Image forming apparatus that discharges air to a space in a main assembly
US10185256B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/2035
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a sheet includes a main assembly, an image forming station provided in the main assembly and configured to form a toner image on the sheet, and a fixing portion provided in the main assembly and configured to fix the toner image formed on the sheet, on the sheet, the fixing portion including a fixing rotatable member and a covering member covering the rotatable member. The image forming apparatus also includes a suction mechanism including a duct connected with an opening provided in the covering member, and a fan configured to suck air inside the covering member through the duct. The air sucked by the suction mechanism is discharged into a space in the main assembly other than a space through which the sheet passes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.