Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum, a motor, and a drum gear train configured to transmit a driving force from the motor to the photosensitive drum. The drum gear train includes a first gear, a second gear and a first clutch. The first gear is rotatable about a first axis upon receipt of the driving force. The second gear is rotatable about the first axis and configured to receive the driving force from the first gear and to transmit the driving force to the photosensitive drum. The first clutch is switchable between a first transmission state where the driving force is transmitted from the first gear to the second gear and a first transmission cutoff state where the transmission of the driving force from the first gear to the second gear is cut off.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a housing, a toner cartridge, and a drum unit. The drum unit is movable through the opening between an accommodated position where the drum unit is positioned in the housing and a pulled-out position where the drum unit is pulled out of the housing. The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum and a developing unit. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a second direction. The developing unit includes a magnetic roller, a developer container, a first auger and a second auger. The magnetic roller is positioned between the toner cartridge and the photosensitive drum. The magnetic roller faces a surface of the photosensitive drum. The developer container is formed with an inlet allowing the toner to be replenished from the toner cartridge. The first auger is positioned in the developer container. The second auger is positioned in the developer container.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a first casing, a second casing, an auger screw, and a shutter. The first casing has a first internal space. The second casing has: a second internal space smaller than the first internal space; a first opening allowing toner in the second internal space to be discharged; and a second opening allowing air in the second internal space to be sent to an outside. The auger screw is rotatable about a first rotation axis and configured to convey toner in the first internal space to the second internal space. The shutter is rotatable relative to the second casing about a second rotation axis between a first position in which the shutter closes the first opening and a second position in which the shutter opens the first opening. In a state where the shutter is at the second position, the shutter does not close the second opening.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a first casing, a second casing, an auger screw, and a shutter. The first casing has a first internal space. The second casing has: a second internal space smaller than the first internal space; a first opening allowing toner in the second internal space to be discharged; and a second opening allowing air in the second internal space to be sent to an outside. The auger screw is rotatable about a first rotation axis and configured to convey toner in the first internal space to the second internal space. The shutter is rotatable relative to the second casing about a second rotation axis between a first position in which the shutter closes the first opening and a second position in which the shutter opens the first opening. In a state where the shutter is at the second position, the shutter does not close the second opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; a developing device; a developer storage; a supplier configured to supply developer; an optical sensor; and a controller configured to execute: a developing process of developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a usage-amount obtaining process of obtaining a usage amount of the developer; a supplying process of supplying the developer to the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold; and a detecting process of detecting, by the optical sensor, an amount of the developer in the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold larger than the first threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to execute the detecting process in a period different from a period in which the developing process is being executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; an exposing device configured to expose the photoconductor and form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a developing device including a developing roller configured to form a developer image on the photoconductor; a transfer device configured to transfer the developer image to a sheet; a developer storage storing developer; a supplier configured to supply the developer from the developer storage to the developing device; a sheet feeder configured to convey the sheet toward the transfer device; a sheet sensor configured to detect the sheet conveyed toward the transfer device; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to start a supplying process of supplying, by the supplier, the developer to the developing device before formation of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the sheet is started, based on a signal indicating that the sheet sensor has detected the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; a developing device; a developer storage; a supplier configured to supply developer; an optical sensor; and a controller configured to execute: a developing process of developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a usage-amount obtaining process of obtaining a usage amount of the developer; a supplying process of supplying the developer to the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold; and a detecting process of detecting, by the optical sensor, an amount of the developer in the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold larger than the first threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to execute the detecting process in a period different from a period in which the developing process is being executed.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a first casing, a second casing, an auger screw, and a shutter. The first casing has a first internal space. The second casing has: a second internal space smaller than the first internal space; a first opening allowing toner in the second internal space to be discharged; and a second opening allowing air in the second internal space to be sent to an outside. The auger screw is rotatable about a first rotation axis and configured to convey toner in the first internal space to the second internal space. The shutter is rotatable relative to the second casing about a second rotation axis between a first position in which the shutter closes the first opening and a second position in which the shutter opens the first opening. In a state where the shutter is at the second position, the shutter does not close the second opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; an exposing device configured to expose the photoconductor and form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a developing device including a developing roller configured to form a developer image on the photoconductor; a transfer device configured to transfer the developer image to a sheet; a developer storage storing developer; a supplier configured to supply the developer from the developer storage to the developing device; a sheet feeder configured to convey the sheet toward the transfer device; a sheet sensor configured to detect the sheet conveyed toward the transfer device; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to start a supplying process of supplying, by the supplier, the developer to the developing device before formation of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the sheet is started, based on a signal indicating that the sheet sensor has detected the sheet.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a first casing, a second casing, an auger screw, and a shutter. The first casing has a first internal space. The second casing has: a second internal space smaller than the first internal space; a first opening allowing toner in the second internal space to be discharged; and a second opening allowing air in the second internal space to be sent to an outside. The auger screw is rotatable about a first rotation axis and configured to convey toner in the first internal space to the second internal space. The shutter is rotatable relative to the second casing about a second rotation axis between a first position in which the shutter closes the first opening and a second position in which the shutter opens the first opening. In a state where the shutter is at the second position, the shutter does not close the second opening.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a first casing, a second casing, an auger screw, and a shutter. The first casing has a first internal space. The second casing has: a second internal space smaller than the first internal space; a first opening allowing toner in the second internal space to be discharged; and a second opening allowing air in the second internal space to be sent to an outside. The auger screw is rotatable about a first rotation axis and configured to convey toner in the first internal space to the second internal space. The shutter is rotatable relative to the second casing about a second rotation axis between a first position in which the shutter closes the first opening and a second position in which the shutter opens the first opening. In a state where the shutter is at the second position, the shutter does not close the second opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; a developing device; a developer storage; a supplier configured to supply developer; an optical sensor; and a controller configured to execute: a developing process of developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a usage-amount obtaining process of obtaining a usage amount of the developer; a supplying process of supplying the developer to the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold; and a detecting process of detecting, by the optical sensor, an amount of the developer in the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold larger than the first threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to execute the detecting process in a period different from a period in which the developing process is being executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; a developing device; a developer storage; a supplier configured to supply developer to the developing device; and a controller configured to, when performing a printing operation, execute a developing process, a usage-amount obtaining process of obtaining a developer usage amount used in the developing process, a first supplying process of supplying the developer by operating the supplier by a first driving amount every time the usage amount becomes greater than or equal to a first threshold, and a second supplying process of supplying the developer by operating the supplier by a driving amount greater than the first driving amount when the usage amount from a time point of beginning of use of the developer storage becomes greater than or equal to a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; a developing device; a developer storage; a supplier configured to supply developer; an optical sensor; and a controller configured to execute: a developing process of developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a usage-amount obtaining process of obtaining a usage amount of the developer; a supplying process of supplying the developer to the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold; and a detecting process of detecting, by the optical sensor, an amount of the developer in the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold larger than the first threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to execute the detecting process in a period different from a period in which the developing process is being executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; an exposing device configured to expose the photoconductor and form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a developing device including a developing roller configured to form a developer image on the photoconductor; a developer storage storing developer; a supplier configured to supply the developer from the developer storage to the developing device; and a controller configured to execute: a rotating process of rotating the developing roller; a developing process of developing, by the developing device, the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a supplying process of supplying, by the supplier, the developer to the developing device; and a stopping process of stopping rotation of the developing roller after the supplying process has been suspended in a case where the supplying process is being executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; a developing device; a developer storage; a supplier configured to supply developer to the developing device; and a controller configured to, when performing a printing operation, execute a developing process, a usage-amount obtaining process of obtaining a developer usage amount used in the developing process, a first supplying process of supplying the developer by operating the supplier by a first driving amount every time the usage amount becomes greater than or equal to a first threshold, and a second supplying process of supplying the developer by operating the supplier by a driving amount greater than the first driving amount when the usage amount from a time point of beginning of use of the developer storage becomes greater than or equal to a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; an exposing device configured to expose the photoconductor and form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a developing device including a developing roller configured to form a developer image on the photoconductor; a transfer device configured to transfer the developer image to a sheet; a developer storage storing developer; a supplier configured to supply the developer from the developer storage to the developing device; a sheet feeder configured to convey the sheet toward the transfer device; a sheet sensor configured to detect the sheet conveyed toward the transfer device; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to start a supplying process of supplying, by the supplier, the developer to the developing device before formation of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the sheet is started, based on a signal indicating that the sheet sensor has detected the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; an exposing device configured to expose the photoconductor and form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a developing device including a developing roller configured to form a developer image on the photoconductor; a developer storage storing developer; a supplier configured to supply the developer from the developer storage to the developing device; and a controller configured to execute: a rotating process of rotating the developing roller; a developing process of developing, by the developing device, the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a supplying process of supplying, by the supplier, the developer to the developing device; and a stopping process of stopping rotation of the developing roller after the supplying process has been suspended in a case where the supplying process is being executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; a developing device; a developer storage; a supplier configured to supply developer; an optical sensor; and a controller configured to execute: a developing process of developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a usage-amount obtaining process of obtaining a usage amount of the developer; a supplying process of supplying the developer to the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold; and a detecting process of detecting, by the optical sensor, an amount of the developer in the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold larger than the first threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to execute the detecting process in a period different from a period in which the developing process is being executed.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus carries out a monitoring operation in which (i) sensor outputs of the magnetic permeability sensor are periodically sampled, (ii) a time period, corresponding to one (1) circulation period which is required for the developer to be circulated once in the circulation carrying path, is evenly divided into a plurality of blocks, and (iii) an average of the sensor outputs in one (1) block time period corresponding to one (1) block is calculated for each of the plurality of blocks; and determines that toner has run short, in a case where the number of times that the averages of the sensor outputs consecutively exceed a threshold, set to be higher than a reference value of the sensor outputs, becomes not less than the number of the plurality of blocks which correspond to the time period corresponding to one (1) circulation period.