US 12,436,100 B2
Moisture sensor and image forming apparatus
Yuki Tanaka, Chiba (JP); and Ryuichi Araki, Chiba (JP)
Assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on May 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/312,634.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-081724 (JP), filed on May 18, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0375471 A1, Nov. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 21/3559 (2014.01); G03G 15/00 (2006.01); G03G 15/16 (2006.01); G03G 21/20 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/3559 (2013.01) [G03G 15/1665 (2013.01); G03G 15/5029 (2013.01); G03G 15/5062 (2013.01); G03G 21/20 (2013.01); G01N 2201/0636 (2013.01); G03G 2215/00776 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A moisture sensor that detects moisture in an object, the moisture sensor comprising:
a first light-emitting element configured to emit light;
a second light-emitting element configured to emit light from a direction different from the first light-emitting element;
a first reflecting member configured to:
reflect light reflected from the object toward the object when the first light-emitting element emits the light; and
reflect light reflected from the object toward the object when the second light-emitting element emits the light;
a light-receiving element configured to:
receive light that is multiple reflected between the object and the first reflecting member when the first light-emitting element emits the light; and
receive light that is multiple reflected between the object and the first reflecting member when the second light-emitting element emits the light; and
a controller configured to determine an amount of moisture in the object based on a light reception result from the light-receiving element.