Patent ID: 7499656

Claim:
A remaining amount of toner detecting apparatus which detects a remaining amount of toner stored in a housing for storage of toner, the remaining amount of toner detecting apparatus comprising: a detection auxiliary member disposed in the housing; a holding member which is flexible and has one end connected to an outer periphery of a stirring member which is rotated to stir the toner in the housing, and another end at which the detection auxiliary member is held; detecting means disposed near the lower portion of the housing, for detecting a distance from the detecting means to the detection auxiliary member when the detection auxiliary member is moved by rotation of the stirring member and passes through a detection position; a scraping-out member mounted on to the stirring member such that a cross section perpendicular to an axial line of the stirring member is formed into a substantially V-letter shape, the scraping-out member having a base portion and a free end, the free end elastically abutting against an inner peripheral surface of at least the lower portion of the housing; and calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of the toner based on the distance from the detecting means to the detection auxiliary member.