The present disclosure relates generally to image forming devices and more particularly to a replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device having a magnetic sensor.
During the electrophotographic printing process, an electrically charged rotating photoconductive drum is selectively exposed to a laser beam. The areas of the photoconductive drum exposed to the laser beam are discharged creating an electrostatic latent image of a page to be printed on the photoconductive drum. Toner particles are then electrostatically picked up by the latent image on the photoconductive drum creating a toned image on the drum. The toned image is transferred to the print media (e.g., paper) either directly by the photoconductive drum or indirectly by an intermediate transfer member. The toner is then fused to the media using heat and pressure to complete the print.
The image forming device's toner supply is typically stored in one or more replaceable units that have a shorter lifespan than the image forming device. It is desired to communicate various operating parameters and usage information of the replaceable unit(s) to the image forming device for proper operation. For example, it may be desired to communicate such information as replaceable unit serial number, replaceable unit type, toner color, toner capacity, amount of toner remaining, license information, etc. The replaceable unit(s) typically include processing circuitry configured to communicate with and respond to commands from a controller in the image forming device. The replaceable unit(s) also include memory associated with the processing circuitry that stores program instructions and information related to the replaceable unit. The processing circuitry and associated memory are typically mounted on a circuit board that is attached to the replaceable unit. The replaceable unit also includes one or more electrical contacts that mate with corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device upon installation of the replaceable unit in the image forming device in order to facilitate communication between the processing circuitry of the replaceable unit and the controller of the image forming device. It is important to accurately position the electrical contacts of the replaceable unit relative to the corresponding electrical contacts of the image forming device in order to ensure a reliable connection between the processing circuitry of the replaceable unit and the controller of the image forming device when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. Accordingly, positioning features that provide precise alignment of the electrical contacts of the replaceable unit with corresponding electrical contacts of the image forming device are desired.
A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a top, a bottom, a front and a rear positioned between a first side and a second side of the housing. The housing has a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir is positioned on the front of the housing for exiting toner from the replaceable unit. An interface gear is positioned on the first side of the housing. At least a portion of the interface gear is exposed on the front of the housing for mating with a corresponding drive gear and receiving rotational force from the corresponding drive gear. A magnet is movable in response to rotation of the interface gear. A magnetic sensor on the housing is aligned with a point in a path of movement of the magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet when the magnet passes the magnetic sensor. An electrical contact is positioned on the second side of the housing for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit is electrically connected to the magnetic sensor for conveying an output of the magnetic sensor to a controller of the image forming device when the electrical contact of the replaceable unit is in contact with the corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces downward and is unobstructed from below permitting the corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device to contact the electrical contact of the replaceable unit from below.
Some embodiments include an electrical connector that includes the magnetic sensor and the electrical contact of the replaceable unit. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector is in the second position, the magnetic sensor is aligned with the point in the path of movement of the magnet and the electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces downward and is unobstructed from below permitting the corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device to contact the electrical contact of the replaceable unit from below. In some embodiments, the electrical connector is pivotable about a pivot axis between the first position and the second position.
Embodiments include those wherein the magnetic sensor is positioned on the second side of the housing and faces inward toward the second side of the housing.
Some embodiments include a developer roll rotatably positioned on the housing.
The outlet includes a portion of an outer surface of the developer roll exposed along the front of the housing for supplying toner from the reservoir to a corresponding photoconductive drum.
Some embodiments include a printed circuit board on the second side of the housing. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit is positioned on a first face of the printed circuit board and the magnetic sensor is positioned on a second face of the printed circuit board that is opposite the first face. In some embodiments, the magnetic sensor is positioned orthogonal to the second face of the printed circuit board. In some embodiments, the printed circuit board is pivotable between a first position and a second position and the first face of the printed circuit board faces inward toward the second side of the housing when the printed circuit board is in the first position and the first face of the printed circuit board faces downward when the printed circuit board is in the second position.
Embodiments include those wherein the magnet is positioned in the reservoir.
Embodiments include those wherein the magnetic sensor is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. The magnetic sensor is aligned with the point in the path of movement of the magnet when the magnetic sensor is in the second position.
A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to another example embodiment includes a housing having a top, a bottom, a front and a rear positioned between a first side and a second side of the housing. The housing has a reservoir for holding toner. A magnet is movably positioned on the housing. An electrical connector is positioned on the first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical connector includes a magnetic sensor. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit is electrically connected to the magnetic sensor. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves from a retracted position to an operative position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit is unobstructed to contact the corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device when the electrical contact of the replaceable unit is in the operative position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the magnetic sensor moves from a misaligned position to an aligned position with a point in a path of movement of the magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet when the magnet passes the magnetic sensor.
Embodiment include those wherein the electrical connector is pivotable about a pivot axis between the first position and the second position. In some embodiments, the electrical connector pivots outward from the first side of the housing and upward when the electrical connector pivots from the first position to the second position.
Embodiments include those wherein the electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces downward and is unobstructed from below when the electrical contact of the replaceable unit is in the operative position permitting the corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device to contact the electrical contact of the replaceable unit from below. In some embodiments, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces inward toward the first side of the housing when the electrical contact of the replaceable unit is in the retracted position.
Embodiments include those wherein the magnetic sensor faces inward toward the first side of the housing when the magnetic sensor is in the aligned position.
A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to another example embodiment includes a housing having a top, a bottom, a front and a rear positioned between a first side and a second side of the housing. The housing has a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir is positioned on the front of the housing for exiting toner from the replaceable unit. A rotatable shaft is positioned in the reservoir. A magnet is movable in response to rotation of the shaft. An electrical connector is positioned on the first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical connector includes a magnetic sensor. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit is electrically connected to the magnetic sensor. The electrical connector is pivotable about a pivot axis between a retracted position and an operative position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces downward and is unobstructed from below when the electrical connector is in the operative position permitting the corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device to contact the electrical contact of the replaceable unit from below. The magnetic sensor faces inward toward the first side of the housing and is aligned with a point in a path of movement of the magnet when the electrical connector is in the operative position for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet when the magnet passes the magnetic sensor.
Embodiments include those wherein the electrical connector pivots outward from the first side of the housing and upward when the electrical connector pivots from the retracted position to the operative position.
Embodiments include those wherein the electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces inward toward the first side of the housing when the electrical connector is in the retracted position.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings where like numerals represent like elements. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical, and mechanical changes, etc., may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Examples merely typify possible variations. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. The following description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to
In the example embodiment shown in
Controller 28 includes a processor unit and associated electronic memory 29. The processor unit may include one or more integrated circuits in the form of a microprocessor or central processing unit and may include one or more Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Memory 29 may be any volatile or non-volatile memory or combination thereof, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory and/or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM). Memory 29 may be in the form of a separate memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM), a hard drive, a CD or DVD drive, or any memory device convenient for use with controller 28. Controller 28 may be, for example, a combined printer and scanner controller.
In the example embodiment illustrated, controller 28 communicates with print engine 30 via a communications link 50. Controller 28 communicates with toner cartridge 100 and processing circuitry 44 thereon via a communications link 51. Controller 28 communicates with imaging unit 200 and processing circuitry 45 thereon via a communications link 52. Controller 28 communicates with media feed system 38 via a communications link 53. Controller 28 communicates with scanner system 40 via a communications link 54. User interface 36 is communicatively coupled to controller 28 via a communications link 55. Controller 28 processes print and scan data and operates print engine 30 during printing and scanner system 40 during scanning. Processing circuitry 44, 45 may provide authentication functions, safety and operational interlocks, operating parameters and usage information related to toner cartridge 100 and imaging unit 200, respectively. Each of processing circuitry 44, 45 includes a processor unit and associated electronic memory. As discussed above, the processor may include one or more integrated circuits in the form of a microprocessor or central processing unit and/or may include one or more Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The memory may be any volatile or non-volatile memory or combination thereof or any memory device convenient for use with processing circuitry 44, 45.
Computer 24, which is optional, may be, for example, a personal computer, including electronic memory 60, such as RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM, an input device 62, such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, and a display monitor 64. Computer 24 also includes a processor, input/output (I/O) interfaces, and may include at least one mass data storage device, such as a hard drive, a CD-ROM and/or a DVD unit (not shown). Computer 24 may also be a device capable of communicating with image forming device 22 other than a personal computer such as, for example, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or other electronic device.
In the example embodiment illustrated, computer 24 includes in its memory a software program including program instructions that function as an imaging driver 66, e.g., printer/scanner driver software, for image forming device 22. Imaging driver 66 is in communication with controller 28 of image forming device 22 via communications link 26. Imaging driver 66 facilitates communication between image forming device 22 and computer 24. One aspect of imaging driver 66 may be, for example, to provide formatted print data to image forming device 22, and more particularly to print engine 30, to print an image. Another aspect of imaging driver 66 may be, for example, to facilitate collection of scanned data from scanner system 40.
In some circumstances, it may be desirable to operate image forming device 22 in a standalone mode. In the standalone mode, image forming device 22 is capable of functioning without computer 24. Accordingly, all or a portion of imaging driver 66, or a similar driver, may be located in controller 28 of image forming device 22 so as to accommodate printing and/or scanning functionality when operating in the standalone mode.
Print engine 30 includes a laser scan unit (LSU) 31, toner cartridge 100, imaging unit 200 and a fuser 37, all mounted within image forming device 22. Toner cartridge 100 and imaging unit 200 are removably mounted in image forming device 22. In one embodiment, toner cartridge 100 includes a developer unit that houses a toner reservoir and a toner development system. In one embodiment, the toner development system utilizes what is commonly referred to as a single component development system. In this embodiment, the toner development system includes a toner adder roll that provides toner from the toner reservoir to a developer roll. A doctor blade provides a metered, uniform layer of toner on the surface of the developer roll. In another embodiment, the toner development system utilizes what is commonly referred to as a dual component development system. In this embodiment, toner in the toner reservoir of the developer unit is mixed with magnetic carrier beads. The magnetic carrier beads may be coated with a polymeric film to provide triboelectric properties to attract toner to the carrier beads as the toner and the magnetic carrier beads are mixed in the toner reservoir. In this embodiment, the developer unit includes a developer roll that attracts the magnetic carrier beads having toner thereon to the developer roll through the use of magnetic fields. In one embodiment, imaging unit 200 includes a photoconductor unit that houses a charge roll, a photoconductive drum and a waste toner removal system. Although the example image forming device 22 illustrated in
The electrophotographic printing process is well known in the art and, therefore, is described briefly herein. During a printing operation, laser scan unit 31 creates a latent image on the photoconductive drum in imaging unit 200. Toner is transferred from the toner reservoir in toner cartridge 100 to the latent image on the photoconductive drum by the developer roll to create a toned image. The toned image is then transferred to a media sheet received by imaging unit 200 from media input tray 39 for printing. Toner may be transferred directly to the media sheet by the photoconductive drum or by an intermediate transfer member that receives the toner from the photoconductive drum. Toner remnants are removed from the photoconductive drum by the waste toner removal system. The toner image is bonded to the media sheet in fuser 37 and then sent to an output location or to one or more finishing options such as a duplexer, a stapler or a hole-punch.
Referring now to
With reference to
Sides 108, 109 may each include one or more alignment guides 124 that extend outward from the respective side 108, 109 to assist with mating toner cartridge 100 to imaging unit 200. Alignment guides 124 are received by corresponding guide rails on imaging unit 200 that aid in positioning toner cartridge 100 relative to imaging unit 200. In the example embodiment illustrated, an alignment guide 124 is positioned on an outer side of each end cap 112, 113.
Toner cartridge 100 also includes a drive gear 126 positioned on side 108 of housing 102. In the embodiment illustrated, drive gear 126 mates with and receives rotational force from a corresponding drive gear on imaging unit 200 in order to provide rotational force to developer roil 120 and other rotatable components of toner cartridge 100 for moving toner to developer roll 120 when toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22. In the embodiment illustrated, drive gear 126 is mounted to a shaft of developer roll 120, coaxial with developer roll 120. In this embodiment, a front portion of drive gear 126 is exposed on the front 110 of housing 102, near bottom 107 of housing 102 and is unobstructed to mate with and receive rotational force from the corresponding drive gear on imaging unit 200. In the embodiment illustrated, drive gear 126 is rotatably connected to a drive train that is positioned between end cap 112 and side wall 114 of housing 102. The drive train aids in transferring rotational force from drive gear 126 to rotatable components of toner cartridge 100, including, for example, to a toner adder roll that provides toner from reservoir 104 to developer roll 120 and to one or more toner agitators that move toner in reservoir 104 toward the toner adder roll and that agitate and mix the toner in reservoir 104. In the example embodiment illustrated, drive gear 126 is formed as a helical gear, but other configurations may be used as desired.
Toner cartridge 100 also includes an electrical connector 130 positioned on side 109 of housing 102 that includes one or more electrical contacts 132 (
With reference to
In the example embodiment illustrated, imaging unit 200 includes a rotatable photoconductive drum 220 having a rotational axis 221 that runs along a side-to-side dimension 218 of housing 202, from side 208 to side 209. A rear portion of photoconductive drum 220 is open to toner cartridge receiving area 205 of frame 204 for receiving toner from developer roll 120 of toner cartridge 100. A bottom portion of photoconductive drum 220 is exposed from housing 202 on bottom 207 of housing 202. Toner on the outer surface of photoconductive drum 220 is transferred from the bottom portion of the outer surface of photoconductive drum 220 to a media sheet or intermediate transfer member during a print operation. Imaging unit 200 also includes a rotatable charge roll 222 in contact with the outer surface of photoconductive drum 220 that charges the outer surface of photoconductive drum 220 to a predetermined voltage.
Imaging unit 200 also includes a waste toner removal system that may include a cleaner blade or roll that removes residual toner from the outer surface of photoconductive drum 220. In the example embodiment illustrated, imaging unit 200 includes a waste toner reservoir 224 positioned at the front 210 of housing 202. Waste toner reservoir 224 stores toner removed from photoconductive drum 220 by the cleaner blade or roll.
Sides 208, 209 may each include one or more alignment guides 226 that extend outward from the respective side 208, 209 to assist with insertion and removal of toner cartridge 100 and imaging unit 200 into and out of image forming device 22. Alignment guides 226 are received by corresponding guide rails in image forming device 22 that aid in positioning toner cartridge 100 and imaging unit 200 relative to image forming device 22. Sides 208, 209 of frame 204 may each include a guide rail 228 that receives a corresponding alignment guide 124 of toner cartridge 100 to aid in positioning toner cartridge 100 relative to imaging unit 200.
Imaging unit 200 also includes a drive coupler 230 positioned on side 208 of housing 202. Drive coupler 230 mates with and receives rotational force from a corresponding drive coupler in image forming device 22 in order to provide rotational force to photoconductive drum 220 when imaging unit 200 is installed in image forming device 22. In the embodiment illustrated, drive coupler 230 is positioned at an axial end of photoconductive drum 220, coaxial with photoconductive drum 220. In this embodiment, an outer axial end of drive coupler 230 is exposed on side 208 of housing 202 and is unobstructed to mate with and receive rotational force from the corresponding drive coupler in image forming device 22. In the example embodiment illustrated, drive coupler 230 is configured to receive rotational force at the outer axial end of drive coupler 230, but other configurations may be used as desired. In some embodiments, charge roll 222 is driven by friction contact between the surfaces of charge roll 222 and photoconductive drum 220. In other embodiments, charge roll 222 is connected to drive coupler 230 by one or more gears.
In the embodiment illustrated, imaging unit 200 also includes a drive gear 232 attached to photoconductive drum 220, axially inboard of drive coupler 230. A portion of drive gear 232 is exposed to toner cartridge receiving area 205 of frame 204 permitting drive gear 126 of toner cartridge 100 to mate with drive gear 232 of imaging unit 200 when toner cartridge 100 is installed on frame 204 of imaging unit 200 to permit the transfer of rotational force received by drive coupler 230 of imaging unit 200 to drive gear 126 of toner cartridge 100 by way of drive gear 232 of imaging unit 200.
Imaging unit 200 also includes an electrical connector 240 positioned on a portion of frame 204 on side 209 of housing 202 that includes one or more electrical contacts 242 that to mate with corresponding electrical contacts in image forming device 22 when imaging unit 200 is installed in image forming device 22 in order to facilitate communications link 52 between controller 28 of image forming device 22 and processing circuitry 45 of imaging unit 200 as discussed in greater detail below.
In the embodiment illustrated, electrical connector 130 includes a printed circuit board 138 having electrical contacts 132 and processing circuitry 44 positioned thereon. Printed circuit board 138 may be attached by a suitable fastener or adhesive as desired. Electrical contacts 132 are positioned on a face 140 of printed circuit board 138. In the example embodiment illustrated, in the retracted position of electrical connector 130 shown in
Accordingly, in this embodiment, when electrical connector 130 moves from its retracted position to its operative position, electrical connector 130 pivots upward relative to housing 102 about pivot axis 134 with face 140 of printed circuit board 138 including electrical contacts 132 swinging upward and outward, away from side 109, about pivot axis 134. This movement is reversed when electrical connector 130 moves from its operative position to its retracted position wherein electrical connector 130 pivots downward relative to housing 102 about pivot axis 134 with face 140 of printed circuit board 138 including electrical contacts 132 swinging downward and inward, toward side 109, about pivot axis 134. In the example embodiment illustrated, when electrical connector 130 is in its operative position with face 140 of printed circuit board 138 facing downward, electrical contacts 132 are exposed from housing 102 and unobstructed from below permitting corresponding electrical contacts in image forming device 22 to contact and mate with electrical contacts 132 of electrical connector 130 from below. In this embodiment, when electrical connector 130 is in its retracted position with printed circuit board 138 swung downward and inward, toward side 109, electrical contacts 132 are partially hidden from view in order to help protect electrical contacts 132 and printed circuit board 138 from contamination, electrostatic discharge and physical damage.
Electrical connector 130 includes an actuation member 142 that is positioned to receive a force to overcome the bias applied to electrical connector 130 by biasing member 136 in order to move electrical connector 130 from its retracted position to its operative position. In the embodiment illustrated, actuation member 142 includes a cam surface 144 along distal end 131b of electrical connector 130 that extends forward, toward front 110 of housing 102, from a front end 131c of electrical connector 130 that is proximate to front 110 of housing 102. Cam surface 144 includes a bottom portion 144a that faces downward, toward bottom 107 of housing 102, when electrical connector 130 is in its operative position and an outer side portion 144b that faces outward, away from side 109 of housing 102, when electrical connector 130 is in its operative position. In the embodiment illustrated, bottom portion 144a of cam surface 144 angles upward relative to face 140 of printed circuit board 138, away from face 140 of printed circuit board 138 and electrical contacts 132, in a direction from rear 111 to front 110 of housing 102 and outer side portion 144b of cam surface 144 angles inward, toward pivot axis 134, in a direction from rear 111 to front 110 of housing 102.
While the example embodiment illustrated includes electrical contacts 132 positioned on printed circuit board 138 having processing circuitry 44, in other embodiments, printed circuit board 138 having processing circuitry 44 is positioned elsewhere on housing 102 and electrical contacts 132 are disposed on electrical connector 130 in the positions illustrated and are connected to processing circuitry 44 by suitable traces, wires or the like.
In the embodiment illustrated, front wall 249 of mount 246 includes an actuation member such as a cam surface 256 on a top edge of front wall 249 that contacts cam surface 144 of electrical connector 130 of toner cartridge 100 when toner cartridge 100 is installed on frame 204 of imaging unit 200 in order to move electrical connector 130 of toner cartridge 100 from its retracted position to its operative position as discussed in greater detail below. In this embodiment, cam surface 256 angles upward in a direction from side 208 to side 209 of housing 202. In the embodiment illustrated, an upstop 258 is spaced above cam surface 256 along a top edge of opening 254. Upstop 258 is positioned to limit the travel of electrical connector 130 of toner cartridge 100 from its retracted position to its operative position as discussed in greater detail below.
While the example embodiment illustrated includes electrical contacts 242 positioned on printed circuit board 244 having processing circuitry 45, in other embodiments, printed circuit board 244 having processing circuitry 45 is positioned elsewhere on housing 202 and electrical contacts 242 are disposed on electrical connector 240, e.g., on mount 246, in the positions illustrated and are connected to processing circuitry 45 by suitable traces, wires or the like.
When electrical connector 302 of image forming device 22 moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position, such as upon the opening of the access door of image forming device 22, the motion of electrical connector 302 is reversed such that electrical connector 302 passes out of opening 254 and moves away from toner cartridge 100 and imaging unit 200, returning to the position shown in
With reference to
Toner agitator assembly 160 includes one or more toner agitators 164 that extend outward from drive shaft 162 for mixing toner in reservoir 104 and for moving toner toward the toner adder roll of toner cartridge 100. Toner agitators 164 may take many different shapes and configurations depending on the architecture of toner cartridge 100 including, such as, for example, any suitable combination of one or more paddles, augers, rakes, combs, scoops, plows, arms, extensions, prongs, flaps, mixers, conveyors, screws, etc.
In the embodiment illustrated, toner agitator assembly 160 includes at least one permanent magnet 166 that moves within reservoir 104 in response to the rotation of drive shaft 162 and toner agitator assembly 160. In some embodiments, the movement of magnets) 166 during rotation of drive shaft 162 as sensed by magnetic sensor 150 provides an indication of the amount of toner present in reservoir 104. For example, magnet(s) may be positioned in one of the orientations described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,989,611, entitled “Replaceable Unit for an Image Forming Device Having a Falling Paddle for Toner Level Sensing,” U.S. Pat. No. 9,389,582, entitled “Replaceable Unit for an Image Forming Device Having Magnets of Varying Angular Offset for Toner Level Sensing,” or U.S. Pat. No. 9,519,243, entitled “Replaceable Unit for an Image Forming Device Having Magnets of Varying Angular Offset for Toner Level Sensing,” all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present application. In other embodiments, magnet(s) 166 may provide an indication of one or more characteristics of toner cartridge 100, such as, for example, toner cartridge type, toner color, toner capacity, geographic region of manufacture or use, etc. In the embodiment illustrated, magnet(s) 166 are positioned at an axial end of reservoir 104 proximate to side wall 115.
As shown in
It will be appreciated that the configuration of electrical connector 130 of toner cartridge 100 including the motion of electrical connector 130 between the retracted position and the operative position is not limited to the example embodiment illustrated. For example, the embodiment illustrated includes an electrical connector 130 that pivots between the retracted position and the operative position about a fixed pivot axis 134. However, in other embodiments, the location of the pivot axis of the electrical connector of the toner cartridge moves relative to the housing of the toner cartridge as the electrical connector of the toner cartridge pivots between the retracted position and the operative position.
Further, the embodiment illustrated includes a rigid electrical connector 130 including electrical contacts 132 positioned on a rigid printed circuit board 138. However, in other embodiments, the electrical contacts of the electrical connector of the toner cartridge are flexible relative to the housing of the toner cartridge permitting the electrical contacts to flex between the retracted position and the operative position. For example, the electrical contacts of the electrical connector of the toner cartridge may be formed on a flexible printed circuit board or the electrical contacts may be electrically connected to a printed circuit board mounted to elsewhere on the housing of the toner cartridge and positioned on or connected to a flexible substrate other than the printed circuit board.
Further, while the embodiment illustrated includes an electrical connector 130 of toner cartridge 100 that pivots between the retracted position and the operative position, it will be appreciated that the electrical connector of the toner cartridge may move in other manners relative to the housing of the toner cartridge between the retracted position and the operative position, such as, for example, translating between the retracted position and the operative position. For example,
It will also be appreciated that imaging unit 200 may include one or more actuation or cam features modified relative to cam surface 256 of the example embodiment illustrated as desired in order to actuate the electrical connector of the toner cartridge from the retracted position to the operative position during installation of the toner cartridge onto the imaging unit. Alternatively, the electrical connector of the toner cartridge may be actuated by other means, such as, for example, by a linkage actuated by the opening and closing of the access door of the image forming device or by a user-actuated mechanism.
While the example embodiment illustrated includes a magnetic sensor 150 positioned on an electrical connector 130 that moves between a retracted position and an operative position, in other embodiments including a magnetic sensor, either or both of magnetic sensor 150 and electrical contact(s) 132 may be fixedly positioned on housing 102 of toner cartridge 100 as desired.
While the example embodiment illustrated includes toner cartridge 100 having a movable electrical connector 130 and imaging unit 200 having an actuation member that moves electrical connector 130 from its retracted position to its operative position during installation of toner cartridge 100 onto imaging unit 200, this configuration may be reversed as desired such that the imaging unit includes a movable electrical connector and the toner cartridge includes an actuation member that moves the electrical connector from a retracted position to an operative position during mating of the toner cartridge with the imaging unit.
Although the example embodiment discussed above includes a pair of replaceable units in the form of a toner cartridge 100 that includes the main toner supply for the image forming device and the developer unit and an imaging unit 200 that includes the photoconductor unit for each toner color, it will be appreciated that the replaceable unit(s) of the image forming device may employ any suitable configuration as desired. For example, in one embodiment, the main toner supply for the image forming device is provided in a first replaceable unit and the developer unit and photoconductor unit are provided in a second replaceable unit. In another embodiment, the main toner supply for the image forming device, the developer unit and the photoconductor unit are provided in a single replaceable unit. Other configurations may be used as desired.
Further, it will be appreciated that the architecture and shape of toner cartridge 100 and imaging unit 200 illustrated in
The foregoing description illustrates various aspects of the present disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, it is chosen to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the present disclosure, including its various modifications that naturally follow. All modifications and variations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims. Relatively apparent modifications include combining one or more features of various embodiments with features of other embodiments.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/856,154, filed Apr. 23, 2020, entitled “Replaceable Unit for an Electrophotographic Image Forming Device Having a Magnetic Sensor,” which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/382,782, filed Apr. 12, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,649,399, issued May 12. 2020, entitled “Replaceable Unit for an Electrophotographic Image Forming Device Having a Magnetic Sensor.”
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16856154 | Apr 2020 | US |
Child | 16991339 | US | |
Parent | 16382782 | Apr 2019 | US |
Child | 16856154 | US |