Photoconductor film clamping and tensioning system and method of use

Abstract

A clamping and tensioning system for securing a sheet of photoconductor film to an outer circumferential surface of a carrier drum includes a clamp rod mounted to the carrier drum by first and second mounting blocks. The first and second mounting blocks include elongated slots that allow the clamp rod to rotate about its longitudinal axis and further permit linear radial movement of the clamp rod with respect to the carrier drum. The clamp rod includes mounting pins and spring tabs that engage leading and trailing edges of the photoconductor film. The leading and trailing edges of the photoconductor film are releasibly clamped to the clamp rod by a clamp bar. Leaf spring elements associated with the first and second mounting blocks bias the clamp rod radially inward to a first position wherein the photoconductor film extends loosely about the outer surface of the carrier drum. The photoconductor film is tensioned by rotating the clamp rod about its longitudinal axis which in turn winds the leading and trailing edges of the photoconductor film about the clamp rod. As the clamp rod is rotated, it moves radially outward with respect to the carrier drum along the elongated slots against the bias of the leaf spring elements. The clamp rod is held in a second position wherein the sheet of photoconductor film is securely tensioned about the outer surface of the carrier drum by a releasible split clamp collar.