Patent ID: 7777174
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: B41J,G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: a 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, the light emitting element and the light receiving element being disposed to face each other; a sensor actuator including a light path shielding member and a rotating shaft configured to rotate in response to a recording medium being detected, the light path shielding member being configured to move between a first position to open a light path from the light emitting element to the light receiving element and a second position to cut off the light path in response to a recording medium being detected, and a light shield coupled to the sensor actuator such that the light shield moves in response to rotation of the sensor actuator, the light shield being configured to cover at least a part of the sensor and to reduce light other than light emitted from the light emitting element from entering the light receiving element when the light path shielding member is in the second position, the light shield including a first light shielding surface, the light shield being configured to be positioned such that a line passing through both the light emitting element and the light receiving element passes through the first light shielding surface when the light path shielding member is in the second position, the first light shielding surface extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotating shaft; wherein the light path extends substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotating shaft.