Abstract: A capacitive sensor to detect toner volume levels in a toner container within an image forming device includes opposed electrodes disposed within the interior of the toner container. The opposed electrodes form a capacitor characterized by an inherent capacitance that varies in response to an amount of toner that exists between the opposed electrodes. A corresponding sensor circuit is electrically coupled to the opposed electrodes and adapted to sense an instantaneous capacitance of the capacitor to determine the amount of toner that exists between the opposed electrodes. The opposed electrodes may have different shapes and configurations, including for example, plates disposed within the toner container or the interior walls of the container itself. The sensor circuit is configured to apply an alternating current signal to the opposed electrodes and sense an output voltage that is indicative of an instantaneous capacitance of the capacitor corresponding to toner volume within the container.

Abstract: A removable media tray for an image forming apparatus includes a housing, an exit port in the housing, a primary media stack, and a multi-purpose tray (MPT) input. Within the tray are first and second pick mechanisms operative to select a media sheet from the primary stack or MPT stack, respectively, and move the media sheet to the image forming apparatus through the exit port. A motor is disposed within the tray housing, and first and second drive assemblies operatively connect the motor to the first and second pick mechanisms, respectively. The motor drives the first pick mechanism forward by rotating in one direction, and drives the second pick mechanism forward by rotating in the opposite direction. A media sensor in the exit port senses media sheets from a variety of sources, including the primary media stack, the MPT stack, a duplex return path, or a large-capacity media sheet supply.

Abstract: A door assembly movably positioned to a body of an image forming device. The door assembly includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame is movably attached to the body, and the second frame is movably attached to the first frame. The movable connections between the frames and the main body cause accurate locating of a photoconductive member mounted on the door assembly within the body. In one embodiment, a contour surface within the body contacts the second frame to locate the second frame within the body. Methods of moving the door assembly are also disclosed including moving the door assembly from an open orientation that is spaced from the body, to a closed orientation that is in proximity to the body. The movement of the door assembly causes interaction between the frames and the body to accurately locate the second frame.

Abstract: A collimation assembly for a multi-beamed laser scanner including a collimation housing mounted to a printhead housing of the laser scanner, and at least two adjustment brackets supported on the collimation housing and located adjacent to each other in a cross-scan direction. Each of the adjustment brackets includes a mount member and a laser light source is supported within each of the mount members, each of the light sources defining a respective light beam axis. At least two collimation lenses are also provided supported on the collimation housing and intersected by one of the light beam axes. Each of the adjustment brackets is movable relative to the collimation housing in a scan direction and in the cross-scan direction to locate each of the light beam axes at a predetermined position relative to a respective collimation lens.