JP2006113112A - Electronic apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device capable of saving energy without increasing costs with a simple configuration.
An electronic apparatus having an internal heat generation source includes thermoelectric conversion means for converting thermal energy into electrical energy, and excess thermal energy released from the heat generation source is converted into electrical energy by the thermoelectric conversion means. Convert to and reuse. Thus, the excess heat energy released from the heat source 3 is converted into electric energy by the thermoelectric conversion means 7 and reused inside or outside the device, thereby efficiently using the heat generated from the heat source 3. Therefore, it is possible to provide the electronic device 1 that can save energy without increasing the cost with a simple configuration.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, since the image forming apparatus has been miniaturized, the physical layout positions between the units are extremely close to each other. In particular, the distance between the thermal fixing unit for fixing the toner to the transfer paper and the peripheral unit is narrow.

  However, not all of the heat released from the heat fixing unit is consumed for toner fixing, and a part of it becomes unnecessary, so the influence of the released unnecessary heat is a problem. .

  Therefore, as described in Patent Document 1, in many image forming apparatuses, a heat insulating member is provided between a heat fixing unit that is a heat radiating component and a component in another unit or apparatus, and the unnecessary heat is generated. The influence is made small.

  In many image forming apparatuses, unnecessary heat released from the heat fixing unit is discharged outside the apparatus using a FAN motor or the like.

JP-A-11-344916

  However, as described in Patent Document 1, as a countermeasure against unnecessary heat released from the heat fixing unit, a heat insulating member is provided and isolated, or excess heat energy is discharged outside the apparatus using a FAN motor or the like. In such a case, the structure in the apparatus becomes complicated, which contributes to an increase in manufacturing cost.

  In today's world, where energy conservation is screamed, the reuse of excess thermal energy released from the thermal fixing unit is also a major issue.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus that can save energy without increasing costs with a simple configuration.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can save energy without increasing costs with a simple configuration.

  The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 is an electronic apparatus including a heat source therein, and further includes thermoelectric conversion means for converting thermal energy into electric energy, and excess heat energy released from the heat source is converted into the thermoelectric conversion. It is converted into electric energy by means and reused.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, the thermoelectric conversion means is a Seebeck element using the Seebeck effect.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a heat fixing unit for fixing an image on transfer paper, further comprising thermoelectric conversion means for converting heat energy into electric energy. The released excess heat energy is converted into electric energy by the thermoelectric conversion means and reused.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the thermoelectric conversion means is provided in the vicinity of the thermal fixing portion.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the thermoelectric conversion means communicates with an exhaust port for discharging excess heat released from the heat fixing portion to the outside of the apparatus. Is provided inside.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the thermoelectric conversion means is provided on an upper surface of a cover that covers the thermal fixing portion.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the thermoelectric conversion means is provided in the thermal fixing portion.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the thermoelectric conversion means is provided between the thermal fixing unit and a unit that is susceptible to thermal influence. It is provided in the heat insulation member which interrupts | blocks heat.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the thermoelectric conversion means is provided on the heat fixing portion side of the heat insulating member.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the thermoelectric conversion unit is configured to transfer heat from the thermal fixing unit between the thermal fixing unit and a unit that is susceptible to thermal influence. It is provided at the position to block.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, the unit that is susceptible to thermal influence is an image forming unit that performs image formation by electrophotography.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, the image forming unit holds at least one of a developing unit, a cleaning unit, and a charging unit, and a photoconductor in a case. Process cartridge configuration.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third to twelfth aspects, the thermoelectric conversion means is a Seebeck element using a Seebeck effect.

  According to the present invention, the excess heat energy released from the heat source is converted into electric energy by the thermoelectric conversion means and reused inside or outside the device, thereby efficiently using the heat generated from the heat source. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electronic device that can save energy without increasing costs with a simple configuration.

  According to the present invention, excess heat energy released from the heat fixing part is converted into electric energy by the thermoelectric conversion means and reused inside or outside the apparatus, thereby utilizing the heat generated from the heat fixing part. Since it is possible to efficiently use waste heat, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can save energy without increasing costs with a simple configuration.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, an electrophotographic laser printer is applied as an electronic apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  First, an outline of a “device using the Seebeck effect”, which is a thermoelectric conversion means that is a premise of the present invention, will be described. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a device using the Seebeck effect. When one of two different kinds of metals (or semiconductors) is connected and a temperature difference is given to both ends, the Seebeck effect causes the charge to move as shown in FIG. 1, and an electromotive force V is generated at both ends of the load resistance. A current flows in the direction of the arrow in FIG. That is, it becomes possible to convert thermal energy into electrical energy. In addition, as a material of the above-mentioned two kinds of different metals (or semiconductors), various combinations are currently proposed. However, in the present invention, if the material can perform thermoelectric conversion, the material is limited. do not do. In addition, since the electromotive force is small when only one of the above-described configurations is used, it has been proposed to use a plurality of devices in combination. However, in the present invention, it is only necessary to perform thermoelectric conversion. Not limited.

  Next, an image forming apparatus including a device (hereinafter referred to as a Seebeck element) using the Seebeck effect which is a thermoelectric conversion unit as described above will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus including the Seebeck element according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 2 that forms a developed image by electrophotography and transfers the developed image to a transfer paper (not shown). Emitted from the fixing unit 3, which is a heat fixing unit for fixing the image onto the transfer paper by applying heat and pressure to the transfer paper on which the developed image is transferred in the image unit 2, the control unit 4 for controlling these, and the fixing unit 3 An exhaust port 5 for exhausting excess heat generated outside the apparatus and an exhaust path 6 communicating with the exhaust port 5 are provided. Here, the reason why the exhaust from the exhaust port 5 is required is that the fixing unit 3 has the highest temperature rise in the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1 using thermal fixing, and this fixing unit 3 is generated. This is because excess heat adversely affects a member that is weak against heat existing in the apparatus, for example, toner of the image forming unit 2. That is, the fixing unit 3 is a heat source.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a Seebeck element 7 is provided in the vicinity of the fixing unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. By arranging the Seebeck element 7 in the vicinity of the fixing unit 3 in this way, the temperature of the surface of the Seebeck element 7 is increased by the heat generated from the fixing unit 3. That is, if the low temperature side of the Seebeck element 7 (that is, the side opposite to the fixing unit 3) is provided near the outside air, the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 may exceed 100 ° C., so the difference is large. Thus, an electromotive force is generated from this temperature difference. The electric energy converted from the heat energy by the Seebeck element 7 in this way can be reused inside or outside the image forming apparatus 1.

  With such a configuration, since the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 is extraneous that is discharged from the exhaust port 5 in the first place, it is possible to efficiently use waste heat using the heat. Therefore, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 that can save energy without increasing costs with a simple configuration.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same portions as those shown in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The same applies to the embodiments after the second embodiment.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus including the Seebeck element according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the second embodiment, a Seebeck element 7 is disposed in an exhaust path 6 to an exhaust port 5 for discharging excess heat to the outside of the apparatus. Yes. The reason why the Seebeck element 7 is disposed in the exhaust path 6 in this manner is that, of course, the temperature rises in comparison with the outside of the exhaust path 6 because of its function. By arranging the Seebeck element 7 in the exhaust path 6 in this way, the temperature of the surface of the Seebeck element 7 is increased by the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 and passing through the exhaust path 6. That is, if the low temperature side of the Seebeck element 7 (that is, the side opposite to the fixing unit 3) is provided near the outside air, the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 may exceed 100 ° C., so the difference is large. Thus, an electromotive force is generated from this temperature difference. Further, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved by arranging the Seebeck element 7 in the exhaust path 6. The electric energy converted from the heat energy by the Seebeck element 7 in this way can be reused inside or outside the image forming apparatus 1.

  With such a configuration, the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 and passing through the exhaust path 6 is excessive so that it is discharged from the exhaust port 5 in the first place. Since the image forming apparatus 1 can be used, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 that can save energy without increasing the cost with a simple configuration.

[Third embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus including the Seebeck element according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the third embodiment, the Seebeck element 7 is disposed on the upper surface of the fixing unit cover 8 of the fixing unit 3. As described above, the Seebeck element 7 is disposed on the upper surface of the fixing unit cover 8 of the fixing unit 3 as described above. However, the temperature of the fixing unit 3 is particularly high. Because. By arranging the Seebeck element 7 on the upper surface of the fixing unit cover 8 of the fixing unit 3 as described above, the surface temperature of the Seebeck element 7 is increased by the heat generated from the fixing unit 3. That is, if the low temperature side of the Seebeck element 7 (that is, the side opposite to the fixing unit 3) is provided near the outside air, the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 may exceed 100 ° C., so the difference is large. Thus, an electromotive force is generated from this temperature difference. Further, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved by disposing the Seebeck element 7 on the upper surface of the fixing unit cover 8 of the fixing unit 3. The electric energy converted from the heat energy by the Seebeck element 7 in this way can be reused inside or outside the image forming apparatus 1.

  With such a configuration, since the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 is extraneous that is discharged from the exhaust port 5 in the first place, it is possible to efficiently use waste heat using the heat. Therefore, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 that can save energy without increasing costs with a simple configuration. Further, by disposing the fixing unit 3 on the upper surface of the fixing unit cover 8, it is possible to prevent accidents caused by heat to the user.

[Fourth embodiment]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus including the Seebeck element according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment, the Seebeck element 7 is directly disposed in the fixing unit 3. As described above, the Seebeck element 7 is directly disposed on the fixing unit 3 as described above because the temperature rise of the fixing unit 3 is large. However, the Seebeck element 7 is not disposed through the fixing unit cover 8 of the third embodiment. This is because the thermal efficiency is further improved. As described above, by arranging the Seebeck element 7 directly on the fixing unit 3, the surface temperature of the Seebeck element 7 is increased by the heat generated from the fixing unit 3. That is, if the low temperature side of the Seebeck element 7 (that is, the side opposite to the fixing unit 3) is provided near the outside air, the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 may exceed 100 ° C., so the difference is large. Thus, an electromotive force is generated from this temperature difference. Further, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved by arranging the Seebeck element 7 directly on the fixing unit 3. The electric energy converted from the heat energy by the Seebeck element 7 in this way can be reused inside or outside the image forming apparatus 1.

  With such a configuration, since the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 is extraneous that is discharged from the exhaust port 5 in the first place, it is possible to efficiently use waste heat using the heat. Therefore, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 that can save energy without increasing costs with a simple configuration. Further, by eliminating the fixing unit cover 8 of the third embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the cost.

[Fifth embodiment]
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus including the Seebeck element according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, since a unit (for example, the image forming unit 2) that is susceptible to thermal influence exists in the image forming apparatus 1, a unit that is susceptible to thermal influence (for example, the imaging unit 2). When the image forming unit 2) is close in layout, or when it is not close, it is affected by temperature, and a heat insulating member 9 is provided between them. As shown in FIG. 6, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the Seebeck element 7 is disposed on the fixing unit 3 side of the heat insulating member 9. The reason why the Seebeck element 7 is arranged on the side of the fixing unit 3 of the heat insulating member 9 is because of its function, the surface is naturally affected by the heat from the fixing unit 3 and the temperature rises. . More specifically, the Seebeck element 7 generates an electromotive force due to a temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side. Therefore, a larger temperature difference is advantageous in terms of thermoelectric conversion efficiency. The difference between the surface on the other unit (for example, the image forming unit 2) side and the outside air temperature is smaller than the temperature difference between the surface on the fixing unit 3 side and the surface of the heat insulating member 9, so that the fixing with a large temperature difference is performed. It is more efficient to attach the Seebeck element 7 to the portion 3 side. By arranging the Seebeck element 7 on the fixing unit 3 side of the heat insulating member 9 in this way, the temperature of the surface of the Seebeck element 7 is increased by the heat generated from the fixing unit 3. That is, if the low temperature side of the Seebeck element 7 (that is, the side opposite to the fixing unit 3) is provided on the side away from the fixing unit 3, the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 may exceed 100 ° C. The difference becomes large, and an electromotive force is generated from this temperature difference. Further, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved by arranging the Seebeck element 7 on the fixing unit 3 side of the heat insulating member 9. The electric energy converted from the heat energy by the Seebeck element 7 in this way can be reused in the image forming apparatus 1 or outside the image forming apparatus 1.

  With such a configuration, since the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 is extraneous that is discharged from the exhaust port 5 in the first place, it is possible to efficiently use waste heat using the heat. Therefore, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 that can save energy without increasing costs with a simple configuration.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 2 is given as an example of a unit affected by heat. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a transfer belt for transferring an image and a transfer for transferring a transfer paper A roller or the like is also a unit affected by heat. Such a unit affected by heat is set on the low temperature side of the Seebeck element 7, and the fixing unit 3 is set on the high temperature side of the Seebeck element 7.

[Sixth embodiment]
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus including the Seebeck element according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the sixth embodiment, the Seebeck element 7 is used as a heat insulating member. As described in the fifth embodiment, a heat insulating member is often required between the fixing unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 and another unit (for example, the image forming unit 2). On the other hand, since Seebeck element 7 converts thermal energy into electrical energy, it can block thermal energy. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the Seebeck element 7 is used instead of the heat insulating member. Thus, by using the Seebeck element 7 as a heat insulating member, the temperature of the surface of the Seebeck element 7 is increased by the heat generated from the fixing unit 3. That is, if the low temperature side of the Seebeck element 7 (that is, the side opposite to the fixing unit 3) is provided on the side away from the fixing unit 3, the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 may exceed 100 ° C. The difference becomes large, and an electromotive force is generated from this temperature difference. Moreover, thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved by using Seebeck element 7 as a heat insulation member. The electric energy converted from the heat energy by the Seebeck element 7 in this way can be reused inside or outside the image forming apparatus 1.

  With such a configuration, since the heat generated from the fixing unit 3 is extraneous that is discharged from the exhaust port 5 in the first place, it is possible to efficiently use waste heat using the heat. Therefore, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 that can save energy without increasing costs with a simple configuration. Further, by using the Seebeck element 7 as a heat insulating member, it is possible to reduce the cost and use the exhaust heat while having a heat insulating function.

  The image forming unit 2 in each embodiment may have a process cartridge configuration in which at least one of a developing unit, a cleaning unit, and a charging unit and a photoconductor are held in a case. In each embodiment, the Seebeck element 7 is disposed between the image forming unit 2 that is a process cartridge and the fixing unit 3 in order to protect the image forming unit 2 that is a process cartridge that is easily affected by heat from heat. Will do. By doing so, it is possible to eliminate the thermal influence of the process cartridge (image forming unit 2) and efficiently use waste heat.

  In each embodiment, an electrophotographic laser printer is applied as an electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various electronic devices including a heat generation source can be applied.

It is a conceptual diagram of the device using the Seebeck effect of 1st embodiment of this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus including a Seebeck element. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the image forming apparatus provided with the Seebeck element of 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the image forming apparatus provided with the Seebeck element of 3rd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the image forming apparatus provided with the Seebeck element of 4th embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the image forming apparatus provided with the Seebeck element of 5th embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the image forming apparatus provided with the Seebeck element of 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device, image forming apparatus 2 Image forming part 3 Heat generation source, heat fixing part 5 Exhaust port 6 Exhaust path 7 Thermoelectric conversion means, Seebeck element 8 Cover covering heat fixing part 9 Heat insulation member

Claims (13)

In electronic equipment with a heat source inside,
Comprising thermoelectric conversion means for converting thermal energy into electrical energy;
The excess heat energy released from the heat source is converted into electric energy by the thermoelectric conversion means and reused.
An electronic device characterized by that. The thermoelectric conversion means is a Seebeck element utilizing the Seebeck effect.
The electronic device according to claim 1. In an image forming apparatus provided with a thermal fixing unit for fixing an image on a transfer sheet,
Comprising thermoelectric conversion means for converting thermal energy into electrical energy;
The excess heat energy released from the heat fixing unit is converted into electric energy by the thermoelectric conversion means and reused.
An image forming apparatus. The thermoelectric conversion means is provided in the vicinity of the heat fixing unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The thermoelectric conversion means is provided in an exhaust path communicating with an exhaust port for discharging excess heat released from the heat fixing unit to the outside of the apparatus.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The thermoelectric conversion means is provided on an upper surface of a cover that covers the heat fixing unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The thermoelectric conversion means is provided in the heat fixing unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The thermoelectric conversion means is provided in a heat insulating member that is provided between the heat fixing unit and a unit that is susceptible to thermal influence and blocks heat from the heat fixing unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The thermoelectric conversion means is provided on the heat fixing part side of the heat insulating member,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The thermoelectric conversion means is provided at a position between the heat fixing unit and a unit that is susceptible to thermal influence and that blocks heat from the heat fixing unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The unit that is susceptible to thermal influence is an image forming unit that forms an image by electrophotography.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The image forming unit has a process cartridge configuration in which at least one of a developing unit, a cleaning unit, and a charging unit and a photosensitive member are held in a case.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11. The thermoelectric conversion means is a Seebeck element utilizing the Seebeck effect.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

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