Apparatus for controlling sheet velocity

Abstract

An apparatus in which an advancing copy sheet is disclosed. The apparatus includes a moving imaging member having a toner image thereon. The copy sheet contacts an imaging member to transfer a toner image from the imaging member to the copy sheet. A fusing member fuses the toner image to the copy sheet and advances the copy sheet at an adjustable velocity while the copy sheet receives the toner image from the imaging member. A controller communicates with the imaging member and the fusing member to maintain the velocity of the copy sheet with that of the imaging member. The velocity is maintained at a selected relationship. An imaging member drive moves the imaging member at a first velocity. The imaging member drive includes: a crystal clock that generates a fixed reference signal, a programmable divider which receives the signal and generates a control signal, and a servo motor responsive to the control signal. A fuser drive rotates the fuser roll to advance the sheet at a second velocity. The fuser drive includes: a voltage controlled oscillator that generates a signal responsive to the velocity differential between the imaging member drive and the fuser drive, a programmable divider which receives the signal from the voltage controlled oscillator and generates a control signal, and a servo motor responsive to the control signal. The controller includes a fixed frequency divider that receives a signal from the voltage controlled oscillator and generates a measurement signal as a function thereof.