Patent ID: 11892794
Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 12:
13. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a fixing device configured to fix toner on a sheet, the fixing device including a heater and a fixing device frame configured to support the heater;
a chute configured to pivot between a path forming position at which the chute forms a portion of a conveying path downstream of the fixing device in a sheet conveying direction and a path opening position at which the chute opens the conveying path;
an optical sensor including a light-emitting element configured to emit light and a light-receiving element configured to receive light emitted from the light-emitting element; and
an actuator having:
a shaft extending in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction;
a first lever projecting from the shaft and configured to contact the chute; and
a second lever projecting from the shaft and configured to shield light emitted from the light-emitting element of the optical sensor,

wherein the actuator is movable to a first position where the first lever contacts the chute in a state where the chute is at the path forming position, a second position where the first lever and the chute are separated from each other in a state where the chute is at the path forming position, and a third position where the first lever and the chute are separated from each other in a state where the chute is at the path opening position, and
wherein the actuator and the optical sensor are supported by the fixing device frame.