Lubricant applicator, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge

摘要

A lubricant applicator includes a lubricant, a supply member contactable against the lubricant to supply the lubricant to a target, and a lubricant gauge to detect whether an amount of lubricant remaining is less than a threshold value. The lubricant gauge includes a rotary member rotatable about a shaft, a pressing member to press and rotate the rotary member as the lubricant is consumed, a contact part of the rotary member pressed by the pressing member, and a detection part of the rotary member opposite to the contact part across the shaft of the rotary member.

主权项

1. A lubricant supplying device, comprising:
a lubricant; a lubricant supplier to supply the lubricant to a lubricant supply target; a first electrode and a second electrode; and a detector to detect an electric resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the second electrode includes a fixed portion and a movable portion, and the movable portion of the second electrode moves towards the first electrode as the lubricant is consumed, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are in contact with each other when the amount of lubricant is less than a predetermined amount, and wherein the second electrode is free of direct contact with the lubricant when the amount of lubricant is greater than the predetermined amount.