Patent ID: 6549745
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
For use in an electrostatographic machine having a plurality of rotatable members, an operational surface associated respectively with each of said plurality of rotatable members, said plurality of rotatable members including a first member having a first operational surface and a second member having a second operational surface, said plurality of rotatable members being in engagement in pressure nips involving the operational surfaces of said plurality of rotatable members, each pressure nip including an engagement between two of said rotatable members, said first member being included in one nip only, and no rotatable member being included in more than two nips, said plurality of rotatable members includes at least one roller, said at least one roller being substantially cylindrical about an axis when not engaged with another rotatable member of said plurality of rotatable members, and a member of said plurality of rotatable members being a driving member causing frictional rotation of all the other rotatable members by a nonslip frictional drive in each of said pressure nips, and an apparatus for controlling a speed ratio between certain of said rotatable members, said apparatus comprising:at least one engagement adjustment device including at least one prime mover to controllably adjust at least one of said pressure nips, wherein said speed ratio, defined as a speed of a first surface portion included in said first operational surface divided by a speed of a second surface portion included in said second operational surface, said first and second surface portions being located where any distortions of said operational surfaces caused by said pressure nips are negligible, is made equal to a predetermined value by activating said at least one engagement adjustment device; wherein said shaft of said at least one roller is adjustable, and a shaft of another rotatable member is non-adjustable, and said at least one engagement adjustment device is activated to controllably adjust engagement in at least one of said pressure nips by adjusting said at least one adjustable shaft to change the distance of separation between said at least one adjustable shaft and said at least one non-adjustable shaft, said shafts being kept parallel to one another upon such adjustment.