Patent ID: 11860556
Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 22:
23. A process unit used in an image forming apparatus, the process unit comprising:
a frame including a storage portion configured to store developer;
a developer bearing member configured to bear the developer, the developer bearing member being supported by the frame;
a light emitting portion configured to emit light, the light emitting portion being one of an LED, a halogen lamp, and a fluorescent lamp; and
a light receiving portion configured to receive light emitted from the light emitting portion and having passed through an interior of the storage portion, the light receiving portion being one of a phototransistor and a photodiode,
wherein the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are supported by the frame and are arranged on a side of a surface, of the frame, that is opposite from a side of the developer bearing member in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the developer bearing member, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion being provided at a center portion of the storage portion of the frame with respect to the longitudinal direction of the developer bearing member.