CN112526844A - Toner concentration sensor and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Toner concentration sensor and image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN112526844A CN112526844A CN202010800422.2A CN202010800422A CN112526844A CN 112526844 A CN112526844 A CN 112526844A CN 202010800422 A CN202010800422 A CN 202010800422A CN 112526844 A CN112526844 A CN 112526844A
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- light
- emitting element
- substrate
- light emitting
- toner concentration
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 51
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001739 density measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/50—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
- G03G15/5033—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control by measuring the photoconductor characteristics, e.g. temperature, or the characteristics of an image on the photoconductor
- G03G15/5041—Detecting a toner image, e.g. density, toner coverage, using a test patch
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/50—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
- G03G15/5054—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control by measuring the characteristics of an intermediate image carrying member or the characteristics of an image on an intermediate image carrying member, e.g. intermediate transfer belt or drum, conveyor belt
Abstract
The invention provides a toner concentration sensor and an image forming apparatus, which can inhibit interference light from invading between the periphery of a lens part and the mounting end surface of a shell side even if mounting difference or mounting tolerance exists. The toner concentration sensor has a light emitting element (11) and a light receiving element, the surface of which is mounted on a substrate (10), and the substrate (10) is disposed in parallel with the optical path of light emitted from the light emitting element (11). Comprising: a housing (30) which is disposed on the element mounting surface (10a) of the substrate (10) and covers the light emitting element (11) and the light receiving element, and a lens unit (20) which is disposed on the edge side of the substrate (10) and transmits light emitted from the light emitting element and transmits light reflected by an object. The outer peripheral part of the lens part (20) is held by the housing (30), and the outer peripheral part and the mounting end surface on the housing (30) side abutting against the outer peripheral part are provided with an insertion structure (60).
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a toner concentration sensor and an image forming apparatus applied to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, and a facsimile machine.
Background
The toner concentration sensor is an important component for obtaining an image with good quality in the image forming apparatus. The toner concentration sensor includes: a light-emitting element that emits light, and a light-receiving element that receives light (reflected light) emitted from the light-emitting element and reflected by an object.
For example, in the case of an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus having an intermediate transfer belt, a toner patch for density measurement is formed on the intermediate transfer belt. The toner density sensor irradiates light from the light emitting element to the toner patch forming portion, and receives the reflected light from the light receiving element. The light receiving element generates a photocurrent corresponding to the amount of received light, and the density of the toner patch can be detected by detecting the voltage of the generated photocurrent.
In the image forming apparatus, image density control is performed based on the detection result. For example, adjustment is performed to change the latent image forming writing light intensity, charging bias, developing bias, and the like. In addition, when the two-component development system is employed, the target value of the toner concentration in the developer is adjusted.
The toner concentration sensor has a structure in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are surface-mounted on a substrate (printed circuit board) and optical paths of the light emitting element and the light receiving element are parallel to the substrate (for example, patent document 1). The substrate is covered with a case to cover the light emitting element and the light receiving element. The housing is formed with optical paths corresponding to the light emitting element and the light receiving element, respectively. In most cases, a light blocking member is disposed on the surface of the substrate opposite to the element mounting surface.
Further, a lens portion that transmits irradiation light from the light emitting element and reflected light from the object is disposed on the edge portion side of the substrate. The outer peripheral portion of the lens portion is held by the housing. The outer peripheral portion of the lens portion and the mounting end surface of the housing side with which the outer peripheral portion is in contact are formed flat, and the flat surfaces are in contact with each other.
Documents of the prior art
Patent document
Patent document 1: (Japanese) patent No. 4531357 Specification
Disclosure of Invention
Technical problem to be solved by the invention
In the conventional structure in which both the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit and the mounting end surface on the housing side are formed flat, a gap may be generated between the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit and the mounting end surface on the housing side in a state of being held in the housing. The above-mentioned gap is generated due to a mounting difference or a mounting tolerance. When the gap is generated, disturbance light enters the inside of the housing from the gap, and when the light receiving element senses the light, the toner concentration cannot be detected with high accuracy, and the image quality of the image forming apparatus is degraded.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a toner concentration sensor and the like capable of suppressing intrusion of disturbance light from between an outer peripheral portion of a lens portion and a mounting end face on a housing side even if there is a mounting difference or a mounting tolerance.
Technical solution for solving technical problem
In order to solve the above problem, a toner concentration sensor according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: the light emitting device includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element that receives light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected by an object, a substrate that surface-mounts the light emitting element and the light receiving element and is provided in parallel with an optical path of light emitted from the light emitting element, a lens portion that is disposed on an edge portion side of the substrate and transmits light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected by the object, and a housing that covers the light emitting element and the light receiving element, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the lens portion is held by the housing, and the outer peripheral portion and a mounting end surface on the housing side that abuts against the outer peripheral portion have an insertion structure.
In a structure in which the flat outer peripheral portion of the lens portion is held by the flat mounting end surface on the housing side, a gap may be generated between the outer peripheral portion and the mounting end surface due to mounting variation or mounting tolerance. According to the above configuration, since the insertion structure is provided in the outer peripheral portion of the lens portion and the mounting end surface on the housing side abutting on the outer peripheral portion, even if a gap exists between the lens portion and the mounting end surface, the interference light is hard to enter. Thereby, the toner concentration can be detected with high accuracy.
In the toner concentration sensor according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the lens portion may be configured to position the substrate in a height direction with an extended surface extending flush with a component mounting surface of the substrate or a surface of the housing in contact with the component mounting surface as a reference surface, and the insertion structure may be provided at least on a side opposite to a side in contact with the reference surface. With the above configuration, although the deviation of the optical axes between the lens portion and the light emitting element and the light receiving element can be suppressed, the gap is likely to occur on the opposite side of the reference surface due to mounting variation or mounting tolerance. Therefore, in combination with the above configuration, it is possible to effectively solve the problem of disturbance light due to the gap while suppressing the optical axis deviation.
In the toner concentration sensor according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the lens portion further includes: a lens unit main body that transmits light emitted from the light emitting element and transmits light reflected by the object, and an ear portion formed to protrude from the lens unit main body, wherein the ear portion may be configured to contact the element mounting surface or the extension surface. Accordingly, the lens unit can be easily positioned in the height direction using the element mounting surface of the substrate or the extension surface of the housing as a reference surface.
The image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the toner concentration sensor according to one aspect of the present disclosure, which is capable of detecting the toner concentration with high accuracy, and therefore can obtain an image with good quality.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION
According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner concentration sensor or the like capable of suppressing intrusion of disturbance light from between an outer peripheral portion of a lens portion and a mounting end surface on a housing side even if there is a mounting difference or a mounting tolerance.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the toner concentration sensor of the embodiment as viewed from above.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the toner concentration sensor as viewed from below.
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the toner concentration sensor.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the housing of the toner concentration sensor as viewed from below.
Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the light emitting element and the light receiving element mounted on the toner concentration sensor.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the toner concentration sensor.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of fig. 6, viewed in the direction of the arrows along the line a-D.
Fig. 8 is a sectional view of fig. 6, viewed in the direction of the arrows along the line E-F.
Fig. 9 is an image diagram illustrating the effect of the insertion structure provided at the toner concentration sensor described above.
Fig. 10 is an image diagram showing intrusion of disturbance light in the case where no insertion structure is provided.
Fig. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus equipped with the toner concentration sensor 1.
Detailed Description
Next, an embodiment (hereinafter also referred to as "the present embodiment") of one side of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings. In the present embodiment, as one embodiment of the toner concentration sensor of the present disclosure, a toner concentration sensor mounted in an image forming apparatus is exemplified.
Application example § 1
First, an example of a scene to which the toner concentration sensor 1 is applied will be described with reference to fig. 1, 4, 8, and 11. The toner concentration sensor 1 is mounted on an image forming apparatus 51 shown in fig. 11, for example. The image forming apparatus 51 is, for example, a color laser printer or the like. First, an outline of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 51 will be described.
The image forming apparatus 51 includes a document reading unit 52 in an upper portion thereof, forms an image in an image forming unit 53 based on document data read by the document reading unit 52, transfers the image to a sheet 54a fed from a sheet feeding unit 54 provided in a lower portion thereof, and discharges the image from an upper sheet discharging unit 55. A transfer belt 56 is provided on the image forming portion 53, toner is attached to a photosensitive drum 58 exposed by light from a light writing device 57, and the toner is primarily transferred to the transfer belt 56, thereby forming the image. When the sheet 54a is fed here, the image is secondarily transferred from the transfer belt 56 to the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet 54a is conveyed to the fixing unit 59, and the toner is fixed to the sheet 54a by heat and pressure.
In the figure, 60 denotes a charging roller, 61 denotes a developing sleeve, and 62 denotes a toner case. The image forming unit 63 having the above-described members and the photosensitive drum 58 is provided with four colors of yellow 63Y, magenta 63M, cyan 63C, and black 64B.
The toner concentration sensor 1 is provided to face the transfer belt 56 in the image forming apparatus 51, and detects the toner concentration of a toner patch for concentration detection formed on the transfer belt 56. In the configuration in which the transfer belt 56 is not provided, the toner concentration sensor 1 is provided in the image forming unit 63, and detects the toner concentration of the toner patch for concentration detection formed on the photosensitive drum 58.
As shown in fig. 1, the toner concentration sensor 1 is configured by mounting a housing 30, a lens unit 20, and a holder 40 on a rectangular substrate 10. As shown in fig. 3, the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving elements 12 and 13 are mounted on the surface of the element mounting surface 10a of the substrate 10. The substrate 10 is disposed in parallel with the optical paths of the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving elements 12 and 13. The case 30 is disposed on the element mounting surface 10a so as to cover the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving elements 12 and 13. The lens unit 20 is disposed on the edge 10f side of the substrate 10, and is held by the housing 30 and the holder 40.
As shown in fig. 8, an insertion structure 60 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit 20 and the mounting end surface on the housing 30 side that abuts against the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit 20. Specifically, the insertion structure 60 is provided on the upper end surface 24a of the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit 20 and the opening edge upper end surface 39 on the housing 30 side that is in contact with the upper end surface 24 a. The insertion structure 60 includes: a rib-like convex portion 24aa formed on the upper end surface 24a, and a groove-like concave portion 39a formed on the opening edge upper end surface 39.
In the conventional structure in which the upper end surface 24a of the lens unit 20 is positioned in contact with the opening edge upper end surface 39 on the housing 30 side, a gap is less likely to be generated between the upper end surface 24a and the opening edge upper end surface 39. However, when the lens unit 20 is positioned with the element mounting surface 10a or the extended surface 30aa of the housing 30 as a reference surface, a gap may be formed between the upper end surface 24a and the opening edge upper end surface 39 due to mounting variation or mounting tolerance.
However, with the above configuration, even if a gap is formed between the upper end surface 24a and the opening edge upper end surface 39 due to a mounting difference or a mounting tolerance, intrusion of disturbance light from the gap can be suppressed. The insertion structure is preferably provided at least on the side opposite to the side in contact with the reference surface. As a result, the toner concentration can be detected with high accuracy, and the image quality adjustment control of image forming apparatus 51 can be accurately performed, thereby improving the image quality.
In the present embodiment, the convex portion 24aa is formed on the upper end surface 24a and the concave portion 39a is formed on the opening edge upper end surface 39, but conversely, the concave portion may be formed on the upper end surface 24a and the convex portion may be formed on the opening edge upper end surface 39. In the present embodiment, the insertion structure 60 is provided only on the upper side where a gap is likely to occur. However, if necessary, the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit 20 and the housing 30 abutting against the outer peripheral portion, or the housing 30 and the holder 40 may have an insertion structure as a whole.
Construction example 2
(overview of the structure of the toner concentration sensor 1)
The toner concentration sensor 1 will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the toner concentration sensor 1 as viewed from above. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the toner concentration sensor 1 as viewed from below. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the toner concentration sensor 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the housing 30 of the toner concentration sensor 1 as viewed from below.
As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the toner concentration sensor 1 includes a substrate 10 formed in a rectangular shape, a case 30 and a holder 40 are attached to the substrate 10, and a lens portion 20 is disposed on an edge portion side of the substrate 10 in a state of being held by the case 30 and the holder 40. For convenience of explanation, the longitudinal direction of the substrate 10 will be referred to as the left-right direction, the thickness direction of the substrate 10 will be referred to as the vertical direction or the height direction, the side on which the lens portion 20 of the substrate 10 is disposed will be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear side.
As shown in fig. 3, a light emitting element 11 that emits light and light receiving elements 12 and 13 that receive light emitted from the light emitting element 11 and reflected by an object are mounted on the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10. Hereinafter, the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10 having the light-emitting element 11 and the light-receiving elements 12 and 13 mounted thereon is referred to as an element mounting surface 10 a. The light emitting element 11 is a light emitting diode, and the light receiving elements 12 and 13 are phototransistors, photodiodes, or the like.
The case 30 is disposed on the element mounting surface 10a of the substrate 10 and covers the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving elements 12 and 13. The holder 40 is disposed on the opposite surface 10b of the element mounting surface 10a of the substrate 10. The holder 40 is a light blocking member that prevents disturbance light from entering the lens portion 20 from the opposite surface 10b side of the substrate 10.
As shown in fig. 4, passages 31, 32, and 33 are formed in the housing 30, and the passages 31, 32, and 33 form an optical path of outgoing light emitted from the light emitting element 11 and an optical path of incident light incident on the light receiving elements 12 and 13, respectively. Further, shield walls 34, 34 are formed between the passages 31, 32 and between the passages 31, 33 of the housing 30, and the shield walls 34, 34 penetrate the notches 10c, 10c formed in the substrate 10 and protrude from the opposite surface 10 b. In addition, a plurality of partition walls 36 that partition the openings are formed in the openings of the passages 31, 32, and 33 of the housing 30. The lens portion 20 is disposed in front of the partition wall 36.
An installation opening 38 for installing the lens unit 20 is formed in the front portion of the housing 30. The opening edge of the installation opening 38 corresponds to the mounting end surface against which the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit 20 abuts. A recess 39a is provided in the opening edge upper end surface 39 on the housing 30 side, and a projection 24aa described later formed on the upper end surface 24a of the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit 20 is inserted into the recess 39 a. The insertion structure 60 is constituted by the convex portion 24aa and the concave portion 39 a.
As shown in fig. 3, the case 30 is fixed to the substrate 10 by fitting a plurality of fixing bosses 35 formed at both left and right ends of the case 30 into the holes 10e formed in the substrate 10. In a state where the case 30 is mounted and fixed on the substrate 10, the boss forming surface 30a on which the fixing boss 35 is formed is in contact with the element mounting surface 10a of the substrate 10. That is, the boss forming surface 30a corresponds to a surface of the case 30 side which is in contact with the element mounting surface 10a described later.
As shown in fig. 3, the lens unit 20 is located on the front edge portion side of the substrate 10, and is disposed in a notch 10d formed in the front edge portion while being held by the case 30 and the holder 40. The lens unit 20 includes lenses 21, 22, and 23 corresponding to optical paths of the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving elements 12 and 13, respectively. Hereinafter, the portion where the lenses 21, 22, and 23 are provided is referred to as a lens unit body 24. The lens unit main body 24 has ears 25, which will be described later, formed so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction. In addition, a convex portion 24aa constituting the insertion structure 60 together with a concave portion 39a formed in the opening edge upper end surface 39 on the housing 30 side is formed in the upper end surface 24a of the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit 20.
The holder 40 has a thick portion 42 at the front portion that enters the cutout portion 10d of the substrate 10, and supports the bottom surface of the lens portion 20 by the upper surface of the thick portion 42. Both ends in the left-right direction on the front side of the upper surface of the thick portion 42 serve as ear accommodating portions 41, 41 described later. In the holder 40, grooves 44, 44 into which the shielding walls 34, 34 of the case 30 are inserted are formed in the thin portion covering the opposite surface 10b of the substrate 10 so as to protrude from the opposite surface 10b of the substrate 10.
(positional relationship between light-emitting element 11 and light-receiving elements 12 and 13)
Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving elements 12 and 13 mounted on the toner concentration sensor 1. As shown in fig. 5, one light emitting element 11 and two light receiving elements 12 and 13 are arranged in parallel. The light emitting element 11 is disposed between the two light receiving elements 12 and 13. The light receiving element 12 is a first light receiving element that receives the normally reflected light of the reflected light emitted from the light emitting element 11 and reflected by the object Z, and mainly detects the density of the black toner. The light receiving element 13 is a second light receiving element that receives diffused reflected light of the reflected light irradiated and reflected from the light emitting element 11, and mainly detects the density of the yellow, magenta, and cyan color toners.
Here, the angle formed by the optical path of the irradiation light irradiated from the light emitting element 11 and the edge portion 10f of the substrate 10 is not a right angle. A perpendicular line drawn from an intersection Q of the object Z and the optical path of the irradiation light is L1. An angle θ 1 formed by the perpendicular line L1 and a straight line L2 connecting the intersection Q and the light-receiving element 12 is equal to an angle θ 2 formed by the perpendicular line L1 and a straight line L3 connecting the intersection Q and the light-emitting element 11. Further, an angle θ 3 formed by the perpendicular line L1 and a straight line L4 connecting the intersection Q and the light receiving element 13 is larger than an angle θ 1 formed by the perpendicular line L1 and the straight line L2.
By arranging the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving elements 12 and 13 in the above-described angular relationship, the regular reflection light is less likely to reach the light receiving element 13, that is, the regular reflection light and the diffused reflection light are separated and reach the respective light receiving elements, and therefore, the detection accuracy of the respective toner concentrations is improved.
(mounting structure of lens part 20)
The mounting structure of the lens unit 20 will be described with reference to fig. 3, 4, and 6 to 10. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the toner concentration sensor 1. Note that, in fig. 6, the housing 30 is indicated by a broken line. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of fig. 6, viewed in the direction of the arrows along the line a-D. Fig. 8 is a sectional view of fig. 6, viewed in the direction of the arrows along the line E-F. Fig. 9 is an image diagram illustrating the effect of the insertion structure 60 provided at the toner concentration sensor 1. Fig. 10 is an image diagram showing the intrusion of disturbance light in the case where the insertion structure 60 is not provided.
In fig. 7, a thick line X is a reference plane as a reference for positioning the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving elements 12 and 13 in the height direction (vertical direction) with respect to the substrate 10. The reference surface is a device mounting surface 10a of the substrate 10. The boss forming surface 30a of the case 30, which is in contact with the element mounting surface 10a, is also included in the thick line X and has the same height as the element mounting surface 10 a. In the present embodiment, the boss forming surface 30a that contacts the element mounting surface 10a is extended forward flush with the element mounting surface to form an extended surface 30aa, and the extended surface 30aa is used as a reference for positioning the lens unit 20 in the height direction of the substrate 10.
Specifically, as shown in fig. 3, ear portions 25, 25 are formed on the lens unit main body 24 of the lens unit 20 so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction, and upper surfaces 25a of the ear portions 25, 25 are brought into contact with an extension surface 30aa of the housing 30 from below. Since the lower portion contacts the extended surface 30aa of the housing 30, the positions of the ear portions 25, 25 naturally become the lower portion of the lens unit main body 24.
In the present embodiment, the ear portions 25, 25 extend rearward of the substrate 10, and ensure an area larger than the area formed by the thickness of the lens unit main body 24. This enables the upper surface 25a to be firmly in contact with the extension surface 30 aa.
The bottom surface of the lens unit 20 is supported by the upper surface of the layer thickness section 42 of the holder 40. The lower surfaces 25b of the ear portions 25, 25 are received by ear receiving portions 41, 41 formed at both ends in the left-right direction of the upper surface of the layer thickness portion 42. That is, the ear portions 25, 25 are held between the extension surface 30aa of the housing 30 and the ear receiving portions 41, 41 of the holder 40. The thick portion of the holder 40 has the same depth as the ear portions 25, 25 extending rearward of the substrate 10, and accommodates the entire lower surfaces of the ear portions 25, 25.
With the above configuration, the lens unit 20 shares a positioning reference plane in the height direction with respect to the substrate 10 with the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving elements 12 and 13. Thus, compared to a conventional structure in which a lens portion is in contact with the upper surface of a housing, the optical axis deviation between the light emitting element 11, the light receiving elements 12 and 13, and the lens portion 20 can be suppressed without being affected by mounting variations or mounting tolerances. In fig. 7, the optical axes of the light emitting element 11 and the lens 21 of the lens section 20 to be aligned are indicated by a dashed line Y.
In the present embodiment, through holes 27, 27 are formed in the ear portions 25, and through holes 43, 43 are also formed in the ear accommodating portions 41, 41 so as to communicate with the through holes 27, 27. In addition, fixing bosses (fixing protrusions) 37 fitted into the through holes 27 and 43 are formed on the extended surface 30aa of the housing 30 at portions corresponding to the through holes 27 and 43 communicating with each other. The lens unit 20 is held by the housing 30 and the holder 40 by fitting the convex portions into the through holes 27 and 43 communicating with the fixing bosses. With the above configuration, the lens unit 20 can be easily attached while being held by the housing 30 and the holder 40.
Even in a conventional structure in which the upper end surface 24a of the lens unit 20 is positioned in contact with the opening edge upper end surface 39 on the housing 30 side, a gap is less likely to be generated between the upper end surface 24a and the opening edge upper end surface 39. However, as described above, when the lens unit 20 positions the lens unit 20 with the extended surface 30aa of the housing 30 as a reference surface, a gap may be generated between the upper end surface 24a and the opening edge upper end surface 39 due to a mounting difference or a mounting tolerance. As shown in fig. 10, when a gap is generated, interference light may intrude from the gap between the upper end face 24a and the opening edge upper end face 39. In fig. 10, reference numerals 20 'and 30' denote lens portions and housings having no insertion structure.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 8, an insertion structure 60 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit 20 and the mounting end surface on the housing 30 side that abuts against the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit 20. Specifically, the insertion structure 60 is provided on the upper end surface 24a of the outer peripheral portion of the lens unit 20 and the opening edge upper end surface 39 on the housing 30 side that is in contact with the upper end surface 24 a. The insertion structure 60 includes: a rib-like convex portion 24aa formed on the upper end surface 24a, and a groove-like concave portion 39a formed on the opening edge upper end surface 39.
With the above configuration, as shown in fig. 9, even if a gap is formed between the upper end surface 24a and the opening edge upper end surface 39 due to a mounting difference or a mounting tolerance, it is possible to suppress intrusion of disturbance light from the gap. As a result, the toner concentration can be accurately detected, and the image quality adjustment control of image forming apparatus 51 can be accurately performed, thereby improving the image quality.
In the present embodiment, the extended surface 30aa of the housing 30 is used as the reference surface of the lens unit 20, but the element mounting surface 10a of the substrate 10 may be used as the reference surface.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
Description of the reference numerals
1 a toner concentration sensor; 10a substrate; 10a element mounting surface; 10f edge portion; 11 a light emitting element; 12, 13 light receiving elements; 20 lens parts; 21, 22, 23 lenses; a 24 lens unit main body; 24a upper end surface; a 24aa boss (insertion structure); 25 ear parts; 25b lower surface; 27, 43 through holes (communication holes); 30a housing; 30a boss forming face (contact face); a 30aa extension face; 31, 32, 33 pathways; 34 a shielding wall; 38 an opening for installation; 39 an upper end surface of the opening edge; 39a recess (insertion structure); 40 bracket (light shielding member); 41 an ear receiving portion; 42 thick portions; 51 an image forming apparatus.
Claims (4)
1. A toner concentration sensor is characterized by comprising:
a light emitting element;
a light receiving element that receives light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected by an object;
a substrate on the surface of which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are mounted and which is provided in parallel with an optical path of light emitted from the light emitting element;
a lens unit that is disposed on the edge of the substrate, transmits light emitted from the light-emitting element, and transmits light reflected by the object;
a housing that covers the light emitting element and the light receiving element;
the outer peripheral portion of the lens portion is held by the housing,
the outer peripheral portion and a mounting end surface of the housing side abutting against the outer peripheral portion have an insertion structure.
2. The toner concentration sensor according to claim 1,
the lens unit positions the substrate in a height direction using an extended surface extending flush with a surface of the substrate or a surface of the housing contacting the element mounting surface as a reference surface,
the insertion structure is provided at least on the opposite side of the side in contact with the reference surface.
3. The toner concentration sensor according to claim 2,
the lens unit includes:
a lens unit main body that transmits light emitted from the light emitting element and transmits light reflected by the object;
an ear portion formed to protrude further than the lens portion main body;
the ear portion is in contact with the element mounting surface or the extension surface.
4. An image forming apparatus is characterized in that,
the toner concentration sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is mounted.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2019170689A JP7327034B2 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2019-09-19 | Toner concentration sensor and image forming apparatus |
| JP2019-170689 | 2019-09-19 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN112526844A true CN112526844A (en) | 2021-03-19 |
Family
ID=74876612
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202010800422.2A Pending CN112526844A (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2020-08-11 | Toner concentration sensor and image forming apparatus |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP7327034B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN112526844A (en) |
Citations (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0050528A2 (en) * | 1980-10-21 | 1982-04-28 | Xerox Corporation | Toner concentration monitor |
| US4829321A (en) * | 1987-04-23 | 1989-05-09 | Hitachi Cable, Ltd. | Optical printer head with a light emitting diode array |
| JPH06167755A (en) * | 1992-12-01 | 1994-06-14 | Konica Corp | Exposure detection device for copying machine |
| JP2002333505A (en) * | 2001-05-11 | 2002-11-22 | Oki Data Corp | Lens array and exposure device |
| US20050057643A1 (en) * | 2003-09-12 | 2005-03-17 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Light source module, optical unit array and pattern writing apparatus |
| CN102681380A (en) * | 2011-03-15 | 2012-09-19 | 欧姆龙株式会社 | Toner density sensor and image forming apparatus |
| US20130243466A1 (en) * | 2012-03-15 | 2013-09-19 | Omron Corporation | Toner density sensor and image forming apparatus |
| JP2017125826A (en) * | 2016-01-15 | 2017-07-20 | オムロン株式会社 | Toner density sensor and image forming apparatus |
| CN106980249A (en) * | 2016-01-15 | 2017-07-25 | 欧姆龙株式会社 | Toner concentration inductor and image processing system |
| CN107526265A (en) * | 2016-06-16 | 2017-12-29 | 京瓷办公信息系统株式会社 | Image processing system |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3726750B2 (en) | 2001-12-28 | 2005-12-14 | 松下電工株式会社 | Photoelectric sensor and manufacturing method thereof |
| JP5290058B2 (en) | 2009-06-05 | 2013-09-18 | テルモ株式会社 | Component measuring device |
| JP5756912B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2015-07-29 | パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 | Reflective photoelectric sensor and manufacturing method thereof |
| JP2013113953A (en) | 2011-11-28 | 2013-06-10 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Optical sensor and image forming apparatus including the same |
| JP6121680B2 (en) | 2012-10-05 | 2017-04-26 | 日立オートモティブシステムズ株式会社 | Radar module and speed measurement device using the same |
-
2019
- 2019-09-19 JP JP2019170689A patent/JP7327034B2/en active Active
-
2020
- 2020-08-11 CN CN202010800422.2A patent/CN112526844A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0050528A2 (en) * | 1980-10-21 | 1982-04-28 | Xerox Corporation | Toner concentration monitor |
| US4829321A (en) * | 1987-04-23 | 1989-05-09 | Hitachi Cable, Ltd. | Optical printer head with a light emitting diode array |
| JPH06167755A (en) * | 1992-12-01 | 1994-06-14 | Konica Corp | Exposure detection device for copying machine |
| JP2002333505A (en) * | 2001-05-11 | 2002-11-22 | Oki Data Corp | Lens array and exposure device |
| US20050057643A1 (en) * | 2003-09-12 | 2005-03-17 | Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Light source module, optical unit array and pattern writing apparatus |
| CN102681380A (en) * | 2011-03-15 | 2012-09-19 | 欧姆龙株式会社 | Toner density sensor and image forming apparatus |
| US20130243466A1 (en) * | 2012-03-15 | 2013-09-19 | Omron Corporation | Toner density sensor and image forming apparatus |
| JP2013195066A (en) * | 2012-03-15 | 2013-09-30 | Omron Corp | Toner density sensor and image forming device |
| JP2017125826A (en) * | 2016-01-15 | 2017-07-20 | オムロン株式会社 | Toner density sensor and image forming apparatus |
| CN106980249A (en) * | 2016-01-15 | 2017-07-25 | 欧姆龙株式会社 | Toner concentration inductor and image processing system |
| CN107526265A (en) * | 2016-06-16 | 2017-12-29 | 京瓷办公信息系统株式会社 | Image processing system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2021047117A (en) | 2021-03-25 |
| JP7327034B2 (en) | 2023-08-16 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| KR20170053570A (en) | Optical sensor and image forming apparatus | |
| CN108427251B (en) | Optical scanning device, image forming apparatus, and housing | |
| US10503109B2 (en) | Optical sensor having an irradiating light separation component and image forming apparatus thereof | |
| KR102006048B1 (en) | Optical apparatus and image forming apparatus including the optical apparatus | |
| US10498920B2 (en) | Light scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus | |
| JP2013195066A (en) | Toner density sensor and image forming device | |
| CN112526843B (en) | Toner concentration sensor and image forming apparatus | |
| CN112526844A (en) | Toner concentration sensor and image forming apparatus | |
| JP6043380B2 (en) | Optical scanning apparatus, image forming apparatus including the optical scanning apparatus, and position adjustment method for synchronization detection sensor mounted on the optical scanning apparatus | |
| JP6512115B2 (en) | Toner density sensor and image forming apparatus | |
| KR20110115496A (en) | Image forming apparatus and structure for installing consumption goods thereof | |
| KR20170085948A (en) | Toner density sensor and image forming apparatus | |
| US8466948B2 (en) | Optical scanning device including a plurality of light sources | |
| JP7449158B2 (en) | Image forming device | |
| JP7483483B2 (en) | Image forming device | |
| JP6896807B2 (en) | Optical device and image forming device equipped with it | |
| JP4385595B2 (en) | Optical scanning device | |
| JP2023173236A (en) | optical sensor | |
| JP2023173237A (en) | optical sensor | |
| JP2022162609A (en) | Optical scanner and image forming apparatus | |
| JP2023173235A (en) | optical sensor | |
| JP2013164536A (en) | Optical scanner and image forming apparatus | |
| JP2006215352A (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
| JP2006259447A (en) | Optical sensor, printed circuit board and image forming apparatus | |
| JP2016151719A (en) | Optical scanning device and image formation device |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PB01 | Publication | ||
| PB01 | Publication | ||
| SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination | ||
| SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination |