Media tray stack height sensor with continuous height feedback and discrete intermediate and limit states
US7374163B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 21, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2553/61
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A media stack height sensor in an image forming apparatus with a flag arm that is in contact with a top surface a media stack. The arm is coupled to a flag characterized by varying transmissivity. The flag is moveable by the flag arm so that as the position of the arm changes in relation to the stack height, a different portion of the flag is positioned between a transmitter and receiver of an optical sensor disposed within the body of the image forming apparatus. The flag accordingly reduces the amount of optical energy received by the receiver. The receiver output signal indicates the height of the media stack. The flag also includes features that further limit light transmission to the receiver to provide discrete stack height indications such as low, empty, full, or intermediate states.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.