Lubricant applicator, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge
US9063500B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 23, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 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 to detect whether a remaining amount of lubricant is less than a threshold value. The lubricant gauge includes a rotary member rotatable about a pivot, a pressing member disposed opposite the rotary member to rotate the rotary member by pressing a contact part of the rotary member as the block of lubricant is consumed, and a detection part of the rotary member opposite to the contact part across the pivot of the rotary member. A length of the rotary member from the pivot to the detection part is longer than a length of the rotary member from the pivot to the contact part.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.