US 2014/0369730 A1 · Heat Transfer System for a Fuser Assembly

Abstract

A fuser assembly for an imaging device which transfers heat from overheated portions of the fuser assembly to portions having lesser temperatures. The fuser assembly includes a heating member; a backup roll disposed proximate to the heating member so as to form a fuser nip therewith; a heat transfer device in contact with the backup roll such that rotation of the backup roll rotates the heat transfer device, the heat transfer device transfers heat from one location to another location on the backup roll; and a positioning mechanism for moving the heat transfer device between a first position in which the heat transfer device is engaged with and contacts the one of the backup roll and the heating member and a second position in which the heat transfer device is disengaged and spaced apart therefrom, the positioning mechanism to pivots the heat transfer device about a pivot axis when moving between the first and second positions.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A fuser assembly for fusing toner to sheets of media, comprising:

a housing;
a heating member;
a backup roll disposed proximate to the heating member so as to form a fuser nip therewith;
and
a heat transfer device for selectively contacting one of the backup roll and the heating member such that rotation of the one of the backup roll and the heating member rotates the heat transfer device, wherein when the heat transfer device contacts the one of the backup roll and the heating member, the heat transfer device transfers heat from one location on the one of to the backup roll and the heating member to a second location thereon;
and
a positioning mechanism coupling the heat transfer device to the fuser housing, the positioning mechanism moving the heat transfer device between a first position in which the heat transfer device is engaged with and contacts the one of the backup roll and the heating member and a second position in which the heat transfer device is disengaged and spaced apart therefrom, the positioning mechanism pivots the heat transfer device about a pivot axis when moving between the first and second positions.

4 more elements

A toner fusing apparatus, comprising:

a housing;
a heating member;
a backup roll disposed proximate to the heating member so as to form a fuser nip therewith for fusing toner to sheets of media;
a heat transfer device for selectively contacting one of the backup roll and the heating member such that rotation of the one of the backup roll and the heating member rotates the heat transfer device, wherein when the heat transfer device contacts the one of the backup roll and the heating member, the heat transfer device transfers heat from one location on the one of to the backup roll and the heating member to a second location thereon;
and
a positioning mechanism coupling the heat transfer device to the fuser housing, the positioning mechanism moving the heat transfer device between a first position in which the heat transfer device is engaged with and contacts the one of the backup roll and the heating member and a second position in which the heat transfer device is disengaged and spaced apart therefrom, the positioning mechanism comprises at least one cam member coupled to the heat transfer device, wherein rotation of the at least one cam member causes the heat transfer device to move from the first position to the second position.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Heat Transfer System for a Fuser Assembly

Life of this patent

Heat Transfer System for a Fuser Assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20