Replaceable unit for an image forming device having magnets of varying angular offset for toner level sensing

A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:

• a housing having a reservoir for storing toner;
• a rotatable shaft positioned within the reservoir and having an axis of rotation;
• a first linkage rotatable with the rotatable shaft around the axis of rotation, the first linkage having a first permanent magnet;
• a second linkage rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft, the second linkage having a second permanent magnet leading the first permanent magnet in an operative rotational direction of the rotatable shaft such that the second permanent magnet is positioned closer to a leading end of the first permanent magnet than to a trailing end of the first permanent magnet in the operative rotational direction of the rotatable shaft, the second linkage is rotatable independent of the rotatable shaft between a forward rotational stop and a rearward rotational stop such that an amount of angular offset between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet varies depending on a rotational position of the second linkage relative to the forward rotational stop and the rearward rotational stop, the second permanent magnet is spaced angularly forward relative to the operative rotational direction of the rotatable shaft from the first permanent magnet when the second linkage is at the rearward rotational stop.

A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:

• a housing having a reservoir for storing toner;
• a rotatable shaft positioned within the reservoir and having an axis of rotation;
• a first linkage rotatable with the rotatable shaft around the axis of rotation, the first linkage having a first permanent magnet;
• a second linkage rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft, the second linkage having a second permanent magnet leading the first permanent magnet in an operative rotational direction of the rotatable shaft such that the second permanent magnet is positioned closer to a leading end of the first permanent magnet than to a trailing end of the first permanent magnet in the operative rotational direction of the rotatable shaft, the second linkage is rotatable independent of the rotatable shaft between a forward rotational stop and a rearward rotational stop such that an amount of angular offset between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet varies depending on a rotational position of the second linkage relative to the forward rotational stop and the rearward rotational stop, the second linkage is biased by a spring in the operative rotational direction of the rotatable shaft toward the forward rotational stop.

A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:

• a housing having a reservoir for storing toner;
• a rotatable shaft positioned within the reservoir and having an axis of rotation;
• a first linkage rotatable with the rotatable shaft around the axis of rotation, the first linkage having a first permanent magnet;
• a second linkage rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft, the second linkage having a paddle member leading the first permanent magnet in an operative rotational direction of the rotatable shaft such that the paddle member is positioned closer to a leading end of the first permanent magnet than to a trailing end of the first permanent magnet in the operative rotational direction of the rotatable shaft, the second linkage includes a second permanent magnet connected to the paddle member, the second linkage is rotatable independent of the rotatable shaft between a forward rotational stop and a rearward rotational stop such that an amount of angular offset between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet varies depending on a rotational position of the second linkage relative to the forward rotational stop and the rearward rotational stop.