Developer amount detector, and developer container, development device, and image forming apparatus incorporating same
US8861991B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0891
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A development device includes a development housing, a first developer conveyance member, a developer bearer, and a developer amount detector to detect an amount of developer in the development housing. The developer amount detector includes a light-emitting element, a right-receiving element, a first light guide including a first end from which light enters and a second end disposed inside the development housing, and a second light guide including a first end positioned inside the development housing across a predetermined distance from the second end of the first light guide and a second end from which the light exits. The second end of the first light guide and the first end of the second light guide are arranged in an axial direction of the first developer conveyance member with a light transmission path therebetween partly inside a locus of rotation of the first developer conveyance member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.