Image forming device having a replaceable unit that includes magnets of varying angular offset for toner level sensing
US10303111B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G21/1803
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a replaceable unit including a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.