Fuser architecture for enabling interchangeability in an imaging device

US9904239B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Lexmark International, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Karen Elaine Ballman · Nicholasville, US
• Patrick Wayne Carr, Jr. · Dry Ridge, US
• Gregory Daniel Creteau · Winchester, US
• Clark Edward Jarnagin · Richmond, US
• Donald Eugene Proffitt · Richmond, US
• Edward Alan Rush · Lexington, US
• Edward Lynn Triplett · Lexington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 26, 2016
• Grant date: Feb 27, 2018
• Expiry date: Oct 26, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G2221/169
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An imaging device having a fuser and print engine architecture that enables complete interchangeability between fuser types with a common print engine. The imaging device has a frame configured to separately receive a first fuser assembly of a first fuser type and a second fuser assembly of a second fuser type different from the first fuser type. The first fuser assembly includes a first fuser frame having a first datum tab. The second fuser assembly includes a second fuser frame having a second datum tab. The frame of the imaging device has a datum aperture that is sized to receive the first datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the first fuser assembly to be positioned at a first operative position, and the second datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the second fuser assembly to be positioned at a second operative position.