Lubricant applicator, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge
US9052669B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G21/0094
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A lubricant applicator includes a block of lubricant, a supply member contactable against the block of lubricant to scrape the block of lubricant, and a lubricant gauge including a first electrode and a second electrode. The lubricant gauge is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode to detect whether an amount of lubricant remaining is less than a threshold value based on establishment of electrical continuity between the first electrode and the second electrode. One of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a projection projecting toward the other one of the first electrode and the second electrode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.