Heater assembly in a fuser with a raised resilient pad in an electrophotographic imaging device
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorJames Gilmore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrophotographic imaging device includes a print media transport assembly and a fuser positioned in association with the print media transport assembly. The fuser includes a heater assembly having a housing carrying a heater and a resilient pad. The resilient pad extends from the housing. A flexible belt is positioned around the heater assembly and adjacent to the resilient pad. A backup member is positioned in opposition to the heater assembly.
Claims40
An electrophotographic imaging device, comprising:
- a print media transport assembly;
- and
- a fuser positioned in association with said print media transport assembly, said fuser including:
- a heater assembly having a housing carrying a heater and a resilient pad, said resilient pad extending from said housing;
- a flexible belt positioned around said heater assembly and adjacent to said resilient pad, said flexible belt being an idler belt;
- and
- a backup member positioned in opposition to said heater assembly, said backup member being a driven member.
(canceled)
A fuser for an electrophotographic imaging device, said fuser comprising:
- a heater assembly having a housing carrying a heater and a resilient pad, said resilient pad extending from said housing said resilient pad being located adjacent an exit side of said housing;
- a flexible belt positioned around said heater assembly and adjacent to said resilient pad;
- and
- a backup member positioned in opposition to said heater assembly.
(canceled)
A heater assembly for use in a fuser in an electrophotographic imaging device, said heater assembly comprising a housing carrying a heater and a resilient pad, said resilient pad extending from said housing.
A method of operating a fuser of an electrophotographic imaging device, comprising the steps of:
- transporting a print medium to said fuser;
- carrying the print medium through a fuser nip bewteen a flexible belt and a backup member;
- heating toner particles on the print medium using a heater assembly positioned on a side of said flexible belt opposite the print medium, said heater assembly having a housing carrying a heater and a resilient pad, said resilient pad extending from said housing;
- and
- exerting a nip pressure on the print medium in said fuser nip using said resilient pad which is higher than a nip pressure on the print medium in said fuser nip adjacent said heater.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.