Power control for a fuser of an imaging device
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorJEFFREY THOMAS HINES
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An imaging device includes a fuser having a heater connected to a power source via a switch. A controller generates a heater control signal for driving the heater. The heater control signal changes between a first state indicating for the heater to be turned on and a second state indicating for the heater to be turned off. A latch circuit receives the heater control signal and latches the switch on when the heater control signal is in the first state such that the switch causes current to pass through from the power source to the heater. The latch circuit keeps the switch on until a next zero crossing is detected.
Claims20
A method for controlling power delivered to a fuser in an imaging device, the fuser having a heater connected to a power source, the method comprising:
- receiving a heater control signal for driving the heater to generate heat, the heater control signal changing between a first state indicating for the heater to be turned on and a second state indicating for the heater to be turned off;
- and
- applying a pulsating DC output voltage across the heater to allow current from the power source to flow through the heater and turn on the heater when the heater control signal is in the first state.
A method for controlling power delivered to a fuser in an imaging device, the fuser having a heater connected to a power source, the method comprising:
- receiving a heater control signal for driving the heater to generate heat, the heater control signal changing between a first state indicating for the heater to be turned on and a second state indicating for the heater to be turned off;
- and
- applying an output voltage with current limiting across the heater to regulate current flowing through the heater when the heater control signal is in the first state.
An imaging device, comprising:
- a fuser having a heater for generating heat to fuse toner images onto sheets of media;
- a power source having a buck converter for supplying power to the heater;
- and
- a controller operative to generate a heater control signal for driving the heater to generate heat, the heater control signal changing between a first state indicating for the heater to be turned on and a second state indicating for the heater to be turned off, wherein the buck converter is operative to apply a pulsating DC output voltage across the heater to allow current from the power source to flow through the heater and turn on the heater when the heater control signal is in the first state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.