Developer sensing system and control
US4155652A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 1977 |
| Grant date | May 22, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0855
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system is disclosed which will sense the image-development state of toner in the development subsystem of an electrophotographic copier apparatus. This image-development state is related to both toner concentration and the charge-to-mass ratio (q/m) existing on toner particles. The sensing system employs an optical fiber bundle having both transmitting and receiving fibers. At one end, herein referred to as the common end, and transmitting and receiving fibers are interspersed. This common end is positioned flush with the inside chamber wall on a developer housing. At the other end, the transmitting and receiving fibers are bifurcated. The transmitting fibers of the optical bundle are used to guide light from a light source to the common end, and part of the transmitted light is backscattered and guided through the receiving fibers to an optical sensor. The signal received is inversely proportional to the amount of toner deposited on the end of the bundle and the toner on the surface of carrier particles. This signal can be used to control the amount of toner added to the developer subsystem at any given time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.