JPH0755312A - Cooling device of heat source built-in vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To supply air to a cooling fan from an opening separately installed when a filter is clogged by installing the separate opening which sucks up air without the aid of the filter to a duct mounted to the opening of the filter. CONSTITUTION:An air suction opening is installed to a proper spot in a side wall of a vessel 104 which houses an internal mechanism where a duct 102 is installed inside and a suction fan 101 is installed to the inner end of a duct 192. In addition to the air suction opening on the side of a filter 103, there is formed an opening 105 which does not provide the filter 103. This constitution makes it possible to circulate the air in the vessel by sucking up a proper amount of air inside the device from the opening 105 when the functions which suck up the air from the opening drop due to the clogged filter, thereby enabling internal parts of the device to be cooled accordingly. It is, therefore, possible to maintain a definite cooling capacity even when the filter 103 is clogged.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Object of the Invention]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooling device used in a device such as a copying machine or a printer having a heat source inside.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an apparatus such as a copying machine having a heat source inside, a cooling means using a cooling fan is usually provided in order to prevent functional deterioration due to an increase in internal temperature. Is.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a main part schematically showing a typical structure of such a cooling means. A side wall of a container 104 accommodating an internal mechanism is provided with a suction opening at an appropriate position. The duct 102 is provided, and the suction fan 101 is provided at the inner end of the duct. As shown in the figure, a filter 10 is provided on the side wall surface of the container in order to prevent dust and the like mixed in the outside air from entering.
3 is spread out.

With such a structure, it is unavoidable that dust or the like is gradually accumulated on the outer surface of the filter 103 due to long-term use, and the function of the cooling fan is deteriorated. According to experiments, the internal temperature is about 15 depending on whether the filter allows the air to flow smoothly or when it is clogged. It has been confirmed to increase by about C. Needless to say, such a temperature rise adversely affects the function and life of the components in the apparatus.

The present invention has been made to cope with such a situation, and even if the filter is clogged in the cooling device as described above, the amount of air supplied to the cooling fan is drastically reduced and the original device is used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling device capable of sufficiently giving a machine for maintenance and repair while avoiding a situation such as a deterioration in function and a failure of parts.

[0006]

[Constitution of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a suction fan in a duct attached to an opening provided with a filter, which is provided at a proper place in a container of an apparatus having a heat source inside. In the provided cooling device, the duct is provided with an opening for sucking air without passing through a filter, or the formed opening is communicated with the opening formed in the container to suck outside air. Or the opening formed in the container is arranged at a position sufficiently separated from the opening provided with the filter.

With this structure, the device provided with the heat source can be used stably for a long period of time by suppressing the adverse effects on the internal members.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a side view of the essential parts of a cooling device showing an embodiment of the present invention, showing only the cooling fan. Portions corresponding to those shown in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In addition to the air suction opening on the side of the filter 103, the duct 102 is provided with an opening 105 having no filter at a proper position of the duct.

With such a structure, when the function of the suction from the original opening deteriorates due to clogging of the filter 103, the air in the apparatus corresponding to the suction is sucked from the opening 105 and circulates in the container. Will contribute to the cooling of the parts inside the device. In this case, since the suctioned air has once passed through the filter 103, no filter is required for the opening 105.

With this structure, the temperature inside the container when the filter is clogged is about 10 as compared with when the filter functions. C was able to suppress the temperature rise.
In the case of the known device, the temperature rise in the device due to the clogging of the filter is about 15 as described above. Since it was C, the temperature inside the apparatus was about 5 by the apparatus of the above embodiment. C can be lowered.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the essential part showing another embodiment, and in this case as well, the parts corresponding to those of the device of the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the illustrated apparatus, an opening 107 provided at a proper position in the container 104 and an opening 105 provided in the duct 102 are connected by a labyrinth-shaped complicatedly curved passage 106.

With this structure, when the filter 103 is clogged, the outside air can be sucked through the passage 106, so that the function of the cooling means can be prevented from deteriorating. Since the passage 106 is complicatedly bent, it is possible to effectively prevent the entry of dust without providing a filter in this portion.

In the case of this embodiment, since the air sucked from the duct 102 is the outside air, the cooling function is better than that of the above-mentioned embodiment, and when the filter is clogged compared to the case where it is not clogged. Increase temperature by 5. It has been confirmed that it can be suppressed to about C.

Next, although not shown, a further embodiment will be described. In an apparatus having an opening for sucking outside air as shown in FIG. 2, the opening is provided with a filter. It is characterized in that it is configured in other parts.

Outside the apparatus, an air flow is generated in the vicinity of the surface where the filter is present, so that dust is naturally collected. Therefore, by arranging the outside air suction opening at a position distant from this portion, it is possible to further reduce the amount of dust entering the opening.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a device that has a built-in heat generating member, a cooling fan is placed in a suitable place to suck and cool the outside air. When this happens, air is supplied to the cooling fan from the separate opening, so a certain cooling function can be maintained even when the filter is clogged, and functional deterioration and failure of internal parts of the device can occur as much as possible. It is effective in preventing maintenance and facilitating maintenance management. Further, it has a remarkable effect when applied to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cooling device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a cooling device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a known cooling device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Cooling Fan 102 Duct 103 Filter 104 Container 105 Opening 107 Passage

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cooling device in which a suction fan is provided in a duct attached to an opening provided with a filter, which is provided at a proper place in a container of a device having a heat source inside, and in which air is not passed through the duct in the duct. A cooling device characterized in that an opening for sucking is separately provided. 2. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the opening formed in the duct is connected to the opening formed in the container to suck the outside air. 3. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the opening formed in the container is arranged at a position sufficiently separated from the opening provided with the filter.