Replaceable unit for an image forming device having a toner agitator that includes a magnet for rotational sensing
View Patent ↗A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an inner volume forming a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted to the shaft. The paddle includes a magnet that has a magnetic field detectable by a magnetic sensor for detecting the motion of the paddle.
1. A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:
a housing having an inner volume forming a reservoir for storing toner;
a rotatable shaft positioned within the reservoir; and
a toner agitator extending from and rotatably fixed to the shaft, the toner agitator having a magnet that has a magnetic field detectable by a magnetic sensor for detecting the motion of the paddle,
wherein the magnet is held in a cavity in the toner agitator by a friction fit.
2. The replaceable unit of claim 1 , wherein the toner agitator is axially positioned on the shaft next to an end wall of the housing.
3. The replaceable unit of claim 2 , further comprising a magnetic sensor mounted on an exterior portion of the end wall.
4. The replaceable unit of claim 3 , wherein the magnet is positioned near an axial end of the toner agitator adjacent the end wall.
5. The replaceable unit of claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic sensor mounted on an exterior portion of the housing positioned to detect the magnetic field of the magnet when the shaft rotates.
6. A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:
a housing having an inner volume forming a reservoir for storing toner;
a rotatable shaft positioned within the reservoir; and
a toner agitator extending from the shaft, the toner agitator having a magnet that has a magnetic field detectable by a magnetic sensor for detecting the motion of the paddle,
wherein the magnet is held in a cavity in the toner agitator by a friction fit.
7. The replaceable unit of claim 6 , wherein the toner agitator is axially positioned on the shaft next to an end wall of the housing.
8. The replaceable unit of claim 7 , further comprising a magnetic sensor mounted on an exterior portion of the end wall.
9. The replaceable unit of claim 8 , wherein the magnet is positioned near an axial end of the toner agitator adjacent the end wall.
10. The replaceable unit of claim 6 , further comprising a magnetic sensor mounted on an exterior portion of the housing positioned to detect the magnetic field of the magnet when the shaft rotates.