1. Field of the Invention
The present general inventive concept relates to an image forming apparatus. More particularly, the present general inventive concept relates to a printing media loading apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, an image forming apparatus includes a printing media loading apparatus that stores a certain amount of printing media and allows a pickup unit to pick up a printing medium. The printing media loading apparatus may include a main printing media loading means, a printing medium feeding cassette, an auxiliary printing media loading means, and a multi-purpose tray that can load a sheet or less than 50 sheets of printing media.
In order to allow a control portion of the image forming apparatus to know whether at least one printing medium is loaded on the printing medium feeding cassette and the multi-purpose tray, a paper sensor that can detect the presence of printing medium is disposed in each of the printing medium feeding cassette and the multi-purpose tray.
By using the paper sensor, the control portion can detect whether there is a printing medium on the printing medium feeding cassette and the multi-purpose tray, indicate the result to a user, prevent trouble due to malfunction, and perform a certain printing on a printing medium.
However, in a conventional printing media loading apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus, material cost is increased since sensors are disposed in both the printing medium feeding cassette and the multi-purpose tray to detect loading of the printing media. Also, since space is needed for disposing the two sensors, it is difficult to miniaturize the image forming apparatus.