JP2014115326A - Waste toner collection device and waste toner amount detection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waste toner collecting device and a waste toner amount detecting method capable of detecting waste toner accumulated in a divided chamber with a simple configuration.
A waste toner collecting device 200 is detachably provided in a main body 10a of an image forming apparatus 1. The waste toner collecting apparatus 200 includes an optical path forming unit that forms an optical path that guides light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 to the light detection unit 520. The optical path forming unit includes a transmission window 315a, a reflection member 360, a transmission window 350a, a reflection member 460, and a transmission window 415a. The light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 passes through the first full detection division chamber 310 and the second full detection division chamber 410 and is received by the light detection unit 520 by the optical path forming unit.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a waste toner collection device detachably provided in an image forming apparatus and a waste toner amount detection method in the waste toner collection device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic technique, there is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using a developer in which toner and a carrier are mixed. In such an image forming apparatus, as the image is formed on the recording medium, deteriorated toner, toner remaining without being transferred to the recording medium, and the like are generated. For this reason, the image forming apparatus is provided with a waste toner collecting device that collects deteriorated toner, toner remaining without being transferred to the recording medium, and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-164096 Gazette

  In general, waste toner is generated at a plurality of positions in the image forming apparatus. For this reason, in the waste toner collection device, waste toner collection ports are provided at a plurality of positions so that the waste toner can be collected from a plurality of positions. When the height position of the waste toner collection port is different, the waste toner overflows from the waste toner collection port having a low height position even though the waste toner in the waste toner collection device is not full. For this reason, a plurality of divided chambers are formed in the waste toner collecting device for each height position of the waste toner collecting port.

  As described above, when a plurality of divided chambers are formed in the waste toner collecting apparatus, it is necessary to provide sensors for detecting the fullness of the divided chambers for each divided chamber, and a large number of sensors are required. For this reason, even if it is a case where the some division chamber is provided, the structure which detects the fullness of a division chamber with a simple structure is desired.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a waste toner collecting apparatus and a waste toner amount detection method capable of detecting waste toner accumulated in a divided chamber with a simple configuration.

  The waste toner collecting apparatus of the present invention is detachably provided in the image forming apparatus. The waste toner collecting device includes a first division chamber, a second division chamber, and an optical path forming unit. The first division chamber stores the collected waste toner. The second division chamber stores the collected waste toner. The optical path forming unit guides light incident on the first division chamber from the light irradiation unit provided in the main unit of the image forming apparatus to the second division chamber, and further from the second division chamber to the main unit of the image forming apparatus. An optical path that leads to the light detection unit provided in the is formed.

  In this waste toner collecting apparatus, the light incident on the first division chamber from the light irradiation unit passes through the first division chamber and the second division chamber by the optical path forming unit, and then is guided to the light detection unit. . Further, when waste toner is accumulated in at least one of the first division chamber and the second division chamber, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit is transmitted to at least one of the first division chamber and the second division chamber. It is blocked by the accumulated waste toner and is not detected by the light detection unit. As described above, the waste toner accumulated in the first division chamber and the second division chamber can be detected by a pair of light irradiation unit and light detection unit. As described above, the waste toner collecting apparatus according to the present invention can detect the waste toner accumulated in the divided chamber with a simple configuration.

  The waste toner collecting device is further provided with a divided chamber assembly that is provided between the first divided chamber and the second divided chamber and that includes one or more divided chambers that store the collected waste toner. Is preferred. In this case, it is preferable that the optical path forming unit further forms an optical path for guiding light from the first division chamber to the second division chamber via the division chamber assembly. Thereby, even if the division chamber assembly is provided between the first division chamber and the second division chamber, the divisions constituting the first division chamber, the second division chamber, and the division chamber assembly Waste toner accumulated in the room can be detected by a pair of light irradiation unit and light detection unit.

  Another waste toner collecting device of the present invention is detachably provided in the image forming apparatus. The waste toner collecting device includes a first division chamber, a first accumulation detection division chamber, a second division chamber, a second accumulation detection division chamber, and an optical path forming unit. The first division chamber stores the collected waste toner. The first accumulation detection division chamber is a chamber for detecting the accumulation of waste toner collected in the first division chamber. The second division chamber stores the collected waste toner. The second accumulation detection division chamber is a chamber for detecting the accumulation of waste toner collected in the second division chamber. The optical path forming unit guides light incident on the first deposition detection division chamber from the light irradiation unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus to the second deposition detection division chamber, and further performs the second deposition detection division. An optical path that leads from the division chamber to a light detection unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus is formed.

  In this waste toner collecting apparatus, light incident on the first deposition detection dividing chamber from the light irradiation unit passes through the first deposition detection dividing chamber and the second deposition detection dividing chamber by the optical path forming unit. After that, the light is guided to the light detection unit. Further, when waste toner accumulates in at least one of the first deposition detection division chamber and the second deposition detection division chamber, the light irradiated from the light irradiation unit is emitted from the first deposition detection division chamber and the first deposition detection division chamber. 2 is blocked by waste toner accumulated in at least one of the two accumulation detection division chambers, and is not detected by the light detection unit. As described above, the waste toner accumulated in the first division chamber and the second division chamber can be detected by a pair of light irradiation unit and light detection unit. Therefore, the waste toner collecting apparatus according to the present invention can detect waste toner accumulated in the divided chamber with a simple configuration.

  The first accumulation detection division chamber is provided with a first waste toner supply port for receiving waste toner from the first division chamber, and the second accumulation detection division chamber has a second division chamber. It is preferable to provide a second waste toner supply port for receiving the waste toner supplied from the printer. In this case, the first accumulation detection division chamber and the second accumulation detection are performed from the first division chamber and the second division chamber via the first waste toner supply port and the second waste toner supply port. Waste toner can be supplied to each of the dividing chambers.

  Preferably, the first waste toner supply port is provided with a first lid that can be opened and closed, and the second waste toner supply port is preferably provided with a second lid that can be opened and closed. In this case, for example, waste toner can be prevented from entering the first accumulation detection divided chamber or the second accumulation detection divided chamber in an unexpected case such as when the waste toner collecting device is removed.

  It is preferable to further include a first opening / closing mechanism for opening / closing the first lid and a second opening / closing mechanism for opening / closing the second lid. In this case, when the waste toner collecting device is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the first opening / closing mechanism and the second opening / closing mechanism open the first lid and the second lid, respectively, and collect the waste toner. When the apparatus is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the first opening / closing mechanism and the second opening / closing mechanism preferably close the first lid and the second lid, respectively. In this way, the first lid and the second lid can be opened and closed in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the waste toner collecting device to the image forming apparatus.

  The waste toner collecting device is configured to collect a divided chamber assembly constituted by one or more divided chambers that store the collected waste toner, and a stack of waste toner collected in one or more divided chambers constituting the divided chamber aggregate. Deposition formed by one or more deposition detection division chambers provided for each of the one or more division detection chambers and between the first deposition detection division chamber and the second deposition detection division chamber for detection. It is preferable to further include a detection divided chamber assembly. In this case, it is preferable that the optical path forming unit further forms an optical path for guiding light from the first deposition detection division chamber to the second deposition detection division chamber through the deposition detection division chamber assembly. As a result, even if a deposition detection divided chamber assembly is provided between the first deposition detection divided chamber and the second deposition detection divided chamber, the first divided chamber, the second divided chamber, In addition, the waste toner accumulated in the accumulation chamber can be detected by a set of light irradiation unit and light detection unit.

  Preferably, the one or more accumulation detection dividing chambers are each provided with a waste toner supply port for receiving the supply of waste toner from the corresponding one or more division chambers. In this case, waste toner can be supplied from the division chamber to the accumulation detection division chamber through the waste toner supply port.

  Preferably, the waste toner supply ports provided in each of the one or more accumulation detection division chambers are each provided with a lid that can be opened and closed. In this case, for example, when the waste toner collecting device is removed, it is possible to prevent the waste toner from entering the accumulation detection division chamber in an unexpected case.

  The waste toner collecting device preferably further includes an opening / closing mechanism for opening / closing the lid. In this case, the opening / closing mechanism opens the lid when the waste toner collecting device is attached to the image forming apparatus, and the opening / closing mechanism closes the lid when the waste toner collecting device is removed from the image forming apparatus. Is preferred. In this way, the lid can be opened and closed in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the waste toner collecting device to the image forming apparatus.

  The waste toner amount detection method of the present invention is a waste toner amount detection method in a waste toner collection device detachably provided in an image forming apparatus. The waste toner collection device includes a first division chamber that contains collected waste toner, a second division chamber that contains collected waste toner, and a light irradiation unit provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus. An optical path forming unit that forms an optical path that guides light incident on the first split chamber from the second split chamber to the second split chamber, and further guides the light from the second split chamber to the light detection unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus; Is provided. The waste toner amount detection method in the waste toner collecting apparatus includes a step of irradiating light from a light irradiation unit toward the first division chamber, and a second division chamber passing through an optical path formed by a light path formation unit. Based on the step of detecting the emitted light by the light detection unit and the detection result by the light detection unit, it is determined whether or not waste toner is accumulated in at least one of the first division chamber and the second division chamber. And a process.

  In this waste toner amount detection method, waste toner accumulated in the first divided chamber and the second divided chamber can be detected by a pair of light irradiation unit and light detection unit. As described above, the waste toner amount detection method according to the present invention can detect waste toner accumulated in the divided chamber with a simple configuration.

  Further, another waste toner amount detection method of the present invention is a waste toner amount detection method in a waste toner collection device detachably provided in an image forming apparatus. The waste toner collection device includes a first division chamber that stores collected waste toner, a first accumulation detection division chamber for detecting accumulation of waste toner collected in the first division chamber, A second division chamber for storing the collected waste toner, a second accumulation detection division chamber for detecting the accumulation of the waste toner collected in the second division chamber, and a main body of the image forming apparatus. Light incident on the first deposition detection dividing chamber from the provided light irradiation unit is guided to the second deposition detection dividing chamber, and further provided from the second deposition detection dividing chamber to the main body of the image forming apparatus. And an optical path forming unit that forms an optical path that leads to the photodetecting unit. The waste toner amount detection method in the waste toner recovery apparatus includes a step of irradiating light from the light irradiation unit toward the first deposition detection dividing chamber, and a second deposition detection through the optical path formed by the optical path forming unit. Whether or not waste toner has accumulated in at least one of the first and second divided chambers based on the step of detecting the light emitted from the dividing chamber by the light detecting unit and the detection result by the light detecting unit Determining whether or not.

  In this waste toner amount detection method, waste toner accumulated in the first accumulation detection division chamber and the second accumulation detection division chamber can be detected by a pair of light irradiation unit and light detection unit. As described above, the waste toner amount detection method according to the present invention can detect waste toner accumulated in the divided chamber with a simple configuration.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect waste toner accumulated in the divided chamber with a simple configuration.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a waste toner collecting device according to the first embodiment provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing a first divided chamber and a second divided chamber provided in the waste toner collecting apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a first full detection division chamber and a second full detection division chamber provided in the waste toner collecting apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view schematically showing a first full detection division chamber and a second full detection division chamber provided in the waste toner collecting apparatus of FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing of the perpendicular direction which shows the 1st division chamber and 2nd division chamber which are provided in the waste toner collection | recovery apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows typically the 1st-3rd full detection division | segmentation chamber provided in the waste toner collection | recovery apparatus of FIG. FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view schematically showing first to third full detection dividing chambers provided in the waste toner collecting apparatus of FIG. 6. It is a perspective view which shows typically the 4th full detection division | segmentation chamber provided in the waste toner collection | recovery apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a configuration around a lid that opens and closes a first waste toner supply port of a first full detection dividing chamber.

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

(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described.

(Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a recording medium transport unit 10, a transfer unit 20, a photosensitive drum 30, a fixing unit 40, four developing units 100, and a waste toner collecting device 200 (see FIG. 2). It is comprised including.

  The recording medium conveyance unit 10 accommodates a sheet P as a recording medium on which an image is finally formed, and conveys the sheet P onto the recording medium conveyance path. The sheets P are stacked and stored in a cassette. The recording medium transport unit 10 causes the paper P to reach the secondary transfer region R at the timing when the toner image transferred to the paper P reaches the secondary transfer region R.

  The transfer unit 20 conveys the toner image formed by the developing unit 100 to the secondary transfer region R where the toner image is secondarily transferred to the paper P. The transfer unit 20 includes a transfer belt 21, suspension rollers 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d that suspend the transfer belt 21, a primary transfer roller 22 that sandwiches the transfer belt 21 together with the photosensitive drum 30, and a transfer belt together with the suspension roller 21d. And a secondary transfer roller 24 that sandwiches 21.

  The transfer belt 21 is an endless belt that is circulated and moved by suspension rollers 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d. The primary transfer roller 22 is provided so as to press the photosensitive drum 30 from the inner peripheral side of the transfer belt 21. On the other hand, the secondary transfer roller 24 is provided so as to press the suspension roller 21 d from the outer peripheral side of the transfer belt 21. The transfer unit 20 further includes a belt cleaning device 25 that removes toner attached to the transfer belt 21. Hereinafter, the toner removed by the belt cleaning device 25 is referred to as “waste toner”.

  The photosensitive drum 30 is an electrostatic latent image carrier on which an image is formed on a peripheral surface, and is made of, for example, OPC (Organic PhotoConductor). The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus capable of forming a color image. For example, four photosensitive drums 30 are arranged in the moving direction of the transfer belt 21 corresponding to each color of magenta, yellow, cyan, and black. It is provided along. As shown in FIG. 1, a charging roller 32, an exposure unit 34, a developing unit 100, and a cleaning unit 38 are provided on the circumference of each photosensitive drum 30.

  The charging roller 32 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 to a predetermined potential. The exposure unit 34 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 charged by the charging roller 32 according to an image formed on the paper P. As a result, the potential of the portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 exposed by the exposure unit 34 changes, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The four developing units 100 develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 with toner supplied from a toner tank 36 provided corresponding to each developing unit 100 to generate a toner image. The four toner tanks 36 are filled with magenta, yellow, cyan, and black toners, respectively.

  The cleaning unit 38 collects the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 30 after the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 is primarily transferred to the transfer belt 21. For example, the cleaning unit 38 may be provided with a cleaning blade and scrape the remaining toner on the photosensitive drum 30 by bringing the cleaning blade into contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. Hereinafter, the toner removed by the cleaning unit 38 is referred to as “waste toner”. A neutralizing lamp for resetting the potential of the photosensitive drum 30 may be disposed on the circumference of the photosensitive drum 30 between the cleaning unit 38 and the charging roller 32 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 30.

  The fixing unit 40 attaches and fixes the toner image secondarily transferred from the transfer belt 21 to the paper P to the paper P. The fixing unit 40 includes, for example, a heating roller 42 and a pressure roller 44. The heating roller 42 is a cylindrical member that can rotate around a rotation axis, and a heat source such as a halogen lamp is provided therein. The pressure roller 44 is a cylindrical member that can rotate around the rotation axis, and is provided to press the heating roller 42. A heat-resistant elastic layer such as silicon rubber is provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the heating roller 42 and the pressure roller 44. The toner image is melted and fixed on the paper P by passing the paper P through a fixing nip portion which is a contact area between the heating roller 42 and the pressure roller 44.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with discharge rollers 52 and 54 for discharging the paper P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 40 to the outside of the apparatus.

  The developing unit 100 includes a developing roller 110, a first agitating / conveying member 120, and a second agitating / conveying member 130. The developing roller 110, the first stirring / conveying member 120, and the second stirring / conveying member 130 are provided in a developer storage chamber 160 formed in the developing unit 100. In the developer storage chamber 160, a magnetic carrier and a non-magnetic toner constituting the developer are stored. Further, the developing unit 100 is provided with a waste toner discharge mechanism 150 that discharges the developer in the developer storage chamber 160. From the waste toner discharge mechanism 150, the deteriorated developer or the developer overflowing from the developer storage chamber 160 is discharged. Hereinafter, the developer discharged from the waste toner discharge mechanism 150 is referred to as “waste toner”.

  The waste toner collection device 200 (see FIG. 2) is detachably attached to the main body 10a of the image forming apparatus 1. The waste toner collecting device 200 collects the waste toner discharged from the waste toner discharge mechanism 150 provided in the developing unit 100, the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit 38, and the waste toner removed by the belt cleaning device 25. Collect and store.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When an image signal of an image to be recorded is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 to a predetermined potential by the charging roller 32 based on the received image signal. Then, the exposure unit 34 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image.

  On the other hand, in the developing unit 100, after the toner and the carrier are mixed and agitated and sufficiently charged, the developer generated by mixing the toner and the carrier is carried on the developing roller 110. Then, when the developer is transported to a region facing the photosensitive drum 30 by the rotation of the developing roller 110, toner in the developer carried on the developing roller 110 is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. The electrostatic latent image is developed and the electrostatic latent image is developed. The toner image formed in this manner is primarily transferred from the photosensitive drum 30 to the transfer belt 21 in a region where the photosensitive drum 30 and the transfer belt 21 face each other. On the transfer belt 21, toner images formed on the four photosensitive drums 30 are sequentially stacked to form one stacked toner image. The laminated toner image is secondarily transferred to the paper P conveyed from the recording medium conveyance unit 10 in the secondary transfer region R where the suspension roller 21d and the secondary transfer roller 24 face each other.

  The sheet P on which the laminated toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 40. By passing the paper P between the heating roller 42 and the pressure roller 44 while applying heat and pressure, the laminated toner image is melted and fixed on the paper P. Thereafter, the paper P is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 by the discharge rollers 52 and 54. The belt cleaning device 25 removes the toner remaining on the transfer belt 21 after the laminated toner image is secondarily transferred to the paper P.

(Details of waste toner recovery device)
As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 205 of the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 includes four drum waste toner collecting ports 210, one belt waste toner collecting port 220, and four developing machine waste toner collecting ports 230. Is provided. The four drum waste toner collecting ports 210 are respectively positioned at positions facing the four cleaning units 38 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 when the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 is attached to the main body 10a of the image forming apparatus 1. Provided. Waste toner discharged from the cleaning unit 38 is accommodated in the waste toner recovery device 200 through the drum waste toner recovery port 210 facing the cleaning unit 38.

  The belt waste toner collecting port 220 is provided at a position facing the belt cleaning device 25 when the waste toner collecting device 200 is attached to the main body 10 a of the image forming apparatus 1. Waste toner discharged from the belt cleaning device 25 is accommodated in the waste toner recovery device 200 via the belt waste toner recovery port 220. The four developing machine waste toner collection ports 230 are respectively connected to the waste toner discharge mechanism 150 provided in each of the four development units 100 when the waste toner collection device 200 is attached to the main body 10a of the image forming apparatus 1. It is provided at an opposing position. The waste toner discharged from the waste toner discharge mechanism 150 is accommodated in the waste toner recovery device 200 via the opposing developer waste toner recovery port 230.

  Further, in a state where the waste toner collecting device 200 is attached to the main body 10 a of the image forming apparatus 1, the belt waste toner collecting port 220 is positioned above the developing machine waste toner collecting port 230, and the belt waste toner collecting port 220 is The drum waste toner recovery port 210 is located in the center. That is, the height position of each recovery port is different.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a first divided chamber 300 is formed inside the waste toner collecting device 200. Waste toner discharged from the waste toner discharge mechanism 150 is supplied to the first division chamber 300 via the developer waste toner collection port 230. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the waste toner collecting apparatus 200, a first full detection division chamber (first accumulation detection division chamber) is adjacent to the first division chamber 300. 310 is provided. The first full detection dividing chamber 310 is defined by a partition plate 315. That is, the first full detection dividing chamber 310 is partitioned from the first dividing chamber 300 by the partition plate 315. A first waste toner supply port 311 that communicates with the first division chamber 300 is provided above the first full detection division chamber 310. When waste toner accumulates in the first division chamber 300 and the water level of the waste toner in the first division chamber 300 rises, as shown by the arrows in FIG. Waste toner is supplied into the first full detection dividing chamber 310 via the toner supply port 311.

  In the vicinity of the first waste toner supply port 311, the waste toner in the first divided chamber 300 accumulated up to the height position of the first waste toner supply port 311 is conveyed to the first waste toner supply port 311. A first conveying member 305 (see FIG. 3) is provided. The first transport member 305 includes a first support shaft 305a and a first transport blade 305b. The first support shaft 305a is a shaft that is rotatably provided. The 1st conveyance blade 305b is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the 1st support shaft 305a, and has the helical inclined surface arrange | positioned along the longitudinal direction of the 1st support shaft 305a. The first support shaft 305a is provided so as to extend in the horizontal direction. Note that the first transport member 305 also has a function of dispersing (equalizing) waste toner deposited in a part of the first division chamber 300.

  Further, a second division chamber 400 is formed in the waste toner collecting device 200 in the same manner as the first division chamber 300. Since the configuration around the first division chamber 300 and the configuration around the second division chamber 400 are substantially the same, the first division chamber 300 and the second division chamber 400 and the like are different members. Although there is, the configuration of both will be described using the same FIG. Waste toner discharged from the cleaning unit 38 and the belt cleaning device 25 is supplied to the second division chamber 400 via a drum waste toner recovery port 210 and a belt waste toner recovery port 220, respectively. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the waste toner collecting apparatus 200, a second full detection division chamber (second accumulation detection division chamber) is adjacent to the second division chamber 400. 410 is provided. The second full detection dividing chamber 410 is defined by a partition plate 415. That is, the second full detection compartment 410 is partitioned from the second compartment 400 by the partition plate 415.

  A second waste toner supply port 411 that communicates with the second division chamber 400 is provided above the second full detection division chamber 410. When waste toner accumulates in the second division chamber 400 and the water level of the waste toner in the second division chamber 400 rises, as shown by an arrow in FIG. Waste toner is supplied into the second full detection dividing chamber 410 via the supply port 411.

  In the vicinity of the second waste toner supply port 411, the waste toner in the second divided chamber 400 accumulated up to the height position of the second waste toner supply port 411 is conveyed to the second waste toner supply port 411. A second transport member 405 (see FIG. 3) is provided. The second transport member 405 includes a second support shaft 405a and a second transport blade 405b. The second support shaft 405a is a shaft that is rotatably provided. The second conveying blade 405b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second support shaft 405a, and has a spiral inclined surface disposed along the longitudinal direction of the second support shaft 405a. The second support shaft 405a is provided so as to extend in the horizontal direction. Note that the second conveying member 405 also has a function of dispersing (equalizing) waste toner that is biased and accumulated in a part of the second division chamber 400.

  The first division chamber 300 and the second division chamber 400 can be arranged side by side, for example, in the vertical direction in the waste toner collecting apparatus 200. However, the positional relationship between the first division chamber 300 and the second division chamber 400 is not particularly limited.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first full detection dividing chamber 310 includes an introduction part 310a and a main body part 310b. The introduction part 310a is connected to the upper part of the main body part 310b. The introduction part 310a and the main body part 310b communicate with each other. The introduction unit 310a is provided with a first waste toner supply port 311. The second full detection dividing chamber 410 includes an introduction part 410a and a main body part 410b. The introduction part 410a is connected to the upper part of the main body part 410b. The introduction part 410a and the main body part 410b communicate with each other. The introduction unit 410a is provided with a second waste toner supply port 411.

  The main body 310b of the first full detection dividing chamber 310 and the main body 410b of the second full detection dividing chamber 410 are adjacent to each other with the partition plate 350 interposed therebetween.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the partition plate 315 that defines the first full detection dividing chamber 310 is provided between the inside of the first full detection dividing chamber 310 and the outside of the waste toner collecting device 200. A transmission window (optical path forming unit) 315a that transmits light therebetween is provided. The partition plate 350 that divides the main body 310b of the first full detection dividing chamber 310 and the main body 410b of the second full detection dividing chamber 410 has light between the main body 310b and the main body 410b. A transmission window (optical path forming part) 350a that transmits the light is provided. A partition plate 415 that defines the second full detection dividing chamber 410 has a transmission window (optical path) that transmits light between the inside of the second full detection dividing chamber 410 and the outside of the waste toner collecting device 200. Forming part) 415a is provided. As a member that forms the transmission windows 315a, 415a, and 350a that transmit light, for example, a transparent plate can be used.

  Here, the main body 10 a of the image forming apparatus 1 is further provided with a light irradiation unit 510 and a light detection unit 520. The light irradiation unit 510 irradiates light into the first full detection dividing chamber 310 through the transmission window 315a in a state where the waste toner collecting device 200 is attached to the main body 10a of the image forming apparatus 1. As the light irradiation unit 510, for example, an LED can be used. The light detection unit 520 receives light emitted from the second full detection dividing chamber 410 through the transmission window 415a in a state where the waste toner collection device 200 is attached to the main body 10a of the image forming apparatus 1. To do.

  Further, in the main body 310b of the first full detection division chamber 310, the light from the light irradiation unit 510 incident through the transmission window 315a is transmitted through the transmission window 350a to the second full detection division chamber. A reflection member (optical path forming portion) 360 that reflects toward the main body portion 410b of 410 is provided. In the main body 410b, a reflection member (optical path forming unit) 460 is provided that reflects light incident on the main body 410b through the transmission window 350a toward the light detection unit 520 through the transmission window 415a.

  As a result, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 enters the main body 310b of the first full detection dividing chamber 310 through the transmission window 315a and is reflected by the reflecting member 360 into the second full detection dividing chamber. Reflected toward the main body 410b of 410. The light that has entered the main body 410b of the second full detection dividing chamber 410 through the transmission window 350a of the partition plate 350 is reflected by the reflection member 460 and received by the light detection unit 520 through the transmission window 415a. The

  That is, the transmission windows 315a, 350a and 415a and the reflection members 360 and 460 guide the light incident on the first full detection dividing chamber 310 from the light irradiation unit 510 to the second full detection dividing chamber 410, Further, it functions as an optical path forming member that forms an optical path that leads from the second full detection division chamber 410 to the light detection unit 520.

  Here, in the main body part 310b of the first full detection dividing chamber 310, the position where the waste toner supplied from the first waste toner supply port 311 accumulates is set as the accumulation position X, and the second full detection dividing chamber. A position where the waste toner supplied from the second waste toner supply port 411 accumulates in the main body 410b 410 is defined as a deposition position Y. The reflecting members 360 and 460 are arranged so that the light reflected by the reflecting member 360 passes through the deposition positions X and Y and enters the reflecting member 460 in a straight line. That is, the deposition positions X and Y are sandwiched between the reflecting member 360 and the reflecting member 460.

  As a result, when waste toner is deposited on at least one of the deposition position X and the deposition position Y, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 is blocked by the waste toner deposited at the deposition position X or the deposition position Y. (In FIG. 4, the waste toner that has entered the second full detection dividing chamber 410 from the second waste toner supply port 411 is accumulated at the accumulation position Y and the light is blocked). For this reason, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 is not received by the light detection unit 520.

  The main body 10 a of the image forming apparatus 1 is further provided with a full determination unit 530. When the light detection unit 520 does not receive the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510, the full determination unit 530 determines that at least one of the first division chamber 300 and the second division chamber 400 is full. To do. Based on the determination result in the full determination unit 530, for example, processing such as notifying the user of the image forming apparatus 1 that the waste toner collection device 200 is full can be performed.

  Here, a waste toner amount detection method in the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 will be described. First, the waste toner collecting device 200 is attached to the main body 10 a of the image forming apparatus 1. Then, light is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 510 toward the main body 310b of the first full detection dividing chamber 310 (step of irradiating light). Next, the light detection unit 520 receives the light reflected by the reflection member 360 and the reflection member 460 and emitted from the main body 410b of the second full detection dividing chamber 410 (step of detecting light). Then, the full determination unit 530 determines whether or not the first divided chamber 300 is full based on the detection result of the light detection unit 520 (a step of determining whether or not waste toner is accumulated). ).

  The present embodiment is configured as described above, and in the waste toner collecting apparatus 200, the light that has entered the first full detection dividing chamber 310 from the light irradiation unit 510 is reflected by the reflecting member 360 to be subjected to the first full detection. After passing through the dividing chamber 310 and the second full detection dividing chamber 410, it is further reflected by the reflecting member 460 and guided to the light detection unit 520. In addition, when waste toner accumulates in at least one of the accumulation position X of the first full detection division chamber 310 and the accumulation position Y of the second full detection division chamber 410, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 is emitted. Is blocked by the waste toner accumulated at the accumulation position X or the accumulation position Y and is not detected by the light detection unit 520. In this manner, waste toner in the first full detection division chamber 310 and the second full detection division chamber 410 can be detected by the pair of light irradiation unit 510 and the light detection unit 520. Therefore, the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment can detect whether or not the first divided chamber 300 and the second divided chamber 400 are full of waste toner with a simple configuration.

  By providing the first waste toner supply port 311 in the first full detection dividing chamber 310, the first waste toner supply port 311 passes through the first waste toner supply port 311 as the level of waste toner in the first division chamber 300 rises. Waste toner can be supplied into the first full detection dividing chamber 310. Similarly, by providing the second waste toner supply port 411 in the second full detection dividing chamber 410, the second waste toner supply port 411 increases as the level of waste toner in the second division chamber 400 rises. The waste toner can be supplied into the second full-detection dividing chamber 410 via.

  Even if it is difficult to transport the waste toner to the waste toner collecting device 200 with the waste toner collecting ports from the belt cleaning device 25, the cleaning unit 38, and the waste toner discharge mechanism 150 having the same height, the above configuration By doing so, it becomes unnecessary to add a sensor for detecting fullness or to transport waste toner for adjusting the height of the collection port, and the body 10a side of the image forming apparatus 1 and the waste toner collection device 200 are simplified. It can be set as a simple structure. In addition, since the configuration is simple, the leakage of the waste toner from the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 can be prevented, and the full state of the waste toner can be accurately detected. Further, since the waste toner conveying means for aligning the height of the waste toner collection port is not required, the image forming apparatus 1 can be downsized.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 in the first embodiment is changed. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 6, the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 </ b> A according to the present embodiment includes a third divided chamber 300 and a second divided chamber 400 described in the first embodiment, as well as a third divided chamber. The divided chamber (divided chamber, divided chamber assembly) 600 is formed.

  Waste toner discharged from the cleaning unit 38 is supplied to the third division chamber 600 via the drum waste toner recovery port 210. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 has a third full detection division chamber (deposition detection division chamber, accumulation detection division) adjacent to the third division chamber 600. A divided chamber assembly) 610 is provided. The third full detection detecting chamber 610 is defined by a partition plate 615. That is, the third full detection dividing chamber 610 is partitioned by the partition plate 615 with respect to the third dividing chamber 600. A third waste toner supply port (waste toner supply port) 611 that communicates with the third division chamber 600 is provided above the third full detection division chamber 610. When waste toner accumulates in the third division chamber 600 and the water level of the waste toner in the third division chamber 600 rises, as shown by the arrows in FIG. Waste toner is supplied into the third full detection dividing chamber 610 through the toner supply port 611.

  In the vicinity of the third waste toner supply port 611, the waste toner in the third divided chamber 600 accumulated up to the height position of the third waste toner supply port 611 is conveyed to the third waste toner supply port 611. A third conveying member 605 (see FIG. 6) is provided. The third transport member 605 includes a third support shaft 605a and a third transport blade 605b. The third support shaft 605a is a shaft that is rotatably provided. The third conveying blade 605b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the third support shaft 605a, and has a spiral inclined surface arranged along the longitudinal direction of the third support shaft 605a. The third support shaft 605a is provided so as to extend in the horizontal direction. Note that the third conveying member 605 also has a function of dispersing (equalizing) the waste toner that is biased and accumulated in a part of the third dividing chamber 600.

  The third division chamber 600 is provided at an appropriate position in the waste toner collecting apparatus 200A, for example, next to the second division chamber 400. As shown in FIG. 7, the third full detection division chamber 610 is provided between the first full detection division chamber 310 and the second full detection division chamber 410. Note that only the waste toner discharged from the belt cleaning device 25 is supplied to the second division chamber 400 in this embodiment through the belt waste toner recovery port 220.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the third full detection division chamber 610 includes an introduction portion 610 a and a main body portion 610 b. The introduction part 610a is connected to the upper part of the main body part 610b. The introduction part 610a and the main body part 610b communicate with each other. The introduction unit 610a is provided with a third waste toner supply port 611. A deposition position Z is a position where the waste toner supplied from the third waste toner supply port 611 is accumulated in the main body 610b of the third full detection dividing chamber 610b.

  The main body 310b of the first full detection dividing chamber 310 and the main body 610b of the third full detection dividing chamber 610 are adjacent to each other with the partition plate 351 therebetween. The main body 610b of the third full detection dividing chamber 610 and the main body 410b of the second full detection dividing chamber 410 are adjacent to each other with the partition plate 352 interposed therebetween.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the partition plate 351 is provided with a transmission window (optical path forming portion) 351a that transmits light between the main body 310b and the main body 610b. The partition plate 352 is provided with a transmission window (optical path forming unit) 352a that transmits light between the main body 610b and the main body 410b. As a member that forms the transmission windows 351a and 352a that transmit light, for example, a transparent plate can be used.

  The light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 enters the main body 310b of the first full detection dividing chamber 310 through the transmission window 315a, and the main body of the second full detection dividing chamber 410 by the reflecting member 360. Reflected toward the portion 410b. The light reflected by the reflection member 360 passes through the transmission window 351a of the partition plate 351, the main body portion 610b of the third full detection partition chamber 610, and the transmission window 352a of the partition plate 352 for second full detection. The light enters the main body 410b of the dividing chamber 410. The reflecting members 360 and 460 are arranged so that the light reflected by the reflecting member 360 passes through the deposition positions X, Z, and Y and enters the reflecting member 460 in a straight line. The light that has entered the main body 410b of the second full detection dividing chamber 410 is reflected by the reflection member 460 and received by the light detection unit 520 through the transmission window 415a.

  As a result, when waste toner is deposited on at least one of the deposition positions X, Y, and Z, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 is blocked by the waste toner deposited on the deposition positions X, Y, and Z. (In FIG. 7, the waste toner that has entered the third full detection dividing chamber 610 from the third waste toner supply port 611 is accumulated at the accumulation position Z and the light is blocked). For this reason, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 is not received by the light detection unit 520.

  The present embodiment is configured as described above, and even if the waste toner collecting apparatus 200A is provided with the first division chamber 300, the second division chamber 400, and the third division chamber 600, it corresponds to each. The light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 passes through the first full detection division chamber 310, the second full detection division chamber 410, and the third full detection division chamber 610. The reflective member 360, the reflective member 460, and the like are provided. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the waste toner accumulated in the first full detection dividing chamber 310, the second full detection dividing chamber 410, and the third full detection dividing chamber 610 is It can be detected by a set of light irradiation unit 510 and light detection unit 520. Therefore, in the waste toner collecting apparatus 200A according to the present embodiment, whether or not the first divided chamber 300, the second divided chamber 400, and the third divided chamber 600 are filled with waste toner with a simple configuration. Can be detected.

  In the second embodiment, three divided chambers (300, 400 and 600) are provided in the waste toner collecting apparatus 200A. However, four or more divided chambers may be provided. In this case, two or more full detection division chambers may be provided between the first full detection division chamber 310 and the second full detection division chamber 410.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the waste toner collecting apparatus 200A in the second embodiment is changed. The same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the main body 310b of the first full detection dividing chamber 310 and the 610b of the third full detection dividing chamber 610 are separated by the partition plate 351, and the third fullness is divided. The main body 610b of the detection dividing chamber 610 and the main body 410b of the second full detection dividing chamber 410 are separated by the partition plate 352. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. , 410b and 610b are not separated into one main body portion 710b.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the waste toner collecting device 200 </ b> B includes a fourth full detection dividing chamber 710 adjacent to the first dividing chamber 300, the second dividing chamber 400, and the third dividing chamber 600. Is provided. The fourth full detection dividing chamber 710 includes introduction parts 310a, 410a and 610a and a main body part 710b. The introduction parts 310a, 410a and 610a are connected to the upper part of the main body part 710b. Reflecting members 360 and 460 are disposed in the main body 710b.

  The light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 enters the main body 710b of the fourth full detection dividing chamber 710 through the transmission window 315a and is reflected toward the reflection member 460 by the reflection member 360. The reflecting members 360 and 460 are arranged so that the light reflected by the reflecting member 360 passes through the deposition positions X, Z, and Y and enters the reflecting member 460 in a straight line. The light incident on the reflection member 460 is reflected by the reflection member 460 and received by the light detection unit 520 through the transmission window 415a.

  As a result, when waste toner is deposited on at least one of the deposition positions X, Y, and Z, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 is blocked by the waste toner deposited on the deposition positions X, Y, and Z. (In FIG. 9, the waste toner that has entered the fourth full-detection dividing chamber 710 from the third waste toner supply port 611 is accumulated at the accumulation position Z and the light is blocked). For this reason, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 is not received by the light detection unit 520.

  The present embodiment is configured as described above, and includes one fourth full detection dividing chamber 710 in the waste toner collecting apparatus 200B, and a reflecting member in the main body 710b of the fourth full detection dividing chamber 710. 360 and 460 are arranged. Even in this case, as in the first embodiment, the first waste toner supply port 311, the second waste toner supply port 411, and the third waste toner supply port 611 enter the main body 710 b. Waste toner that is supplied and accumulates at the accumulation positions X, Y, and Z can be detected by a pair of light irradiation unit 510 and light detection unit 520. Therefore, in the waste toner collecting apparatus 200B according to the present embodiment, the first divided chamber 300, the second divided chamber 400, and the third divided chamber 600 are filled with waste toner with a simpler configuration. It is possible to detect whether or not.

  As a modification, a lid may be provided on the first waste toner supply port 311, the second waste toner supply port 411, and the third waste toner supply port 611 in the first to third embodiments. . Hereinafter, a case where a lid is provided on the first waste toner supply port 311 of the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment will be described as a representative. As shown in FIG. 10, the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 includes a lid (first lid) 800 that seals the first waste toner supply port 311, and a lever member (first opening mechanism) that opens and closes the lid 800. ) 810.

  The lid 800 is pulled by the spring 801 in a direction to seal the first waste toner supply port 311. The lever member 810 is attached to the casing 205 of the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 and the like at the upper part of the lid 800 so as to be swingable. By swinging the lever member 810, the engaging portion 810a of the lever member 810 and the engaging portion 800a of the lid 800 are engaged, and the lid 800 slides in a direction to open the first waste toner supply port 311. To do. In the example shown in FIG. 10, in the drawing, the lever member 810 rotates clockwise (clockwise) about the rotation shaft 810b, so that the lid 800 slides to the left and the first waste toner supply port 311 is obtained. Becomes open.

  Further, the housing 2 that forms the main body 10 a of the image forming apparatus 1 has an engaging member that engages with the lever member 810 when the waste toner collecting device 200 is attached to the main body 10 a of the image forming apparatus 1. (First opening / closing mechanism) 11 is provided. The engaging member 11 contacts the lever member 810 when the waste toner collecting device 200 is attached to the main body 10a of the image forming apparatus 1, and rotates the lever member 810 clockwise in FIG. That is, when the waste toner collecting device 200 is attached to the main body portion 10a of the image forming apparatus 1, the engaging member 11 swings the lever member 810, and the lid 800 slides thereby, thereby supplying the first waste toner. The mouth 311 is opened. When the waste toner collecting device 200 is detached from the main body 10a of the image forming apparatus 1, the lid 800 seals the first waste toner supply port 311 by the spring force of the spring 801, and the first waste toner supply port 311 Closed.

  In this manner, the first waste toner supply port 311 can be opened and closed by the lid 800 in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the waste toner collection device 200. Thereby, for example, when the waste toner collecting device 200 is removed, it is possible to prevent waste toner from entering the first full detection dividing chamber 310 in an unexpected case. Similarly to the first waste toner supply port 311, the second waste toner supply port 411 and the third waste toner supply port 611 are provided with a lid (second lid) 800, and a lever member that opens and closes the lid 800. (Opening / closing mechanism, second opening / closing mechanism) 810 and engagement member (opening / closing mechanism, second opening / closing mechanism) 11 are provided, so that the second full detection detection divided chamber 410 and the third full detection can be performed in an unexpected case. It is possible to prevent waste toner from entering the dividing chamber 610. Note that the opening / closing structure of the lid 800 shown in FIG. 10 is an example, and the first waste toner supply port 311 and the like can be opened and closed by other methods.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a first full detection division chamber 310 or the like for detecting fullness is provided separately from the first division chamber 300 or the like, and light is supplied to the first full detection division chamber 310 or the like. However, the first full detection dividing chamber 310 or the like may be omitted. That is, instead of the first waste toner supply port 311 and the like, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 510 passes through the first division chamber 300 and the second division chamber 400, and the first division chamber 300. In addition, the waste toner inside the second division chamber 400 or the like can be detected by the light detection unit 520. In this case, the state of waste toner accumulated in the first division chamber 300 or the like can be detected with a simpler configuration.

  Although various embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the tandem image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus to which the waste toner collecting apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is attached, and can be attached to various types of image forming apparatuses. . Further, the number of drum waste toner collection ports 210, belt waste toner collection ports 220, and developing machine waste toner collection ports 230 provided in the waste toner collection device 200 is not limited to the number described above.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 10a ... Main-body part, 11 ... Engagement member (opening / closing mechanism, 1st opening / closing mechanism, 2nd opening / closing mechanism), 200, 200A, 200B ... Waste toner collection apparatus, 300 ... 1st division | segmentation 310, first full detection dividing chamber (first accumulation detection dividing chamber), 311 ... first waste toner supply port, 315a, 350a, 351a, 352a, 415a ... transmission window (optical path forming section) 360 ... reflecting member (optical path forming section), 400 ... second divided chamber, 410 ... second full detection dividing chamber (second accumulation detection dividing chamber), 411 ... second waste toner supply port, 460 ... reflective member (optical path forming unit) 510 ... light irradiating unit 510, 520 ... light detecting unit, 600 ... third divided chamber (divided chamber, divided chamber assembly), 610 ... third full detecting divided chamber ( Deposition detection division chamber, accumulation detection division chamber assembly), 611... 3 of the waste toner supply opening (waste toner supply opening), 800 ... cover (first cover, the second cover), 810 ... lever member (opening and closing mechanism, the first opening and closing mechanism, the second opening and closing mechanism).

Claims (12)

A waste toner collecting device detachably provided in an image forming apparatus,
A first division chamber for storing the collected waste toner;
A second division chamber for storing the collected waste toner;
Light incident on the first division chamber from a light irradiation unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus is guided to the second division chamber, and further from the second division chamber, the main body of the image forming apparatus. An optical path forming unit that forms an optical path leading to the photodetecting unit provided in
A waste toner collecting apparatus comprising: A division chamber assembly provided between the first division chamber and the second division chamber, the division chamber assembly including one or more division chambers for storing the collected waste toner;
The optical path forming unit further forms an optical path for guiding light from the first division chamber to the second division chamber through the division chamber assembly.
The waste toner recovery device according to claim 1. A waste toner collecting device detachably provided in an image forming apparatus,
A first division chamber for storing the collected waste toner;
A first accumulation detection dividing chamber for detecting accumulation of waste toner collected in the first division chamber;
A second division chamber for storing the collected waste toner;
A second accumulation detection dividing chamber for detecting accumulation of waste toner collected in the second division chamber;
Light incident on the first deposition detection dividing chamber from a light irradiation unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus is guided to the second deposition detection dividing chamber, and further the second deposition detection dividing chamber. An optical path forming unit that forms an optical path that leads from a chamber to a light detection unit provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus;
A waste toner collecting apparatus comprising: The first accumulation detection division chamber is provided with a first waste toner supply port for receiving waste toner from the first division chamber;
The second accumulation detection dividing chamber is provided with a second waste toner supply port for receiving the supply of waste toner from the second division chamber.
The waste toner recovery device according to claim 3. The first waste toner supply port is provided with a first lid that can be opened and closed,
The second waste toner supply port is provided with a second lid that can be opened and closed.
The waste toner recovery device according to claim 4. A first opening / closing mechanism for opening / closing the first lid;
A second opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the second lid,
When the image forming apparatus is attached to the main body, the first opening and closing mechanism and the second opening and closing mechanism open the first lid and the second lid, respectively.
When removing the image forming apparatus from the main body, the first opening and closing mechanism and the second opening and closing mechanism close the first lid and the second lid, respectively.
The waste toner recovery device according to claim 5. A divided chamber assembly configured by one or more divided chambers for storing the collected waste toner;
In order to detect the accumulation of waste toner collected in the one or more division chambers constituting the division chamber assembly, the first accumulation detection division chamber and the first accumulation detection chamber are provided for each of the one or more division chambers. A deposition detection dividing chamber assembly constituted by one or more deposition detection dividing chambers provided between the two deposition detection dividing chambers;
The optical path forming unit further forms an optical path for guiding light from the first deposition detection division chamber to the second deposition detection division chamber through the deposition detection division chamber assembly.
The waste toner collection device according to any one of claims 3 to 6.   The waste toner collection device according to claim 7, wherein the one or more accumulation detection division chambers are each provided with a waste toner supply port that receives supply of waste toner from the corresponding one or more division chambers.   The waste toner collection device according to claim 8, wherein a lid that can be opened and closed is provided at each of the waste toner supply ports provided in each of the one or more accumulation detection division chambers. An opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the lid;
At the time of mounting on the image forming apparatus, the opening / closing mechanism opens the lid,
The opening / closing mechanism closes the lid when removed from the image forming apparatus;
The waste toner recovery device according to claim 9. A first division chamber for containing the collected waste toner, a second division chamber for containing the collected waste toner, and the first division chamber from a light irradiation section provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. An optical path forming unit that forms an optical path that guides the light incident on the second dividing chamber to the light detecting unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. A waste toner amount detection method in a waste toner collection device detachably provided in the image forming apparatus,
Irradiating light from the light irradiation unit toward the first divided chamber;
Detecting the light emitted from the second division chamber through the optical path formed by the optical path forming unit with the light detection unit;
Determining whether waste toner has accumulated in at least one of the first divided chamber and the second divided chamber based on a detection result by the light detection unit;
Waste toner amount detection method including A first division chamber containing the collected waste toner, a first accumulation detection division chamber for detecting the accumulation of the waste toner collected in the first division chamber, and the collected waste toner A second division chamber to be accommodated; a second accumulation detection division chamber for detecting the accumulation of waste toner collected in the second division chamber; and light irradiation provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus. The light incident on the first deposition detection dividing chamber is guided to the second deposition detection dividing chamber, and is further provided from the second deposition detection dividing chamber to the main body of the image forming apparatus. A waste toner amount detection method in a waste toner recovery device that is detachably provided in an image forming apparatus,
Irradiating light from the light irradiation unit toward the first deposition detection dividing chamber;
Detecting the light emitted from the second deposition detection dividing chamber through the optical path formed by the optical path forming unit with the photodetecting unit;
Determining whether waste toner has accumulated in at least one of the first divided chamber and the second divided chamber based on a detection result by the light detection unit;
Waste toner amount detection method including

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