Image forming device
US6767075B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/17546
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An image forming device capable of detecting the presence/absence of ink as well as whether an ink tank is mounted. A detachable ink tank 32 on a carriage 31 includes a prism 32C, and a reflective optical sensor 33 detects the presence/absence of ink depending on the difference in refractive index between the two states, that is, filled with ink and empty. A reflector lever 35, movable in response to the ink tank 32 being mounted or not, is provided on the bottom of an ink tank holder 34. The reflector lever 35 has one end fixed on a lower part of the ink tank and the other end that is a free end consisting of a triangular reflector 35D. The reflector lever 35 is normally urged upward by a resilient member 35A, and it will not direct the reflection toward the sensor 33 in the absence of the ink tank whereas it is deformed in the presence/absence of the ink tank to direct the reflection toward the sensor 33. As a result, the presence/absence of the ink tank is detected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.