Patent attributes
An image forming apparatus equipped with an improved developer detecting device and agitating device to simplify an inner structure of a developing device and/or a waste developer container while reducing the number of components and costs. The image forming apparatus includes a developer storage part to store a developer, a light emitting part and a light receiving part provided to detect an amount of developer stored in the developer storage part, and a rotating unit which rotates to agitate the developer stored in the developer storage part and guides light emitted from the light emitting part to the light receiving part. The rotating unit includes two rotating members. Each of the rotating members has a rotating shaft portion and an extending portion which extends eccentrically from the rotating shaft portion. The extending portions oppose each other to define a developer detecting region therebetween. When the rotating unit rotates, the developer detecting region moves upward and downward. Accordingly, the amount of developer stored in the developing device or the waste developer container can be checked more precisely.
