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US 2006/0188278 A1Published application
Liquid toner concentration detecting device, and image forming apparatus and method of controlling concentration of liquid toner
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorsNobumasa Abe, Ken Ikuma
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A first container is operable to accommodate a liquid toner, and provided with a window. A reflector is disposed in the first container. A light emitter is operable to emit light to the reflector through the window and the liquid toner. A light receiver is operable to receive the light reflected by the reflector through the liquid toner and the window. A detector is operable to detect a concentration of the liquid toner based on the light received by the light receiver.
Claims19
A liquid toner concentration detecting device comprising:
- a first container, operable to accommodate a liquid toner, and provided with a window;
- a reflector, disposed in the first container;
- a light emitter, operable to emit light to the reflector through the window and the liquid toner;
- a light receiver, operable to receive the light reflected by the reflector through the liquid and the window;
- and
- a detector, operable to detect a concentration of the liquid toner based on the light received by the light receiver.
3 more elements
A liquid toner detecting device comprising:
- a container, adapted to accommodate liquid toner, and provided in a developing device causing the liquid toner to adhere onto an image carrier to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier as a toner image;
- a roller, disposed in the container, and having a flat surface at one end portion of the roller and a drive gear at the other end portion;
- a reflective photo sensor, disposed outside of the container, and facing the roller, wherein
- the reflective photo sensor emits light to the flat surface of the roller through the liquid toner,
- the flat surface of the roller reflects the light to the reflective photo sensor, and
- the reflective photo sensor receives the light reflected by the flat surface of the roller though the liquid toner and detects a concentration of the liquid toner based on the light.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.