Circuit and Method for a Hybrid Heater with Dual Function Heating Capability

A heat control system for fusing toner to sheets of media, comprising:

• a fuser heater comprising a first heating element and a second heating element, the fuser heater providing heat to a fuser nip;
• heat control circuitry coupled to the fuser heater for passing current through the first and second heating elements of the fuser heater to generate heat therefrom;
• and
• a controller coupled to the heat control circuitry, the controller controlling the heat control circuitry for passing current through the first heating element during a warm up operation and passing current through the second heating element during a fusing operation following the warm up operation, the fusing operation fusing toner to a sheet of media.

An imaging device for fusing toner to sheets of media, comprising:

• a fuser housing;
• a fuser heater disposed substantially within the fuser housing, the fuser heater comprising a first heating element and a second heating element;
• a fusing belt rotatably positioned about the fuser housing such that the fuser heater provides heat to the fusing belt;
• a backup member disposed substantially against the fusing belt, the backup member and the fusing belt forming a fuser nip;
• heat control circuitry connected to the fuser heater for passing current through the first and second heating elements of the fuser heater to generate heat therefrom;
• and
• a controller connected to the heat control circuitry, the controller controlling the heat control circuitry for passing current through the first heating element during a warm up operation and passing current through the second heating element during a fusing operation following the warm up operation, the fusing operation fusing toner to a media sheet.