Image forming apparatus to detect amount of remaining developer
US9069282B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/086
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing device, a holding unit, and a detection device. The image bearing member supports an electrostatic latent image. The developing device includes a developer bearing member having a first electrode member and supporting a developer to develop the electrostatic latent image. The developing device includes a supply member having a second electrode member and supplying the developer to the developer bearing member at a nip portion. The holding unit holds and change the developing device to a first posture and to a second posture where the deposited developer falls off the first posture. The detection device detects a remaining developer amount in the developing device based on a capacitance C1 between the first and second electrode members in the first posture and a capacitance C2 between the first and second electrode members in the second posture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.