Fuser system of a xerographic device and a method of fusing an image in a xerographic device including a closed loop control based on the torque of a drive system
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsKevin M. Carolan, David S. Derleth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fuser system of a xerographic device has a fuser member and a pressure member in which the pressure member is made to exert pressure upon the fuser member so as to form a nip. A drive system drives the fusing member and/or pressure member. A sensor monitors torque of the drive system, and a processor in communication with the sensor receives torque data from the sensor. The processor determines if the torque exceeds a predetermined value, wherein the drive system holds the fuser member and the pressure member in a partially loaded state when the torque exceeds the predetermined value.
Claims20
A fuser system of a xerographic device, comprising:
- a pressure member;
- a fuser member, wherein the pressure member is made to exert pressure upon the fuser member so as to form a nip when the pressure member is engaged, and wherein a gap is defined between the pressure member and the fuser member when the pressure member is disengaged;
- a drive system for driving at least the pressure member;
- a sensor to monitor a temperature of at least one of the pressure member and the fuser member, wherein the sensor determines if the pressure member is engaged or disengaged;
- and
- a processor in communication with the sensor that receives temperature data from the sensor, wherein the processor determines a pressure applied to the fuser member by the pressure member based on the temperature data.
A method for fusing an image on a substrate in a xerographic device, the method comprising:
- exerting pressure;
- forming a nip with a fuser member and a pressure member in which the pressure member is made to exert pressure upon the fuser member;
- driving at least the fuser member with a drive system;
- monitoring a temperature of at least one of the pressure member and the fuser member;
- processing temperature data to determine if the temperature of the at least one of the pressure member and the fuser member exceeds a predetermined value, wherein the drive system stops driving the fuser member when the temperature exceeds a predetermined value;
- engaging at least one of a pressure member and disengaging a pressure member to form a nip by exerting pressure on a fusing member with the pressure member when the pressure member is engaged, and to form a gap between the pressure member and the fuser member when the pressure member is disengaged;
- and
- monitoring the temperature of the at least one of the pressure member and the fuser member with a sensor, wherein the sensor determines if the pressure member is engaged or disengaged.
A system for fusing an image on a substrate in a xerographic device, the system comprising:
- means for forming a nip with a fuser member and a pressure member in which the pressure member is made to exert pressure upon the fuser member;
- driving means for driving at least the fusing member;
- driving means for driving at least the fusing member;
- means for monitoring temperature of at least one of the pressure member and the fuser member;
- and
- means for processing temperature data to determine if the temperature of the at least one of the pressure member and the fuser member exceeds a predetermined value, wherein the driving of the fusing member stops when the temperature exceeds the predetermined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.