to be a visible image, that is, a so-called toner image.

That is, the developing device 18 has the developing roller 6 as a developer carrying member and the developing blade 7 as a developer layer thickness regulating means. Further, the developing device 18 includes a developer container 19, and the developer from the developer container 19 is conveyed over the developing roller 6 by the rotation of the developing roller 6 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developer is supplied with a triboelectric charge by the developing blade 7, forms a developer layer having a predetermined thickness, and is supplied to a developing region which is a region facing the photosensitive drum 4. The developer supplied to the developing area is transferred to a latent image on the photosensitive drum 4 to form a toner image. The developing roller 6 is connected to a developing bias applying unit (not shown), and applies a developing bias voltage in which a direct current (DC) voltage is superimposed on an alternating current (AC) voltage.

On the other hand, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 4, the recording medium P stored in the sheet cassette 10 is picked up by the pickup roller 11, the transport roller pair 12a,
12b and the like to the registration roller pair 13,
In synchronization with the leading end of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 4, the toner is supplied from the registration roller pair 13 to a transfer position which is a position where the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer roller 8 are opposed to each other. The recording medium P supplied to the transfer position transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 4 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 8.

The recording medium P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing means 14 via the conveyance guide 12c.
The fixing unit 14 includes a fixing roller 1 having a heating unit provided therein.
The unfixed toner image transferred onto the recording medium P is fixed by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium P passing therethrough by 4a and the pressure roller 14b.

Thereafter, the recording medium P is moved to the discharge roller pair 15
The sheet is conveyed by a, 15b and the like, and is discharged to a discharge tray 16 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body of the laser beam printer 1.

After the transfer roller 8 transfers the toner image to the recording medium P, the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 4 is removed by a cleaning blade 9a as a cleaning means of a cleaning device 9 as a cleaning means. It is scraped off from above and collected in the waste developer container 9b. Thus, the cleaned photosensitive drum 4 is
It will be subjected to the subsequent image forming process again.

Further, the laser beam printer 1 is provided with a door sensor as an attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting that a front door (not shown) as an openable and closable door member for attaching and detaching the process cartridge 2 is opened. 32.

In this embodiment, the developer container 19 provided in the developing device 18 and the waste developer container 9b provided in the cleaning device 9 are integrally integrated by a frame 30 or the like, and the photosensitive drum 4 The developing device 18, the charging roller 5, and the cleaning device 9 as process means on which the photosensitive drum 4 operates can be attached to and detached from the laser beam printer 1 by a mounting means 31 provided on the device main body. Process cartridge 2.

Laser beam printer 1 of the present embodiment
Has a developer amount detecting means. The basic configuration of the developer amount detecting means included in the laser beam printer 1 of the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the conventional example described above.

That is, as understood from FIG. 2, the developing device 18 of the laser beam printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a transmitter 22 and a capacitance detecting circuit 23 as developer amount detecting means. And a remaining amount detecting antenna electrode 20 which is an electrode member which is an electrode pair disposed in the developer container 19 of the process cartridge 2.

The sequential detection of the amount of the developer using the remaining amount detecting antenna electrode 20 is performed by changing the input electrode 20a and the output electrode of the remaining amount detecting antenna electrode 20 which change according to the remaining amount of the developer in the developer container 19. The detection is performed by detecting the capacitance between the first and second electrodes 20b. That is, the input electrode 20a and the output electrode 20b
The capacitance during the period changes sequentially according to the amount of the developer in the developer container 19, and the absolute amount of the developer can be sequentially detected.

Further, the developing device 18 has a stirring rod 27 which is provided in the developer container 19 and is a stirring means as a leveling means for equalizing the developer distribution in the developer container 19.
The stirring bar 27 of the present embodiment includes a stirring blade 27a, and rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure to stir the developer in the developer container 19. The stirring operation by the stirring rod 27 promotes the conveyance of the developer to the developing roller 6, prevents the developer from remaining in the developer container 19, and prevents the developing roller 6 from remaining.
Has the function of making the distribution of the developer around the surface uniform.

The stirring rod 27 is used for the laser beam printer 1.
Main motor (not shown) which is a driving means provided in the main body of the laser beam printer 1 for driving the driving system of the laser beam printer 1
, And rotates in synchronization with the drive of the main motor.

Next, a method of measuring capacitance using the antenna electrode 20 for detecting the remaining amount according to the present embodiment will be described.

Input electrode 2 of remaining amount detection antenna electrode 20
The capacitance between the output electrode 20a and the output electrode 20b is determined by the AC current level applied to the input electrode 20a as the first conductive part by the transmitter 22 and the AC current flowing through the output electrode 20b as the second conductive part. It is measured by detecting
Incidentally, as the AC voltage applied to the input electrode 20a, an AC voltage obtained by dividing a developing bias supplied to the developing roller 6 can be used. The AC current generated at the output electrode 20b is converted to a DC level (Tg) by the capacitance detection circuit 23.
And sent to the central processing unit (CPU) 25. Thereafter, the display unit 17 as a display means provided in the main body of the laser beam printer 1 displays the amount of the developer in the developer container 19.

FIG. 3 shows an internal circuit of the capacitance detecting circuit.

The AC current flowing through the output electrode 20b as the second conductive portion is supplied to the resistor 10 via the diode 103.
5, half-wave rectified by the capacitor 104 and the diode 102, and converted into a DC voltage (Tg). The detection value (Tg) converted into the DC voltage is impedance-converted by the operational amplifier 107, and then the laser beam printer 1
Central processing unit (CPU) 2 that performs a series of control of the main unit
5 (FIG. 2) and is subjected to analog / digital conversion (A / D conversion) inside the CPU 25. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 101 denotes a circuit protection diode. 10 more
Reference numeral 6 denotes an input resistance of the operational amplifier 107.

The detection voltage value (Tg) of the remaining amount detection antenna electrode 20 has a characteristic that the detection value changes almost linearly according to the amount of the developer in the developer container 19 as shown in FIG. The absolute amount of the developer in the developer container 19 can be sequentially detected.

Next, a series of processes for detecting the remaining amount of the developer in the CPU 25 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not the power of the main body of the laser beam printer 1 has just been turned on (POWER ON) (S1).

In S1, immediately after the power is turned on, the stirring operation is performed for 20 seconds (S3). On the other hand, if it is not immediately after Sl, it is determined whether or not the door has just been closed (S2).
The stirring operation is performed for 0 second (S3).
Proceed to the next without doing anything.

Then, the remaining amount of the developer is sequentially detected (S
4). The detected developer amount is displayed on the display unit 17 (S
5).

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when there is a biased condition in the developer container 19 when detecting the remaining amount of the developer in the developer container 19 at the start of the image forming operation, Is determined not to be detected accurately, the rotation of the developing rod 27 promotes the uniformity of the developer distribution, and the remaining amount of the developer is detected thereafter, whereby erroneous detection of the remaining amount of the developer can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the first embodiment, the developer container 1
If there is a biased condition within 9, the stirring bar 27 must be
The stirring operation was performed for 0 second. However, the present invention does not limit the stirring time to the above. For example, a memory unit may be mounted on the process cartridge, and the result of the previously measured remaining amount of the developer may be stored as one of the information, and the stirring operation may be performed according to the amount.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the process cartridge 2 in this embodiment.

The difference between the present embodiment and the above-mentioned conventional example and the first embodiment is that a memory unit 51 is provided. The members having the functions and configurations of other parts are the same.

Here, the memory unit 51 will be described.

The memory unit 51 has a built-in nonvolatile storage element therein, and can perform data writing and data reading by data communication with the image forming apparatus.

All the control of data communication is performed by a memory control circuit (not shown).

Data communication is performed in a non-contact manner by magnetic coupling between an antenna (not shown) provided in the memory unit 51 and an antenna (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus.

A power supply circuit is provided in the memory unit 51, and all the DC power used in the memory unit 51 is supplied from this power supply circuit. In this power supply circuit, a DC voltage is generated by rectifying a current generated in the antenna by magnetic coupling.

The memory unit 51 stores information on the process cartridge and the like.

Next, a series of processes for detecting the remaining amount of the developer in the CPU 25 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not the power of the main body of the laser beam printer 1 has just been turned on (POWER ON) (S1).

At S1, immediately after the power is turned on, the developer amount recorded in the memory unit 51 is read (S6), and
Proceed to 8. On the other hand, if it is not immediately after the power is turned on in Sl, it is determined whether or not the door is closed (S2). If just after the door is closed, the developer amount recorded in the memory unit 51 is read in the same manner as described above (S6), and S8 is performed. If it is not immediately after the door is closed, do nothing and proceed to the next step.

If the amount of the developer recorded in the memory unit 51 is not more than の of the amount of the developer container 19 (S8), the stirring operation is performed for 10 seconds (S11). If the amount of developer recorded in the memory unit is equal to or more than １ ／ of the developer container, (S
8) The stirring operation is performed for 20 seconds (S10).

If the information of the new cartridge is written in the memory unit 51 (S7), the stirring operation is performed for 30 seconds (S9).

Thereafter, the remaining amount of the developer is sequentially detected (S
4). The detected amount of the developer is displayed on a display unit described later (S5).

As described above, by minimizing the stirring operation, the first operation performed immediately after the power is turned on or immediately after the door is closed.
The printing time of a sheet can be shortened when the fixing roller 14a is at a predetermined temperature. In addition, a new cartridge may have a high density of developer due to vibration, environment, and the like during transportation. Therefore, initially, stirring is performed for a predetermined time to ensure accuracy of remaining amount detection. It can respond to better things.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment or 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the first and second embodiments, the input electrode 2 is used as the electrode member of the developer amount detecting means.
An antenna electrode 20 for detecting the remaining amount having 0a and an output electrode 20b was used.

However, the present invention is not limited to the developer amount detecting means described above.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, an input-side electrode 29a as a first conductive portion having at least a portion opposing at a predetermined interval as a developer amount detecting means;
The measurement electrode member 29 which is an electrode member including the output side electrode 29b as the second conductive portion can be used.

The input side electrode 29a and the output side electrode 29b
Is an electrode pattern formed on a flexible printed board by etching or the like, for example. The measurement electrode member 29 is a portion that can come into contact with the developer, and a portion where the contact area with the developer changes in accordance with the consumption of the developer in the developer container 19, such as an inner side surface of the developer container 19. To be provided. Then, a voltage is applied to the input-side electrode 29a, the capacitance between the input-side electrode 29a and the output-side electrode 29b is detected via the output-side electrode 29b, and a predetermined calibration curve is applied. The absolute amount is detected sequentially.

When the developer amount detecting means as described above is used, as described in the first and second embodiments, the opening / closing of the apparatus door, the detection immediately after the power is turned on, or the detection of a new cartridge is performed. By agitating the developer for a predetermined time based on the information, erroneous detection of the developer amount can be prevented.

The method of displaying the amount of developer in each of the above embodiments will be further described. The remaining amount of developer is used as a display means, for example, on a screen of an external device such as a personal computer of a user connected to the image forming apparatus. Can be displayed above. On the display means, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is possible to display the amount of the developer by indicating to which part of the gauge 42 the needle 41 that moves according to the amount of the developer is pointing. Further, in addition to the gauge and the like, information for notifying "no developer" can be similarly displayed on a screen of the image forming apparatus main body or an external device by, for example, character information, blinking of an LED, or the like.

Further, according to the present invention, when the initial filling amount of the developer initially contained in the developer container is defined as 100%,
It is not limited to sequentially detecting the amount of the developer over the entire region from 100% to 0%. For example,
The remaining amount of the developer in the developer container may be sequentially detected over a region from 50% to 0%. here,
The remaining amount of the developer of 0% does not mean that the developer has completely run out. For example, even if the developer remains in the developer container, a predetermined image quality (development quality) This also includes the case where the remaining amount of the developer is reduced to such an extent that is not obtained.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the image forming apparatus is described as a process cartridge type electrophotographic image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it should be understood that the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus in which the developing device is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body and the developer can be supplied.

In this case, in FIG. 1, the developer container 19 and the waste developer container 9b are integrally formed as a process cartridge 2 by the frame 30, and the photosensitive drum 4, the charging roller 5, the developing device 18, and the cleaning blade 9a are integrated. A case where only the developing device having the developing device 18 and the developer container 19 can be detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus main body by the same mounting means, while the mounting means 31 makes the main body detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. Should be considered.

[0077]

As described above, according to the invention of the present application, the leveling means performs the leveling operation when the mounting / dismounting operation of the developer container is detected by the mounting / dismounting detecting means. Erroneous detection of the developer amount detecting means due to the uneven distribution of the developer in the developer container due to the attaching / detaching operation of the developer container.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a circuit for detecting capacitance between electrode pairs of an electrode member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between a capacitance detected by the circuit of FIG. 3 and a developer amount in a developer container.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a series of processes of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a developer amount in a developer container.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the display of the developer amount in the developer container.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a series of processes of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a process cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional process cartridge.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining an uneven state of a developer in a developer container of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 laser beam printer (image forming apparatus) 4 photosensitive drum (latent image carrier) 5 charging roller (charging means) 9 cleaning device (cleaning means) 17 display unit (display means) 18 developing device 19 developer container 20 remaining amount Detection antenna electrode (electrode member) 23 Capacitance detection circuit (developer amount detection means) 27 Stirring rod (stirring means, leveling means) 29 Measurement electrode member (electrode member) 32 Door sensor (detachment detection means) 51 Memory unit P Recording medium

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/18 G03G 15/00 556 F term (Reference) 2H027 DA26 DA27 DA31 DD02 DE04 DE07 DE09 ED08 ED10 GB03 2H071 AA42 BA04 BA13 DA06 DA08 DA13 DA15 2H077 AB04 AB14 AD06 AD36 BA09 DA15 DA42 DA59 DA86 DB25

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A developer container for housing a developer, and a developing device disposed opposite to a latent image carrier for carrying a latent image and supplying the developer from the developer container to the latent image carrier while carrying the developer from the developer container. A developer carrying member, wherein the latent image carrier is provided with a developer from the developer carrying member to visualize the latent image as a developer image, wherein the developer in the developer container is provided. In a developing device including a leveling unit for uniforming the distribution of the developer and a developer amount detecting unit for detecting a developer amount in the developer container, the developer container is detachable with respect to the apparatus main body. Attaching and detaching detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the attaching / detaching operation of the developer container, wherein the leveling means is set to perform the leveling operation when the attaching / detaching operation of the developer container is detected by the attaching / detaching detecting means. Characteristic developing device. 2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising an openable / closable door member for attaching / detaching the developer container, wherein the attachment / detachment detecting means detects whether the developer container is attached / detached by detecting whether the door member is opened / closed. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein 3. A power supply for supplying electric power for operating the developing device, wherein the attachment / detachment detection means can detect the presence / absence of the attachment / detachment operation of the developer container by detecting whether the power supply is turned on. The developing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The developer amount detecting means is set to detect the amount of developer in a developer container after a predetermined amount of leveling operation of the leveling means. The developing device according to claim 1. 5. The leveling device according to claim 1, wherein the leveling device is a stirring device for stirring the developer in the developer container.
The developing device according to claim 1. 6. A display device for displaying the amount of the developer detected by the developer amount detecting means outside the apparatus, and after the leveling operation of the leveling device by a predetermined amount, the developer amount detecting means sets the developer container. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a setting is made such that a display unit displays the amount of the developer in the inside and detects the amount of the developer based on the detection. 7. A memory unit provided in the same unit as the developer container and for recording the amount of developer detected by the developer amount detecting means, wherein the leveling means comprises a developer amount recorded in the memory unit. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a leveling operation amount at the time of detection of the detachment operation by the detachment detection means is set according to the following. 8. The developer amount detecting means has an electrode member that is an electrode pair, and the electrode member changes an electrostatic capacity between the electrode pair according to the amount of developer in a developer container. Provided,
The voltage is applied to one electrode of the pair of electrodes, and the capacitance between the pair of electrodes is measured to detect the amount of the developer in the developer container. 8. The developing device according to any one of items 7 to 7. 9. The electrode pair is arranged such that each electrode has a constant interval and the contact area with the developer in the developer container changes according to the amount of the developer in the developer container. The developing device according to claim 8. 10. An image forming apparatus for recording an image formed by a series of image forming processes on a recording medium, comprising: the developing device according to claim 1. Description: Image forming apparatus. 11. A latent image carrier for carrying a latent image, wherein the latent image carrier and the developing device are integrally held by a process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10. 12. A charging device for charging a latent image carrier, and a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the latent image carrier, wherein the process cartridge integrally holds at least the charging device, the developing device, and the cleaning device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: