Fuser temperature control sensor which is insensitive to surrounding air currents

Abstract

A mechanism for controlling temperature of the at least one heated fuser element of a fuser, for a reproduction apparatus having a heater for the fuser element, operating at a desired temperature to permanently fix a marking particle image to a receiver member. The temperature controlling mechanism includes a temperature sensing element producing a signal corresponding to a sensed temperature of the fuser element. A temperature sensing face member defines a cavity for receiving the temperature sensing element therein. The temperature sensing face member has a surface configured to correspond to the configuration of the fusing element. A housing is provided having an interior chamber for receiving the temperature sensing face member at one end. Air is substantially trapped in the interior chamber adjacent to the temperature sensing face member. The housing is supported in a bracket for movement so as to engage the temperature sensing face member in contact with the fuser element to accurately sense the temperature thereof. A logic and control unit receives the signal from the temperature sensing element, and in response to receiving the signal, compares the signal to a reference temperature for the fuser element, and activates the heater for the fuser element based on such comparison.