| 摘要 |
Heat and pressure fuser for fixing toner images to copy substrates wherein a heated roll or roller contacts the toner images on the copy substrates and a non-rotating, elongated pressure member cooperates with the roll or roller to form an elongated nip. The heated roll is fabricated such that it constitutes a low mass member. The fuser of the present invention is relatively low in cost, simple in construction, occupies less space in the machine than prior art devices and has a fuser roll which has a relatively low mass. A pressure member in the form of a sling or web is urged into pressure contact with the surface of the fuser roll. One of the ends of the web or sling is captivated in a machine structure while the other end is biased into pressure engagement with the fuser roll. A portion of the sling closer to the captivated end thereof is also biased into engagement with the fuser roll. The web is urged into engagement with the fuser roll by a blade structure such that a relatively low (6 pounds over the 36 inches of width) force is developed therebetween. The mechanism by which the pressure between the fuser roll and the sling effected is constructed to minimize stalling of the copy substrates upon entry into the fuser nip and to improve the efficiency of substrate movement through the nip. The use of the sling or web and the manner in which it is installed relative to the fuser roll results in a lower overall height making the fuser suitable for use in smaller machines as well as providing at fuser which is simpler in construction and design and which is lower in cost than prior art devices. The sling or web is fabricated from a material and in a manner such that the friction between the sling and copy substrates moved between the sling and the fuser roll is less than the friction developed between the copy substrate and the fuser roll. |
