Optical toner low sensor
US6496662B1 · kind B1 · utility
38Cited by
8References
8Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 19, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0897
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Toner exhaustion is sensed in cartridge (1) having a toner chamber (3), a rotation paddle (7) extending across the long dimension. Chamber (3) has a transparent window (21) at its bottom and a reflective surface (23) in chamber (3), also at the bottom. An optical emitter and receiver (31) periodically senses for returned light, which indicates toner low. Paddle (7) carries a wiper to clean window and reflective surface. This provides improved accuracy by a cost-effective system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.