Replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device having a retractable electrical connector

A toner cartridge for use in an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:

• a housing having a top, a bottom, a front and a rear positioned between a first side and a second side of the housing, the housing has a reservoir for holding toner;
• an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir and facing downward on the front of the housing for exiting toner from the toner cartridge;
• an electrical connector on the first side of the housing, the electrical connector is movable between a retracted position and an operative position, the electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device when the electrical connector is in the operative position, the electrical connector and the electrical contact of the toner cartridge move upward toward the top of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the retracted position to the operative position, the electrical connector and the electrical contact of the toner cartridge move downward toward the bottom of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the operative position to the retracted position, the electrical contact of the toner cartridge is electrically connected to processing circuitry mounted on the housing,
• a linkage operatively connected to the electrical connector, the linkage includes an engagement surface that is accessible on an exterior of the housing to receive an actuation force, wherein movement of the linkage moves the electrical connector between the retracted position and the operative position,
• wherein when the electrical connector is in the retracted position, the electrical connector is tucked into a portion of the housing.

A toner cartridge for use in an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:

• a housing having a top, a bottom, a front and a rear positioned between a first side and a second side of the housing, the housing has a reservoir for holding toner;
• an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir and facing downward on the front of the housing for exiting toner from the toner cartridge;
• a channel running along the front of the housing between the first side and the second side in fluid communication with the outlet port, at least a portion of the channel is open to the reservoir;
• an auger positioned in the channel and extending along the front of the housing between the first side and the second side, the auger is operative to move toner in the channel toward the outlet port;
• a toner delivery assembly positioned in the reservoir to deliver toner to the channel, the toner delivery assembly includes a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the reservoir, the drive shaft includes a rotational axis;
• an electrical connector on the first side of the housing, the electrical connector is movable between a retracted position and an operative position, the electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device when the electrical connector is in the operative position, the electrical connector and the electrical contact of the toner cartridge move upward toward the top of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the retracted position to the operative position, the electrical connector and the electrical contact of the toner cartridge move downward toward the bottom of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the operative position to the retracted position, the electrical contact of the toner cartridge is electrically connected to processing circuitry mounted on the housing;
• and
• a linkage operatively connected to the electrical connector, the linkage includes an engagement surface that is accessible on an exterior of the housing to receive an actuation force, wherein movement of the linkage moves the electrical connector between the retracted position and the operative position,
• wherein at least a portion of the electrical contact of the toner cartridge is positioned higher than the rotational axis of the auger and the rotational axis of the drive shaft when the electrical connector is in the operative position.

A toner cartridge for use in an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:

• a housing having a top, a bottom, a front and a rear positioned between a first side and a second side of the housing, the housing has a reservoir for holding toner;
• an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir and facing downward on the front of the housing for exiting toner from the toner cartridge;
• an electrical connector on the first side of the housing, the electrical connector is movable between a retracted position and an operative position, the electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device when the electrical connector is in the operative position, the electrical connector and the electrical contact of the toner cartridge move upward toward the top of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the retracted position to the operative position, the electrical connector and the electrical contact of the toner cartridge move downward toward the bottom of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the operative position to the retracted position, the electrical contact of the toner cartridge is electrically connected to processing circuitry mounted on the housing;
• and
• a linkage operatively connected to the electrical connector, the linkage includes an engagement surface that is accessible on an exterior of the housing to receive an actuation force, wherein movement of the linkage moves the electrical connector between the retracted position and the operative position,
• wherein when the electrical connector moves from the retracted position to the operative position, the electrical connector and the electrical contact of the toner cartridge protrude through an opening in the housing upward toward the top of the housing.