Cartridge, image forming apparatus, developing apparatus, and toner cartridge

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an apparatus main body;
• and
• a cartridge configured to be detachably attachable to the apparatus main body, the cartridge including
• a first accommodating portion configured to accommodate toner,
• a first rotation shaft provided inside of the first accommodating portion and configured to be rotatable about a first rotation axis line;
• a first flexible member extending in a direction intersecting the first rotation axis line, the first flexible member having a first fixed end that is fixed to the first rotation shaft, and a first free end opposite to the first fixed end in the direction intersecting the first rotation axis line;
• a first magnetized member provided in a region of the first flexible member between the first fixed end and the first free end of the first flexible member, including the first free end;
• a second accommodating portion configured to accommodate toner to be supplied to the first accommodating portion, the second accommodating portion being aligned with the first accommodating portion in a first direction;
• a second rotation shaft provided inside of the second accommodating portion and configured to be rotatable about a second rotation axis line;
• a second flexible member extending in a direction intersecting the second rotation axis line, the second flexible member having a second fixed end that is fixed to the second rotation shaft, and a second free end opposite to the second fixed end in the direction intersecting the second rotation axis line;
• a second magnetized member provided in a region of the second flexible member between the second fixed end and the second free end of the second flexible member, including the second free end;
• and
• a magnetism sensing sensor provided between the first rotation axis line and the second rotation axis line in the first direction, and configured to sense magnetism in a sensing-capable range.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed;
• a toner bearing member configured to bear toner for developing the electrostatic latent image;
• a first accommodating portion that accommodates the toner to be supplied to the toner bearing member;
• a first rotation shaft that is provided inside of the first accommodating portion and that is configured to be rotatable about a first rotation axis line;
• a first flexible member that extends in a direction intersecting the first rotation axis line, the first flexible member having a first fixed end that is fixed to the first rotation shaft, and a first free end opposite to the first fixed end in the direction intersecting the first rotation axis line;
• a first magnetized member that is provided in a region of the first flexible member between the first fixed end of the first flexible member and the first free end thereof, including the first free end;
• a second accommodating portion that accommodates toner to be supplied to the first accommodating portion, the second accommodating portion being aligned with the first accommodating portion in a first direction;
• a second rotation shaft that is provided inside of the second accommodating portion and that is configured to be rotatable about a second rotation axis line;
• a second flexible member that extends in a direction intersecting the second rotation axis line, the second flexible member having a second fixed end that is fixed to the second rotation shaft, and a second free end opposite to the second fixed end in the direction intersecting the second rotation axis line;
• a second magnetized member that is provided in a region of the second flexible member between the second fixed end of the second flexible member and the second free end thereof, including the second free end;
• and
• a magnetism sensing sensor that is provided between the first rotation axis line and the second rotation axis line in the first direction, and that senses magnetism in a sensing-capable range.

A developing apparatus, comprising:

• a developing member;
• a first accommodating portion configured to accommodate toner;
• a first rotation shaft provided inside of the first accommodating portion and configured to be rotatable about a first rotation axis line;
• a first flexible member extending in a direction intersecting the first rotation axis line, the first flexible member having a first fixed end that is fixed to the first rotation shaft, and a first free end opposite to the first fixed end in the direction intersecting the first rotation axis line;
• a first magnetized member provided in a region of the first flexible member between the first fixed end and the first free end of the first flexible member, including the first free end;
• and
• a magnetism sensing sensor configured to sense magnetism in a sensing-capable range,
• wherein the developing apparatus is configured such that a cartridge is detachably attachable, the cartridge including a second accommodating portion accommodating toner to be supplied to the first accommodating portion, a second rotation shaft provided inside of the second accommodating portion and configured to be rotatable about a second rotation axis line, a second flexible member extending in a direction intersecting the second rotation axis line, the second flexible member having a second fixed end that is fixed to the second rotation shaft, and a second free end opposite to the second fixed end in the direction intersecting the second rotation axis line, and a second magnetized member provided in a region of the second flexible member between the second fixed end and the second free end of the second flexible member, including the second free end,
• wherein the first accommodating portion is aligned with the second accommodating portion in a first direction, in an orientation in which the cartridge is attached to the developing apparatus, and
• wherein the cartridge is attached such that the magnetism sensing sensor is located between the first rotation axis line and the second rotation axis line in the first direction.

A toner cartridge configured to be detachably attachable to a developing apparatus that includes a developing member, a first accommodating portion configured to accommodate toner, a first rotation shaft provided inside of the first accommodating portion and configured to be rotatable about a first rotation axis line, a first flexible member extending in a direction intersecting the first rotation axis line and having a first fixed end that is fixed to the first rotation shaft, and a first free end opposite to the first fixed end in the direction intersecting the first rotation axis line, a first magnetized member provided in a region of the first flexible member between the first fixed end and the first free end of the first flexible member, including the first free end and a magnetism sensing sensor configured to sense magnetism in a sensing-capable range, the toner cartridge comprising:

• a second accommodating portion configured to accommodate toner to be supplied to the first accommodating portion, the second accommodating portion being aligned with the first accommodating portion in a first direction in an orientation in which the toner cartridge is attached to the developing apparatus;
• a second rotation shaft provided inside of the second accommodating portion and configured to be rotatable about a second rotation axis line;
• a second flexible member extending in a direction intersecting the second rotation axis line, the second flexible member having a second fixed end that is fixed to the second rotation shaft, and a second free end opposite to the second fixed end in the direction intersecting the second rotation axis line;
• and
• a second magnetized member provided in a region of the second flexible member between the second fixed end and the second free end thereof of the second flexible member, including the second free end,
• wherein the magnetism sensing sensor is attached to the developing apparatus so as to be located between the first rotation axis line and the second rotation axis line in the first direction.