Device for notifying a remaining amount of a developer, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus

A process cartridge detachably mountable on a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• developing means including a developing member for developing a latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developer accommodating unit for accommodating developer used by said developing member for development;
• and
• a developer indication unit for indicating a remaining amount of developer accommodated in said developer accommodating unit, said developer indication unit including:
• a position detection member positionable near an upper surface of an accumulated layer of the developer accommodated in said developer accommodating unit;
• a regulating member for regulating a moving direction of said position detection member;
• and
• indication means for indicating a remaining amount of developer accommodated in said developer accommodating unit in accordance with a position of said position detection member, said indication means comprising a flexible longitudinal member having said position detection member provided on one end thereof, and a detection member for detecting movement of said longitudinal member, wherein the remaining amount of developer accommodated in the developer accommodating unit is indicated based on the amount of movement of said longitudinal member detected by said detection member.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a mounting unit for detachably mounting a process cartridge, the process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• developing means including a developer accommodating unit for accommodating developer for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• and
• a developer indication unit for indicating a remaining amount of developer accommodated in the developer accommodating unit, the developer indication unit including,
• a position detection member positionable near an upper surface of an accumulated layer of the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating unit;
• a regulating member for regulating a moving direction of the position detection member;
• and
• indication means for indicating the remaining amount of developer accommodated in the developer accommodating unit in accordance with a position of the position detection member, said indication means comprising a flexible longitudinal member having said position detection member provided on one end thereof, and a detection member for detecting movement of said longitudinal member, wherein the remaining amount of developer accommodated in the developer accommodating unit is indicated based on the amount of movement of said longitudinal member detected by said detection member;
• and
• (b) a main body indication unit for indicating the remaining amount of developer accommodated in the developer accommodating unit by receiving a signal from the indication means when the process cartridge is mounted to said mounting unit.