US4982230A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus with means for detecting excess developer
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1989-03-20
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Granted: 1991-01-01
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Expires: 2009-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus includes a blade for removing a developer remaining or an image carrier and a recovering element for recovering the developer removed by the blade. The image forming apparatus further includes a generator for generating an electric signal corresponding to a change in a load acting on the recovering element in response to the amount of the developer and a monitor for monitoring the amount of the developer in accordance with the electric signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiko Ogura
- 👤 Kazuhiro Ikemori
- 👤 Tatsuyuki Miura
- 👤 Takahiko Adachi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:09
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/10; G03G21/12; G03G21/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A developer cleaning apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image carrier; means for removing excess developer from the image carrier; means from receiving the removed excess developer; means for transporting the developer received in said receiving means in a direction away from the removing means; a pulse motor for driving said transporting means; means for detecting the amount of developer in said receiving means so as to output information indicative of such amount of developer, said detecting means detecting the amount of developer from the torque generated by said pulse motor; and means for monitoring the amount of developer received by the receiving means in response to the information from said detecting mans.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A developer cleaning apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image carrier; means for removing excess developer from the image carrier; means from receiving the removed excess developer; means for transporting the developer received in said receiving means in a direction away from the removing means; a pulse motor for driving said transporting means; means for detecting the amount of developer in said receiving means so as to output information indicative of such amount of developer, said detecting means detecting the amount of developer from the torque generated by said pulse motor; and means for monitoring the amount of developer received by the receiving means in response to the information from said detecting mans.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transporting means includes a spiral screw received in said receiving means and coupled to said pulse motor so as to be rotated thereby.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detecting means outputs the information by comparing the torque with a predetermined standard.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
A developer cleaning apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for removing developer from an image carrier; means from receiving the removed developer; means for transporting the developer in a direction away from said receiving means, said transporting means including a spiral shaft disposed in said receiving means, and a pulse motor for providing a driving force to said spiral shaft; first detecting means for detecting the driving current flowing through said pulse motor; and second detecting means for detecting the amount of developer from the amount of drive current detecting by said first detecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
A developer cleaning apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for removing developer from an image carrier; means from receiving the removed developer; means for transporting the developer in a direction away from said receiving means, said transporting means including a spiral shaft disposed in said receiving means, and a pulse motor for providing a driving force to said spiral shaft; first detecting means for detecting the driving current flowing through said pulse motor; and second detecting means for detecting the amount of developer from the amount of drive current detecting by said first detecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
A developer cleaning apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for removing developer from an image carrier; means for receiving the developer removed by said removing means; means for collecting the removed developer; means for transporting the developer received in said receiving means to said developer collecting means, said transporting means having a rotatable transporting member disposed in said receiving means and a pulse motor for rotating said rotatable transporting member so as to transport the developer to said collecting means; means for detecting that said collecting means is filled with the developer, said detecting means including means for detecting the toque of said pulse motor and means for comparing the torque with a predetermined value so as to output a detection signal indicating that the collecting means is filled; and means for terminating said image forming apparatus in response to the detection signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
145 words
A developer cleaning apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for removing developer from an image carrier; means for receiving the developer removed by said removing means; means for collecting the removed developer; means for transporting the developer received in said receiving means to said developer collecting means, said transporting means having a rotatable transporting member disposed in said receiving means and a pulse motor for rotating said rotatable transporting member so as to transport the developer to said collecting means; means for detecting that said collecting means is filled with the developer, said detecting means including means for detecting the toque of said pulse motor and means for comparing the torque with a predetermined value so as to output a detection signal indicating that the collecting means is filled; and means for terminating said image forming apparatus in response to the detection signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said transporting member includes a helical screw coupled to said pulse motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the detecting means includes means for detecting the motor current flowing through said pulse motor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said terminating means terminates operation of said image forming apparatus when the motor current reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
A developer cleaning method for an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of: (a) removing developed from an image carrier of the image forming apparatus; (b) transporting the removed developer to a collecting unit by means of a motor actuated element driven by a pulse motor; (c) measuring the torque loading on the motor actuated element from the torque generated by said pulse motor; (d) comparing the torque loading with a predetermined standard; and (e) terminating the operation of the image forming apparatus if the torque loading equals the predetermined standard, the torque loading being proportional to the amount of removed developer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
102 words
A developer cleaning method for an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of: (a) removing developed from an image carrier of the image forming apparatus; (b) transporting the removed developer to a collecting unit by means of a motor actuated element driven by a pulse motor; (c) measuring the torque loading on the motor actuated element from the torque generated by said pulse motor; (d) comparing the torque loading with a predetermined standard; and (e) terminating the operation of the image forming apparatus if the torque loading equals the predetermined standard, the torque loading being proportional to the amount of removed developer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the motor actuated element is a helical screw.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
A developer cleaning apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for removing developer from an image carrier; means for receiving the developer removed by said removing means; means for collecting the removed developer; means for transporting the developer received in said receiving means to said developer collecting means, said transporting means having a rotatable transporting member disposed in said receiving means and a pulse motor for rotating said rotatable transporting member so as to transport the developer to said collecting means; means for detecting the torque of said pulse motor; means for comparing the torque with a predetermined value so as to output a detection signal indicating that said collecting means is filled; and means for terminating said image forming apparatus in response to the detection signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
A developer cleaning apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for removing developer from an image carrier; means for receiving the developer removed by said removing means; means for collecting the removed developer; means for transporting the developer received in said receiving means to said developer collecting means, said transporting means having a rotatable transporting member disposed in said receiving means and a pulse motor for rotating said rotatable transporting member so as to transport the developer to said collecting means; means for detecting the torque of said pulse motor; means for comparing the torque with a predetermined value so as to output a detection signal indicating that said collecting means is filled; and means for terminating said image forming apparatus in response to the detection signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-31 | 1994-07-02 | 1995-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-31 | 1998-07-02 | 1999-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-31 | 2002-07-02 | 2003-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |