Image forming apparatus, developer tank, and method of identifying developer tank

An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming apparatus body, and developer tanks to be removably fitted to the image forming apparatus body,

• the developer tanks each having a charging current inflow terminal which allows a charging current to flow in therefrom, and a time constant circuit-which allows the charging current flowing in from the charging current inflow terminal to pass therethrough,
• the image forming apparatus body including a charging current outflow terminal to be connected to the charging current inflow terminal when an associated one of the developer tanks is fitted to the image forming apparatus body, and an identifier section configured to pass the charging current to the charging current outflow terminal when the associated developer tank is fitted to the image forming apparatus body and identify the developer tank based on a change in waveform that occurs during a transient phenomenon period following stopping of the charging current passing through the time constant circuit.

A developer tank to be removably fitted to an image forming apparatus body, comprising:

• a charging current inflow terminal which is connectable to a charging current outflow terminal when fitted to the image forming apparatus body;
• and
• a time constant circuit which allows a charging current from the charging current inflow terminal to pass therethrough and has a time constant predetermined depending on a type of a developer tank body.

A method of identifying a developer tank, comprising:

• a step in which an identifier section included in an image forming apparatus body passes a charging current through a time constant circuit provided for the developer tank when the developer tank is fitted to the image forming apparatus body;
• and
• an identification step in which the identifier section identifies the developer tank based on a change in waveform that occurs during a transient phenomenon period during which the charging current passes through the time constant circuit.

A method of identifying a developer tank, comprising:

• a step in which an identifier section included in an image forming apparatus body passes a charging current through a time constant circuit provided for the developer tank when the developer tank is fitted to the image forming apparatus body;
• and
• an identification step in which the identifier section identifies the developer tank based on a change in waveform that occurs during a transient phenomenon period following stopping of the charging current.