Metering roller for fuser release oil applicator

Abstract

A metering roller, for a fuser release oil applicator, which enables precise and consistent application of a predetermined target amount of release oil to the fuser roller. Starting with tubing stock that has been machined and course ground to a final outside diameter, the metering roller is produced by initial pre-finish polishing, electroplating with Nickel, heat treatment to achieve a hardened surface, and final post-finish polishing. Both pre-finish and post-finish polishing steps are performed on a lathe with continuously fed polishing paper according to a parameter recipe that includes lathe spindle rpm and lead screw speed, and polishing paper grit, feed rate, pressure, and oscillatory rate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, and more particularly, to metering rollers in fuser release oil applicators. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In typical electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, a latent image charge pattern is formed on a uniformly charged charge-retentive member or photoconductor having dielectric characteristics. Charged thermoplastic, pigmented marking particles are attracted to the latent image charge pattern to render the latent image visible. A receiver member, such as a sheet of paper, transparency, or other medium, is then brought into contact with the photoconductive member, and an electric field applied to transfer the marking particle developed image to the receiver member from the photoconductive member. The electric field to transfer the marking particle developed image to the receiver member from the photoconductive member is typically applied by spraying the backside of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In view of the above, this invention is directed to an improved metering roller for a fuser release oil applicator. The release oil metering roller of this invention enables precise and consistent application of a predetermined target amount of release oil to the fuser roller of an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus fuser, thus avoiding image quality defects that result when the amount of release oil being applied to the fuser roller deviates from the predetermined target amount. Applicant has discovered a novel method of providing a surface finish on the release oil metering roller of this invention, the parameters of which can be varied to achieve a predetermined target release oil metering rate from within a range of rates, and which, additionally, precisely maintains the target metering rate under varying operating conditions.

Problems solved by technology

If the amount of release oil applied to the fuser roller deviates too much from the predetermined target amount or if it becomes too non-uniform, image quality defects will occur in the output prints.

A primary problem associated with too much release oil on the fuser roller occurs during duplex printing runs.

During these times some of the fuser release oil accumulated on the biased roller during duplex printing transfers to the photoconductive member.

Release oil on the photoconductive member causes several types of image quality defects including background and streaks due to non-uniform transfer from the photoconductive member to the receiver member.

These release oil related problems during duplex printing occur much sooner if oil in excess of the predetermined target amount is being applied to the fuser roller.

This problem will occur during simplex and duplex printing.

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