Roll fusing apparatus including a fusing nip force controlling assembly

摘要

A roll fusing apparatus for effectively heating and fusing quality toner images on various different types of substrates is provided. The roll fusing apparatus includes a frame; a heated fuser roller having a first end and a second end respectively mounted to the frame; and a pressure roller mounted to the frame and forming a fusing nip with the heated fuser roller. The heated fuser roller and the pressure roller are movable for receiving, heating and applying a nip force to toner images being moved through the fusing nip on various different types of substrates. The roll fusing apparatus importantly includes a fusing nip force controlling assembly for precisely setting and controlling fusing nip forces within the fusing nip at different values for effectively heating and fusing quality toner images on the various different types of substrates. The fusing nip force controlling assembly includes a piezoelectric member connected to at least one of the heated fuser roller and the pressure roller for producing an electrical signal responsively and proportionally to a nip force being applied within the fusing nip between the heated fuser roller and the pressure roller.