Image-forming apparatus and a method for a detecting developer amount therein
US5036358A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/1853
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image-forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member; a developing device; a developer accommodating device for accommodating the developer to be supplied to the developing device, the accommodating device having a housing of which a first and second windows made of transparent members are arranged at a ceiling and a bottom; a cleaning device for periodically cleaning the first and second windows; and a detecting device having a light emitting device arranged outside the housing and confronting with one of the windows, and a light receiving device arranged outside the housing and confronting with the other of the windows. Light emitted from the light emitting device is illuminated through the light emitting device. The light receiving device receives the light emitted from the light emitting device to detect an amount of the developer in the housing. A method for detecting an amount of developer in the developing device, includes the steps of: cleaning the first and second windows periodically; emitting light through one of the windows into the housing; receiving the emitted light through the other of the windows; and detecting the amount of the developer in the housing acc…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.