JP2014059485A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that is configured to have temperature control means for controlling a temperature of a temperature control object part inside the apparatus by using heat transfer means, and a heating object part other than the temperature control object part, and is capable of suppressing an increase in size, cost, and power consumption.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises a cooling device 30 that is temperature control means for controlling a temperature of a temperature control object part inside the apparatus by using an air conditioner 600 that is heat transfer means, and further comprises an endothermic device 610 and a heat transmission member 611 as heat transmission means for transmitting heat generated by the operation of the air conditioner 600 to a conveyance guide 612 that is a heating object part other than the temperature control object part.

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of a temperature control target part in the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a combination of these, a latent image is written on an image carrier by a writing device based on image information, and the latent image is developed by a developing device. Develop. The toner image is transferred to a recording medium (transfer paper) conveyed from a paper feeding device by a transfer device, and the transferred image (toner image in an unfixed state) is further fixed by a fixing device.

When the installation environment of the image forming apparatus is changed from room temperature to low temperature, condensation occurs, and the recording paper in the apparatus absorbs moisture, which may lead to deterioration of the quality of the recording paper due to poor conveyance of the recording paper or image defects due to this poor conveyance. is there. Condensation occurs not only due to temperature changes in the installation environment, but also occurs when the temperature of the image forming apparatus becomes higher than normal due to operation of the image forming apparatus, such as the periphery of the fixing device, after the apparatus is stopped. Sometimes.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a configuration including a heating unit that heats a guide plate in a paper conveyance path. In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the guide plate is heated to prevent condensation on the sheet conveyance path, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects such as conveyance failure due to the occurrence of condensation on the sheet conveyance path.

  In addition, as an image forming apparatus, Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which an air conditioner is used to perform heating and cooling so that the temperature of the developing device becomes a temperature suitable for development, thereby controlling the temperature.

  Even in the configuration in which the temperature of the developing device is controlled by an air conditioner as in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 2, there is a possibility that problems such as conveyance failure due to the occurrence of condensation may occur. In order to prevent such a problem, a configuration in which the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 is provided with a heating unit that heats the guide plate described in Patent Document 1 is conceivable. However, providing heating means other than the air conditioner for the purpose of preventing condensation on the paper transport path leads to problems that increase the size of the device, increase costs, and increase power consumption. Arise.

  Such a problem is not limited to the case where the temperature control target portion that performs temperature control by the air conditioner is a developing device. Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where the heating target portion to be heated for preventing condensation or the like is a guide plate for the paper transport path. If it is the structure provided with the heating object part which should be heated separately from the temperature control object part which performs temperature control, it is a problem which may arise. Furthermore, as a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the temperature control target part, a refrigerant circulates between the heat absorption part and the exhaust heat part, such as an air conditioner, and the heat absorbed from the heat absorption part is exhausted by the refrigerant. It is not limited to the one using the heat transfer means of the heat medium circulation type that moves to the section and exhausts heat. In the configuration comprising the temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the temperature control target part where the heat absorption part or the exhaust heat part is disposed using the heat transfer means for transferring the heat absorbed from the heat absorption part to the exhaust heat part and exhausting the heat, Similar problems can arise.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to control the temperature of the temperature control target part in the apparatus using the heat transfer means and the heating target other than the temperature control target part. And an image forming apparatus that can suppress an increase in size, cost, and power consumption.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus comprising a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of a temperature control target part in the apparatus using the heat transfer means. It is characterized by comprising a heat transfer means for transferring heat generated by the operation to a heating target part other than the temperature control target part.

When the temperature control target portion is cooled by using the heat transfer means, waste heat is generated due to the heat transfer, and conventionally this is discharged outside the apparatus. In the present invention, this waste heat is transmitted to the heating target part by the heat transfer means and the heating target part is heated, so that it is not necessary to operate a heating means different from the heat transfer means to heat the heating target part. Thus, an increase in power consumption can be suppressed. Moreover, since a heating means is not required separately from the temperature control means in order to heat the heating target part, it is possible to suppress an increase in size and cost of the apparatus.
In the case where the temperature control target part is heated using the heat transfer means, the heat generated by the heat transfer means can be transmitted by the heat transfer means to heat the heating target part. For this reason, a heating means is not required separately from the temperature control means, and an increase in size and cost of the apparatus can be suppressed.

  According to the present invention, the temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the temperature control target part in the apparatus using the heat transfer means, and the heating target part other than the temperature control target part, the size is increased, the cost is high, In addition, there is an excellent effect that an increase in power consumption can be suppressed.

Schematic explanatory drawing of the cooling device and conveyance guide of Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copier according to an embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the air conditioner of Embodiment 1. FIG. A TS diagram of temperature T and entropy S. FIG. The block diagram which concerns on the heat transfer to the heating object part of Embodiment 1. FIG. The flowchart which concerns on control of the amount of heat transfer to a conveyance guide. The schematic explanatory drawing of the cooling device of a modification 1, and a conveyance guide. Schematic explanatory drawing of the cooling device of a modification 2, and a conveyance guide. Explanatory drawing of the cooling device and conveyance guide of Embodiment 2. FIG. The schematic side view of one of the five heat receiving parts shown in FIG. The schematic explanatory drawing of the cooling device of a modification 3, and a conveyance guide.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. First, the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine 100 that is an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The image forming apparatus of FIG. 2 has an image forming unit 1 in which five image forming units 11 (Y, M, C, K, S) are arranged in parallel. Each image forming unit 11 (Y, M, C, K, S) includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member 18 (Y, M, C, K, S) serving as a latent image carrier, and a drum cleaning unit 12 (Y, M, S). C, K, S), charging unit 13 (Y, M, C, K, S), two-component developing type developing unit 19 (Y, M, C, K, S), etc. are housed in a frame not shown. Yes. These image forming units 11 (Y, M, C, K, and S) are detachable from the main body of the copying machine 100, so that consumable parts can be replaced at a time. Note that Y, M, C, K, and S given to the reference numerals indicate members for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and clear.

  Above the image forming unit 1, an exposure unit 9 is provided as a latent image forming unit. In addition, a reading device 10 that scans and reads a document placed on a contact glass is provided at the top of the device. Below the image forming unit 1, a transfer unit 2 including an intermediate transfer belt 15 as an intermediate transfer member is provided. The intermediate transfer belt 15 is stretched around a plurality of support rollers, and rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. A secondary transfer device 4 is provided below the transfer unit 2.

  The secondary transfer device 4 includes a secondary transfer roller 17, and the secondary transfer roller 17 abuts on the intermediate transfer belt 15 where the intermediate transfer belt 15 is wound around the transfer counter roller 16 from the belt front surface and performs secondary transfer. A nip is formed. A secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 17 by a power source (not shown). The transfer counter roller 16 is electrically grounded. Thereby, a secondary transfer electric field is formed in the secondary transfer nip. On the left side of the secondary transfer device 4 in the figure, a fixing unit 7 having a heating roller having a heating element therein is provided in order to fix the toner image transferred onto the paper.

  In addition, a conveyance belt 6 is provided between the secondary transfer device 4 and the fixing unit 7 to convey the sheet after transfer of the toner image to the fixing unit 7. A paper feeding unit 3 is provided below the apparatus for feeding paper that is separated and fed one by one from a paper feeding storage unit (not shown) to the secondary transfer device 4. In addition, a paper discharge unit 8 that transports the paper that has passed through the fixing unit 7 to the outside of the apparatus or to the duplex unit 5 is provided.

  When making a copy with the copying machine 100, the original is read by the reading device 10. In parallel with this document reading, the intermediate transfer belt 15 moves in the clockwise direction in the figure. At the same time, in the image forming unit 1, the surface of each photoreceptor 18 (Y, M, C, K) is charged by each charging unit 13 (Y, M, C, K). Further, exposure is performed by the exposure unit 9 on the surface of each charged photoconductor 18 (Y, M, C, K) by using color-specific information of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black based on the read document content. To form a latent image. On the other hand, the clearing photosensitive member 18S whose surface is charged by the clearing charging unit 13S is exposed by the exposure unit 9 using clear color-specific information obtained by means different from the reading device 10. To form a latent image.

  Next, the latent image on each photoconductor 18 (Y, M, C, K, S) is developed by the developing unit 19 (Y, M, C, K, S) to form a single color toner image (visual image). . Then, the toner images on the photoconductors 18 (Y, M, C, K, S) are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 so as to overlap each other, thereby forming a composite toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15. The photoreceptors 18 (Y, M, C, K, S) after the toner image transfer are drum cleaning units 12 (Y, M, C, K, S), and the photoreceptors 18 (Y, M, C, K). , S) The residual toner remaining on the surface is removed to prepare for another image formation.

  In parallel with the toner image formation, paper is fed out from a paper feed storage unit (not shown) one by one against the registration roller pair 14 and stopped. Then, the registration roller pair 14 is rotated in synchronization with the formation of the composite toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the sheet is fed between the secondary transfer roller 17 and the intermediate transfer belt 15 of the secondary transfer device 4. Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is transferred onto the paper by the secondary transfer device 4. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed by the conveying belt 6 and sent to the fixing unit 7. The fixing unit 7 applies heat and pressure to fix the toner image, and then the sheet is sent to the paper discharge unit 8.

  In the paper discharge unit 8, the transfer path is switched by a switching claw, and the paper is guided to a paper discharge tray (not shown) outside the apparatus (on the left side of the apparatus) or the duplex unit 5 below. In the duplex unit 5, the sheet is reversed and guided again to the secondary transfer position (nip position between the secondary transfer roller 17 and the intermediate transfer belt 15). Eject onto the output tray. The intermediate transfer belt 15 after the image transfer is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 90 to remove residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 15 and prepare for another image formation.

  In the copying machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the arrangement is such that the fixing unit 7 is pulled down to the lower side of the transfer unit 2 together with the higher density inside the machine from the viewpoint of reducing the apparatus size. As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer belt 15 is bent so as to cover the upper surface and the right side surface of the fixing unit 7. With this configuration, the height direction and the width direction of the apparatus are made compact.

  The developing unit 19 (Y, M, C, K, S) is configured such that when the developer agitating and conveying member that agitates and conveys the developer accommodated therein is driven, the developer agitating and conveying member and the developer The temperature in the developing unit is increased by frictional heat due to rubbing or frictional heat due to rubbing between developers. In addition, the friction heat generated by the friction between the developer regulating member and the developer that regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying body before the developer is transported to the developing area, and the developer regulating member. The temperature inside the developing unit is raised by frictional heat caused by rubbing between the developers at the time of regulation.

  When the temperature in the developing unit 19 rises, the charge amount of the toner decreases, the toner adhesion amount increases, and a predetermined image density cannot be obtained. Further, the toner may be melted by the temperature rise and fixed to the developer regulating member, the developer carrying member, the photosensitive member 18 or the like, and a streaky abnormal image may be generated in the image. In recent years, when a toner having a low melting temperature is used in order to reduce the fixing energy, an abnormal image or the like is likely to occur due to toner fixation. In addition, the development unit tends to become hot due to the increase in printing speed.

For this reason, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the cooling of the developing unit 19 (Y, M, C, K, S) is performed by the cooling device 30 shown below.
Embodiment 1
Next, a first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as Embodiment 1) of a cooling device applicable to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view schematically showing a cooling device 30 according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a gas (hereinafter referred to as “cooling gas”) is used as a heat medium, and an air flow circulates between the heat exchange unit 60 and the heat receiving unit 32 serving as a heat exhaust unit. The cooling gas may be any gas that can exchange heat, such as a refrigerant or air used in an air conditioner.

  The cooling device 30 includes five heat receiving units 32 that transmit the heat of the five developing units 19 to the cooling gas and cool the cooling gas, and each heat receiving unit 32 is in contact with the corresponding developing unit 19. The circulation pipe 34 includes a supply pipe 34 a that is a heat medium supply passage through which the cooling gas supplied to the heat receiving unit 32 passes, and a discharge pipe 34 b through which the cooling gas discharged from the heat receiving unit 32 passes. Furthermore, an air conditioner 600 that exhausts heat by moving the heat of the cooling gas that passes through the discharge pipe 34b and moves toward the supply pipe 34a to the outside air is provided. In addition, the second heat exchanger 602 of the two heat exchangers (601 and 602) provided in the air conditioner 600 is disposed in the heat exchange unit 60 in the cooling device 30.

  In the cooling device 30 shown in FIG. 1, five heat receiving portions 32 (Y, M, C, K, S) are connected in parallel on the downstream side of the supply pipe 34a and the upstream side of the discharge pipe 34b. The parallel supply pipe 41 (Y, M, C, K, S), which is a flow path immediately before each heat receiving unit 32 (Y, M, C, K, S), can be controlled independently of each other. Valves 39 (Y, M, C, K, S) are respectively provided. When the valves 39 (Y, M, C, K, S) are opened, the cooling gas is supplied to the respective heat receiving portions 32 (Y, M, C, K, S) to enter a cooling state, and the valves 39 (Y, When M, C, K, S) are closed, the supply of the cooling gas is stopped and the cooling state is brought about.

  The cooling device 30 shown in FIG. 1 is configured in such a manner that the heat exchange unit 60, the supply pipe 34a, the five heat receiving units 32, and the discharge pipe 34b are connected in an annular manner through the circulation pipe 34 in order to circulate the cooling gas. The cooling device 30 includes an air flow generation means in the heat exchanging unit 60, and can control the flow rate of the air flow circulating through the circulation pipe 34 by controlling the output thereof.

In the cooling device 30 of FIG. 1, as the heat medium supply amount control means for controlling the supply amount of the cooling gas to each of the five heat receiving parts 32, the five valves 39, the air flow generating means in the heat exchange part 60, And a control unit 50 for controlling these operations.
In addition, the cooling device 30 can adjust the flow rate of the airflow generated by the airflow generating means in the heat exchange unit 60 and the amount of heat transferred to the outside air by the air conditioner 600 under the control of the control unit 50. By adjusting the flow rate of the air flow and the amount of movement of heat, the cooling performance of the cooling device 30 and the temperature raising performance described later are changed.

According to this cooling device 30, for each printing mode in the copying machine 100, the five valves 39 are opened and closed so that the cooling gas passes only through the heat receiving portion 32 that cools the developing unit 19 that operates. At this time, the output of cooling is controlled by changing the flow rate of air flow and the amount of heat transfer according to the number of open valves 39, thereby optimizing the cooling performance and suppressing the cooling more than necessary. it can.
Further, a temperature sensor, which is a temperature detecting means, may be arranged in each developing unit 19, and based on the detection result, control may be performed so that the opening / closing of the valve 39, the flow rate of airflow, and the amount of heat transfer are changed.

  Hereinafter, the air conditioner 600 provided in the cooling device 30 of the copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a general air conditioner 600 which is a premise of the air conditioner 600 included in the copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment. The air conditioner 600 includes a compressor 604 that compresses the refrigerant, a first heat exchanger 601 and a second heat exchanger 602 that perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and air, an expansion valve 603 that decompresses the refrigerant, and the refrigerant flows. And a four-way valve 605 for switching the circulation path. Further, a refrigerant flow path 606 that connects the members and through which the refrigerant passes is provided. And the air can be heated or cooled by repeating the cycle described later.

FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the air near the second heat exchanger 602 is cooled, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the air near the second heat exchanger 602 is heated. is there.
In the state of FIG. 3A, the refrigerant circulation path is as follows: compressor 604 ⇒first heat exchanger 601 ⇒expansion valve 603 ⇒second heat exchanger 602 ⇒compressor 604. Hereinafter, the refrigerant cycle in the state shown in FIG.

(1) Compression: A low-pressure / low-temperature refrigerant vapor is compressed by a compressor 604 into a high-pressure / high-temperature refrigerant vapor.
(2) Condensation: Refrigerant vapor that has become high-pressure and high-temperature in the compressor 604 is sent to the first heat exchanger 601 to exchange heat with air in the vicinity of the first heat exchanger 601, thereby cooling the refrigerant vapor and Liquid (air in the vicinity of the first heat exchanger 601 is heated).
(3) Expansion: The high-pressure refrigerant liquid liquefied by the first heat exchanger 601 is decompressed by the expansion valve 603.
(4) Evaporation: The refrigerant liquid decompressed by the expansion valve 603 evaporates in the second heat exchanger 602 and takes heat from the air in the second heat exchanger 602 (the air in the vicinity of the second heat exchanger 602 is cooled). )
In the state of Fig.3 (a), the 1st heat exchanger 601 functions as a condenser, and the 2nd heat exchanger 602 functions as an evaporator.

  When the four-way valve 605 is switched from the state shown in FIG. 3A to the state shown in FIG. 3B, the refrigerant circulation path is such that the compressor 604⇒second heat exchanger 602⇒expansion valve 603⇒first heat. It changes so that it may become the exchanger 601-> compressor 604. In the state of FIG. 3B, the first heat exchanger 601 functions as a condenser, the second heat exchanger 602 functions as an evaporator, and the air near the second heat exchanger 602 is heated.

  The processes (1) to (4) will be described with reference to the TS diagram of the temperature T and the entropy S in FIG. The compressor 604 compresses the dry saturated steam A of the refrigerant to a pressure equal to or higher than the saturated steam pressure with respect to a predetermined temperature in the first heat exchanger 601 (condenser), and sends the superheated saturated steam B to the first heat exchanger 601. . The superheated saturated steam B sent to the first heat exchanger 601 discards the heat Q1 by heat exchange with air, and is cooled and liquefied to become a saturated liquid C. The saturated liquid C is sent to the expansion valve 603, isenthalpy-expanded by the expansion valve 603, becomes wet steam D, and is sent to the second heat exchanger 602. The wet steam D sent to the second heat exchanger 602 (evaporator) absorbs the amount of heat Q2 from the air, vaporizes, and returns to the dry saturated steam A.

  In the cooling device 30 of the present embodiment, the second heat exchanger 602 of the air conditioner 600 performs heat exchange with the cooling gas that passes through the heat exchange unit 60. By using the air conditioner 600 in the state shown in FIG. 3A, the heat exchanging unit 60 takes heat from the cooling gas, and the cooling device 30 can function as a cooling unit in the copying machine 100. Further, by switching the four-way valve 605 of the air conditioner 600 and using it in the state shown in FIG. 3B, the heat exchanging device 60 can apply heat to the cooling gas. Can also serve as a heat retaining means.

In the developing unit 19, the charging ability of the photoconductor 18 tends to decrease at low temperatures. Therefore, stable image quality can be realized by opening the valves 39 and flowing warm air current at low temperatures. When a warm air current is passed through the developing unit 19, only the valve 39 corresponding to the heat receiving part 32 adjacent to the developing unit 19 to be operated is opened. Thereby, while shortening standby time, the heating more than necessary in the case of using as a heat retention means can be prevented.
In addition, a temperature / humidity sensor is arranged in each developing unit 19 and, in a standby state before operation, based on the detection result of the temperature / humidity sensor, only the developing unit 19 to be operated is supplied with an air flow at a desired temperature. You may control so that it may become. Thereby, power saving and standby time can be shortened.

The cooling device 30 according to the first embodiment is an air cooling system in which the cooling gas that has passed through the heat receiving unit 32 is cooled by the air conditioner 600.
In the air cooling method, a cooling gas is circulated between the heat generating part or the heat receiving part attached to the temperature rising portion and the heat radiating part spaced from the heat receiving part to take heat (= cool).
In the conventional air-cooling system, the radiator is cooled by the airflow at the ambient temperature, so the temperature of the unit where the heat receiving unit is arranged is lower than the ambient temperature (machine ambient temperature), or conversely, the temperature higher than the ambient temperature is set in the machine. Cannot be sent to In an image forming apparatus, in a portion where condensation is a problem or a photoconductor in which an image is defective at low temperatures, the occurrence of the defect can be suppressed by flowing a warm air current.

  In the cooling device 30 of the first embodiment, the temperature in the heat receiving unit 32 can be controlled by the configuration using the heat transfer means such as the air conditioner 600, and the image quality can be stabilized and the machine failure can be suppressed. In the first embodiment using an air conditioner, the humidity / temperature of the developing unit 19 that is a cooling target (temperature control target) is detected, and based on the detection result, not only the temperature of the circulating cooling gas but also the apparatus It is good also as a structure which adjusts the inside humidity.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus that manages the temperature of a developing unit or the like using an air conditioner, necessary air having a necessary temperature is supplied to all the flow paths and units with respect to the detected temperature. In a multicolor image forming apparatus, a developing unit that is not used depending on the image to be printed is also born. Since unnecessarily flowing air to these unused development units uses extra power, it costs power. In addition, recent developments in printing techniques have led to development units that are used for decoration, such as clear toner. Such a clear toner is also used for decoration on a printed matter that has already been printed, and is often operated alone. As described above, there has been a demand for a stable image quality without consuming unnecessary power when used in a single color or used for decoration.

  In the copying machine 100 of the first embodiment, since the heat medium (cooling gas) is poured only into the operating unit (developing unit 19 or the like), it is possible to suppress unnecessary cooling. In addition, since the ambient temperature of only the operating units is controlled, when the number of operating units is small, the path for circulating the heat medium (cooling gas) is shortened, improving the responsiveness after issuing a temperature control command Can be achieved.

Next, features of the copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling device 30 of the copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment includes an air conditioner 600 as heat transfer means, and heat in the system of the air conditioner 600 is transferred to a sheet conveyance path that is a heating target portion. It is the structure which transmits to the conveyance guide 612 which forms.
Examples of the conveyance guides 612 that serve as heating target portions include the conveyance guides denoted by reference numeral “612” in FIG.

In the first embodiment, the heat absorption device 610 is disposed in the refrigerant flow path 606 between the compressor 604 and the four-way valve 605, and the heat of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant flow path 606 is passed through the heat transfer member 611. It is configured to transmit to the conveyance guide 612. The conveyance guide 612 is warmed by this heat transfer.
In the first embodiment, the conveyance guide 612 including the upper guide plate 613 and the lower guide plate 614 is configured to be a heating target portion. In the image forming apparatus, it is considered that there are many places where there is a concern about the occurrence of dew condensation. However, the influence on the image is particularly large because it is considered that a conveyance failure is caused by dew condensation on the sheet conveyance path. Note that α in FIG. 1 indicates a sheet passing direction in the conveyance guide 612.

  In FIG. 1, the heat transfer member 611 is connected only to the upper guide plate 613, but may be configured to be connected to the lower guide plate 614. Further, the heat transfer member 611 may be connected to both the upper guide plate 613 and the lower guide plate 614. There are no particular restrictions on the member used for the heat transfer member 611, but means such as through a heat pipe may be used.

  In the copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment, the conveyance guide 612 that is an object to be heated (condensation occurrence location) is heated using heat generated in the system of the air conditioner 600 without installing a heater or the like for preventing condensation. doing. This makes it possible to prevent condensation while saving energy, saving space, and reducing costs.

  After the heat absorption device 610 passes through the compressor 604, the refrigerant (heat medium) before passing through the heat exchangers (601, 602) is installed in the refrigerant flow path 60 through which it passes, so that the refrigerant is always heated. Heat is absorbed from the (heat medium) and used to prevent condensation. For this reason, waste heat is utilized especially when the air conditioner 600 is in the cooling function (when the vicinity of the second heat exchanger 602 is cooled). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent condensation without generating new heat for heating the transport guide 612 that forms the paper transport path.

  Further, in the cooling device 30 shown in FIG. 1, the heat absorbing device 610 is installed in the refrigerant flow path 606 between the compressor 604 and the four-way valve 605. Thereby, the location where the high-temperature refrigerant passes even when the air conditioner 600 is not only in the cooling function but also in the heating function (when the vicinity of the second heat exchanger 602 is heated, as shown in FIG. 3B). Can absorb heat. Thereby, the conveyance guide 612 can be heated without changing the installation position of the heat absorbing device 610 between the cooling function and the heating function of the air conditioner 600.

The copying machine 100 having the cooling device 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes an upper guide temperature sensor 620 that detects the temperature of the upper guide plate 613 and a lower guide temperature sensor 630 that detects the temperature of the lower guide plate 614. Furthermore, a conveyance guide temperature / humidity sensor 640 that detects the temperature and humidity around the conveyance guide 612 is provided.
In addition, control means for controlling the amount of heat transferred from the heat absorbing device 610 to the conveyance guide 612 based on the detection results of these sensors is provided.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram related to heat transfer to the heating target portion of the first embodiment. The control unit 50 acquires detection information of the temperature sensors (620, 630) and the wet temperature sensor (640), and controls the heat absorbing device 610 based on the detection information.

When the heat absorption device 610 includes a heat transfer member that contacts the outer surface of the refrigerant channel 606, the control unit 50 controls the contact / separation operation of the heat transfer member of the heat absorption device 610 with respect to the refrigerant channel 606. The amount of heat transmitted to the conveyance guide 612 that is a heating target part is controlled.
Further, in the case where the heat absorption device 610 includes a heat absorption flow path that is connected to the refrigerant flow path 606 and carries the refrigerant, the control unit 50 is not provided in a branch portion between the refrigerant flow path 606 and the heat absorption flow path. The opening and closing of the illustrated flow path switching valve is controlled. The control unit 50 controls the flow of the refrigerant conveyed to the heat absorption flow path by controlling the opening and closing of the flow path switching valve, and controls the amount of heat transferred to the conveyance guide 612 that is transferred through the refrigerant.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart relating to the control of the amount of heat transferred to the conveyance guide 612.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the image forming operation is started (S1), the copying machine 100 turns on the air conditioner 600 (S2).
During the image forming operation, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the conveyance guide 612 is equal to or higher than the dew point temperature based on the detection information of the temperature sensors (620, 630) and the wet temperature sensor (640) (S3). If the temperature of the conveyance guide 612 is equal to or higher than the dew point temperature (“Yes” in S3), heat transfer by the heat absorbing device 610 is not performed and the image forming operation is continued.

  When the temperature of the conveyance guide 612 is not equal to or higher than the dew point temperature (“No” in S3), heat transfer is performed by the heat absorbing device 610 (S6), and it is determined whether or not the conveyance guide 612 is equal to or higher than the dew point temperature (S7). Here, even if the heat transfer is started, the heat transfer operation is continued while the conveyance guide 612 does not become the dew point temperature or higher (“No” in S7). When the conveyance guide 612 reaches or exceeds the dew point temperature (“Yes” in S7), the heat transfer by the heat absorbing device 610 is canceled (S8), and the image forming operation is continued. Such control is continued until the image forming operation is finished (“No” in S4). When the image forming operation is finished (“Yes” in S4), the air conditioner 600 is turned off (S5), and the copier is operated. 100 is stopped.

“Heat transfer by the heat absorption device 610” indicated by S6 in FIG. 6 is a state in which the heat transfer member is brought into contact with the refrigerant flow path when the heat absorption device 610 includes the heat transfer member. When the heat absorption device 610 includes the heat absorption flow path, the flow path switching valve is opened.
By providing such control means, only the amount of heat necessary for the conveyance guide 612 can be transmitted from the refrigerant flow path 606 to the conveyance guide 612.

  When the air conditioner 600 has a heating function, waste heat is not used when the conveyance guide 612 is heated using heat between the compressor 604 and the four-way valve 605. Even in such a case, by including the conveyance guide 612 and sensors (620, 630, and 640) that detect the temperature and humidity around the conveyance guide 612, and the above-described control unit that manages the heating amount based on the detection value of the sensor. And a heating object part can be heated, suppressing the efficiency fall of a heating function.

[Modification 1]
Hereinafter, as in the first embodiment, a first modified example (hereinafter, referred to as modified example 1) of the configuration in which the cooling device 30 includes the air conditioner 600 will be described.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the cooling device 30 of the first modification.
The configuration of Modification 1 shown in FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which there are a plurality of conveyance guides 612 that are heating target portions, such as a first conveyance guide 612A and a second conveyance guide 612B. 7 indicates the sheet passing direction of the first transport guide 612A, and β in FIG. 7 indicates the sheet passing direction of the second transport guide 612B.

The first conveyance guide 612A and the second conveyance guide 612B included in the cooling device 30 of Modification 1 have the same configuration as the conveyance guide 612 of the cooling device 30 illustrated in FIG.
In the first modification, two heat absorbing devices 610 (610A and 610B) are installed as shown in FIG. And heat is transmitted to each conveyance guide 612 (612A and 612B) via the heat transfer member 611 (611A and 611B) attached to each heat absorbing device 610.

The two conveyance guides 612 (612A and 612B) of Modification 1 include an upper guide plate 613 (613A and 613B) and a lower guide plate 614 (614A and 614B), similarly to the conveyance guide 612 of the first embodiment. Further, an upper guide temperature sensor 620 (620A and 620B) for detecting the temperature of the upper guide plate 613 and a lower guide temperature sensor 630 (630A and 630B) for detecting the temperature of the lower guide plate 614 are provided. Furthermore, a conveyance guide temperature / humidity sensor 640 (640A and 640B) that detects the temperature and humidity around the conveyance guide 612 (612A and 612B) is provided.
Moreover, based on the detection results of these sensors, there is provided control means for controlling the amount of heat transferred from the heat absorbing device 610 (610A and 610B) to the transport guide 612 (612A and 612B).

  Modification 1 has a configuration in which there are a plurality of conveyance guides 612 serving as heating target portions in the recording paper conveyance path in the copying machine 100. In the case of such a configuration, by providing a sensor in each conveyance guide 612, it is possible to transmit only the amount of heat necessary for preventing dew condensation in each conveyance guide 612. Thus, depending on the temperature and humidity conditions, it is possible to effectively use the amount of heat in the system of the air conditioner 600, such as not sending heat to the heating target part that does not require heating.

  When the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is executed with the configuration of the first modification, the determination of “the transport guide 612 is above the dew point temperature” in S3 in FIG. 6 is made for each of the two transport guides 612 (620A and 620B). Do. Then, heat transfer using the heat absorbing device 610 is performed only on the conveyance guide 612 that is not higher than the dew point temperature.

[Modification 2]
Hereinafter, as in the first embodiment, a second modified example (hereinafter, referred to as a modified example 2) in which the cooling device 30 includes the air conditioner 600 will be described.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the cooling device 30 of the second modification.
The second modification is a configuration in which the conveyance guide 612 that is the heating target portion described in the first embodiment is applied to a post-fixing guide member that forms a sheet conveyance path immediately after the fixing unit 7.

  Similarly to the cooling device 30 illustrated in FIG. 1, the conveyance guide 612 includes the upper guide plate 613 and the lower guide plate 614 as in the cooling device 30 illustrated in FIG. 1. Also, an upper guide temperature sensor 620 that detects the temperature of the upper guide plate 613 and a lower guide temperature sensor 630 that detects the temperature of the lower guide plate 614 are provided. Furthermore, a conveyance guide temperature / humidity sensor 640 that detects the temperature and humidity around the conveyance guide 612 is provided. In addition, control means for controlling the amount of heat transferred from the heat absorbing device 610 to the conveyance guide 612 based on the detection results of these sensors is provided.

  In the second modification, the guide plate (613, 614) in the vicinity of the fixing unit 7, which is considered to be most likely to be the highest temperature and humidity in the image forming apparatus, is configured to be heated, so that a conveyance failure or a defective image due to condensation occurs. Can be efficiently suppressed.

When the image forming apparatus is left in a high humidity environment for a long time, the recording paper in the paper feeding device absorbs moisture, which leads to quality deterioration such as defective conveyance of the recording paper and defective images due to this conveyance failure. In order to prevent such moisture absorption and dew condensation of the recording paper, it is disadvantageous in terms of cost, space, power consumption and the like to install a heater on the guide plate forming the recording paper conveyance path.
The copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment uses the heat generated from the air conditioner 600, which is an existing heat source, to prevent moisture absorption and condensation on the recording paper. Thus, it is possible to suppress an increase in size, cost, and power consumption while preventing occurrence of problems due to moisture absorption or condensation on the recording paper.

In the first embodiment described above, the configuration in which the temperature of the heat medium circulating in the developing device 19 is controlled by the air conditioner 600 has been described. However, the target of controlling the temperature by the air conditioner is not limited to this. . The temperature may be controlled at any point in the apparatus, and the humidity may be controlled.
Further, in the first embodiment described above, a configuration has been described in which heat generated during operation of the air conditioner 600 using a vapor compression refrigerator as a heat transfer unit is transmitted to the heating target unit. The heat source for transferring heat to the heating target part is not limited to the heat transfer means for circulating the heat medium such as the air conditioner 600, but other known heat transfer such as a heat pump using a Peltier element. Means can be used.

  The air conditioner 600 using the vapor compression refrigerator described in the first embodiment switches the four-way valve 605 to change the second heat exchange from the cooling function for cooling the air near the second heat exchanger 602. It is possible to switch to a heating function for heating the air in the vicinity of the vessel 602. The air conditioner 600 that generates heat by operation and transmits the heat to the heating target portion may have a configuration that does not have a heating function but has only a cooling function.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the configuration of the air cooling system in which the cooling gas is circulated as the heat medium and the heat is transferred from the cooling gas by the air conditioner 600 that is the heat transfer means has been described. The heat medium that the heat transfer means takes away heat is not limited to gas, and a configuration using a coolant may be used.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a second embodiment) of a cooling device applicable to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory view schematically showing the cooling device 30 of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a liquid (hereinafter referred to as “cooling liquid”) is used as a heat medium, and the cooling liquid circulates between the heat exchanging unit 60 and the heat receiving unit 32 serving as a heat exhausting unit.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the cooling device 30 according to the second embodiment includes five heat receiving units 32 (Y, M, C, K, and S), a heat exchanging unit 60, a circulation pipe 34, a cooling pump 31, a reserve tank 33, and the like. It has. The five heat receiving portions 32 (Y, M, C, K, S) are adjacent to the wall surfaces of the five developing units 19 (Y, M, C, K, S), which are the locations where the temperature rises, and the cooling liquid is supplied to the developing units. 19 is a member that receives heat from 19. The heat exchanging unit 60 functions as exhaust heat means for discharging heat from the coolant and cooling it. The circulation pipe 34 is a cooling liquid transport pipe that contains the cooling liquid, the cooling pump 31 is a transporting means for circulating the cooling liquid in the circulation pipe 34, and the reserve tank 33 is an excess cooling liquid. It is a cooling fluid storage part which stores water.

The cooling device 30 includes a heat transfer means (not shown) that moves the heat of the coolant passing through the heat exchanging unit 60 to the outside air. The copying machine 100 according to the second embodiment is configured to transmit heat generated from a heat transfer unit that transfers heat of the cooling liquid to the outside air in the liquid cooling type cooling device 30 to the conveyance guide 612.
As the heat transfer means, a known heat pump such as a configuration using a vapor compression refrigerator having the same configuration as the air conditioner 600 of the first embodiment or a configuration using a Peltier element can be used.

  In addition, each configuration (610, 611, 612, 620, 630, and 640) that transmits heat generated from the heat transfer means to the conveyance guide 612 can be the same as that of the above-described first embodiment. It is not limited.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of one of the five heat receiving portions 32 (Y, M, C, K, S) shown in FIG. Since the five heat receiving portions 32 (Y, M, C, K, S) have the same configuration, the suffix indicating the color of the toner to be used is omitted in FIG.
The heat receiving portion 32 is provided with a flow path 32b formed of a member having high thermal conductivity in a case 32a formed of a member having high thermal conductivity. Usually, the case 32a and the flow path 32b of the heat receiving portion 32 are configured based on copper having a thermal conductivity of about 400 [W / mK] or aluminum of about 200 [W / mK].

  Further, a material having higher thermal conductivity (for example, silver or gold) may be used. A circulation pipe 34 made of a flexible member such as a rubber tube or a resin tube is connected to the tip of the flow path 32b. The heat receiving unit 32 is supported by a contact / separation mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable in the attaching / detaching direction of the image forming unit 11. For this reason, if the circulation pipe 34 is formed of a flexible member such as a rubber tube or a resin tube, the circulation pipe 34 can follow the movement of the heat receiving portion 32. Thereby, it can suppress that malfunctions, such as the circulation pipe 34 removing from the flow path 32b, arise. However, a rubber tube is not necessarily required in the entire system, and a part of the circulation pipe 34 may be a metal pipe, which may be more convenient because it can suppress moisture permeability as much as possible.

  The cooling pump 31 is a drive source that circulates the cooling liquid between the heat receiving section 32 (Y, M, C, K, S) and the heat exchanging section 60 that functions as a heat exhausting means, and the cooling liquid is as indicated by an arrow in FIG. To circulate. The reserve tank 33 is a tank for storing a coolant. The coolant is a heat transport medium that transports the heat received by the heat receiving unit 32 (Y, M, C, K, S) to the heat exchanging unit 60. This cooling liquid contains water as a main component, and propylene glycol or ethylene glycol may be added to lower the freezing temperature. Further, as the cooling liquid, a rust preventive agent (for example, phosphate-based substance: potassium phosphate, inorganic potassium salt, etc.) may be added in order to prevent rust of metal components. When the coolant is water, the constant heat capacity is 3000 times or more that of air, and a large amount of heat can be transferred with a small flow rate, so that cooling can be performed more efficiently than forced air cooling.

  The cooling device 30 includes a heat medium supply amount control unit that controls the amount of supply of the coolant that is a heat medium to each of the heat receiving units 32 (Y, M, C, K, and S) that are a plurality of cooling units. And the waste heat amount control means which controls the waste heat amount in the heat exchange part 60 which functions as a heat exhaust means according to the control state of the coolant supply amount by the heat medium supply amount control means is provided.

  In particular, the cooling device 30 of the present embodiment includes a heat receiving unit 32 that is a cooling unit so as to be adjacent to each of the plurality of developing units 19 in the copying machine 100 that is an image forming apparatus. Then, only the developing unit 19 that is operating is selected and cooled, so that only the heat receiving unit 32 adjacent to the operating developing unit 19 is selected and the cooling liquid is supplied. And the cooling performance of the whole system of the cooling device 30 is adjusted by controlling the amount of exhaust heat according to the selection. Thereby, the cooling more than necessary can be suppressed depending on the operating state of the developing unit 19, the output required for the cooling is optimized, and the power is reduced.

The cooling device 30 provided in the copying machine 100 of the second embodiment is a liquid cooling system.
In the liquid cooling method, the coolant is circulated between the heat receiving part attached to the heat generating part or the temperature rising portion and the heat radiating part spaced from the heat receiving part to take heat (= cool). Compared to the air cooling method, the liquid cooling method uses a cooling liquid mainly composed of water having a heat capacity higher than that of air, so that the heat receiving characteristics are high, and the heat generating portion or the temperature rising portion can be suppressed to a low temperature.

In the conventional liquid cooling system, the radiator is cooled by the airflow at the environmental temperature, so the temperature of the unit where the heat receiving unit is arranged is lower than the environmental temperature (machine ambient temperature), or conversely, the temperature is higher than the environmental temperature. I can't send it into the plane.
In the cooling device 30 according to the second embodiment, heat can be transferred from the low temperature portion to the high temperature portion by the configuration using the heat transfer means. For this reason, it is possible to lower the temperature of the unit in which the heat receiving portion is arranged to be lower than the environmental temperature (machine ambient temperature) or to send a temperature higher than the environmental temperature into the machine.

[Modification 3]
Hereinafter, as in the second embodiment, a modified example (hereinafter referred to as a modified example 3) of a configuration in which the cooling device 30 is a liquid cooling method will be described.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the cooling device 30 of the third modification.
The configuration of Modification 3 shown in FIG. 11 is such that the conveyance guide 612 serving as a heating target portion is like a first conveyance guide 612A and a second conveyance guide 612B with respect to the cooling device 30 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. However, there are multiple points. In addition, about the structure with the conveyance guide 612 used as a heating object part, the structure similar to the said modification 1 is applied.

  The third modification is a configuration in which there are a plurality of conveyance guides 612 to be heated in the recording paper conveyance path in the copying machine 100. In the case of such a configuration, by providing a sensor in each conveyance guide 612, it is possible to transmit only the amount of heat necessary for preventing dew condensation in each conveyance guide 612. Thereby, depending on the temperature and humidity conditions, it is possible to effectively use the amount of heat generated by the operation of the heat transfer means (not shown), such as not sending heat to the heating target part that does not require heating.

In Embodiment 1 and 2 mentioned above, the heat transfer means used as the heat source of the heat which a heat transfer means transmits to a heating object part can move heat from low temperature parts, such as an air conditioner and a Peltier element, to a high temperature part. The case of a so-called heat pump has been described.
The heat transfer means serving as a heat source for the heat transferred by the heat transfer means to the heating target part is not limited to the heat pump, and may be configured to move the heat of the high temperature part to a low temperature.
Such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

In the case where the heat transfer means is configured to move the heat of the high temperature part to the low temperature part, the cooling device 30 corresponds to the heat transfer means in the structure shown in FIG.
In the case of this configuration, in the cooling device 30 shown in FIG. 9, the heat of the developing unit 19 that is higher in temperature than the outside air is moved to the cooling liquid, and the heat of the cooling liquid is moved to the outside air by the heat exchange unit 60. The heat exchanging unit 60 having such a configuration is not limited to the configuration including the heat pump described above, and a heat radiating unit such as a radiator that releases heat to the outside air due to a temperature difference can be used.

In the case of this configuration, as in Embodiment 2 described above, the heat exchanging unit 60 is not provided with heat transfer means, and the heat released from the heat exchanging unit to the outside air is heated by the heat absorbing device 610 and the heat transfer member 611. It is transmitted to a certain conveyance guide 612. Thereby, it is possible to effectively use the amount of heat generated as the exhaust heat of the cooling device 30.
Moreover, the cooling device 30 drives the cooling pump 31 to circulate the cooling liquid when performing cooling. Although heat is generated when the cooling pump 31 is driven, it is desirable to transmit the heat generated at this time as waste heat to the object to be heated. Thereby, the heat generated by the operation of the cooling device 30 as the heat transfer means can be used more effectively.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
(Aspect A)
In an image forming apparatus such as a copier 100 provided with temperature control means such as a cooling device 30 for controlling the temperature of a temperature control target part such as a developing unit 19 in the apparatus using heat transfer means such as an air conditioner 600, Heat transfer means such as a heat absorbing device 610 and a heat transfer member 611 that transfer heat generated by operation of the moving means to a heating target part such as a conveyance guide 612 other than the temperature control target part is provided.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the heating target unit can be raised using the heat of the existing heat generating unit in the image forming apparatus, and the heating unit for heating the heating target unit is provided. This eliminates the need for energy saving, space saving, and cost reduction. Further, as in the above-described embodiment, by increasing the temperature using the conveyance guide of the recording medium conveyance path as a heating target portion, it is possible to suppress the moisture absorption and condensation of the recording medium, and it is possible to obtain a high quality image. Furthermore, since heat generated from the air conditioner installed for controlling the in-machine environment of the image forming apparatus is used, a new heater is not required, and energy saving, space saving, and cost reduction can be achieved. .
(Aspect B)
In aspect A, the heat transfer means includes a compression means such as a compressor 604 that compresses the heat medium such as a refrigerant that has passed through at a high temperature and high pressure, and an expansion means such as an expansion valve 603 that reduces the pressure of the heat medium that has passed through. The heat medium circulates between the heat medium and the heat medium flow path such as the refrigerant flow path 606 from the compression means to the expansion means, and the heat medium flow path from the expansion means to the compression means. , A heat exchanger such as a first heat exchanger 601 and a second heat exchanger 602 that exchange heat between the passing heat medium and the outside air, and the heat transferred by the heat transfer means is transferred from the compression means to the expansion means. Heat of the heat medium toward
According to this, as described in the first embodiment, the heat to be moved to the heating target portion is the heat of the heat medium pressurized and heated by the compression means provided in the heat transfer means. By utilizing the heat of the heat medium pressurized and heated by the compression means, when the heat transfer means at the time of the cooling function or the like cools the temperature control target part, it becomes waste heat utilization, and the heat can be effectively utilized.
(Aspect C)
In aspect B, the heat medium flow path between the compression means and the expansion means is switched, and the heat exchange means (first heat exchanger 601 in FIG. 1) through which the heat medium from the compression means to the expansion means passes, and the expansion means The heat transfer means (second heat exchanger 602 in FIG. 1) through which the heat medium passing from the compressor to the compression means passes, and the flow switching means such as the four-way valve 605 for exchanging the functions, and the heat transferred by the heat transfer means An endothermic part such as an endothermic device 610 that absorbs heat is provided in the heat medium flow path where the heat medium that has passed through the compression means heads toward the flow path switching means.
According to this, as described in the first embodiment, the heat that is moved to the heating target portion is the heat of the heat medium that travels from the compression means to the flow path switching means. As a result, the heat transfer means passes through the heat medium flow path between the compression means and the heat exchange means on the downstream side of the compression means in both cases of cooling and heating the temperature control target part. The heat of the heat medium can be used. Since the heat of the high-temperature heat medium can be used in both the cooling state such as the cooling function and the heating state such as the heating function, the function of switching the position of the heat absorbing portion is not necessary.
(Aspect D)
In any of the aspects A to C, the upper guide temperature sensor 620, the lower guide temperature sensor 630, the conveyance guide temperature / humidity sensor 640, and the like that detect at least one of the temperature and humidity of the heating target portion or its surroundings. A heating target part environment detection means is provided, and a heating target part heating amount control means such as a control means (not shown) that controls the amount of heat transmitted by the heat transfer means based on the detection result of the heating target part environment detection means is provided.
According to this, as described in the first embodiment, it is possible to efficiently move only a necessary amount of heat.
(Aspect E)
In aspect D, a plurality of heating target parts are provided, each of the plurality of heating target parts is provided with a heating target part environment detection means, and the heating target part heating amount control means is based on the detection result of each heating target part environment detection means. Thus, the amount of heat transferred to each heating target part is individually controlled.
According to this, as described in the first modification, when there are a plurality of heating target portions, the heating amount of each heating target portion is individually controlled. Only the necessary heating amount can be supplied. Therefore, it becomes possible to raise the temperature of all the heating object parts to the target temperature efficiently.
(Aspect F)
In aspect D or E, when heating such as during a heating function in which the heat transfer means increases the temperature of the temperature control target part, the heating target part heating amount control means indicates that the detection result of the heating target part environment detection means is the heating target part. Only when the detection result indicates a state in which the dew condensation occurs, the amount of heat is transmitted to the heating target portion.
According to this, as described in the first embodiment, by performing heating of the heating target part only at the temperature and humidity conditions in which condensation occurs, the heating efficiency is reduced when heating the temperature control target part that is not using waste heat. Can be suppressed.
(Aspect G)
In any one of the aspects A to F, the image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit such as a fixing unit 7 that fixes an unfixed image formed on a recording medium such as paper by heating, and the heating target portion is immediately after the fixing unit. And a post-fixing conveyance path forming member such as a post-fixing guide member that forms the conveyance path of the recording medium.
According to this, as described in the second modification, the temperature increase of the post-fixing conveyance path forming member that forms the conveyance path of the recording medium immediately after the fixing unit in which the dew generation condition is most easily met in the image forming apparatus is increased. By doing so, it is possible to prevent condensation efficiently and obtain a high-quality image.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming part 2 Transfer unit 3 Paper feed unit 4 Secondary transfer device 5 Duplex unit 6 Conveyor belt 7 Fixing unit 8 Paper discharge unit 9 Exposure unit 10 Reading device 11 Image forming unit 12 Drum cleaning unit 13 Charging unit 14 Registration roller pair 15 Intermediate transfer belt 16 Transfer facing roller 17 Secondary transfer roller 18 Photoconductor 19 Developing unit 30 Cooling device 31 Cooling pump 32 Heat receiving portion 32a Case 32b Channel 32Y Yellow heat receiving portion 32C Cyan heat receiving portion 33 Reserve tank 34 Circulation pipe 34a Supply pipe 34b Discharge pipe 36 Flow rate control valve 37 Flow path switching valve 38 Bypass flow path 39 Valve 41 Parallel supply pipe 50 Control unit 60 Heat exchange device 90 Intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 100 Copying machine 600 Air conditioner 6 01 First heat exchanger 602 Second heat exchanger 603 Expansion valve 604 Compressor 605 Four-way valve 606 Refrigerant flow path 610 Heat absorption device 611 Heat transfer member 612 Transport guide 612A First transport guide 612B Second transport guide 613 Upper guide plate 614 Lower guide plate 620 Upper guide temperature sensor 630 Lower guide temperature sensor 640 Transport guide temperature / humidity sensor

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-21672 Japanese Patent No. 3924484 JP 2007-206198 A

Claims (7)

In an image forming apparatus provided with a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of a temperature control target part in the apparatus using a heat transfer means,
An image forming apparatus comprising heat transfer means for transferring heat generated by operation of the heat transfer means to a heating target part other than the temperature control target part. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
In the heat transfer means, the heat medium circulates between a compression means for compressing the passed heat medium so as to be a high temperature and a high pressure, and an expansion means for reducing the pressure of the passed heat medium. Heat exchange between the heat medium and the outside air passing through the heat medium flow path from the compression means to the expansion means and the heat medium flow path from the expansion means to the compression means. A heat exchange part that performs
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat transferred by the heat transfer means is heat of the heat medium directed from the compression means to the expansion means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
The heat medium flow path between the compression means and the expansion means is switched, the heat exchange means through which the heat medium from the compression means to the expansion means passes, and the heat from the expansion means to the compression means It comprises a flow path switching means for changing the function of the heat exchange means through which the medium passes,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a heat absorbing portion that absorbs heat transmitted by the heat transfer means in the heat medium flow path where the heat medium that has passed through the compression means faces the flow path switching means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A heating target part environment detecting means for detecting at least one of the temperature and humidity of the heating target part or its surroundings,
An image forming apparatus comprising heating target part heating amount control means for controlling the amount of heat transmitted by the heat transfer means based on a detection result of the heating target part environment detection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
A plurality of the heating target parts, each of the plurality of heating target parts includes the heating target part environment detection means,
The image forming apparatus characterized in that the heating target part heating amount control means individually controls the amount of heat transmitted to each heating target part based on the detection result of each heating target part environment detection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5,
During heating in which the heat transfer means increases the temperature of the temperature control target part,
The heating target part heating amount control means is directed to the heating target part only when the detection result of the heating target part environment detection means is a detection result indicating a state where condensation occurs in the heating target part. An image forming apparatus characterized by transmitting heat. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
A fixing means for fixing the unfixed image formed on the recording medium by heating;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the heating target portion is a post-fixing conveyance path forming member that forms a conveyance path of the recording medium immediately after the fixing unit.

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