CN113574470B

CN113574470B - Toner container with coding member and alignment guide for positioning sensor relative to coding member

Info

Publication number: CN113574470B
Application number: CN202080020729.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 小维吉尔·约翰逊; 兰德尔·斯科特·威廉姆森
Original assignee: Lexmark International Inc
Current assignee: Lexmark International Inc
Priority date: 2019-03-22
Filing date: 2020-03-17
Publication date: 2024-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-17
Also published as: CN113574470A; EP3942370A4; EP3942370A1; EP3942370B1

Abstract

A toner container includes a coding member coded with identification information of the toner container and operatively connected to an input gear of the toner container such that rotation of the input gear causes movement of the coding member for communicating the identification information to a sensor. The first alignment guide on the first side of the toner container includes a top surface that contacts the sensor housing from below unobstructed when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. At least a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is sloped upward and rearward for contacting and lifting the sensor housing upward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device to align the sensor with the exposed portion of the encoding member.

Description

Toner container with coding member and alignment guide for positioning sensor relative to coding member

Background

1. Disclosure field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to image forming devices and, more particularly, to a toner container having a coding member and an alignment guide for positioning a sensor relative to the coding member.

2. Description of related Art

In electrophotographic image forming devices, one or more replaceable toner containers may be used to supply toner for printing on a media sheet. Each toner container typically includes a toner agitator assembly that agitates and mixes the toner stored in the toner reservoir to prevent toner from agglomerating and moving the toner to the outlet of the toner container. It is generally desirable for each toner container to communicate characteristics of the toner container to the image forming device for proper operation. For example, it may be desirable to communicate information such as authentication or verification information, toner fill amount, toner color, toner type, and the like.

SUMMARY

According to one example embodiment, a toner container for an electrophotographic image forming device 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 of the toner container. The housing of the toner container has a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet on the front of the housing of the toner container is in fluid communication with the reservoir, the outlet for discharging toner from the toner container. An input gear is positioned at a first side of the housing of the toner container for mating with a corresponding output gear in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The toner container includes a coding member coded with identification information of the toner container and operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear causes movement of the coding member for transmitting the identification information of the toner container to a sensor of the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. At least a portion of the coding member is exposed on a first side of the housing of the toner container. A first alignment guide on a first side of the housing of the toner container is positioned axially outward of the encoding member relative to the rotational axis of the input gear and below the exposed portion of the encoding member. The first alignment guide includes a top surface that unobstructed contacts a sensor housing in the image forming device from below when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. At least a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is sloped upward and rearward toward the top and rear of the housing of the toner container for guiding insertion of the toner container through the front of the housing of the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, contacting and lifting up the sensor housing in the image forming device for aligning the sensor of the image forming device with the exposed portion of the encoding member.

Embodiments include those wherein the encoding member is rotatably coupled to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear results in rotation of the encoding member. In some embodiments, the coding member is positioned on an axially outer surface of the input gear facing away from the reservoir. In some embodiments, the top surface of the first alignment guide includes a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is positioned closer to the front of the housing of the toner container than the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is to the front of the housing of the toner container. The front portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is sloped upward and rearward toward the top and rear of the housing of the toner container. At least a portion of the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is positioned above the rotational axis of the input gear. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide extends rearward of the rotational axis of the input gear.

Embodiments include those wherein the first alignment guide extends laterally outward from the first side of the housing of the toner container.

Some embodiments include a second alignment guide on a first side of the housing of the toner container. In some embodiments, the second alignment guide includes a forward facing surface that faces the front of the housing of the toner container. The forward facing surface extends upwardly from a rear end of the top surface of the first alignment guide. When the toner container is mounted in the image forming apparatus, the forward facing surface is in unobstructed contact with a sensor housing in the image forming apparatus for limiting a position of a sensor of the image forming apparatus in a direction from a front of the housing of the toner container toward a rear of the housing of the toner container.

In some embodiments, the second alignment guide includes a first guide surface and a second guide surface. The second guide surface is positioned rearward of the first guide surface such that the second guide surface is positioned closer to the rear of the housing of the toner container than the first guide surface is to the rear of the housing of the toner container. The first guide surface slopes away from the first side and toward a rear, laterally outward, and rearward of the housing of the toner container. The second guide surface is inclined laterally inward and rearward toward the second side and toward the rear of the housing of the toner container. The first and second guide surfaces contact the sensor housing in the image forming device unimpeded during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device for axially moving the sensor housing in the image forming device relative to the rotational axis of the input gear during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device. In some embodiments, the second alignment guide is directed rearward along the first side of the housing of the toner container toward the exposed portion of the encoding member. In some embodiments, at least a portion of each of the first and second guide surfaces is positioned closer to the front of the housing of the toner container than the exposed portion of the encoding member is to the front of the housing of the toner container, and at least a portion of each of the first and second guide surfaces is positioned higher than a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide.

According to another example embodiment, a toner container for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 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 of the toner container. The housing of the toner container has a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet on the front of the housing of the toner container is in fluid communication with the reservoir for discharging toner from the toner container. The input gear is positioned at a first side of the housing of the toner container for mating with a corresponding output gear in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The toner container includes a coding member coded with identification information of the toner container and rotatably connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear causes rotation of the coding member for transmitting the identification information of the toner container to a sensor of the image forming apparatus when the toner container is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The coding member is positioned on an axially outer surface of the input gear facing away from the reservoir. A first alignment guide on a first side of the housing of the toner container is positioned axially outward of the encoding member relative to the rotational axis of the input gear. The first alignment guide overlaps an axially outer surface of the input gear as viewed from a first side of the housing of the toner container. The first alignment guide includes a top surface that unobstructed contacts a sensor housing in the image forming device from below when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. At least a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is sloped upward and rearward toward the top and rear of the housing of the toner container for bringing the insertion into contact with and lifting upward the sensor housing in the image forming device by the front of the housing of the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device for aligning the sensor of the image forming device with the encoding member.

Embodiments include those wherein the top surface of the first alignment guide includes a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is positioned closer to the front of the housing of the toner container than the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is to the front of the housing of the toner container. The front portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is sloped upward and rearward toward the top and rear of the housing of the toner container. At least a portion of the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is positioned above the rotational axis of the input gear. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide extends rearward of the rotational axis of the input gear.

In some embodiments, the second alignment guide includes a first guide surface and a second guide surface. The second guide surface is positioned rearward of the first guide surface such that the second guide surface is positioned closer to the rear of the housing of the toner container than the first guide surface is to the rear of the housing of the toner container. The first guide surface slopes away from the first side and toward a rear, laterally outward, and rearward of the housing of the toner container. The second guide surface is inclined toward the second side and toward the rear, laterally inward, and rearward of the housing of the toner container. The first and second guide surfaces contact the sensor housing in the image forming device unimpeded during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device for axially moving the sensor housing in the image forming device relative to the rotational axis of the input gear during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device. In some embodiments, at least a portion of each of the first and second guide surfaces is positioned closer to the front of the housing of the toner container than the rotational axis of the input gear is to the front of the housing of the toner container, and at least a portion of each of the first and second guide surfaces is positioned higher than a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide.

According to another example embodiment, a toner container for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 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 of the toner container. The housing of the toner container has a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet on the front of the housing of the toner container is in fluid communication with the reservoir for discharging toner from the toner container. The input gear is positioned at a first side of the housing of the toner container for mating with a corresponding output gear in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The toner container includes a coding member coded with identification information of the toner container and operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear causes movement of the coding member for transmitting the identification information of the toner container to a sensor of the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. At least a portion of the coding member is exposed on a first side of the housing of the toner container. A first alignment guide on a first side of the housing of the toner container is directed rearward along the first side of the housing of the toner container toward the exposed portion of the encoding member. The first alignment guide includes a first guide surface that slopes away from the first side and toward the rear, laterally outward, and rearward of the housing of the toner container. The first guide surface is in unobstructed contact with a sensor housing in the image forming device by a front portion of the housing of the toner container being brought into engagement with the sensor housing during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device for axially moving the sensor housing in the image forming device relative to an axis of rotation of the input gear during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

Embodiments include those wherein the encoding member is rotatably coupled to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear results in rotation of the encoding member. In some embodiments, the coding member is positioned on an axially outer surface of the input gear facing away from the reservoir. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first guide surface is positioned closer to the front of the housing of the toner container than the rotational axis of the input gear is to the front of the housing of the toner container, and at least a portion of the first guide surface is positioned higher than the rotational axis of the input gear.

Embodiments include those wherein the first alignment guide includes a second guide surface positioned rearward of the first guide surface such that the second guide surface is positioned closer to the rear of the housing of the toner container than the first guide surface is to the rear of the housing of the toner container. The second guide surface is inclined toward the second side and toward the rear, laterally inward, and rearward of the housing of the toner container. The second guide surface is in unobstructed contact with a sensor housing in the image forming device during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device for axially moving the sensor housing in the image forming device relative to the rotational axis of the input gear during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

Some embodiments include a second alignment guide on a first side of the housing of the toner container. The second alignment guide is positioned axially outward of the code member relative to the rotational axis of the input gear and below the exposed portion of the code member. The second alignment guide includes a top surface that unobstructed contacts a sensor housing in the image forming device from below when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. At least a portion of the top surface of the second alignment guide slopes upward and rearward toward the top and rear of the housing of the toner container for contacting and lifting the sensor housing in the image forming device upward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device to align the sensor of the image forming device with the exposed portion of the encoding member.

Some embodiments further include a third alignment guide on the first side of the housing of the toner container. The third alignment guide includes a forward facing surface that faces a front portion of the housing of the toner container. The forward facing surface extends upwardly from a rear end of the top surface of the second alignment guide. When the toner container is mounted in the image forming apparatus, the forward facing surface is in unobstructed contact with a sensor housing in the image forming apparatus for limiting a position of a sensor of the image forming apparatus in a direction from a front of the housing of the toner container toward a rear of the housing of the toner container.

According to one example embodiment, a method of installing a replaceable unit into an image forming device includes, as the replaceable unit advances during insertion into the image forming device, a first alignment guide on the replaceable unit contacting and lifting a sensor housing in the image forming device relative to a frame of the image forming device on which the sensor housing is installed. As the replaceable unit is further advanced during insertion into the image forming device, the first alignment guide contacts the sensor housing in the image forming device and holds the sensor housing in an aligned position in which the sensor on the sensor housing is vertically aligned with the coding member exposed on the exterior of the replaceable unit, allowing the sensor to read the identification information of the replaceable unit from the exposed portion of the coding member during operation. In some embodiments, the first alignment guide on the replaceable unit contacts and lifts the sensor housing in the image forming device relative to the frame of the image forming device, including the first alignment guide on the replaceable unit lifting the sensor housing in the image forming device against a downward spring bias on the sensor housing. In some embodiments, when the replaceable unit is advanced during insertion into the image forming device, the second alignment guide on the replaceable unit contacts the sensor housing in the image forming device and pushes the sensor housing against the spring bias on the sensor housing toward the frame of the image forming device and away from the replaceable unit, the spring bias on the sensor housing away from the frame of the image forming device and toward the replaceable unit as the replaceable unit is further advanced during insertion into the image forming device; and, since the spring on the sensor housing is biased away from the frame of the image forming apparatus and toward the replaceable unit as the replaceable unit is further advanced during insertion into the image forming apparatus, the second alignment guide on the replaceable unit contacts and allows the sensor housing in the image forming apparatus to move away from the frame of the image forming apparatus and toward the replaceable unit.

Brief Description of Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an imaging system according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge and imaging unit according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the toner cartridge shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of the toner cartridge shown in fig. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the toner cartridge shown in fig. 2-4, illustrating a toner agitator assembly of the toner cartridge, according to one example embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the toner cartridge shown in fig. 2-5, illustrating coding members of the toner cartridge according to one example embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation view of a coding member of a toner cartridge according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of a drive train of a toner cartridge according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a portion of the toner cartridge shown in fig. 2-6, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a sensor assembly of an image forming apparatus according to one example embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the sensor assembly shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of the sensor assembly shown in fig. 10 and 11.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view showing the position of a toner cartridge relative to a sensor assembly as the toner cartridge enters an image forming device, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view showing the position of the toner cartridge relative to the sensor assembly, with the toner cartridge further advanced in the image forming device from the position shown in FIG. 13, showing the axial alignment guide of the toner cartridge contacting the sensor housing of the sensor assembly.

Fig. 15A and 15B are top plan and side elevation views, respectively, showing the position of the toner cartridge relative to the sensor assembly, with the toner cartridge further advanced in the image forming device from the position shown in fig. 14.

Fig. 16A and 16B are top plan and side elevation views, respectively, showing the position of the toner cartridge relative to the sensor assembly, with the toner cartridge further advanced in the image forming device from the position shown in fig. 15A and 15B, showing the vertical alignment guide of the sensor housing of the contact sensor assembly of the toner cartridge.

Fig. 17A and 17B are top plan and side elevation views, respectively, showing the position of the toner cartridge relative to the sensor assembly, with the toner cartridge further advanced in the image forming device from the position shown in fig. 16A and 16B.

Fig. 18A and 18B are top plan and side elevation views, respectively, showing the position of the toner cartridge relative to the sensor assembly with the toner cartridge in its final installed position in the image forming device.

Detailed Description

In the following description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like elements. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical and mechanical changes 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 is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a block diagram depiction of an imaging system 20 is shown in accordance with one example embodiment. Imaging system 20 includes an image forming device 22 and a computer 24. Image forming device 22 communicates with computer 24 via a communication link 26. As used herein, the term "communication link" refers generally to any structure that facilitates electronic communication between components, and which may operate using wired or wireless technology, and may include communication over the internet.

In the example embodiment shown in fig. 1, image forming device 22 is a multi-function machine (sometimes referred to as An Integrated (AIO) device) that includes a controller 28, a print engine 30, a Laser Scanning Unit (LSU) 31, an imaging unit 200, a toner cartridge 100, a user interface 36, a media loading system 38, a media input tray 39, a scanner system 40, a drive motor 70, and a sensor 300. Image forming device 22 may communicate with computer 24 via a standard communication protocol such as, for example, universal Serial Bus (USB), ethernet, or IEEE 802. Xx. The image forming device 22 may be, for example, an electrophotographic printer/copier, including an integrated scanner system 40 or a stand-alone electrophotographic printer.

The controller 28 includes a processor unit and associated electronic memory 29. A processor may include one or more integrated circuits in the form of a microprocessor or central processing unit, and may be formed as one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The 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). The memory 29 may be in the form of a separate memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM), a hard disk drive, a CD or DVD drive, or any memory device convenient for use with the controller 28. The controller 28 may be, for example, a combined printer and scanner controller.

In the example embodiment shown, controller 28 communicates with print engine 30 via a communication link 50. The controller 28 communicates with the imaging unit 200 and the processing circuitry 44 thereon via a communication link 51. Controller 28 communicates with toner cartridge 100 and processing circuitry 45 thereon via communication link 52. Controller 28 communicates with media loading system 38 via communication link 53. The controller 28 communicates with the scanner system 40 via a communication link 54. User interface 36 is communicatively coupled to controller 28 via a communication link 55. The controller 28 communicates with the drive motor 70 via a communication link 56. Controller 28 communicates with sensor 300 via communication link 57. The controller 28 processes the print and scan data and operates the print engine 30 during printing and the scanner system 40 during scanning. Processing circuitry 44, 45 may provide authentication functions, security and operational interlocks, operational parameters, and usage information regarding imaging unit 200 and toner cartridge 100, respectively. Each of the processing circuits 44, 45 includes a processor unit and associated electronic memory. As discussed above, a processor 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). The memory may be any volatile or non-volatile memory or combination thereof or any memory device convenient for use with the processing circuitry 44, 45.

The computer 24 (optional) may be, for example, a personal computer that includes memory 60 (such as RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM), input devices 62 (such as a keyboard and/or mouse), and a display monitor 64. The computer 24 also includes a processor, an input/output (I/O) interface, and may include at least one mass data storage device, such as a hard disk drive, CD-ROM, and/or DVD unit (not shown). In addition to a personal computer, the computer 24 may also be a device capable of communicating with the image forming device 22, such as, for example, a tablet, smart phone, or other electronic device.

In the illustrated example embodiment, the computer 24 includes in its memory a software program comprising program instructions that function as an imaging driver 66 (e.g., printer/scanner driver software) for the image forming apparatus 22. Imaging driver 66 communicates with controller 28 of image forming device 22 via communication 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, providing 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 cause the collection of scanned data from scanner system 40.

In some cases, it may be desirable to operate image forming device 22 in a stand-alone mode. In the stand alone mode, image forming device 22 is capable of operating without computer 24. Thus, all or a portion of imaging driver 66, or a similar driver, may be positioned in controller 28 of image forming device 22 to accommodate printing and/or scanning functions when operating in a stand-alone mode.

Print engine 30 includes a Laser Scanning Unit (LSU) 31, a toner cartridge 100, an imaging unit 200, and a fuser 37, all mounted within image forming device 22. The image forming unit 200 is detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus 22, and the image forming unit 200 includes a developing unit 202, the developing unit 202 accommodating a toner reservoir and a toner developing system. In one embodiment, the toner development system utilizes what is commonly referred to as a one-component development system. In this embodiment, the toner development system includes a toner adder roller that provides toner from a toner reservoir of the development unit 202 to the development roller. The doctor blade provides a metered uniform layer of toner on the surface of the developer roller. In another embodiment, the toner development system utilizes what is commonly referred to as a two-component development system. In this embodiment, the toner in the toner reservoir of the developing unit 202 is mixed with the magnetic carrier beads. The magnetic carrier beads may be coated with a polymer film to provide triboelectric properties to attract toner to the carrier beads when the toner and magnetic carrier beads are mixed in the toner reservoir of the developing unit 202. In this embodiment, the developing unit 202 includes a magnetic roller to which magnetic carrier beads having toner thereon are attracted by using a magnetic field. The image forming unit 200 further includes a cleaner unit 204, and the cleaner unit 204 accommodates a photosensitive drum and a waste toner removing system.

Toner cartridge 100 is removably mounted in image forming device 22 in mated relationship with developer unit 202 of image forming unit 200. The outlet port on toner cartridge 100 communicates with the inlet port on developing unit 202, allowing toner to be periodically transferred from toner cartridge 100 to recharge the toner reservoir in developing unit 202.

Electrophotographic printing processes are well known in the art and are thus briefly described herein. During a printing operation, the laser scanning unit 31 generates a latent image on the photosensitive drum in the cleaner unit 204. Toner is transferred from a toner reservoir in the developing unit 202 to the latent image on the photoreceptor drum by a developing roller (in the case of a one-component developing system) or by a magnetic roller (in the case of a two-component developing system) to produce a colored image. The color image is then transferred to a media sheet received by the imaging unit 200 from the media input tray 39 for printing. The toner may be conveyed directly to the media sheet by the photosensitive drum or by an intermediate conveying member that receives toner from the photosensitive drum. The remaining toner is removed from the photosensitive drum by a waste toner removal system. The toner image is combined to the media sheet in fuser 37 and then sent to an output location or one or more finishing options, such as a duplex printer, stapler, or punch.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a toner cartridge 100 and an imaging unit 200 are shown, according to an example embodiment. The image forming unit 200 includes a developing unit 202 mounted on a common frame 206 and a cleaner unit 204. Developing unit 202 includes a toner inlet port 208 positioned to receive toner from toner cartridge 100. As described above, the image forming unit 200 and the toner cartridge 100 are each detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus 22. The image forming unit 200 is first slidably inserted into the image forming apparatus 22. As indicated by arrow a shown in fig. 2, toner cartridge 100 is then inserted into image forming device 22 and onto frame 206 in mating relationship with developer unit 202 of imaging unit 200, arrow a in fig. 2 also indicating the direction of insertion of imaging unit 200 and toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22. This arrangement allows toner cartridge 100 to be easily removed and reinserted when empty toner cartridge 100 is replaced without removing imaging unit 200. The imaging unit 200 may also be easily removed as desired to facilitate maintenance, repair, or replacement of components associated with the developer unit 202, cleaner unit 204, or frame 206, or to remove jams of media.

Referring to fig. 2-5, toner cartridge 100 includes a housing 102, housing 102 having a closed reservoir 104 (fig. 5) for storing toner. The housing 102 includes a top 106, a bottom 107, first and second sides 108 and 109, a front 110, and a rear 111. During insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22, front 110 of housing 102 is forward and rear 111 is rearward. In one embodiment, each side 108, 109 of the housing 102 includes an end cap 112, 113, for example, the end caps 112, 113 being mounted to side walls 114, 115 of a body 116 of the housing 102 by fasteners or snap-fit engagement. In this embodiment, housing 102 includes a main body 116 and various attachments thereto (directly and indirectly) to form an integral body of toner cartridge 100, including, for example, end caps 112, 113. An outlet port 118 in fluid communication with reservoir 104 is positioned on front 110 of housing 102, adjacent side 109, for allowing toner to exit toner cartridge 100. Housing 102 may include feet 120 on bottom 107 to facilitate insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22 and to support housing 102 when toner cartridge 100 is placed on a flat surface. Handle 122 may be disposed on top 106 or rear 111 of housing 102 to facilitate insertion and removal of toner cartridge 100 from image forming device 22.

Sides 108, 109 may each include a positioning guide 124, with positioning guide 124 extending outwardly from the respective side 108, 109 to facilitate insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22. Positioning guides 124 ride in corresponding guide slots in image forming device 22 that guide the insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22. In the example embodiment shown, the positioning guide 124 is positioned on the outside of each end cap 112, 113. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the positioning guide 124 may move along a front-to-rear dimension 126 (front-to-rear dimension) of the housing 102, the front-to-rear dimension 126 extending from the front 110 to the rear 111.

Referring to fig. 5, in the illustrated example embodiment, toner agitator assembly 130 is rotatably positioned within toner reservoir 104. Toner agitator assembly 130 includes a screw 132 having a first end 132a and a second end 132b and a helical thread. The screw 132 is positioned in the channel 128, the channel 128 extending along the front 110 of the housing 102 from the side wall 114 to the side wall 115. When toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22, channel 128 is oriented substantially horizontally. The auger 132 includes an axis of rotation 133. In operation, the auger 132 rotates in an operational rotational direction 138. Rotation of auger 132 in operational rotational direction 138 delivers toner in channel 128 to outlet port 118 positioned at the bottom of channel 128 such that gravity assists in exiting the toner through outlet port 118. The channel 128 includes an opening portion 128a and may include a closing portion 128b. Opening portion 128a opens to toner reservoir 104 and extends from sidewall 114 to second end 132b of auger 132. A closing portion 128b of the channel 128 extends from the sidewall 115 and closes the second end 132b of the auger 132. In this embodiment, the outlet port 118 is positioned at the bottom of the closed portion 128b of the channel 128.

Toner agitator assembly 130 also includes a rotatable drive shaft 134 and one or more toner agitators 136, with one or more toner agitators 136 extending outwardly from drive shaft 134 in an extended fashion. The drive shaft 134 includes an axis of rotation 135. In the example embodiment shown, the rotational axis 135 of the drive shaft 134 is parallel to the rotational axis 133 of the auger 132. In operation, the drive shaft 134 rotates in an operational rotational direction 139. When drive shaft 134 rotates in operational rotational direction 139, toner agitator 136 rotates with drive shaft 134 about rotational axis 135. As drive shaft 134 rotates in operational rotational direction 139, toner agitator 136 agitates and mixes the toner stored in toner reservoir 104 and, in the illustrated embodiment, moves the toner toward channel 128, where auger 132 moves the toner to outlet port 118. In the example embodiment shown, the first and second ends of the drive shaft 134 extend through aligned openings in the side walls 114, 115, respectively. However, other positions and orientations of the drive shaft 134 may be employed as desired. A bushing may be provided on the inside of each side wall 114, 115, i.e. where the drive shaft 134 passes through the side walls 114, 115.

A drive train 140 on the housing 102 is operably connected to the auger 132 and the drive shaft 134 and may be positioned within the space formed between the end cap 112 and the side wall 114. The transmission system 140 includes an input gear 142 that engages a corresponding output gear in the image forming device 22 that provides rotational motion from the drive motor 70 in the image forming device 22 to the input gear 142. The input gear 142 is rotatable about an axis of rotation 141. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis of rotation 141 is orthogonal to the front-to-back dimension 126. As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, a front portion of the input gear 142 is exposed at the front 110 of the housing 102 near the top 106 of the housing 102 where the input gear 142 engages the output gear in the image forming device 22. In the illustrated embodiment, a forward portion of the input gear 142 is exposed in a cutout 158 formed in a forward portion of the end cap 112. Referring back to fig. 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the transmission system 140 further includes a drive gear 144 on one end of the drive shaft 134, the drive gear 144 being connected to the input gear 142, either directly or via one or more intermediate gears, to rotate the drive shaft 134. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive system 140 further includes a drive gear 146 located on the first end 132a of the auger 132, the drive gear 146 being connected to the input gear 142, either directly or via one or more intermediate gears, to rotate the auger 132.

Referring to fig. 5-7, toner cartridge 100 includes an encoding member 150, encoding member 150 being movably coupled to drive system 140, directly or indirectly coupled to input gear 142. In the example embodiment shown, the encoding member 150 includes a rotatable disk 152, the rotatable disk 152 being operatively connected to the drive train 140, such as, for example, positioned on the outboard surface 143 of the input gear 142, as shown coaxial with the input gear 142. The disc 152 may be integrally formed with the input gear 142 or separately attached to the input gear 142. In other embodiments, the encoding member 150 is translatable, such as by a rack and pinion arrangement or a cam and follower arrangement, for example. Information about toner cartridge 100 is encoded on encoding member 150. When toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22, sensor 300 in image forming device 22 may detect encoding member 150, allowing sensor 300 to communicate encoded information of toner cartridge 100 to controller 28 of image forming device 22 via communication link 57. The encoded information may include, for example, authentication information such as a signature, serial number, or other identification for authenticating or verifying toner cartridge 100, which may be performed during installation of toner cartridge 100 in image forming device 22 or periodically during use of toner cartridge 100. The encoded information may include, for example, characteristics of the toner cartridge 100 such as toner color, initial toner fill amount, toner type, geographic area, manufacturing location, manufacturing date, etc.

In the example embodiment shown, the authentication information is encoded on the encoding member 150 by randomly distributed magnetized particles 154 dispersed on the disc 152 (e.g., on the surface of the disc 152 and/or within the disc 152). The particles 154 are randomly distributed, making the precise distribution and alignment of the particles 154 difficult to reproduce, thereby making the distribution difficult to replicate. In this embodiment, when toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22, sensor 300 is positioned adjacent to encoding member 150, such as adjacent to and facing the outer side of disk 152 as schematically shown in FIG. 7. At a predetermined time, such as when a new toner cartridge is installed in image forming device 22, sensor 300 measures the magnetic field of disk 152 in one, two, or three orthogonal dimensions as disk 152 rotates due to rotation of input gear 142 by motor 70. The magnetic field values measured by the sensor 300 are communicated to the controller 28 via the communication link 57. Controller 28 may then compare the magnetic field value received from sensor 300 to a value stored in non-volatile memory of processing circuitry 45 of toner cartridge 100 during manufacture. If the magnetic field value received from sensor 300 matches a value stored in non-volatile memory of processing circuitry 45, controller 28 may confirm to controller 28 the authenticity of toner cartridge 100.

While the illustrated example embodiment includes information encoded by a random distribution of magnetized particles and detection by measuring the magnetic field of the particles, it should be understood that the information may be encoded by a random distribution of non-magnetized particles and detection may be performed according to other means, such as, for example, by measuring the optical properties of the particles. Furthermore, instead of a random pattern, the information may be encoded according to a predetermined pattern using any suitable marking and detection method. However, as described above, it is preferable to encode the authentication information according to a random pattern, so that the encoded authentication information is more difficult for a counterfeiter to reproduce.

Referring to fig. 6, in the example embodiment shown, at least a portion of encoding member 150 is exposed outside of toner cartridge 100 (e.g., above rotational axis 141 of input gear 142) for reading by sensor 300. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the encoding member 150 is exposed through a cutout 156 in the end cap 112, the cutout 156 being positioned above the rotational axis 141 of the input gear 142. Although to ensure accurate reading of the encoded member 150, it is preferred that at least a portion of the encoded member 150 be exposed for reading by the sensor 300, in other embodiments, the encoded member 150 may be covered by a relatively thin material, such as in lieu of the cutout 156, so long as the sensor 300 is still able to accurately read the encoded member 150 through the material.

Fig. 8 illustrates the transmission system 140 in more detail according to an example embodiment. In the illustrated example embodiment, input gear 142 is a compound gear that includes a first portion 142a and a second portion 142b, first portion 142a mating with a corresponding output gear in image forming device 22 when toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22, second portion 142b meshing with drive gear 144 to provide rotational motion to drive shaft 134. The first portion 142a of the input gear 142 is also meshed with an idler gear 147, and the idler gear 147 is then meshed with a compound idler gear 148. The compound idler 148 includes a first portion 148a that engages the idler 147 and a second portion 148b that engages the drive gear 146 to provide rotational movement to the auger 132. It should be appreciated that the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is only one example, and that transmission system 140 may take many suitable configurations for transmitting rotational motion from input gear 142 to toner agitator assembly 130 and encoding member 150.

In some embodiments, in operation, controller 28 drives motor 70 in a first rotational direction to drive toner agitator assembly 130 and motor 70 in a second rotational direction to perform a reading of encoding member 150 by sensor 300. Specifically, when controller 28 drives motor 70 in the first rotational direction, input gear 142 rotates in first rotational direction 149a, and subsequently, auger 132 and drive shaft 134 are rotated in operational rotational directions 138, 139 to charge toner from toner cartridge 100 to developing unit 202. When the controller 28 drives the motor 70 in the second rotational direction, the input gear 142 rotates in the second rotational direction 149 b. The sensor 300 is configured to read the encoding member 150 as the input gear 142 rotates in the direction of rotation 149 b. In this manner, sensor 300 is able to perform a reading of code member 150 independent of the toner loading operation so that the authenticity or validity of toner cartridge 100 may be checked prior to the first use of toner cartridge 100 or at other times when toner cartridge 100 is not being used.

In some embodiments, toner agitator assembly 130 includes a one-way clutch that limits rotational movement of at least one component of toner agitator assembly 130 to an operational rotational direction of that component. For example, the one-way clutch may limit the auger 132 and/or the drive shaft 134 to the operational rotational directions 138, 139 of the auger 132 and/or the drive shaft 134. For example, the one-way clutch may be operably connected to the drive gear 144 such that when the input gear 142 rotates in the rotational direction 149a, the drive shaft 134 rotates in the operational rotational direction 139 and when the input gear 142 rotates in the rotational direction 149b, the drive shaft 134 is uncoupled and does not rotate with the input gear 142. In this way, when sensor 300 reads encoding member 150, drive shaft 134 and toner agitator 136 do not rotate. Thus, torque from toner stored in reservoir 104 on drive shaft 134 and toner agitator 136 does not affect movement of encoding member 150, thereby allowing for better control of encoding member 150 when sensor 300 performs a reading of encoding member 150 and improving the accuracy of the reading performed by sensor 300. Further, in some embodiments, toner agitator 136 may include a flexible wiper that may be displaced or damaged when rotated opposite operational rotational direction 139. Decoupling the drive shaft 134 from the input gear 142 prevents this from occurring when the input gear 142 rotates in the rotational direction 149 b.

Referring again to fig. 6, toner cartridge 100 includes a vertical alignment guide 160 positioned on side 108 of housing 102 (e.g., on the outside of end cap 112). In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment guide 160 is positioned axially outward of the input gear 142 and the encoding member 150 relative to the rotational axis 141. In this embodiment, the alignment guide 160 is positioned below the portion of the coding member 150 exposed by the cutout 156. Alignment guide 160 is positioned to contact the housing of sensor 300 when toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22 and to vertically position sensor 300 relative to encoding member 150, as discussed in more detail below. Alignment guide 160 includes a top surface 162 that contacts the housing of sensor 300 from below in the clear (i.e., unobstructed by any other portion of toner cartridge 100) to lift sensor 300 upward during insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22, and to support the housing of sensor 300 from below when toner cartridge 100 is in the final installed position of toner cartridge 100 in image forming device 22 to maintain vertical alignment of sensor 300 with encoding member 150 during operation, as discussed in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment guide 160 is formed to extend laterally outward from the side 108 of the housing, such as away from the outside of the end cap 112. The top surface 162 includes a front portion 164 and a rear portion 166. In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 164 and the rear portion 166 combine to form a continuous top surface 162. The front portion 164 of the top surface 162 is positioned further forward (toward the front 110 of the housing 102) than the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162. That is, the front portion 164 of the top surface 162 is positioned closer to the front 110 of the housing 102 than the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 is to the front 110 of the housing 102, and the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 is positioned closer to the rear 111 of the housing 102 than the front portion 164 of the top surface 162 is to the rear 111 of the housing 102.

The front portion 164 of the top surface 162 of the alignment guide 160 slopes upward and rearward toward the top 106 and the rear 111 such that the front portion 164 of the top surface 162 is positioned higher as the front portion 164 extends rearward toward the rear 111 of the housing 102. The front portion 164 of the top surface 162 may include upwardly and rearwardly sloped flat surfaces (including one or more flat panels), upwardly and rearwardly sloped curved surfaces (e.g., convex surfaces as viewed from above), or a combination thereof. As discussed in more detail below, during insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22, front portion 164 of top surface 162 contacts the housing of sensor 300 and, due to the inclination of front portion 164 of top surface 162, lifts sensor 300 upward relative to toner cartridge 100. The front portion 164 of the top surface 162 is directed rearward toward the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the front portion 164 of the top surface 162 extends lower than the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162.

As discussed in more detail below, rear portion 166 of top surface 162 of alignment guide 160 contacts the housing of sensor 300 and sets the final vertical position of sensor 300 relative to toner cartridge 100 when toner cartridge 100 is in the final installed position of toner cartridge 100 in image forming device 22 in order to vertically align sensor 300 with disk 152 of encoding member 150 during operation of toner cartridge 100. In the example embodiment shown, the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 is positioned above the rotational axis 141 of the input gear 142 and the disk 152, and at least a portion of the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 extends rearward (toward the rear 111 of the housing 102) of the rotational axis 141 of the input gear 142 and the disk 152. However, the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 may be in other positions relative to the axis of rotation 141, depending on the position of the segment of the encoding member 150 to be read by the sensor 300.

The rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 overlaps the outer side surface 143 of the input gear 142, including the portion of the code member 150 on the input gear 142 exposed through the cutout 156, as shown from the side 108 of the housing 102 (i.e., as shown in fig. 6), to allow the sensor 300 to read the code member 150 when the housing of the sensor 300 is in contact with the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutout 156 extends upwardly from the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 such that a portion of the code member 150 is exposed directly above the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 for reading by the sensor 300. In the example embodiment shown, the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 is positioned below the topmost of the gear teeth of the input gear 142 and below at least a portion of the magnetized particles 154 on the disk 152 of the encoded member 150 to allow the sensor 300 to read the encoded member 150 when the housing of the sensor 300 is in contact with the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162. In the illustrated embodiment, rear portion 166 of top surface 162 is positioned proximate encoding member 150 (e.g., spaced a few millimeters from encoding member 150 along the axial dimension of input gear 142) to allow sensor 300 to be positioned adjacent encoding member 150 when toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22.

In some embodiments, the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 is formed from a flat portion of the top surface 162. In the example embodiment shown, rear portion 166 of top surface 162 is parallel to bottom contact surface 125 of positioning guide 124 on side 108 of toner cartridge 100. When toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22, bottom contact surface 125 of positioning guide 124 contacts a top surface of a corresponding guide rail in image forming device 22 to define a vertical position of toner cartridge 100 relative to image forming device 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom contact surface 125 of the positioning guide 124 is defined by a pair of rounded bottom contact surfaces 125a, 125b, the pair of rounded bottom contact surfaces 125a, 125b extending downwardly in a convex manner from the remainder of the positioning guide 124. As shown in fig. 6, an imaginary line 125c formed by the bottommost points of the circular bottom contact surfaces 125a, 125b of the positioning guide 124 on the side 108 of the housing 102 is parallel to the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 as depicted by imaginary line 168.

In some embodiments, toner cartridge 100 also includes a rear stop 170 positioned on side 108 of housing 102 (e.g., positioned on the outside of end cap 112). The stopper 170 is positioned at the rear end portion of the alignment guide 160. The stop 170 includes a forward facing surface 172 that faces the front 110 of the housing 102. The forward facing surface 172 may comprise, for example, a vertical or substantially vertical surface. The forward facing surface 172 contacts the housing of the sensor 300 unobstructed (i.e., unobstructed by any other portion of the toner cartridge 100) to limit the position of the sensor 300 in the direction of the front-to-back dimension 126 from the front 110 toward the rear 111 when the toner cartridge 100 is in the final installed position of the toner cartridge 100 in the image forming device 22, thereby ensuring that the sensor 300 is aligned with the encoding member 150 along the front-to-back dimension 126. In the example embodiment shown, the forward facing surface 172 extends upwardly from the rear end of the rear portion 166 of the top surface 162 of the alignment guide 160, and the forward facing surface 172 is spaced rearward (toward the rear 111 of the housing 102) from the rotational axis 141 of the input gear 142 and the disc 152.

Referring to fig. 6 and 9, in the illustrated example embodiment, toner cartridge 100 includes an axial alignment guide 180 positioned on side 108 of housing 102 (e.g., positioned on the outside of end cap 112). As discussed in more detail below, alignment guide 180 is positioned to contact the housing of sensor 300 during insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22 and axially move the housing of sensor 300 relative to rotational axis 141 to ensure that the housing of sensor 300 does not interfere with the leading edges of input gear 142 and disk 152 and to guide the housing of sensor 300 to cutout 156 for reading encoding member 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment guide 180 is positioned directly in front of the cutout 156, with the alignment guide 180 being closer to the front 110 of the housing 102 than the cutout 156 is to the front 110 of the housing 102. The alignment guide 180 is directed back along the side 108 of the housing 102 toward the portion of the coding member 150 exposed by the cutout 156.

The alignment guide 180 includes a first guide surface 182 and a second guide surface 184 positioned rearward of the first guide surface 182. That is, the first guide surface 182 is positioned closer to the front 110 of the housing 102 than the second guide surface 184 is to the front 110 of the housing 102, and the second guide surface 184 is positioned closer to the rear 111 of the housing 102 than the first guide surface 182 is to the rear 111 of the housing 102. The first guide surface 182 slopes laterally outward and rearward away from the side 108 of the housing 102 and toward the rear 111 of the housing 102 such that the first guide surface 182 is positioned further laterally outward as the first guide surface 182 extends rearward toward the rear 111 of the housing 102. The first guide surface 182 may include a laterally outwardly and rearwardly sloping planar surface (including one or more planar panels), a laterally outwardly and rearwardly sloping curved surface, or a combination thereof. The second guide surface 184 slopes laterally inward and rearward, toward the reservoir 104 and the opposite side 109 of the housing 102, and toward the rear 111 of the housing 102, such that the second guide surface 184 is positioned further laterally inward as it extends rearward toward the rear 111 of the housing 102. The second guide surface 184 may include a laterally inward and rearward sloping planar surface (including one or more planar panels), a laterally inward and rearward sloping curved surface, or a combination thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment, the third guide surface 186 is positioned between the first guide surface 182 and the second guide surface 184 along the front-to-back dimension 126. In this embodiment, the first guide surface 182 is directed rearward toward the third guide surface 186, and the third guide surface 186 is directed rearward toward the second guide surface 184. The third guide surface 186 has a substantially constant position along the axial dimension of the rotation axis 141. That is, in the illustrated embodiment, when the third guide surface 186 extends forward or rearward, the third guide surface 186 does not angle or tilt laterally inward or laterally outward. In other embodiments, the first guide surface 182 is directed toward the second guide surface 184 as desired. The guide surfaces 182, 184, 186 contact the housing of the sensor 300 unimpeded (i.e., unobstructed by any other portion of the toner cartridge 100) during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 22, and axially move the housing of the sensor 300 relative to the rotational axis 141 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of each of the first, second, and third guide surfaces 182, 184, 186 of the alignment guide 180 is positioned above the rotation axis 141 and above the top surface 162 of the vertical alignment guide 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and third guide surfaces 182, 186 are spaced forward (i.e., toward the front 110 of the housing 102) from the axis of rotation 141. In this way, each of the first and third guide surfaces 182, 186 is positioned closer to the front 110 of the housing 102 than the axis of rotation 141 is to the front 110 of the housing 102. Further, at least a portion of the second guide surface 184, such as the point at which the second guide surface 184 begins to angle laterally inward and rearward, is spaced forward (i.e., toward the front 110 of the housing 102) from the axis of rotation 141, i.e., the at least a portion of the second guide surface 184 is closer to the front 110 of the housing 102 than the axis of rotation 141 is to the front 110 of the housing 102. The positioning of guide surfaces 182, 184, 186 allows alignment guide 180 to contact the housing of sensor 300 before sensor 300 reaches cutout 156 or encoding member 150 during insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22 to ensure that the housing of sensor 300 does not interfere with the front edges of input gear 142 and disk 152 and guides the housing of sensor 300 to cutout 156 for reading encoding member 150.

Referring to fig. 9, in the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of each of the first and second guide surfaces 182, 184 extend further laterally outward from the side 108 of the housing 102 than the extension of the input gear 142 and the disk 152 of the encoding member 150 from the side 108 of the housing 102 to ensure that the housing of the sensor 300 does not interfere with the front edges of the input gear 142 and the disk 152 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 22. The third guide surface 186 is also positioned to extend further laterally outward relative to the side 108 of the housing 102 than the input gear 142 and the disk 152 of the encoding member 150 extend from the side 108 of the housing 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the disk 152 of the encoding member 150 extends further laterally outward from the side 108 of the housing 102 than the innermost axial (relative to the rotational axis 141) portion of each of the first and second guide surfaces 182, 184 to allow the housing of the sensor 300 to directly contact the disk 152 of the encoding member 150 when the toner cartridge 100 is in the final installed position of the toner cartridge 100 in the image forming device 22 and the sensor 300 is aligned with the cutout 156.

Referring to fig. 10-12, a sensor assembly 302 of image forming apparatus 22 is shown according to one example embodiment. The sensor assembly 302 includes a sensor 300 mounted to a sensor housing 304. In turn, sensor housing 304 is mounted to a portion of frame 306 of image forming device 22. When toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22, frame 306 extends along front-to-back dimension 126 of toner cartridge 100. When toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22, frame 306 is positioned adjacent to side 108 of toner cartridge 100 and generally faces side 108 of toner cartridge 100. Frame 306 includes a guide slot 308 formed in frame 306, guide slot 308 receiving positioning guide 124 of toner cartridge 100 on side 108 during insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22. The guide slot 308 is defined by a gap formed between the bottom guide rail 310 and the top guide rail 312. When toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22, top surface 311 of bottom guide rail 310 contacts bottom contact surface 125 of positioning guide 124 on side 108 of toner cartridge 100 to define a vertical position of toner cartridge 100 at side 108 relative to image forming device 22. The guide slot 308 extends substantially along the front-to-back dimension 126 of the toner cartridge 100. When toner cartridge 100 is installed in an image forming device, rear end 314 of guide slot 308 shown in FIG. 10 is positioned near rear 111 of toner cartridge 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the output gear 316 is exposed on a portion of the frame 306 above the top guide rail 312. The output gear 316 is operatively connected to the motor 70 in the image forming device 22 and when the toner cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming device 22, the output gear 316 mates with the corresponding input gear 142 of the toner cartridge 100 to provide rotational movement to the input gear 142.

In the illustrated embodiment, frame 306 also includes a sensor mount 320 positioned above top guide rail 312. Sensor housing 304 is mounted to sensor mount 320 of frame 306 in a manner that allows sensor housing 304 to move relative to frame 306. Sensor mount 320 includes a top guide wall 322, a bottom guide wall 323, a front guide wall 324, and a rear guide wall 325 that facilitate positioning sensor housing 304 along front-to-rear dimension 126 of toner cartridge 100 and vertically relative to frame 306. Sensor mount 320 also includes an end wall 326, which end wall 326 facilitates axially positioning sensor housing 304 relative to frame 306 relative to rotational axis 141 of toner cartridge 100.

In the example embodiment shown, the sensor 300 includes one or more hall-effect (hall-effect) sensors 330 mounted on a printed circuit board 332. The hall effect sensor 330 is configured to measure the magnetic field of magnetized particles 154 on the disk 152 of the encoding member 150 in one, two, or three orthogonal dimensions as the disk 152 rotates. The printed circuit board 332 facilitates communication of the magnetic field measurements obtained by the hall effect sensor 330 to the controller 28 of the image forming device 22 via the communication path 57. The printed circuit board 332 with the sensor 300 is securely mounted to the sensor housing 304. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the sensor 300 is exposed through a cutout 334 on an outer surface 336 of the sensor housing 304 to allow the sensor 300 to read the magnetic field of the magnetized particles 154 of the encoding member 150 unimpeded. The outer surface 336 of sensor housing 304 is positioned at the innermost end of sensor housing 304 (closest to toner cartridge 100) along the rotational axis 141 of toner cartridge 100 and faces side 108 of toner cartridge 100.

Referring to fig. 10, sensor housing 304 includes a top 340, a bottom 341, a front side 342, and a rear side 343 positioned adjacent to the inside surfaces of top guide wall 322, bottom guide wall 323, front guide wall 324, and rear guide wall 325, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, sensor housing 304 and sensor mount 320 are sized to allow vertical movement of sensor housing 304 relative to sensor mount 320 of frame 306. Upward movement of sensor housing 304 relative to frame 306 is limited by contact between top 340 of sensor housing 304 and top guide wall 322 of sensor mount 320, and downward movement of sensor housing 304 relative to frame 306 is limited by contact between bottom 341 of sensor housing 304 and bottom guide wall 323 of sensor mount 320. In the illustrated embodiment, sensor housing 304 and sensor mount 320 are sized to limit lateral movement along front-to-back dimension 126 of toner cartridge 100 as compared to the amount of vertical movement allowed. Forward lateral movement of the sensor housing 304 relative to the frame 306 in the front-to-back dimension 126 is limited by contact between the front side 342 of the sensor housing 304 and the front guide wall 324 of the sensor mount 320, and rearward lateral movement of the sensor housing 304 relative to the frame 306 in the front-to-back dimension 126 is limited by contact between the rear side 343 of the sensor housing 304 and the rear guide wall 325 of the sensor mount 320.

In the example embodiment shown, the sensor housing 304 is biased downward and rearward along the front-to-rear dimension 126 by one or more springs, i.e., toward the bottom guide wall 323 and the rear guide wall 325 of the sensor mount 320. In the illustrated embodiment, extension spring 360 biases sensor housing 304 downward and rearward along front-to-rear dimension 126. The first end 362 of the extension spring 360 is anchored to the top guide wall 322 and the second end 363 of the extension spring 360 is anchored to the front guide wall 324. The corner 344 of the sensor housing 304 formed at the intersection of the top 340 and the front side 342 contacts the coil portion 364 of the extension spring 360 that is positioned intermediate the ends 362, 363, and moves the coil portion 364 from its natural position along a straight line between the ends 362, 363, causing the coil portion 364 to bend around the corner 344 of the sensor housing 304. Bending of the coil portion 364 of the extension spring 360 around the corner 344 of the sensor housing 304 causes the coil portion 364 to maintain constant contact with the corner 344 of the sensor housing 304 and exerts a biasing force on the corner 344 of the sensor housing 304 that urges the sensor housing 304 downward and rearward, as indicated by arrow F1 in fig. 10. The corner 344 may include a chamfered surface 345, the chamfered surface 345 providing a contact surface that has a lower likelihood of grasping or seizing the coil portion 364 of the extension spring 360.

Referring to fig. 11 and 12, in the illustrated embodiment, sensor housing 304 and sensor mount 320 are sized to allow sensor housing 304 to move axially along rotational axis 141 of toner cartridge 100 relative to sensor mount 320 of frame 306. In the illustrated embodiment, a vertical post 346 extends upwardly from the top 340 of the sensor housing 304. Post 346 is received by an elongated slot 328, which elongated slot 328 is formed in top guide wall 322 of sensor mount 320. The groove 328 is axially elongated relative to the axis of rotation 141, allowing the post 346 to move axially within the groove 328 relative to the axis of rotation 141. Although not shown, in the example embodiment shown, the bottom 341 of the sensor housing 304 includes substantially the same posts 346 and the bottom guide wall 323 of the sensor mount 320 includes substantially the same elongated slots as the elongated slots 328. The relationship between the posts of sensor housing 304 and the elongated slots of sensor mount 320 allows sensor housing 304 to move axially relative to frame 306 along rotational axis 141 toward and away from side 108 of toner cartridge 100. It should be appreciated that the post/slot interface of sensor housing 304 and sensor mount 320 may be reversed to alternatively include one or more guide posts on sensor mount 320 and one or more corresponding elongated guide slots in sensor housing 304 to allow sensor housing 304 to move axially relative to frame 306 along rotational axis 141 of toner cartridge 100.

In the example embodiment shown, sensor housing 304 is biased by one or more springs outwardly (toward side 108 of toner cartridge 100) from frame 306 along axis of rotation 141, away from end wall 326 of sensor mount 320. In the illustrated embodiment, compression spring 370 biases sensor housing 304 outwardly (toward side 108 of toner cartridge 100) from frame 306 along rotational axis 141. The first end 372 of the compression spring 370 is positioned against the end wall 326 of the sensor mount 320 and the second end 373 of the compression spring 370 is positioned against the surface of the sensor housing 304 and/or the printed circuit board 332 facing the end wall 326. Compression spring 370 exerts a biasing force on sensor housing 304 that urges sensor housing 304 outwardly (toward side 108 of toner cartridge 100) from frame 306, as indicated by arrow F2 in fig. 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the force exerted by compression spring 370 forces the post of sensor housing 304 toward the innermost end of the elongated slot of sensor mount 320 (closest to toner cartridge 100).

In the illustrated embodiment, sensor housing 304 includes first and second chamfered surfaces 348, 349, which facilitate smooth contact between sensor housing 304 and axial alignment guide 180 of toner cartridge 100 during insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22, as discussed in more detail below. A first chamfer surface 348 is formed at the intersection of the outer surface 336 of the sensor housing 304 and the front side 342. A second chamfered surface 349 is formed at the intersection of the outer surface 336 and the rear side 343 of the sensor housing 304. In the illustrated embodiment, each chamfer surface 348, 349 is formed as a flat block that angles from the outer surface 336 toward the respective front side 342 and rear side 343 of the sensor housing 304. Instead of the flat surface shown, a rounded surface may be used at the intersection of the outer surface 336 with the front side 342 and the rear side 343 of the sensor housing 304, as desired.

Fig. 13-18B sequentially illustrate the interaction between sensor housing 304 and corresponding alignment guides on toner cartridge 100 in image forming device 22 during insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22. Fig. 13 is a top plan view showing the position of toner cartridge 100 relative to frame 306 as the front end of positioning guide 124 on side 108 of toner cartridge 100 enters guide slot 310 on frame 306 as toner cartridge 100 enters image forming device 22. Arrow 190 indicates the direction of insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22 through the lead of front portion 110 of toner cartridge 100. Fig. 13 shows first guide surface 182 of axial alignment guide 180 of toner cartridge 100 approaching chamfer surface 349 of sensor housing 304 as toner cartridge 100 advances in insertion direction 190. Before axial alignment guide 180 of toner cartridge 100 contacts sensor housing 304, post 346 of sensor housing 304 contacts innermost end 329a (closest to toner cartridge 100) of elongated slot 328 due to the bias applied by compression spring 370, and sensor housing 304 extends completely outward along rotational axis 141 toward side 108 of toner cartridge 100.

Fig. 14 is a top plan view showing the position of toner cartridge 100 relative to frame 306, with toner cartridge 100 advanced in insertion direction 190 from the position shown in fig. 13. As toner cartridge 100 is further advanced in image forming device 22 in insertion direction 190, first guide surface 182 of axial alignment guide 180 of toner cartridge 100 contacts chamfered surface 349 of sensor housing 304. Due to the angle of first guide surface 182, as toner cartridge 100 advances, the force exerted by first guide surface 182 of axial alignment guide 180 onto chamfer surface 349 of sensor housing 304 overcomes the biasing force exerted by compression spring 370 onto sensor housing 304, causing sensor housing 304 to retract along rotational axis 141 toward frame 306 and away from side 108 of toner cartridge 100. As sensor housing 304 is retracted toward frame 306 and away from side 108 of toner cartridge 100, posts 346 of sensor housing 304 move away from innermost end 329a of elongated slot 328 and toward outermost end 329b of elongated slot 328, as shown in fig. 14.

Fig. 15A and 15B are top plan and side elevation views, respectively, showing the position of toner cartridge 100 relative to frame 306, with toner cartridge 100 advanced in insertion direction 190 from the position shown in fig. 14. Fig. 15B shows the position of sensor 300, sensor housing 304, and sensor mount 320 relative to side 108 of toner cartridge 100, with toner cartridge 100 schematically shown in phantom to avoid obscuring features of toner cartridge 100. As shown in fig. 15A, as toner cartridge 100 is further advanced in image forming device 22 in insertion direction 190, first guide surface 182 of axial alignment guide 180 of toner cartridge 100 does not interfere with and pass by chamfer surface 349 of sensor housing 304, and third guide surface 186 of axial alignment guide 180 of toner cartridge 100 contacts outer surface 336 of sensor housing 304. Because of the substantially constant position of third guide surface 186 along the axial dimension of rotational axis 141, contact between third guide surface 186 of axial alignment guide 180 and outer surface 336 of sensor housing 304 maintains a substantially constant retracted axial position of sensor housing 304 relative to rotational axis 141 as toner cartridge 100 continues to advance. Fig. 15B shows that the front portion 164 of the top surface 162 of the vertical alignment guide 160 is proximate the bottom 341 of the sensor housing 304. Before vertical alignment guide 160 of toner cartridge 100 and sensor housing 304 are in contact, bottom 341 of sensor housing 304 is in contact with bottom guide wall 323 of sensor mount 320 due to the bias applied by extension spring 360, sensor housing 304 is in its lowest vertical position.

Fig. 16A and 16B are top plan and side elevation views, respectively, showing the position of toner cartridge 100 relative to frame 306, with toner cartridge 100 advanced in insertion direction 190 from the position shown in fig. 15A and 15B. As shown in fig. 16A, as toner cartridge 100 is further advanced in image forming device 22 in insertion direction 190, third guide surface 186 of axial alignment guide 180 of toner cartridge 100 remains in contact with outer surface 336 of sensor housing 304 and slides over outer surface 336 of sensor housing 304, maintaining the retracted axial position of sensor housing 304 relative to rotational axis 141. As shown in fig. 16B, as toner cartridge 100 is further advanced in image forming device 22 in insertion direction 190, front portion 164 of top surface 162 of vertical alignment guide 160 of toner cartridge 100 contacts bottom 341 of sensor housing 304. As toner cartridge 100 advances, the force applied by front portion 164 of top surface 162 of vertical alignment guide 160 to bottom 341 of sensor housing 304 overcomes the biasing force applied by extension spring 360 to sensor housing 304, resulting in upward lifting of sensor housing 304, due to the angle of front portion 164 of top surface 162. As shown in fig. 16B, when the sensor housing 304 is lifted upward, the bottom 341 of the sensor housing 304 is lifted upward away from the bottom guide wall 323 of the sensor mount 320.

Fig. 17A and 17B are top plan and side elevation views, respectively, showing the position of toner cartridge 100 relative to frame 306, with toner cartridge 100 advanced in insertion direction 190 from the position shown in fig. 16A and 16B. As shown in fig. 17A, as toner cartridge 100 is further advanced in image forming device 22 in insertion direction 190, third guide surface 186 of axial alignment guide 180 of toner cartridge 100 does not interfere with and pass over outer surface 336 of sensor housing 304, and second guide surface 184 of axial alignment guide 180 of toner cartridge 100 contacts chamfered surface 348 of sensor housing 304. As toner cartridge 100 continues to advance in insertion direction 190, due to the angle of second guide surface 184, the biasing force applied to sensor housing 304 by compression spring 370 causes sensor housing 304 to gradually extend along rotational axis 141, away from frame 306 and toward side 108 of toner cartridge 100, limited by contact between chamfer surface 348 of sensor housing 304 and second guide surface 184 of axial alignment guide 180. As shown in fig. 17A, when sensor housing 304 extends away from frame 306 and toward side 108 of toner cartridge 100, posts 346 of sensor housing 304 move back toward innermost end 329a of elongated slot 328 and away from outermost end 329b of elongated slot 328. As shown in fig. 17B, as toner cartridge 100 is further advanced in image forming device 22 in insertion direction 190, rear portion 166 of top surface 162 of vertical alignment guide 160 of toner cartridge 100 contacts bottom 341 of sensor housing 304. The contact between rear portion 166 of top surface 162 of vertical alignment guide 160 of toner cartridge 100 and bottom 341 of sensor housing 304 sets the final vertical position of sensor housing 304 relative to toner cartridge 100 to vertically align sensor 300 with the portion of disk 152 of encoding member 150 exposed in cutout 156 for reading by sensor 300.

Fig. 18A and 18B are top plan and side elevation views, respectively, showing the final position of toner cartridge 100 relative to frame 306 when toner cartridge 100 is in the final installed position of toner cartridge 100 in image forming device 22. As shown in fig. 18A, as toner cartridge 100 is advanced further in insertion direction 190 in image forming device 22 toward the final installed position of toner cartridge 100 in image forming device 22, second guide surface 184 of axial alignment guide 180 of toner cartridge 100 does not interfere with chamfered surface 348 of sensor housing 304, and sensor housing 304 reaches a final axial position of sensor housing 304 along rotational axis 141 relative to toner cartridge 100 in order to set the axial distance from sensor 300 to disk 152 of encoding member 150. In the example embodiment shown, contact between the outer surface 336 of the sensor housing 304 and the disk 152 sets the final axial position of the sensor housing 304 relative to the toner cartridge 100. In other embodiments, contact between the outer surface 336 of the sensor housing 304 and a portion of the housing 102 (e.g., a portion of the outside of the end cap 112 positioned over the cutout 156) sets the final axial position of the sensor housing 304 relative to the toner cartridge 100. As shown in FIG. 18B, as toner cartridge 100 is advanced further in insertion direction 190 in image forming device 22 toward the final installed position of toner cartridge 100 in image forming device 22, rear portion 166 of top surface 162 of vertical alignment guide 160 of toner cartridge 100 remains in contact with bottom 341 of sensor housing 304 and slides past bottom 341, maintaining the final vertical position of sensor housing 304 relative to toner cartridge 100. In the illustrated embodiment, when toner cartridge 100 is in the final mounted position of toner cartridge 100 in image forming device 22, forward facing surface 172 of rear stop 170 contacts rear side 343 of sensor housing 304, and the contact between forward facing surface 172 of rear stop 170 and rear side 343 of sensor housing 304 sets the final position of sensor housing 304 relative to toner cartridge 100 along front-to-back dimension 126 of toner cartridge 100 to align sensor 300 along front-to-back dimension 126 with the portion of disk 152 of encoding member 150 to be read by sensor 300. In other embodiments, rear stop 170 may be omitted as long as precise alignment of toner cartridge 100 relative to image forming device 22 in front-to-rear dimension 126 is achieved due to limited freedom of movement of sensor housing 304 relative to sensor mount 320 in front-to-rear dimension 126.

While the illustrated example embodiment includes various alignment guides for engaging sensor 300 positioned on side 108 of toner cartridge 100 near top 106 of toner cartridge 100, it should be appreciated that the alignment guides that engage and position sensor 300 relative to toner cartridge 100 may be positioned in other suitable positions and orientations depending on the position and orientation of encoding member 150 and sensor 300. For example, in another embodiment, sensor housing 304 is biased upward rather than downward, and vertical alignment guide 160, rear stop 170, and axial alignment guide 180 are flipped vertically relative to the embodiment shown in fig. 6 such that rear stop 170 and axial alignment guide 180 are positioned lower than vertical alignment guide 160, and a portion of the bottom surface of vertical alignment guide 160 is angled downward and rearward for contacting and moving sensor housing 304 downward against sensor housing 304 bias with front 110 of housing 102 during insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22. The alignment guides of toner cartridge 100, encoding member 150, and sensor 300 may take on other suitable positions and orientations as desired.

Further, while the above-described exemplary embodiment includes toner agitator assembly 130 comprising rotatable auger 132 and rotatable drive shaft 134, drive shaft 134 having toner agitator 136 extending outwardly therefrom, it should be appreciated that toner agitator assembly 130 may comprise any suitable combination of rotatable, movable, reciprocating, or otherwise movable toner agitators, which may take many shapes, forms, sizes, and orientations. For example, the toner agitator may include any suitable combination of one or more paddles, augers, rakes, combs, scoops, plows, arms, extensions, forks, baffles (flaps), mixers, conveyors, screws, and the like.

Although the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 2 includes a pair of replaceable units in the form of toner cartridge 100 and imaging unit 200, it should be understood that the replaceable units of image forming device 22 may take any suitable configuration as desired. For example, in one embodiment, the main toner supply, developing unit 202, and cleaner unit 204 for image forming device 22 are housed in one replaceable unit. In another embodiment, the main toner supply and developing unit 202 for the image forming apparatus 22 is provided in a first replaceable unit (the developing roller or the magnetic roller of the developing unit 202 forms the outlet of the first replaceable unit), and the cleaner unit 204 is provided in a second replaceable unit. Further, although the example image forming apparatus 22 discussed above includes one toner cartridge 100 and corresponding imaging unit 200, in the case where the image forming apparatus is configured for color printing, a separate replaceable unit may be used for each toner color as desired. For example, in one embodiment, an image forming device includes four toner cartridges, each including a particular toner color (e.g., black, cyan, yellow, and magenta), and four corresponding imaging units, and each imaging unit corresponds to one of the toner cartridges to allow color printing. Further, while the illustrated example embodiments relate to various alignment guides of toner agitator assembly 130, coding member 150, and toner cartridge 100, it should be understood that they may be applied to toner agitator assemblies, coding members, and alignment guides of any toner container, including, for example, developer units, imaging units, or waste toner containers.

The above description illustrates various aspects of the disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, they are 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 various modifications thereof as naturally come. All modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims. Relatively obvious modifications include combining one or more features of the various embodiments with features of other embodiments.

Claims

1. A toner container for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:

a housing having a top, a bottom, a front and a rear, the top, the bottom, the front and the rear being positioned between a first side and a second side of the housing of the toner container, the housing of the toner container having a reservoir for holding toner;

an outlet on the front portion of the housing of the toner container, the outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir for discharging toner from the toner container;

an input gear positioned at the first side of the housing of the toner container for mating with a corresponding output gear in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device;

A coding member coded with identification information of the toner container and operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear causes movement of the coding member for transmitting the identification information of the toner container to a sensor of the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, at least a portion of the coding member being exposed on the first side of the housing of the toner container; and

a first alignment guide on the first side of the housing of the toner container, the first alignment guide being positioned axially outward of the coding member relative to the rotational axis of the input gear and positioned below an exposed portion of the coding member, the first alignment guide including a top surface that, when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, contacts a sensor housing in the image forming device from below unimpeded, at least a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide being inclined upwardly and rearwardly toward the top and rear of the housing of the toner container for directing the insertion of the housing of the toner container through the front belt of the housing of the toner container and upwardly to contact and lift the sensor housing in the image forming device for aligning the exposed portion of the sensor alignment member of the image forming device during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

2. The toner container of claim 1, wherein the encoding member is rotatably connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear results in rotation of the encoding member.

3. The toner container of claim 2, wherein the encoding member is positioned on an axially outer surface of the input gear facing away from the reservoir.

4. A toner container according to claim 3, wherein the top surface of the first alignment guide includes a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide being positioned closer to the front of the housing of the toner container than the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is to the front of the housing of the toner container, the front portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide being inclined upward and rearward toward the top and rear of the housing of the toner container, at least a portion of the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide being positioned above the rotational axis of the input gear.

5. The toner container of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide extends rearward of the rotational axis of the input gear.

6. The toner container of claim 1, wherein the first alignment guide extends laterally outward from the first side of the housing of the toner container.

7. The toner container of claim 1, further comprising a second alignment guide on the first side of the housing of the toner container, the second alignment guide including a forward facing surface facing the front of the housing of the toner container, the forward facing surface extending upwardly from a rear end of the top surface of the first alignment guide, the forward facing surface contacting the sensor housing in the image forming device unimpeded when the toner container is installed in the image forming device for limiting a position of the sensor of the image forming device in a direction from the front of the housing of the toner container toward the rear of the housing of the toner container.

8. The toner container of claim 1, further comprising a second alignment guide on the first side of the housing of the toner container, the second alignment guide comprising a first guide surface and a second guide surface, the second guide surface positioned rearward of the first guide surface such that the second guide surface is positioned closer to the rear of the housing of the toner container than the first guide surface is to the rear of the housing of the toner container, the first guide surface being inclined laterally outward and rearward away from the first side and toward the rear of the housing of the toner container, the second guide surface being inclined laterally inward and rearward toward the rear of the housing of the toner container, the first guide surface and the second guide surface being positioned unobstructed to contact the rear of the housing of the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, the sensor being moved axially relative to the sensor in the image forming device during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

9. The toner container of claim 8, wherein the second alignment guide is directed rearward along the first side of the housing of the toner container toward the exposed portion of the encoding member.

10. The toner container of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second guide surfaces is positioned closer to the front of the housing of the toner container than the exposed portion of the encoding member is to the front of the housing of the toner container, and at least a portion of each of the first and second guide surfaces is positioned higher than a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide.

11. A toner container for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:

a coding member coded with identification information of the toner container and rotatably connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear causes rotation of the coding member for transmitting the identification information of the toner container to a sensor of the image forming device when the toner container is mounted in the image forming device, the coding member being positioned on an axially outer surface of the input gear facing away from the reservoir; and

a first alignment guide on the first side of the housing of the toner container, the first alignment guide being positioned axially outward of the coding member relative to the rotational axis of the input gear, the first alignment guide overlapping the axially outward surface of the housing of the toner container as viewed from the first side of the housing of the toner container, the first alignment guide including a top surface that, when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, contacts a sensor housing in the image forming device from below unimpeded, at least a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide being inclined upward and rearward toward the top and rear of the housing of the toner container for contacting and lifting the sensor housing in the image forming device upward by the front tape of the housing of the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device for aligning the coding member of the image forming device.

12. The toner container of claim 11, wherein the top surface of the first alignment guide includes a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide being positioned closer to the front of the housing of the toner container than the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide is to the front of the housing of the toner container, the front portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide being sloped upward and rearward toward the top and rear of the housing of the toner container, at least a portion of the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide being positioned above the rotational axis of the input gear.

13. The toner container of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the rear portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide extends rearward of the rotational axis of the input gear.

14. The toner container of claim 11, wherein the first alignment guide extends laterally outward from the first side of the housing of the toner container.

15. The toner container of claim 11, further comprising a second alignment guide on the first side of the housing of the toner container, the second alignment guide including a forward facing surface facing the front of the housing of the toner container, the forward facing surface extending upwardly from a rear end of the top surface of the first alignment guide, the forward facing surface contacting the sensor housing in the image forming device unimpeded when the toner container is installed in the image forming device for limiting a position of the sensor of the image forming device in a direction from the front of the housing of the toner container toward the rear of the housing of the toner container.

16. The toner container of claim 11, further comprising a second alignment guide on the first side of the housing of the toner container, the second alignment guide comprising a first guide surface and a second guide surface, the second guide surface positioned rearward of the first guide surface such that the second guide surface is positioned closer to the rear of the housing of the toner container than the first guide surface is to the rear of the housing of the toner container, the first guide surface being inclined laterally outward and rearward away from the first side and toward the rear of the housing of the toner container, the second guide surface being inclined laterally inward and rearward toward the rear of the housing of the toner container, the first guide surface and the second guide surface preventing the first guide surface from contacting the image sensor during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, the sensor being moved axially relative to the image forming device in the image forming device.

17. The toner container of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second guide surfaces is positioned closer to the front of the housing of the toner container than the rotational axis of the input gear is to the front of the housing of the toner container, and at least a portion of each of the first and second guide surfaces is positioned higher than a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide.

18. A toner container for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:

a first alignment guide on the first side of the housing of the toner container, the first alignment guide being directed rearward along the first side of the housing of the toner container toward an exposed portion of the encoding member, the first alignment guide including a first guide surface that slopes away from the first side and toward the rear, laterally outward, and rearward of the housing of the toner container, the first guide surface contacting a sensor housing in the image forming device unimpeded by the front belt of the housing of the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device for axially moving the sensor housing in the image forming device relative to the rotational axis of the input gear during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

19. The toner container of claim 18, wherein the encoding member is rotatably connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear results in rotation of the encoding member.

20. The toner container of claim 19, wherein the encoding member is positioned on an axially outer surface of the input gear facing away from the reservoir.

21. The toner container of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the first guide surface is positioned closer to the front of the housing of the toner container than the rotational axis of the input gear is to the front of the housing of the toner container, and at least a portion of the first guide surface is positioned higher than the rotational axis of the input gear.

22. The toner container of claim 18, wherein the first alignment guide includes a second guide surface positioned rearward of the first guide surface such that the second guide surface is positioned closer to the rear of the housing of the toner container than the first guide surface is to the rear of the housing of the toner container, the second guide surface being inclined toward the second side and toward the rear, laterally inward and rearward of the housing of the toner container, the second guide surface unhindered contacting the sensor housing in the image forming device during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device for axially moving the sensor housing in the image forming device relative to the rotational axis of the input gear during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

23. The toner container of claim 18, further comprising a second alignment guide on the first side of the housing of the toner container, the second alignment guide positioned axially outward of the encoding member relative to the rotational axis of the input gear and positioned below the exposed portion of the encoding member, the second alignment guide including a top surface that unobstructed contacts the sensor housing in the image forming device from below when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, at least a portion of the top surface of the second alignment guide being sloped upward and rearward toward the top and rear portions of the housing of the toner container for contacting and lifting upward the sensor housing in the image forming device during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device to align the sensor of the image forming device with the exposed portion of the encoding member.

24. The toner container of claim 23, further comprising a third alignment guide on the first side of the housing of the toner container, the third alignment guide including a forward facing surface facing the front of the housing of the toner container, the forward facing surface extending upwardly from a rear end of the top surface of the second alignment guide, the forward facing surface contacting the sensor housing in the image forming device unimpeded when the toner container is installed in the image forming device for limiting a position of the sensor of the image forming device in a direction from the front of the housing of the toner container toward the rear of the housing of the toner container.