DETECTOR FOR REMAINING AMOUNT OF TONER

PURPOSE:To detect accurately the remaining amount of toner regardless of the characteristic of toner, fluidity of toner, etc., by detecting the output of a small- sized generator which generates electricity by the rotation of rotating blades arranged at the bottom part of a toner container, and generating a warning to the remaining amount of toner. CONSTITUTION:When a hopper 1 is charged with toner 2, rotating blades do not rotate as it is buried in the toner 2. The turning force of a driving shaft 7 is transmitted or cut off by a slip clutch 6. When the toner 2 in the hopper 1 is consumed below the level A of the lower end of the rotating blades 5, the rotating blades 5 are released from the load of the toner and start rotating by the connection of the slip clutch 6. As the rotating blades 5 rotate, the small-sized generator 10 is also driven through spur gears 8 and 9, and an external pilot lamp connected to the small-sized generator 10 turns on with its output voltage to warn that the remaining amount of toner is not enough.