Lexmark International, Inc.

Edward Alan Rush

Michael David Maul

Scott Stephen Williams

Daniel Lee Carter

Donald Eugene Proffitt

Edward Lawrence Kiely

Gregory Daniel Creteau

Edward Lynn Triplett

Paul Douglas Horrall

Darin Michael Gettelfinger

John William Kietzman

Calvin Dale Murphy

Bryan Michael Blair

Krikor Yosmali

James Allen Lokovich

Patrick Wayne Carr, Jr

Karen Elaine Ballman

Clark Edward Jarnagin

Kevin Dean Schoedinger

Jerry Wayne Smith

Niko Jay Murrell

Philip Jerome Heink

Hrishikesh Pramod Gogate

Daniel Paul Cahill

Scott Richard Castle

Alexander Johannes Geyling

Alexander D Meade

Richard Gordon Boyatt, Iii

Robert Leonard Burdick

Marc Cousoulis

Frank Marion Hughes

Armando V Flores

Matthew Lowell McKay

Gordon Robert Dunning

David William Shuman

William Claiborne Ryle

Christopher Hayden Noffsinger

Travis Alan Riggs

Kevin James McLeod

An imaging device having a fuser and print engine architecture that enables complete interchangeability between fuser types with a common print engine. The imaging device has a frame configured to separately receive a first fuser assembly of a first fuser type and a second fuser assembly of a second fuser type different from the first fuser type. The first fuser assembly includes a first fuser frame having a first datum tab. The second fuser assembly includes a second fuser frame having a second datum tab. The frame of the imaging device has a datum aperture that is sized to receive the first datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the first fuser assembly to be positioned at a first operative position, and the second datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the second fuser assembly to be positioned at a second operative position.

Fuser architecture for enabling interchangeability in an imaging device

An imaging device includes a frame plate having an opening and first and second camming profiles about the opening. A removable fuser assembly includes a housing having front and back plates, a mounting shaft extending from the front plate to the back plate of the housing, a pin member on a first end of the mounting shaft having a pair of segments engaging with the first and second camming profiles on the frame plate, and a handle on a second end of the mounting shaft pivotable at a predetermined angle and moving the mounting shaft therewith. Pivoting the handle in a first direction causes the segments to travel along the camming profiles, locking the fuser assembly onto the imaging device. Pivoting the handle in a second direction causes the segments to align with the opening and the fuser assembly to be unlocked with the imaging device allowing removal thereof.

Positive locking mechanism for a removable fuser

A method and system are disclosed for detecting a fatal error condition in a printing device having an intermediate transfer member for facilitating toner transfer, including sensing a reflectance value of the intermediate transfer member at a first predetermined time; comparing the sensed reflectance value at the first period of time to a predetermined threshold; sensing a reflectance value of the intermediate transfer member at a second predetermined time after the predetermined first time; and comparing the sensed reflectance value of the intermediate transfer member at the second period of time to the predetermined threshold. If each of the sensed reflectance value at the first predetermined time and the sensed reflectance value at the second predetermined time is greater than the predetermined threshold, the method includes selectively suspending further printing operations until the imaging device is serviced.

Imaging device with diagnostic testing for fatal errors

An integrated fuser unit has a drive system with a motor and a drive train mounted in the fuser unit frame. A swing arm assembly engages and disengages the hot roll from the drive train.

Integrated fuser unit and drive system for use in an electrophotographic imaging process

The present invention is directed to a device having an arm and a sensor that can differentiate two events. The arm is pivotally mounted to move in different directions upon the occurrence of different events. A section of the arm includes a trigger section having an unequal distribution of a sensed characteristic. A first event moves the arm in a first direction that is sensed by the sensor in a first manner. A second event moves the arm in a second direction that is sensed by the sensor in a second manner. The sensor signals a controller that oversees the image forming process. Methods of operating the arm and sensor are disclosed for detecting the two separate events, and signaling the controller accordingly.

Image forming device having a sensor with two separate distinguishable triggers

An image forming apparatus comprising an accumulator drum for receiving toner images from a plurality of imaging units and transferring the toner images to a receiving media. The basic components of the image forming apparatus comprise an accumulator drum having a plurality of imaging units with photoconductive drums positioned about the accumulator drum, and a laser assembly. In one embodiment, a laser emits light beams for forming a latent image on each of the photoconductive drums with each light beam having a different external optical path length. In one embodiment, a drive mechanism operatively connected to the imaging units drives the accumulator drum. In one embodiment, the imaging units are positioned about the accumulator drum is a specific angular placement. In one embodiment, the imaging units are at least partially positioned within the interior of the accumulator drum.

Accumulator drum and method of use for an image forming apparatus

An arm that directs media sheets along multiple paper paths of an image forming device. The arm is mounted to pivot when contacted by the media sheet to direct the sheets along the proper media paths, and divert the sheets from entering the improper media paths. A sensor positioned adjacent to the arm senses movement of the arm to determine the location and timing of the media sheets as they move along the paper paths. Sensor is operatively connected to a controller which tracks the movement of the media sheets through the image forming apparatus. The arm may further be positioned to determine the orientation of an internal part. The arm moves between first and second orientations depending upon the position of the internal part. The position of the arm is again determined by the sensor. The invention further includes methods of moving the position of the arm to determine the location of the media sheets and/or the orientation of the internal part.

Sensor and diverter mechanism for an image forming apparatus

A fuser for fusing an image to print media in a color electrophotographic printer. The fuser includes an endless idling belt defining an inner loop, and a ceramic heater positioned in contact with the belt, within the inner loop. A pressure roller defines a nip with the belt. The belt includes a compliant layer for conforming to variations in toner pile height. The heater is configured to provide a cooler nip exit and a hotter nip entrance.

Belt fuser for a color electrophotographic printer

A fuser latch system suitable for a customer replaceable fuser unit. Front holders include datum receivers on a base machine frame and datums on the fuser frame. Rear latches include retainers connected to the base machine frame, and axially translatable and rotatable shafts connected to the fuser frame. An end of the shaft is received in a retainer upon axial translation of the shaft, and locked in place upon rotation of the shaft. The rear latches bias the fuser frame for proper gear mesh and paper path alignment.

Fuser latch system

An oil supply roller for an electrophotographic printer fuser allows silicone oil to exude from the oil supply roller onto the surface of the fuser hot roller in a controlled fashion to prevent toner from adhering to the fuser hot roller, and also serves to provide a smooth toner surface. A metering layer disposed on an outer surface of the roller provides an even, controlled flow of oil to the surface of the roller. Further, a buffer layer may be employed to decrease the overall volume of the oil bearing layer to decrease the effects of swelling in that layer. Therefore, a precisely metered supply of oil is provided to the fuser hot roller while reducing complexity and moving parts. A method for fabricating the fuser hot roller by impregnating silicone rubber with a toner repelling substance and disposing the impregnated rubber about a rotatable drive shaft is also provided.

Oil exuding roller for an electrophotographic printer, including a method for its fabrication, and its function encompassed by a method for applying a toner repelling substance to a fuser roller

A fuser oil supply roller including an oil impregnated rubber roller and an outer metering layer of known fluid transfer characteristics for an electrophotographic printer fuser. The roller allows silicone oil to be secreted from the metering layer onto a fuser hot roller to prevent toner from adhering to the fuser hot roller, as well as serving to provide a smooth toner surface. Such a roller provides oil to the fuser hot roller without the need for a separate oil reservoir and delivery system. Therefore, a precisely metered supply of oil is provided to the fuser hot roller while reducing complexity and moving parts. A buffer layer is also provided for minimizing the roller volume given to the oil impregnated rubber roller. A barrier layer may be employed to prevent oil migration into the buffer layer. Furthermore, methods for applying a toner repelling substance to a fuser roller are provided.

Oil secreting supply roller for an electrophotographic printer, including a method for applying a toner repelling substance to a fuser roller

An oil web system for an imaging apparatus fuser is disclosed, together with its associated method of operation. The oil web system includes an oil web, an applicator roll in contact with a fuser roll, and a transfer station for transferring release oil from the web to the applicator roll. The oil web is advanced along a web path from a supply spool to a take-up spool. The applicator roll rotates against the fuser roll and receives oil from the oil web, and transfers the oil to the fuser roll. The applicator roll may be in direct contact with the web, and receive the oil directly from the web; or a transfer roll may be operated to receive the oil from the web and transfer the oil to the applicator roll.

System for applying release fluid on a fuser roll of a printer

An oil web system and method for operating a fuser system of an imaging apparatus in which remaining life of the oil web is determined from data on drive mechanism activation and data on web advancement lengths. A warning signal can be issued upon a predetermined remaining length being reached, and the machine can be disabled upon exhaustion of the web life.

Life determination in an oil web system

An apparatus and method are provided for preventing unraveling of an oil supply web by the selective application of a locking mechanism to a web supply roller when a fuser hot roller or other fuser drive roller is forced to rotate in a reverse rotation. The locking mechanism is released when the fuser hot roller resumes normal rotation. A pivoting arm is adapted for pivotal movement into locking engagement with the web supply roller. A braking element, such as a ratchet latch, attached to the end of the pivoting arm, or pawl, contacts a rotary follower or other rotational member connected to and operable to prevent rotation of the web supply roller. The braking element is disengaged when the fuser hot roller resumes rotation in the normal direction, as the pawl is pivoted out of engagement with the rotary follower. In this manner, the web operates to lubricate and condition the fuser hot roller from controlled rotation of the web supply roller when the fuser hot roller is rotating in the normal direction, and is prevented from unraveling when the fuser hot roller is rotated in a reverse direction.

Growing community of inventors

Richmond, KY, United States of America

Edward Alan Rush