High efficiency fuser roll assembly for xerographic material

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to apparatus for making multiple copies of printed or other matter by xerographic methods, usually on a plain paper carrier medium.
The invention is particularly concerned with reproduction apparatus including cooperating toner fuser and pressure roll elements for fixing xerographic particles to a carrier medium.
The fuser roll is equipped with an axially located cartridge heater element efficiently coupled integrally or directly to a plurality of low thermal mass, high thermal conductivity radial fins for rapidly transferring heat purely by conduction to the roll surface, in addition to supporting the roll surface with respect to the cartridge heater element so that the heater and the roll surface rotate in unison.
The cartridge heater element, its axial support system, and the roll fuser structure are thermally isolated with respect to the shaft-supporting mechanism for rotating the roll.
The operating temperature of the heater is reduced and lower operating power is required.
Quick and efficient heating of the roll surface is achieved, along with reduced heat loss by thermal conduction into the shaft support mechanism.