JP2008083708A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a user from being exposed to a danger caused by an accident as in the case a capacitor malfunctions in a non-use mode. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with a heat source 15 which heats a fixing means by generating heat when power is supplied thereto and a drive means which supplies power to the heat source 15. The drive means has the capacitor 17 which can be charged or discharged and a charger 19 which receives power from a commercial power source 18 and charges the capacitor 17. In the image forming apparatus, discharging means 22 and 23 are provided to allow discharging from the capacitor 17 when the apparatus is in the non-use mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile having a power storage device.

  In general, an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile uses a fixing device in which a pressure roller is pressed against a fixing roller heated by a fixing heater as a heat source. In this fixing device, while rotating a fixing roller heated by a fixing heater, a sheet-like recording medium such as transfer paper on which a toner image is transferred is inserted between the rotating fixing roller and a pressure roller. The toner image on the recording medium is heated and melted and fixed on the recording medium. Conventionally, a halogen heater using a halogen lamp has been generally used as a fixing heater for heating the fixing roller.

  Due to recent environmental regulations and growing awareness of environmental protection, various image forming apparatuses cut off the power to the fixing heater when not in use and reduce the power consumption by energizing the fixing heater only when necessary. It has been broken. In such an energy-saving image forming apparatus, the surface temperature of the fixing roller needs to reach the set temperature immediately at the time of image formation. Usually, power from a commercial power source is simultaneously supplied to one or a plurality of fixing heaters. Since the electric power is supplied, there is a certain limitation on the electric power supplied to the fixing heater. In addition, in the case of halogen heaters, it took time to rise.

  As a countermeasure against this, in the method of heating the fixing heater with a conventional halogen heater, the thickness of the fixing roller base is reduced to 1 mm or less. By reducing the thickness of the fixing roller substrate, the heat capacity of the fixing roller can be reduced, and the fixing roller can be rapidly raised to a set temperature.

  However, there are some problems in reducing the thickness of the fixing roller substrate. When the fixing roller substrate is thinned, the mechanical strength of the fixing roller substrate is remarkably lowered, and deformation such as crushing and bending of the fixing roller is likely to occur. Further, as the thickness of the fixing roller is reduced, the technical difficulty increases, and high processing accuracy is required, leading to high costs. As described above, there is a limit to realizing a high-speed start-up only by thinning the fixing roller base.

  In order to solve such problems, contrary to the reduction in power consumption loss due to the lower heat capacity of the fixing roller base, it is assumed that the power input to the fixing heater is higher than the power obtained from commercial power, Fixing devices that increase the speed have been proposed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in a heating device for a fixing device having a heater that generates heat by receiving power supplied through a heater driving unit, the heater driving unit is connected to a rechargeable storage battery and a commercial power source. And a charger for charging the storage battery, wherein the heater has a main heater that receives supply of power from a commercial power source, and an auxiliary heater that receives supply of power from the storage battery. Heating for a fixing device, wherein the heating device is switchable to either a connection form that forms a charging circuit with the charger or a connection form that forms a discharge circuit with the auxiliary heater. An apparatus is described. In the heating device for the fixing device, the rise time is shortened by the connection form in which the discharge circuit of the storage battery is formed.

  In Patent Document 2, in a fixing device that fixes a visible image transferred on a transfer sheet by an electrophotographic process by a heating unit, the first heater driven by an AC power source and a battery charged by a charging unit are driven. The fixing device is provided with a second heater.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 is an image forming apparatus including a heat fixing device having a pressure roller incorporating a main heater and a sub heater, and switches a main power source for heating the main heater and an on / off of the main power source. A first switching means; a storage battery for heating the sub-heater; a charging means for charging the storage battery; a second switching means for switching the connection between the storage battery and the sub-heater; and the connection between the storage battery and the charging means; A temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the pressure roller; and a control means for controlling the first and second switching means based on a detection result of the temperature detecting means. When the temperature of the heating roller decreases to the reference temperature associated with the fixability, the sub heater is heated via the storage battery. On the other hand, when the temperature becomes higher than the reference temperature, the sub heater is heated. Imaging device is characterized in that so as to stop are described.

  In Patent Document 4, a heating unit, a main power supply device, and an auxiliary power supply device, and the heating unit includes a heating element and generates heat by power supplied from the main power supply device and the auxiliary power supply device. A heating device is described, characterized in that a capacitor is used as the device.

In Patent Document 5, in a heating apparatus for a fixing device having a heater that generates heat by receiving power supply, and a heater driving unit that supplies power to the heater, the heater driving unit includes a rechargeable storage battery, A charger that is supplied with power from a commercial power source and charges the storage battery, and the heater includes a main heater that receives power from the commercial power source and an auxiliary heater that receives power from the storage battery, and charges the storage battery Is described when the main heater is turned off.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-36579 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-150967 JP-A-3-5779 JP 2000-315567 A JP 2000-98799 A

  In the above heating device, fixing device, and image forming device for the fixing device, the capacitor and secondary battery used as an auxiliary power source for speeding up the start-up are premised on the fact that the stored electrical energy has a large capacity. Therefore, it is strongly required to give sufficient consideration to the safety for users in the event of an abnormality. However, these devices do not take safety measures for various auxiliary power supplies. In particular, if a large amount of electrical energy is accumulated in the auxiliary power supply and the image forming apparatus enters the non-use mode, there is a risk that the user may have a risk that could not be considered in the conventional image forming apparatus. For example, if there is a large amount of energy in the device when there is a long period of non-use, transportation at the time of disposal, maintenance work, etc. Could lead to accidents.

  The present invention can reduce the rise time, and can prevent the user from being exposed to danger due to an accident such as a failure of the power storage device as the auxiliary power supply device in the non-use mode. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a fixing unit that fixes a toner image formed on a sheet-like recording medium to the recording medium, and the fixing unit that generates heat by receiving power supply. A heat source that heats the battery, and a drive unit that supplies power to the heat source. The drive unit includes a power storage device that can be charged and discharged, and a charger that is supplied with power from a commercial power source and charges the power storage device. The image forming apparatus includes a discharging unit that discharges the power storage device in a non-use mode.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, an operation element is provided for causing the discharging means to discharge the power storage device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the discharging means automatically discharges the power storage device when a power switch is turned off.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the discharging means discharges the power storage device to the heat source.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the discharging unit discharges the power storage device to a power unit in the image forming device.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the discharging means discharges the power storage device to a dedicated circuit.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the user touches the power storage device and the live part at least while the power storage device is being discharged. It is configured so that it is not possible.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, an insulating member that covers the periphery of the power storage device is provided so that the power storage device and the live part are not touched.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the insulating member is openable and closable and is locked at least during discharging of the power storage device.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, a detection unit that detects a remaining amount of energy of the power storage device and a remaining energy level of the power storage device are displayed based on a detection result of the detection unit. Output means for warning the user according to the remaining energy of the power storage device during the discharge of the power storage device.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first to tenth aspects, the power storage device is installed separately from the fixing unit.

  A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first to eleventh aspects, further comprising an insulating tray on which the power storage device is attached.

According to the first and second aspects of the invention, the electrical energy remaining in the power storage device can be converted into other energy and consumed, and the safety of the image forming apparatus when not in use is ensured. be able to.
According to the invention of claim 3, the energy remaining in the power storage device can be forcibly discharged at the same time as the power switch is turned off.

According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, an electrical storage apparatus can be discharged, without adding the apparatus structure for the discharge of an electrical storage apparatus.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, the energy which remains in an electrical storage apparatus can be discharged, suppressing generation | occurrence | production of a heat | fever.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 6, a load can be arbitrarily set with respect to the discharge of an electrical storage apparatus, and the load with respect to the discharge of an electrical storage apparatus can be optimized.

According to the invention which concerns on Claim 7, 8, the safety | security with respect to accidents, such as a user's electric shock during discharge of an electrical storage apparatus, can be ensured.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 9, safety | security can be ensured, improving a maintainability.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the user can be alerted to prevent an accident caused by the remaining energy of the power storage device, and an unexpected accident by the user can be prevented.

According to the invention which concerns on Claim 11, the safety | security with respect to accidents, such as a power storage device being damaged under the influence of the heat which generate | occur | produces in a fixing means, can be improved.
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the electrolytic solution from flowing into the image forming apparatus when the electric field liquid leakage of the power storage device occurs.

  FIG. 5 shows the entirety of the first embodiment of the present invention. Around a drum-shaped photosensitive member 101 as an image carrier, a developing unit 107 includes a charging unit 102, a cleaning unit 103, and a developing sleeve 105 as a developing unit that visualizes an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 101. , And transfer means 106 are arranged.

  The photosensitive member 101 is rotated in the direction of an arrow by a driving unit (not shown) and uniformly charged by the charging unit 102, and then exposed to a laser beam L from a laser optical system 140 serving as a writing unit (exposure unit) to be electrostatically charged. A latent image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 107 to become a toner image. The toner image on the photoconductor 101 is transferred onto a sheet P as a sheet-like recording medium as will be described later, and the photoconductor 101 is cleaned by a cleaning unit 103 after the toner image is transferred. Therefore, the charging unit 102, the laser optical system 140, and the developing unit 107 constitute an image forming unit that forms a toner image on the photosensitive member 101.

  A paper feeding device having a paper feeding cassette 110 that is detachable in the direction of arrow a is provided at the lower part of the device. The paper P accommodated in the paper feed cassette 110 is supported by the intermediate plate 111 and pressed against the paper feed roller 113 via the arm 112 by the force of a spring (not shown). When the paper feed roller 113 rotates, the uppermost paper P in the paper feed cassette 110 is fed by a command from a control unit (not shown) and the paper feed roller 113 rotates. The sheet is conveyed to the downstream registration roller pair 115 while being prevented from being fed.

  An operation surface is disposed on the right side of the apparatus, and the operation panel 130 protrudes from the upper front surface of the exterior portion 131 (on the right side of the apparatus in FIG. 5). In addition, a paper feed tray 132 is rotatably attached by a pin 133, and a sheet-like recording medium consisting of the uppermost paper in the paper feed tray 132 is fed by a paper feed roller and is prevented from being double fed by a separation pad. However, it is conveyed to the registration roller pair 115 on the downstream side. One of the sheets in the sheet feeding cassettes 110 and 132 is selectively fed.

  The registration roller pair 115 sends the conveyed paper P toward the transfer unit 106 at a timing so as to synchronize with the image (toner image) on the photosensitive member 101. The transfer unit 106 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member 101 to the paper P sent from the registration roller pair 115, and the paper P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 116. As the fixing device 116, a fixing device having a fixing means including a fixing roller 116 a as a fixing member and a pressure roller 116 b as a pressure member pressed against the fixing roller 116 a is used, and the sheet P is fixed to the fixing roller 116 a. And the pressure roller 116b, the toner image on the paper P is fixed to the paper P by heating and pressing. The fixing member may be a fixing belt or the like instead of the fixing roller 116a.

  The fixed paper P from the fixing device 116 is discharged and stacked on the paper discharge tray 122 from the paper discharge port 121 with the image surface down by the paper discharge roller pair 120. In order to correspond to the size of the paper discharged from the paper discharge port 121, the paper discharge stopper 125 is slidable in the direction of arrow b. In the case 134 arranged on the left side in the figure, electrical equipment / control devices such as a power circuit 135 and a printed board 136 (engine driver board) are accommodated, and a controller board 137 is also accommodated. The cover 138 constituting the paper discharge tray 122 can be opened around the rotation fulcrum 139.

  FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of the fixing device 116 in the first embodiment. The temperature sensor 11 detects the surface temperature (fixing temperature) of the fixing roller 116a. The detection signal from the temperature sensor 11 is taken into the CPU 13 as the control means via the input circuit 12, and the CPU 13 maintains the surface temperature (fixing temperature) of the fixing roller 116a at the set temperature based on the detection signal from the temperature sensor 5. As described above, the power supply to the heat source 15 is controlled via the driver 14, and the power supply from the power storage device 17 to the heat source 15 is controlled via the switching device 16. The heat source 15 is a heat source for heating the fixing unit, and for example, a fixing heater for heating the fixing roller 116a from the inside is used.

  The heat source 15 is connected to the commercial power source 18 via the driver 14, and the driver 14 is controlled by the CPU 13 to control energization from the commercial power source 18 to the heat source 15. The CPU 13 switches the power storage device 17 to the charger 19 side and the heat source 15 side by switching the switching device 15 depending on whether it is in standby or in use. Since it is desirable that the power storage device 17 has high responsiveness, a power storage device capable of rapid charge / discharge, such as a capacitor, is used.

  During standby, the switching device 16 switches and connects the power storage device 17 to the charger 19, and the charger 19 charges the power storage device 17 by converting AC power from the commercial power supply 18 into DC power and applying it to the power storage device 17. To do. When the fixing device 116 is used, the switching device 16 switches and connects the power storage device 17 to the heat source 15 and is discharged from the power storage device 17 to the heat source 15 so that the heat source 15 is driven by a direct current.

  Therefore, when a large amount of electric power is required in a short time, such as at the time of start-up, the heat source 15 is driven by an AC current flowing from the commercial power source 18 through the driver 14 and a DC current flowing from the power storage device 17, and the fixing roller 116a. Surface temperature rises rapidly to the set temperature. In other cases, the CPU 13 controls the energization from the commercial power supply 18 to the heat source 15 via the driver 14 so that the surface temperature of the fixing roller 116a is maintained at the set temperature.

  The detection unit 20 measures the remaining amount of energy of the power storage device 17 and the result is output to the display unit 21 installed on the operation panel or the like. Based on the detection result of the detection unit 20, the display unit 21 displays the remaining energy of the power storage device 17 at several stages according to the remaining energy of the power storage device 17 during the discharge of the power storage device 17. If the amount is above a certain level, the user is warned before entering the non-use mode. The non-use mode here refers to a state in which a main power source (a power source unit including a power switch that supplies power supplied from the commercial power source 18 to each unit of the image forming apparatus) is turned off for a long period of time. The state where the main power supply is turned off for the purpose of movement or maintenance is assumed.

  The warning display on the display unit 21 is for notifying that it is necessary to discharge the remaining electric energy of the power storage device 17 before entering the non-use mode. As a warning display on the display unit 21, the power storage device 17 is switched by forcibly switching the power storage device 17 to be connected to the heat source 15 via the operation circuit 23 using an operator 22 such as a button or a switch. An example is one that prompts the user to force the heat source 15 to discharge. The operation element 22 is operated by a user with a warning display on the display unit 21 before entering the non-use mode, and an instruction to form a discharge circuit that causes the power storage device 17 to discharge to the heat source 15 in the switching device 15 via the operation circuit 22. give. The switching device 15 is not controlled by the CPU 13 when the power storage device 17 is forcibly connected to the heat source 15 by the operation element 22, and the power storage device 17 is forcibly connected to the heat source 15 by the operation element 22. It is controlled by the CPU 13 except when it is switched.

  According to the first embodiment, since the electric power is supplied to the heat source 15 by the commercial power source 18 and the power storage device 17, the rise time can be shortened. In addition, there is a danger that the power storage device 17 may accumulate energy in the non-use mode, which may lead to an accident. However, the operation element 22 as a discharging unit that discharges from the power storage device 17 in the non-use mode. Since the operation circuit 23 is provided, it is possible to set a load for discharging the power storage device 17 and convert the electric energy remaining in the power storage device 17 into other energy to be consumed. However, it is possible to prevent the user from being exposed to danger due to an accident such as a failure, and to ensure the safety of the image forming apparatus in the non-use mode. The electric energy remaining in the power storage device 17 may be effectively used when the image forming apparatus is not in use.

  FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration of the fixing device 116 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the main power supply 24 and the switching device 16 are interlocked with each other instead of providing the operation element 22 dedicated to discharging in the first embodiment, and the switching device 16 is connected to the main power supply 24. When the main power supply 24 is turned off, the power storage device 17 is forcibly switched so as to be connected to the heat source 15.

  Therefore, when the main power supply 24 is turned off, the switching device 16 is forcibly switched so that the power storage device 17 is connected to the heat source 15, and when the energy remains in the power storage device 17, the power storage device 17 is switched off. Force to discharge. Therefore, the energy remaining in the power storage device 17 can be forcibly discharged simultaneously with turning off the power switch of the main power supply 24 to ensure safety.

According to the second embodiment, since the power storage device 17 is automatically discharged when the power switch is turned off, the energy remaining in the power storage device can be forcibly discharged at the same time as the power switch is turned off.
According to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, since the power storage device 17 is discharged to the heat source 15, the power storage device can be discharged without adding a device configuration for discharging the power storage device. .

  FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of the fixing device 116 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the switching device 15a is used instead of the switching device 15 in the first embodiment. The switching device 15a is controlled by the CPU 13 in the same manner as the switching device 15, and is controlled by the switching unit S1 that switches and connects the power storage device 17 to the charger 19 and the heat source 15, and is controlled by the operation element 22 via the operation circuit 23. And a switching unit S2 for connecting the device 17 to the power unit 25. Switching unit S <b> 2 does not connect power storage device 17 to power unit 25 when it is turned off by operator 22, and connects power storage device 17 to power unit 25 when it is turned on by operator 22. The power unit 25 is installed in the image forming apparatus and is driven by electric energy.

  When the operation element 22 is operated by the user in the warning display on the display unit 21 and the switching unit S2 is turned on before entering the non-use mode, the power storage device 17 is connected to the power unit 25 and discharged from the power storage device 17 to the power unit 25. Thus, the energy remaining in the power storage device 17 can be discharged while suppressing the generation of heat.

  It is also possible to connect the power storage device 17 to the heat source 15 and the power unit 25 when the switching unit S2 is turned on so that the power storage device 17 discharges the heat source 15 and the power unit 25 simultaneously. If, for example, a fan is used as the power unit 25 and air is blown to the heat source 15 by this fan, the temperature rise in the image forming apparatus can be suppressed to some extent and the remaining energy of the power storage device 17 can be efficiently reduced.

  According to the third embodiment, since power is discharged from the power storage device 17 to the power unit 25 in the image forming apparatus, energy remaining in the power storage device can be discharged while suppressing generation of heat.

  FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration of the fixing device 116 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, in the third embodiment, a load 26 is connected to the power storage device 17 via a switching unit S2, and a discharge-only circuit for the power storage device 17 is formed. When the operator 22 is operated by a user in a warning display on the display unit 21 and the switching unit S2 is turned on before entering the non-use mode, the power storage device 17 is connected to the load 26 and discharged from the power storage device 17 to the load 26. . Therefore, the load 26 can be arbitrarily set for the discharge of the power storage device 17 and the load for the discharge of the power storage device 17 can be optimized.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, since the power storage device 17 is discharged to the dedicated circuit, it is possible to arbitrarily set the load with respect to the discharge of the power storage device, and to optimize the load with respect to the discharge of the power storage device. .

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, in each of the first to fourth embodiments, the power storage device 17 and the live part (discharge circuit through which a discharge current flows from the power storage device 17) are not shown in the surroundings. It is covered to the extent that the user cannot touch it. If the power storage device 17 and the live part are sealed with an insulating member, there is a danger if the internal pressure of the insulating member increases due to some accident. It is necessary to have a gap that cannot be touched. The insulating member covering the power storage device 17 and the live part may be partly open / closed in consideration of maintainability, but is locked so that it cannot be opened at least during the discharge of the power storage device 17. . Therefore, the safety of the user can be further enhanced by these.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, since the user is prevented from touching the power storage device 17 and the live part while the power storage device 17 is being discharged, the power storage device is being discharged. Safety against accidents such as electric shock of the user can be ensured.
In addition, according to the fifth embodiment, since the insulating member that covers the periphery of the power storage device 17 is provided so as not to touch the power storage device 17 and the live part, an accident such as an electric shock of the user during the discharge of the power storage device Can be secured.
According to the fifth embodiment, since the insulating member covering the power storage device 17 can be opened and closed and is locked at least during the discharge of the power storage device 17, safety can be ensured while improving maintainability.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the sixth embodiment, in each of the first to fifth embodiments, as a method of installing the power storage device 17, the power storage device 17 includes a fixing roller 116a as a fixing unit of the fixing device 116 and a pressure. It is assumed that it is installed away from the roller 116b. Further, the power storage device 17 is provided with a tray made of an insulating member (not shown). Therefore, it is possible to improve the safety against an accident such as the failure of the power storage device 17 due to the heat generated in the fixing device 116, and the electrolyte leakage of the power storage device 17 occurs due to the failure. In this case, it is possible to prevent the electrolytic solution from flowing into the image forming apparatus.

According to the sixth embodiment, since the power storage device 17 is installed apart from the fixing units 116a and 116b, safety against accidents such as failure of the power storage device due to the heat generated by the fixing unit is improved. be able to.
In addition, according to the sixth embodiment, since the power storage device 17 includes the insulating tray on which the power storage device 17 is mounted, in the unlikely event that electric field liquid leakage of the power storage device occurs, the electrolytic solution is transferred to the image forming apparatus. It can be prevented from flowing into the inside.

  Further, according to the first to sixth embodiments, the detection unit 20 as a detection unit that detects the remaining energy of the power storage device 17, and the energy remaining of the power storage device 17 based on the detection result of the detection unit 20. Since the display unit 21 is provided as an output unit that displays the amount and warns the user according to the remaining energy of the power storage device 17 during the discharge of the power storage device 17, an accident caused by the remaining energy of the power storage device 17 is provided to the user. Attention can be urged to prevent the user from accidents, and accidents unexpected by the user can be prevented.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a fixing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a fixing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a fixing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the fixing device in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the whole said 1st Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

11 Temperature Sensor 12 Input Circuit 13 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Driver 15 Heat source 16, 16a Switching apparatus 17 Power storage apparatus 18 Commercial power supply 19 Charger 20 Detection part 21 Display part 22 Operation element 23 Operation circuit 24 Main power supply 25 Power part 26 Load 116 Fixing apparatus 116a Fixing roller 116b Pressure roller

Claims (12)

  Fixing means for fixing a toner image formed on a sheet-like recording medium to the recording medium, a heat source for generating heat by receiving power and heating the fixing means, and driving means for supplying power to the heat source The drive means includes: a chargeable / dischargeable power storage device; and a charger that charges the power storage device with power supplied from a commercial power source. An image forming apparatus comprising discharge means for causing the discharge.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operator for causing the discharging unit to discharge the power storage device.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharging means automatically discharges the power storage device when a power switch is turned off.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharging unit discharges the power storage device to the heat source.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharging unit discharges the power storage device to a power unit in the image forming apparatus. 5.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharging unit discharges the power storage device to a dedicated circuit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a user is prevented from touching the power storage device and the live part while at least the power storage device is being discharged. An image forming apparatus.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an insulating member that covers a periphery of the power storage device so that the power storage device and the live part are not touched.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the insulating member is openable and closable and is locked at least during discharging of the power storage device.   10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a detection unit that detects a remaining amount of energy of the power storage device and a remaining amount of energy of the power storage device are displayed based on a detection result of the detection unit, and the power storage device is being discharged. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an output unit that warns a user in accordance with a remaining energy level of the power storage device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power storage device is installed apart from the fixing unit.   12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power storage device includes an insulating tray on which the power storage device is attached.

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