Patent ID: 9216872
Filing Date: 2015-12-22
Classification: B65H,G03G

Abstract:
1. A stack height sensor assembly for determining a media stack height in an image forming device, the stack height sensor assembly comprising: a support having a first arm depending therefrom forming a stationary actuating member, the support mountable adjacent to a media staging area in the image forming device; a drive assembly mounted on the support and consisting of a reversible motor operably connectable to a controller in the image forming device, the motor having a drive gear on an output shaft thereof; and an insertion assembly translateably mounted to the support, the insertion assembly having a home position adjacent the first arm, the insertion assembly consisting of: wherein, with the support mounted adjacent to the media staging area, the sensor and motor being operably connected to the controller and the insertion assembly in the home position, the stationary member actuates the sensor causing the output signal to be in the first state, and, wherein, energizing the motor by the controller for rotation in a first direction translates and extends the insertion assembly away from the home position and the stationary actuating member causing the output signal of the sensor to change to the second state, and, on continued extension, the bottom of the probe initially contacts one of a top of a stack of media when present in the media staging area and a surface of the media staging area, thereafter, the plunger and sensor continue to extend until the top end of the probe actuates the sensor with the output signal of the sensor changing to the first state, and, further wherein, with the insertion assembly being extended, energizing the motor by the controller to rotate in a second direction translates and retracts the insertion assembly toward the home position with the plunger initially being retracted while the biasing member holds the bottom end of the probe in contact with one of the top of the stack of media and the surface of the media staging area until the sensor has translated relative to the top end of the probe to a position where the top end of the probe ceases to actuate the sensor causing the output signal of the sensor to change to the second state, and, when the plunger returns to the home position, the stationary actuating member actuates the sensor causing the output signal of the sensor to change to the first state.