Backup Belt Assembly for a Fusing System

摘要

A backup belt assembly includes an endless belt, at least a pair of nip forming rollers contacting an inner surface of the endless belt and positioned relative to the fuser roller to provide pressure to a section of an outer surface of the fuser roller adjacent the endless belt so as to form an elongated fusing nip along the section. A first roller of the pair of nip forming rollers engages the fuser roller via the endless belt at an entrance of the elongated fusing nip, while a second roller of the pair of nip forming rollers engages the fuser roller via the endless belt at an exit of the elongated fusing nip. The first roller provides a lower amount of pressure to the fuser roller relative to the pressure provided by the second roller. A supporting roller may be disposed within the endless belt near the entrance of the elongated fusing nip for providing acceptable media entry geometry.

主权项

1. A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic imaging device, comprising:
a heating element; a fuser roller receiving heat from the heating element; and a backup belt assembly coupled to the fuser roller, comprising
an endless belt;a pair of nip forming rollers positioned internally of the endless belt for supporting movement of the endless belt in an endless path, the pair of nip forming rollers contacting an inner surface of the endless belt and positioned relative to the fuser roller to provide a pressing force to a section of an outer surface of the fuser roller adjacent the endless belt so as to form an elongated fusing nip along the section, wherein a first roller of the pair of nip forming rollers engages the fuser roller via the endless belt at an entrance of the elongated fusing nip and a second roller of the pair of nip forming rollers engages the fuser roller via the endless belt at an exit of the elongated fusing nip; andat least one supporting roller positioned internally of the endless belt and contacting the inner surface thereof, the at least one supporting roller supporting movement of the endless belt.