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US 12,436,100 B2Granted
Moisture sensor and image forming apparatus
AssigneeCanon Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsYuki Tanaka, Ryuichi Araki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A moisture sensor detects moisture in an object. A first light-emitting element emits light. A first reflecting member reflects light reflected from the object toward the object. A light-receiving element receives light that is multiple reflected between the object and the first reflecting member. A controller determines an amount of moisture in the object based on a light reception result from the light-receiving element.
Claims18
A moisture sensor that detects moisture in an object, the moisture sensor comprising:
- a first light-emitting element configured to emit light;
- a second light-emitting element configured to emit light from a direction different from the first light-emitting element;
- a first reflecting member configured to:
- reflect light reflected from the object toward the object when the first light-emitting element emits the light;
- and
- reflect light reflected from the object toward the object when the second light-emitting element emits the light;
- a light-receiving element configured to:
- receive light that is multiple reflected between the object and the first reflecting member when the first light-emitting element emits the light;
- and
- receive light that is multiple reflected between the object and the first reflecting member when the second light-emitting element emits the light;
- and
- a controller configured to determine an amount of moisture in the object based on a light reception result from the light-receiving element.
9 more elements
An image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a sheet, which is an object, the image forming apparatus comprising:
- a moisture sensor configured to detect moisture in the object, and comprising:
- a first light-emitting element configured to emit light;
- a second light-emitting element configured to emit light from a direction different from the first light-emitting element;
- a first reflecting member configured to:
- reflect light reflected from the object toward the object when the first light-emitting element emits the light;
- and
- reflect light reflected from the object toward the object when the second light-emitting element emits the light;
- and
- a light-receiving element configured to:
- receive light that is multiple reflected between object and the first reflecting member when the first light-emitting element emits the light;
- and
- receive light that is multiple reflected between the object and the first reflecting member when the second light-emitting element emits the light;
- a transfer roller configured to transfer the toner image onto the object based on a transfer voltage;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- determine an amount of moisture in the object based on a light reception result from the light-receiving element;
- and
- control the transfer voltage based on the determined moisture amount.
15 more elements
An image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a sheet, which is an object, the image forming apparatus comprising:
- a moisture sensor configured to detect moisture in the object, and comprising:
- a first light-emitting element configured to emit light;
- a second light-emitting element configured to emit light from a direction different from the first light-emitting element;
- a first reflecting member configured to:
- reflect light reflected from the object toward the object when the first light-emitting element emits the light;
- and
- reflect light reflected from the object toward the object when the second light-emitting element emits the light;
- and
- a light-receiving element configured to:
- receive light that is multiple reflected between the object and the first reflecting member when the first light-emitting element emits the light;
- and
- receive light that is multiple reflected between the object and the first reflecting member when the second light-emitting element emits the light;
- a transfer roller configured to transfer the toner image onto the object;
- a heater configured to heat the toner image on the object;
- a reduction mechanism configured to reduce curling in the object caused by heating the object by the heater;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- determine an amount of moisture in the object based on a light reception result from the light-receiving element;
- and
- control the reduction mechanism based on the determined moisture amount.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.