Image forming apparatus having a toner concentration control capability with a toner concentration sensor disposed in a developing unit
US5450177A · kind A · utility
22Cited by
7References
16Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0853
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In an image forming apparatus, a toner concentration sensor senses the concentration of a toner contained in a developer which is stored in a developing unit. A toner concentration controller controls a toner replenishing member in response to the output of the toner concentration sensor, thereby replenishing the toner from a toner container to the developing unit. Despite that a single toner concentration sensor is located in a position relatively close to a replenishing position, the apparatus insures stable image quality by effecting toner concentration control in harmony with the balance of toner in the entire developing unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.