Cooling device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a cooling device and an image forming apparatus, and aims to detect the reduction of the level of a cooling liquid in a container and the installation state of the container with a simple structure. The suspension is housed in the container together with the cooling liquid and has a density lower than that of the cooling liquid. The swinging member is supported in a swingable manner, and has a contact part which is displaced by contacting the container, and a detected part which is linked with the displacement of the contact part. The sensor detects the suspension body or the detected part present at the detection position. The container is provided with a limiting part which limits the movable range of the suspension body to a range with the detection position as the lower limit. When the container is mounted to the mounting portion, the detected portion is displaced from the detection position to the retracted position in conjunction with the displacement of the contact portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device and an image forming device in which a container for accommodating cooling liquid is detachably mounted. Background Art

[0002] The devices constituting the image forming apparatus tend to become hotter due to the increase in the speed of printing processing.

[0003] For example, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the toner contained in the developing device may reach a high temperature due to frictional heat generated by the stirring of the toner. If the toner temperature rises, there is a risk that the softened toner will aggregate and deteriorate the image quality.

[0004] In this regard, the image forming apparatus may include a cooling device. For example, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is known to include a liquid cooling device for cooling the developing device.

[0005] However, in the cooling device of the liquid cooling method, a pump circulates the cooling liquid in the container, the heat exchange part, and the heat dissipation part. The container, the pump, the heat exchange part, and the heat dissipation part are connected by a circulation pipe.

[0006] The cooling liquid leaks a little from the connection part of the equipment while gasifying. Therefore, through long-term use of the cooling device, the cooling liquid in the container gradually decreases.

[0007] In the event that the level of the coolant in the container is lower than normal, the container needs to be replaced.

[0008] Furthermore, if the cooling device is operated without the container installed, problems such as leakage of the coolant and increase in temperature of the object to be cooled may occur.

[0009] Therefore, the cooling device is required to include a structure for detecting a decrease in the level of the cooling liquid in the container and a mounting state of the container.

[0010] On the other hand, the cooling device is also required to reduce costs by simplifying the structure. Summary of the invention

[0011] Here, an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device and an image forming apparatus capable of detecting a decrease in the level of cooling liquid in a container and a mounting state of the container with a simple structure.

[0012] A cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a container, a mounting portion, a pump, a heat exchange portion, a heat dissipation portion, a plurality of pipes, a suspension, a swinging member, and a sensor. The container stores a cooling liquid. The mounting portion is a portion where the container is detachably mounted. The pump circulates the cooling liquid. The heat exchange portion performs heat exchange between the cooling liquid and a cooling object. The heat dissipation portion radiates the heat of the cooling liquid. The plurality of pipes connect the container, the pump, the heat exchange portion, and the heat dissipation portion to form a circulation path for the cooling liquid. The suspension is contained together with the cooling liquid in the container and has a density lower than that of the cooling liquid. The swinging member is swingably supported on the mounting portion and has a contact portion that is displaced by contact with the container and a detected portion that is linked to the displacement of the contact portion. The sensor is provided on the mounting portion to detect the suspension or the detected portion that is present at a detection position. The container has a limiting portion that limits the movable range of the suspension when the container is mounted on the mounting portion to a range with the detection position as a lower limit. The contact portion is displaced according to the attachment and detachment of the container relative to the mounting portion. When the container is mounted on the mounting portion, the detected portion is displaced from the detection position to the retracted position in conjunction with displacement of the contact portion.

[0013] Another embodiment of the image forming device of the present invention includes a sheet conveying device, a printing device, and the cooling device. The sheet conveying device conveys a sheet. The printing device forms an image on the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying device. The cooling device cools a part of the printing device.

[0014] According to the present invention, a cooling device and an image forming apparatus that can detect a decrease in the level of cooling liquid in a container and a mounting state of the container by a simple structure can be provided.

[0015] This specification is presented in a simplified form, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings, to summarize the concepts described in the following detailed description. This specification is not intended to limit the important features and essential features of the subject matter described in the claims, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the subject matter described in the claims. In addition, the subject matter described in the claims is not limited to implementations that solve some or all of the disadvantages described in any part of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of an image forming apparatus including a cooling device according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device in the image forming apparatus.

[0018] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the main part of the cooling device according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a partial end perspective view of a container and a sensor in the cooling device according to the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a first side view of the main part of the cooling device of the embodiment (a state before the container is attached).

[0021] Figure 6 It is a second side view of the main part of the cooling device of the embodiment (a state after the container is installed).

[0022] Figure 7 This is a third side view of the main part of the cooling device according to the embodiment (a state in which the level of the coolant is lower than the reference level). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the following embodiment is an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0024] The cooling device 6 of the embodiment constitutes a part of the image forming apparatus 10 (see Figure 1 ).

[0025] (Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 10) like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a sheet conveying device 3 , a printing device 4 , and a cooling device 6 . The sheet conveying device 3 conveys a sheet 9 .

[0026] The sheet conveying device 3 includes a sheet feeding mechanism 30 and a plurality of conveying roller pairs 31. The sheet feeding mechanism 30 delivers the sheet 9 stored in the sheet storage unit 2 to a conveying path 300. The conveying path 300 is a path for conveying the sheet 9.

[0027] The plurality of conveying roller pairs 31 are rotationally driven by a motor (not shown). The plurality of conveying roller pairs 31 convey the sheet 9 along the conveying path 300 by rotating, and discharge the sheet 9 to the discharge tray 1 x.

[0028] The printing device 4 executes a printing process. The printing process is a process of forming an image on a sheet 9 conveyed by the sheet conveying device 3. The sheet 9 is an image forming medium such as paper or a thin sheet-like resin member.

[0029] In the present embodiment, the printing device 4 executes the above-mentioned printing process by electrophotography. The printing device 4 includes one or more image forming units 4 x , a laser scanning unit 5 , a transfer device 44 , and a fixing device 46 .

[0030] exist Figure 1 In the example of , the image forming apparatus 10 is a tandem color image forming apparatus. Therefore, the printing apparatus 4 includes a plurality of image forming units 4x corresponding to a plurality of toner colors.

[0031] The image forming unit 4x includes a drum-shaped photoconductor 41, a charging device 42, a developing device 43, a drum cleaning device 45, etc. That is, the printing device 4 includes a plurality of photoconductors 41, a plurality of developing devices 43, and a plurality of drum cleaning devices 45 corresponding to a plurality of toner colors.

[0032] In each image forming unit 4x, the photoconductor 41 rotates and the charging device 42 charges the surface of the photoconductor 41. The laser scanning unit 5 scans the surfaces of the charged photoconductors 41 with a plurality of laser beams. Thus, electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photoconductors 41.

[0033] Each developing device 43 develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by supplying toner to the surface of each photoreceptor 41. The toner is a granular developer. The photoreceptor 41 is an example of an image carrier that carries the toner image and rotates.

[0034] In this embodiment, the printing device 4 includes four image forming units 4 x corresponding to the toners of the four developing colors of yellow, cyan, magenta and black. Therefore, the printing device 4 includes four photoreceptors 41 , four developing devices 43 and four drum cleaning devices 45 .

[0035] The four toner images are formed on the surfaces of the four photoreceptors 41 . The transfer device 44 transfers the four toner images from the four photoreceptors 41 to the sheet 9 .

[0036] The transfer device 44 includes an intermediate transfer belt 441 , four primary transfer devices 442 corresponding to the four image forming units 4 x , a secondary transfer device 443 , and a belt cleaning device 444 .

[0037] The four primary transfer devices 442 transfer the toner images on the surfaces of the four photoreceptors 41 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441 . Thus, a color toner image in which the toner images on the four photoreceptors 41 are combined is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441 .

[0038] The secondary transfer device 443 transfers the color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 441 onto the sheet 9 at a transfer position in the conveyance path 300 .

[0039] The fixing device 46 heats and pressurizes the color toner image transferred onto the sheet 9 . In this way, the fixing device 46 fixes the color toner image onto the sheet 9 .

[0040] Each drum cleaning device 45 removes the waste toner remaining on the surface of each photoreceptor 41. The belt cleaning device 444 removes the waste toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 441.

[0041] The cooling device 6 includes a mounting portion 60 , a container 61 , a pump 62 , one or more heat exchange portions 63 , a heat dissipation portion 64 , and a plurality of pipes 65 .

[0042] The container 61 stores the cooling liquid 6x. That is, the cooling device 6 is a liquid cooling device. The mounting portion 60 is a portion to which the container 61 is detachably mounted.

[0043] The plurality of pipes 65 connect the container 61 , the pump 62 , the heat exchange unit 63 , and the heat dissipation unit 64 , and form a circulation path for the coolant 6 x.

[0044] The pump 62 circulates the cooling liquid 6x in the circulation path. The heat exchanger 63 performs heat exchange between the cooling liquid 6x and a cooling object. In this way, the heat exchanger 63 cools the cooling object having a higher temperature than the cooling liquid 6x. The cooling object is a part of the printing device 4.

[0045] In this embodiment, the cooling device 6 includes four heat exchangers 63, and the cooling objects are four developing devices 43. That is, the cooling device 6 cools each developing device 43. The cooling device 6 suppresses the temperature increase of the toner due to the friction heat generated by the stirring of the toner in each developing device 43.

[0046] The heat dissipation section 64 radiates the heat of the cooling liquid 6x whose temperature has risen due to heat exchange with the four developing devices 43. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 5 , the heat dissipation unit 64 is an air cooling device having a cooling fan.

[0047] The image forming apparatus 10 further includes an operating device 801 , a display device 802 , and a control device 8 .

[0048] The operating device 801 is a device that accepts human operations and includes, for example, one or both of a touch panel and operating buttons.

[0049] The display device 802 can display various information. For example, the display device 802 is a panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The control device 8 controls various electrical devices included in the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0050] like Figure 2As shown, the control device 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 80, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 81, an auxiliary storage device 82, a signal interface 83, a communication device 84, and the like.

[0051] The CPU 80 performs various control and data processing by executing computer programs. The RAM 81 is a volatile storage device. The RAM 81 temporarily stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 80 and various data.

[0052] The auxiliary storage device 82 is a nonvolatile storage device that can be read by a computer. The auxiliary storage device 82 stores the computer program executed by the CPU 80 and various data. For example, one or both of a flash memory and a hard disk drive are used as the auxiliary storage device 82.

[0053] The signal interface 83 converts the detection signals of various sensors into digital detection data, which are transmitted to the CPU 80 .

[0054] The communication device 84 communicates with a plurality of external devices including one or more host devices via a network. The CPU 80 communicates with each of the external devices via the communication device 84. The host device is an information processing device that requests the image forming device 10 to perform the printing process.

[0055] The CPU 80 includes a plurality of processing modules implemented by executing the computer program. The plurality of processing modules include a main control unit 8a, a print control unit 8b, a determination unit 8c, etc. (see Figure 2 ).

[0056] The main control unit 8a performs processing for accepting various requests and controls other modules to execute processing corresponding to the requests. For example, the main control unit 8a accepts a print request through the operating device 801 or the communication device 84. The main control unit 8a then causes the print control unit 8b to execute processing corresponding to the print request.

[0057] The print control unit 8b controls the sheet conveying device 3 and the printer 4. The print control unit 8b causes the sheet conveying device 3 to convey the sheet 9 and causes the printer 4 to execute the above-described printing process.

[0058] The determination unit 8 c determines various states of the image forming apparatus 10 based on the detection states of various sensors and the operating states of various devices in the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0059] However, in the liquid cooling type cooling device 6, the pump 62 circulates the cooling liquid 6x in the container 61, the heat exchange part 63, and the heat dissipation part 64. The container 61, the pump 62, the heat exchange part 63, and the heat dissipation part 64 are connected by a plurality of pipes 65.

[0060] The cooling liquid 6x vaporizes and leaks a little from the connection portion of the device. Therefore, the cooling liquid 6x in the container 61 gradually decreases as the cooling device 6 is used for a long time.

[0061] When the level of the coolant 6 x in the container 61 is lower than the normal level, the container 61 needs to be replaced.

[0062] Furthermore, if the cooling device 6 is operated in a state where the container 61 is not mounted on the mounting portion 60 , problems such as leakage of the cooling liquid 6 x and increase in temperature of the cooling object may occur.

[0063] Therefore, the cooling device 6 is required to have a structure for detecting a decrease in the level of the cooling liquid 6 x in the container 61 and the mounting state of the container 61 .

[0064] On the other hand, the cooling device 6 is also required to reduce costs by simplifying the structure.

[0065] The cooling device 6 realizes a device capable of detecting a decrease in the level of the coolant 6 x in the container 61 and the installation state of the container 61 with a simple structure.

[0066] (Configuration of Cooling Device 6) The cooling device 6 also has Figure 3 The swing member 67 and the sensor 68 are shown. Figure 4 Suspension 66 is shown.

[0067] The suspension 66 and the coolant 6x are contained together in the container 61. The density of the suspension 66 is lower than that of the coolant 6x. Therefore, the suspension 66 floats on the surface of the coolant 6x as long as the movable range is not restricted.

[0068] The container 61 has a lateral limiting portion 614 and a lower limiting portion 615 for limiting the range of movement of the suspension 66 (see Figure 4 ).

[0069] The lateral restricting portion 614 restricts the horizontal movement of the suspension 66. The lateral restricting portion 614 is also a guide portion for guiding the suspension 66 in the vertical direction.

[0070] When the container 61 is mounted on the mounting portion 60, the lower limiting portion 615 limits the movable range of the suspension 66 in the vertical direction to a range with the detection position P1 as the lower limit. When the level of the coolant 6x in the container 61 is higher than the detection position P1, the position of the suspension 66 in the vertical direction represents the level of the coolant 6x in the container 61.

[0071] The swing member 67 is swingably supported by the mounting portion 60. The swing member 67 has a shaft portion 670, a contact portion 671, and a detected portion 672. The shaft portion 670 is rotatably supported by the mounting portion 60.

[0072] The contact portion 671 is formed to extend from the shaft portion 670 in the radial direction of the shaft portion 670. The contact portion 671 is rotatable around the shaft portion 670. The contact portion 671 is displaced according to the attachment and detachment of the container 61 with respect to the mounting portion 60.

[0073] When the container 61 is mounted on the mounting portion 60, the contact portion 671 contacts a portion of the container 61, thereby moving from the first position to the second position (see Figure 5 , Figure 6 ).

[0074] Figure 5 indicates that the contact portion 671 exists in the first position, Figure 6 This indicates the state where the contact portion 671 is located at the second position.

[0075] When the container 61 is removed from the mounting portion 60, the contact portion 671 is displaced from the second position to the first position due to the dead weight of the swing member 67 (see Figure 5 ).

[0076] When the container 61 is not mounted on the mounting portion 60, the locking portion 6y locks a portion of the swing member 67, thereby keeping the contact portion 671 at the first position (see Figure 5 ).

[0077] The detected portion 672 is formed to extend from the shaft portion 670 in the radial direction of the shaft portion 670. The detected portion 672 is rotatable around the shaft portion 670.

[0078] The detected portion 672 is displaced between the detection position P1 and the retracted position in conjunction with the displacement of the contact portion 671 . Figure 3 , Figure 5 Indicates the state where the detected portion 672 exists at the detection position P1, Figure 6 , Figure 7 This indicates the state where the detected portion 672 is present at the retracted position.

[0079] When the contact portion 671 is displaced from the first position to the second position, the detected portion 672 is displaced from the detection position P1 to the retreat position (see Figure 5 , Figure 6 ).

[0080] That is, when the container 61 is mounted on the mounting portion 60 , the detected portion 672 is displaced from the detection position P1 to the retracted position in conjunction with the displacement of the contact portion 671 .

[0081] On the other hand, when the contact portion 671 is displaced from the second position to the first position, the detected portion 672 is displaced from the retreat position to the detection position P1 (see Figure 5 ).

[0082] That is, when the container 61 is removed from the mounting portion 60 , the detected portion 672 is displaced from the retracted position to the detection position P1 .

[0083] When the container 61 is not mounted on the mounting portion 60, the locking portion 6y locks a portion of the swing member 67, whereby the detected portion 672 is held at the detection position P1 (see Figure 5 ).

[0084] The sensor 68 is provided on the mounting portion 60. The sensor 68 detects the suspended body 66 or the detected portion 672 present at the detection position P1.

[0085] In this embodiment, the sensor 68 is a light sensor having a light emitting portion 681 and a light receiving portion 682 (see Figure 3 , Figure 4 ). The light emitting unit 681 emits detection light toward the detection position P1. The light receiving unit 682 receives the detection light that has passed through the detection position P1 or the detection light that has been reflected at the detection position P1.

[0086] At least a portion of the container 61 that faces the light emitting unit 681 is formed of a transparent member that transmits the detection light. The cooling liquid 6x also transmits the detection light.

[0087] In this embodiment, the sensor 68 is a transmissive optical sensor. Therefore, the light emitting unit 681 and the light receiving unit 682 are arranged to face each other via the detection position P1. The light receiving unit 682 receives the detection light passing through the detection position P1.

[0088] When the suspended body 66 or the detected portion 672 exists at the detection position P1, the detection light is blocked by the suspended body 66 or the detected portion 672. At this time, the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 682 is small.

[0089] On the other hand, when both the suspension 66 and the detected portion 672 are present at positions deviated from the detection position P1, the detection light passes through the detection position P1 and enters the light receiving portion 682. At this time, the light receiving amount of the light receiving portion 682 is large.

[0090] The light receiving unit 682 includes a photoelectric conversion element and outputs a detection signal representing the amount of light received by the detection light to the control device 8 .

[0091] The container 61 has a pair of recessed portions 612 formed on the outer side surface of the container 61 (see Figure 3 , Figure 4 ). The pair of recessed portions 612 includes a first recessed portion 612a and a second recessed portion 612b.

[0092] When the container 61 is mounted on the mounting portion 60, the light emitting portion 681 of the sensor 68 is inserted into the first recess 612a, and the light receiving portion 682 of the sensor 68 is inserted into the second recess 612b (see Figure 4 ).

[0093] A suspension housing portion 613 extending in the vertical direction is formed between the pair of recessed portions 612 in the container 61. The suspension 66 is movable in the suspension housing portion 613 according to the level of the cooling liquid 6x.

[0094] When the container 61 is mounted on the mounting portion 60, a portion of the suspension containing portion 613 is disposed at the detection position P1 (see Figure 4 ).

[0095] In this embodiment, when the level of the coolant 6x in the container 61 is within the permissible range, the suspension 66 floats on the surface of the coolant 6x at a position higher than the detection position P1 (see Figure 6 At this time, the sensor 68 cannot detect either the detection portion 672 or the suspended body 66 .

[0096] On the other hand, when the level of the coolant 6x in the container 61 is lower than the allowable range, the suspension 66 is held at the detection position P1 (see Figure 4 , Figure 7 ). At this time, the sensor 68 detects the suspended body 66.

[0097] The determination unit 8c determines the normal state and the abnormal state of the container 61 based on the detection signal of the sensor 68. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 8c that determines the state of the container 61 constitutes a part of the cooling device 6. The CPU 80 is an example of a processor that determines the state of the container 61.

[0098] The normal state is a state in which the container 61 is mounted on the mounting portion 60 and the level of the coolant 6x in the container 61 is within the allowable range (see Figure 6 On the other hand, the abnormal state is a state in which the container 61 is not mounted on the mounting portion 60, or a state in which the level of the coolant 6x in the container 61 is lower than the allowable range (refer to Figure 5 , Figure 7 ).

[0099] When the detection signal of the sensor 68 indicates that an object exists at the detection position P1, the determination unit 8c determines that the container 61 is in the abnormal state. On the other hand, when the detection signal of the sensor 68 indicates that an object does not exist at the detection position P1, the determination unit 8c determines that the container 61 is in the normal state.

[0100] In the present embodiment, when the detection signal of the sensor 68 indicates that the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 682 exceeds the reference amount, the determination portion 8c determines that the container 61 is in the normal state. On the other hand, when the detection signal of the sensor 68 indicates that the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 682 is lower than the reference amount, the determination portion 8c determines that the container 61 is in the abnormal state.

[0101] When determining that the container 61 is in the abnormal state, the determination unit 8c notifies the abnormal state through the display device 802.

[0102] Furthermore, when it is determined that the container 61 is in the abnormal state, the print control unit 8b restricts execution of the print process.

[0103] For example, when it is determined that the container 61 is in the abnormal state, the print control unit 8b prohibits execution of the print process. In addition, when it is determined that the container 61 is in the abnormal state, the print control unit 8b limits the number of sheets to be printed continuously.

[0104] By adopting the cooling device 6, a decrease in the level of the cooling liquid 6x and the non-installed state of the container 61 can be detected by a sensor 68.

[0105] (First Application Example) In the cooling device 6, a magnetic sensor may be used as the sensor 68. In this case, the detection portion 672 and the suspension 66 include a magnetic body. Alternatively, an ultrasonic sensor may be used as the sensor 68.

[0106] (Second application example) The cooling target of the cooling device 6 may be a device other than the developing device 43 in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the cooling device 6 may cool the fixing device 46.

[0107] (Third Application Example) The cooling device 6 can be applied to an inkjet image forming apparatus. For example, the cooling device 6 can cool an inkjet print head.

[0108] (Additional Notes on Invention) The following is an additional description of the summary of the invention extracted from the above-mentioned embodiment. In addition, each structure and each processing function described in the following supplementary notes can be arbitrarily selected and combined.

[0109] (Note 1) A cooling device, comprising: A container for storing coolant; a mounting portion, the container being detachably mounted on the mounting portion; a pump to circulate the coolant; A heat exchange part for performing heat exchange between the coolant and a cooling object; A heat dissipation portion, radiating heat of the coolant; A plurality of pipes connecting the container, the pump, the heat exchange part and the heat dissipation part to form a circulation path for the coolant; A suspension, contained in the container together with the coolant, having a density lower than that of the coolant; a swing member swingably supported on the mounting portion, comprising a contact portion displaced by contact with the container and a detected portion linked to the displacement of the contact portion; and A sensor is provided at the mounting portion to detect the suspended object or the detected portion existing at a detection position. The container has a limiting portion, and the limiting portion limits the movable range of the suspension when the container is mounted on the mounting portion to a range with the detection position as a lower limit. The contact portion is displaced according to the attachment and detachment of the container relative to the mounting portion, When the container is mounted on the mounting portion, the detected portion is displaced from the detection position to the retracted position in conjunction with displacement of the contact portion.

[0110] (Note 2) The cooling device described in Note 1 is further provided with a processor for distinguishing a normal state and an abnormal state based on a detection signal of the sensor, wherein the normal state is a state in which the container is mounted to the mounting portion and the level of the coolant in the container is within an allowable range, and the abnormal state is a state in which the container is not mounted to the mounting portion or the level of the coolant in the container is lower than the allowable range.

[0111] (Note 3) In the cooling device described in Note 1 or Note 2, the sensor is an optical sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, the light emitting portion emits detection light to the detection position, and the light receiving portion receives the detection light passing through the detection position or the detection light reflected at the detection position.

[0112] (Note 4) In the cooling device described in Supplement 3, The container comprises: A first concave portion is formed by being recessed on the outer side surface, and the light emitting portion is inserted into the first concave portion; and The second recessed portion is formed concavely on the outer side surface, and the light receiving portion is inserted into the second recessed portion.

[0113] (Note 5) An image forming device, comprising: A sheet conveying device for conveying sheets; a printing device that forms an image on the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying device; and The cooling device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4 for cooling a part of the printing device.

[0114] (Note 6) In the image forming apparatus described in Supplementary Note 5, The printing device comprises: Photoreceptor, forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface; a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by supplying toner to the surface of the photosensitive body; and The transfer device transfers the toner image from the surface of the photosensitive body to a sheet, and the cooling device cools the developing device.

[0115] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above content, but is defined by the description of the claims, so it can be considered that the embodiments described in this specification are only illustrative, not limiting. Therefore, all changes that do not depart from the scope and limits of the claims, as well as contents that are equivalent to the scope and limits of the claims, are included in the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cooling device, characterized in that include: A container for storing coolant; a mounting portion, the container being detachably mounted on the mounting portion; a pump to circulate the coolant; A heat exchange part for performing heat exchange between the coolant and a cooling object; A heat dissipation portion, radiating heat of the coolant; A plurality of pipes connecting the container, the pump, the heat exchange part and the heat dissipation part to form a circulation path for the coolant; A suspension, contained in the container together with the coolant, having a density lower than that of the coolant; a swing member swingably supported on the mounting portion, comprising a contact portion displaced by contact with the container and a detected portion linked to the displacement of the contact portion; and A sensor is provided at the mounting portion to detect the suspended object or the detected portion existing at a detection position. The container has a limiting portion, and the limiting portion limits the movable range of the suspension when the container is mounted on the mounting portion to a range with the detection position as a lower limit. The contact portion is displaced according to the attachment and detachment of the container relative to the mounting portion, When the container is mounted on the mounting portion, the detected portion is displaced from the detection position to the retracted position in conjunction with displacement of the contact portion.

2. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A processor is also provided for distinguishing a normal state and an abnormal state based on a detection signal of the sensor, wherein the normal state is a state in which the container is mounted on the mounting portion and the level of the coolant in the container is within an allowable range, and the abnormal state is a state in which the container is not mounted on the mounting portion or the level of the coolant in the container is lower than the allowable range.

3. The cooling device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that: The sensor is a light sensor including a light emitting unit that emits detection light toward the detection position and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light that has passed through the detection position or has been reflected at the detection position.

4. The cooling device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The container comprises: A first concave portion is formed by being recessed on the outer side surface, and the light emitting portion is inserted into the first concave portion; and The second recessed portion is formed concavely on the outer side surface, and the light receiving portion is inserted into the second recessed portion.

5. An image forming device, characterized in that include: A sheet conveying device for conveying sheets; a printing device for forming an image on the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying device; as well as A cooling device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 for cooling a part of the printing device.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The printing device comprises: Photoreceptor, forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface; a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by supplying toner to the surface of the photosensitive body; and a transfer device for transferring the toner image from the surface of the photosensitive body to a sheet, The cooling device cools the developing device.

Images