Image forming apparatus and sheet amount detection method
US11975940B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 2022 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2801/06
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a sensor, a tray, a gear, a protruding portion, and a processor. The sensor has a light transmitting unit and light receiving units and is configured to generate an output signal in accordance with an amount of light received by the light receiving units. The gear is configured to rotate in accordance with an amount of sheets stacked on the tray. The protruding portion is configured to rotate with the gear and move into a light path of light emitted from the light emitting unit to the light receiving units to partially block the light, the protruding portion having a width that determines how much light in the light path is blocked and varies gradually from a first end thereof to a second end thereof. The processor is configured to determine the amount of sheets stacked on the tray based on the output signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.