Optical sensor arrangement for an imaging apparatus
US8265493B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 28, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0891
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An imaging apparatus includes a toner cartridge within a housing having a rotatable shaft, a cam rotatably mounted on the shaft, an optical sensor mounted on the housing having an emitter and a receiver forming an optical path therebetween, and a flag mounted on the housing having a first arm and a second arm. The optical sensor has an output that changes when the optical path changes from blocked to unblocked and from unblocked to blocked. The flag has a home position where the first arm is disposed in the rotational path of the cam and the second arm either blocks the optical path or unblocks the optical path. Rotation of the rotatable shaft causes the cam to engage and disengage the first arm causing the second arm to change from blocking the optical path to unblocking the optical path or vice versa.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.