Lubricant applicator, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge
US9632475B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
0References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 2015 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16N29/02
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A lubricant applicator includes a lubricant, a supply member contactable against the lubricant to supply the lubricant to a target, and a lubricant gauge to detect whether an amount of lubricant remaining is less than a threshold value. The lubricant gauge includes a rotary member rotatable about a shaft, a pressing member to press and rotate the rotary member as the lubricant is consumed, a contact part of the rotary member pressed by the pressing member, and a detection part of the rotary member opposite to the contact part across the shaft of the rotary member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.