Uniform media tensioning of print media during transport in laser printer

Abstract

There is provided an arrangement within an electrophotographic printer that helps reduce deformation in the media by ensuring that the media remains under a constant tension. The arrangement uses a first roller for moving the media through the electrophotographic printer at a given linear velocity. A second roller, placed after the first roller, also moves the media through the electrophotographic printer. However, the second roller has a variable linear velocity, where the variable linear velocity having a maximum linear velocity that is greater than the first roller's linear velocity. Power is applied to the second roller through a clutch. When the maximum amount of power is being applied to the second roller, the clutch limits the variable linear velocity to that of the first roller's linear velocity. Thus, the clutch limits the variable velocity when the media is under a known tension, wherein the known tension is constant in the media while the media moves through the electrophotographic printer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.