Image forming apparatus
US9429909B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/80
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a heat-generating component, a power generation device including a thermoelectric element, a heat radiation device, a cooling device, a temperature detector that detects a temperature increase of the heat-generating component, and a controller. The heat radiation device includes a first radiator plate interposed between the heat-generating component and a surface of the thermoelectric element and a second radiator plate attached to another surface of the thermoelectric element. The cooling device cools the first radiator plate. The controller controls operations of the cooling device and the power generation device by operating the cooling device if the detected temperature increase reaches at least a predetermined threshold value, and causing the power generation device to generate power without operating the cooling device to cool the first radiator plate passively if the detected temperature increase falls below the predetermined threshold value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.