DETECTION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EQUIPPED THEREWITH

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a detection device capable of accurately detecting a toner amount in a toner container, and an image forming apparatus equipped therewith. SOLUTION: The detection device 51 detects the toner amount in a toner collecting container 25 which can be attached to/detached from the image forming apparatus and includes a detection window 31 of protruded form. A body 50c is attached to the image forming apparatus. A light emitting part 50a and a light receiving part 50b are provided in the body 50c to hold the detection window 31 in between when the toner collecting container 25 is attached to the image forming apparatus. Light shielding members 52a and 52b are provided in the body 50c, and cover over the periphery of an optical path B linking the light emitting part 50a and the light receiving part 50b so as to suppress leakage of light emitted by the light emitting part 50a to the outside of an optical path B. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT