Cooling device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a cooling device that can uniformly cool a part to be cooled while efficiently using cooling air (partial cooling air), and an image forming apparatus including the cooling device.SOLUTION: A cooling device comprises: an entire cooling unit (exhaust fan 20) that cools the entirety of the inside of an image forming apparatus 1 by entire cooling air W1 flowing the inside of the image forming apparatus 1; and a partial cooling unit 30 that blows cooling air (partial cooling air W2) on a part to be cooled G1 to cool the part to be cooled G1. The partial cooling part 30 blows the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) in a smaller volume on a leeward side of the entire cooling air W1 than the volume of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) on a windward side of the entire cooling air W1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device and an image forming apparatus including the cooling device. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses that form an image on a sheet are known. In a conventional image forming apparatus, there has been disclosed a configuration that is equipped with a cooling method for blowing cooling air to a portion to be cooled (e.g., a toner conveying path, etc.), includes branched cooling ducts, and exhausts sucked cooling air from two branch destinations, thereby achieving uniform cooling in the longitudinal direction of the cooling duct (see, for example, Patent Document 1). There is also disclosed a configuration that includes at least one of a fan for discharging air inside the apparatus main body to the outside of the apparatus main body or a fan for introducing air outside the apparatus main body into the apparatus main body, makes the cross-sectional area of the cooling duct narrower from an introduction port toward the inner side, and makes the wind speed of air blown out from a plurality of openings formed in the cooling duct along the direction from the introduction port to the inner side substantially uniform, thereby achieving uniform cooling in the longitudinal direction of the cooling duct (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-194064 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-14597 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] However, the configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above are designed to cool the target portion with a uniform airflow velocity (air volume) without considering the flow of cooling air for the entire device (overall cooling air). As a result, the cooling air (partial cooling air) that cools the target portion flows from upwind to downwind of the overall cooling airflow. This means that while the downwind side of the target portion is cooled more effectively, the upwind side is not cooled sufficiently, resulting in a problem where the cooling air (partial cooling air) is not being used effectively.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a cooling device that can efficiently utilize cooling air (partial cooling air) while uniformly cooling the area to be cooled, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the cooling device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 was made to achieve the above objective, A cooling device for cooling the inside of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper, The overall cooling unit cools the entire interior of the image forming apparatus by a cooling airflow that flows through the inside of the image forming apparatus, The cooling by the overall cooling airflow is obstructed because it is hidden in the shadow of other surrounding components. A partial cooling unit that blows cooling air onto the part to be cooled to cool the part to be cooled, Equipped with, The aforementioned partial cooling section is characterized in that the airflow volume of the cooling air on the leeward side of the overall cooling air is smaller than the airflow volume of the cooling air on the windward side of the overall cooling air.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is a cooling device described in claim 1, The partial cooling unit is characterized by having an adjustment unit that adjusts the airflow rate of the cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air flows.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is a cooling device described in claim 2, The aforementioned partial cooling unit includes a duct having a plurality of outlets that blow out the cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air flows, The duct is divided internally by airflow adjustment walls, forming multiple paths that lead to each of the multiple outlets. The airflow adjustment wall is characterized in that it is positioned such that the airflow of the cooling air blown out from the outlet on the leeward side of the overall cooling air is less than the airflow of the cooling air blown out from the outlet on the leeward side of the overall cooling air.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is a cooling device described in claim 2, The aforementioned partial cooling unit includes a duct having a plurality of outlets that blow out the cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air flows, The duct is divided internally by partition walls, forming multiple paths that lead to each of the multiple outlets. The plurality of paths are characterized in that the cross-sectional area of ​​the path leading to the outlet on the leeward side of the overall cooling air is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the path leading to the outlet on the windward side of the overall cooling air.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is a cooling device described in claim 2, The aforementioned partial cooling unit includes a duct having a plurality of outlets that blow out the cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air flows, The duct is divided internally by partition walls, forming multiple paths that lead to each of the multiple outlets. The plurality of outlets are characterized in that the opening area of ​​the outlet on the leeward side of the overall cooling air is smaller than the opening area of ​​the outlet on the windward side of the overall cooling air.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is a cooling device described in claim 2, The aforementioned partial cooling section is equipped with a plurality of cooling fans that blow out the cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air flows. The adjustment unit is characterized by controlling the rotation speed of the plurality of cooling fans such that the rotation speed of the cooling fan on the leeward side of the overall cooling airflow is slower than that of the cooling fan on the upwind side of the overall cooling airflow.

[0012] The invention according to claim 7 is an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; and the cooling device according to claim 1 that cools the interior of the apparatus; characterized in that it comprises the above components.

Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, portions to be cooled can be uniformly cooled while cooling air (partial cooling air) is efficiently utilized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] It is a front view showing the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a functional block diagram showing the control structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a side view showing the schematic configuration and arrangement of an overall cooling unit and a partial cooling unit. [Figure 4] It is a side view showing the schematic configuration of a duct of a partial cooling unit. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a duct of a partial cooling unit according to Modified Example 1. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a duct of a partial cooling unit according to Modified Example 2. [Figure 7] It is a side view showing the schematic configuration of a partial cooling unit according to Modified Example 3.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment comprises a control unit 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a storage unit 14, an operation panel 15 (display unit 151, operation unit 152), a communication unit 16, an exhaust fan 20, and a partial cooling unit 30.

[0017] The control unit 11 is comprised of a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. The CPU reads various processing programs stored in ROM and loads them into RAM in response to operation signals input from the operation unit 152 or instruction signals received by the communication unit 16, and comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in cooperation with the various programs loaded into RAM.

[0018] The image reading unit 12 scans and exposes an image of a document placed on a document glass or automatic document feeder (ADF) (not shown) using the optical system of a scanning exposure device, reads the reflected light with a line image sensor, and thereby obtains an image signal. This image signal is processed with A / D conversion, shading correction, compression, etc., and then input to the control unit 11 as image data. Note that the image data input to the control unit 11 is not limited to what is read by the image reading unit 12, but may also be received from an external device (not shown) via the communication unit 16, for example.

[0019] The image forming unit 13 forms an image on the paper consisting of four colors, C, M, Y, and K, according to the pixel values ​​of the four colors of each pixel in the processed original image. As shown in Figure 1, the image forming unit 13 is configured to include four writing units 131, an intermediate transfer belt 132, a secondary transfer roller 133, a fixing unit 134, and the like.

[0020] The four writing units 131 are arranged in series (tandem) along the belt surface of the intermediate transfer belt 132, forming images of C, M, Y, and K. Each writing unit 131 has the same configuration except for the color of the image it forms, and is composed of an exposure unit 131a, a photoreceptor 131b, a developing unit 131c, a charging unit 131d, a cleaning unit 131e, and a primary transfer roller 131f.

[0021] During image formation, each writing unit 131 charges the photoreceptor 131b with the charging unit 131d, then scans the photoreceptor 131b with a light beam emitted by the exposure unit 131a based on the original image, forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 131b. When the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 131b is developed by supplying a colorant such as toner with the developing unit 131c, an image (toner image) is formed on the photoreceptor 131b. Images formed on the photoreceptors 131b of each of the four writing sections 131 are sequentially transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 132 by their respective primary transfer rollers 131f. As a result, images consisting of each color are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 132. The intermediate transfer belt 132 is an image carrier that rotates while being wound around multiple rollers. After the primary transfer, the cleaning section 131e removes any remaining colorants from the photoreceptors 131b.

[0022] In the image forming unit 13, paper is fed from the manual feed tray T1 or the paper feed tray T2 in time with the timing when the image on the rotating intermediate transfer belt 132 reaches the position of the secondary transfer roller 133. The secondary transfer roller 133 consists of a pair of rollers, one of which presses against the intermediate transfer belt 132, and the other which is one of several rollers that wind around the intermediate transfer belt 132. When the image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 132 to the paper (secondary transfer) by the pressure of the secondary transfer roller 133, the paper is transported to the fixing unit 134 for fixing, and then discharged to the paper discharge tray T3 by the paper discharge roller R1. The fixing process involves heating and pressurizing the paper with the fixing roller 134a to fix the image to the paper. When forming an image on both sides of the paper, the paper is transported to the inversion path 135 to invert the paper surface, and then paper is fed again to the position of the secondary transfer roller 133.

[0023] The storage unit 14 is a non-volatile storage means composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc., and stores various programs and various setting data in a readable and writable format from the control unit 11.

[0024] The control panel 15 comprises a display unit 151 that displays various information to the user and an operation unit 152 that receives operation input from the user. The display unit 151 consists of a color liquid crystal display or the like, and displays operation screens, etc. (various setting screens, various buttons, operating status of each function, etc.) according to the display control signals input from the control unit 11. The operation unit 152 comprises a touch panel provided on the screen of the display unit 151 and various hard keys arranged around the screen of the display unit 151. When a button displayed on the screen is pressed with a finger or stylus, the operation unit 152 detects the XY coordinates of the point of force application as a voltage value and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the detected position to the control unit 11. The touch panel is not limited to pressure-sensitive; for example, it may be electrostatic or optical. Also, when a hard key is pressed, the operation unit 152 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the pressed key to the control unit 11. The user can operate the operation unit 152 to perform image formation-related settings such as image quality settings, magnification settings, application settings, output settings, and paper settings, as well as paper transport instructions and device stop operations.

[0025] The communication unit 16 is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a communication network. The communication unit 16 has a communication IC and a communication connector, and under the control of the control unit 11, it transmits and receives various information with external devices connected to the communication network using a predetermined communication protocol. The communication unit 16 can also input and output various information via USB.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the exhaust fans (overall cooling section) 20 are provided one each on the upper and lower rear sides of the image forming apparatus 1. By exhausting the air inside the image forming apparatus 1 to the outside, they create an airflow (overall cooling air W1) from the front to the back inside the image forming apparatus 1, thereby cooling the entire interior of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the partial cooling unit 30 is configured to include an intake fan 31 that draws in air from outside the image forming apparatus 1 and generates cooling air (partial cooling air W2) to be blown onto the part to be cooled G1, and a duct 32 connected to the intake fan 31 and having a plurality of outlets 321 that blow out the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) generated by the intake fan 31 in the direction in which the overall cooling air W1 flows. The cooling air (partial cooling air W2) blown out from the plurality of outlets 321 is blown onto the part to be cooled G1 (e.g., toner transport path, etc.) that is positioned opposite the plurality of outlets 321, thereby cooling the part to be cooled G1. The partial cooling unit 30 is provided for the purpose of blowing cooling air from below the part to be cooled G1 when there are irregularities (other members) around the part to be cooled, as it is difficult to cool the parts hidden in the shadows of the irregularities with the airflow from the exhaust fan 20 (overall cooling air W1). Note that in the example shown in Figure 3, for the sake of explanation, descriptions of components other than the exhaust fan 20 and the partial cooling unit 30 have been omitted as appropriate.

[0027] The duct 32 is divided internally by an airflow adjustment wall 322, forming multiple paths that lead to each of the multiple outlets 321. The duct 32 is an addition to the existing configuration and passes through gaps in the internal components, resulting in a bent path and a small amount of cooling air generated from the intake fan 31. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the airflow adjustment wall 322 is placed inside the duct 32 to adjust the amount of cooling air directed towards each outlet 321. Specifically, the airflow adjustment wall 322 is positioned such that the amount of cooling air (partial cooling air W2) blown out from the outlets 321 decreases as you move from the upwind side (front side) to the downwind side (back side) of the overall cooling air W1. In other words, the airflow adjustment wall 322 is positioned such that the airflow rate of the cooling air blown out from the downstream outlet 321 of the overall cooling air W1 is smaller than the airflow rate of the cooling air blown out from the upstream outlet 321 of the overall cooling air W1. As a result, the partial cooling section 30 has a smaller airflow rate of the cooling air downstream of the overall cooling air W1 than the airflow rate of the cooling air upstream of the overall cooling air W1. As described above, the airflow adjustment wall 322 functions as an adjustment unit of the present invention that adjusts the airflow of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) blown out from the outlet 321 in the direction in which the overall cooling air W1 flows. The cooling device of the present invention comprises at least an exhaust fan (overall cooling unit) 20 and a partial cooling unit 30.

[0028] As described above, the cooling device according to this embodiment includes an overall cooling unit (exhaust fan 20) that cools the entire interior of the image forming apparatus 1 with an overall cooling airflow W1 that flows through the inside of the image forming apparatus 1, and a partial cooling unit 30 that blows cooling air onto the part to be cooled G1 to cool the part to be cooled G1. Furthermore, in the partial cooling unit 30, the airflow of the cooling air on the leeward side of the overall cooling airflow W1 is smaller than the airflow of the cooling air on the upwind side of the overall cooling airflow W1. Therefore, according to the cooling device of this embodiment, even when using a partial cooling unit 30 (intake fan 31) with a small airflow due to power supply capacity, installation space, cost, etc., the airflow of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) can be efficiently utilized, so that the part to be cooled G1 can be cooled uniformly.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the cooling device of this embodiment, the partial cooling section 30 includes an adjustment section (airflow adjustment wall 322) that adjusts the airflow rate of the cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air W1 flows. Therefore, according to the cooling device of this embodiment, the airflow of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) can be efficiently utilized with a simple configuration, so the part G1 to be cooled can be easily and uniformly cooled.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the cooling device of this embodiment, the partial cooling section 30 includes a duct 32 having a plurality of outlets 321 that blow out cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air W1 flows. The duct 32 is divided internally by an airflow adjustment wall 322, forming a plurality of paths that connect to each of the plurality of outlets 321. The airflow adjustment wall 322 is positioned such that the airflow of the cooling air blown out from the outlet 321 on the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1 is smaller than the airflow of the cooling air blown out from the outlet 321 on the windward side of the overall cooling air W1. Therefore, according to the cooling device of this embodiment, the airflow of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) can be efficiently utilized with a simple configuration, so the part G1 to be cooled can be easily and uniformly cooled.

[0031] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified without departing from its spirit.

[0032] (Variation 1) For example, in the above embodiment, the amount of cooling air directed towards each outlet 321 is adjusted by placing an airflow adjustment wall 322 inside the duct 32, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the inside of the duct 32A may be divided by a dividing wall 323 to form multiple paths 324 that lead to each of the multiple outlets 321, and the airflow rate of the cooling air directed to each outlet 321 may be adjusted by making the cross-sectional area of ​​each path 324 that leads to each outlet 321 smaller as the overall cooling air W1 moves from the upwind outlet 321 to the downwind outlet 321. Figure 5(A) is a plan view of the duct 32A, Figure 5(B) is a side cross-sectional view of the duct 32A as seen from the front, and Figure 5(C) is an external perspective view of the duct 32A. Specifically, in the modified example 1, the partial cooling section 30A is configured such that the inside of the duct 32A is evenly divided in the width direction (left-right direction) by a dividing wall 323, and the height of the duct 32A differs in the width direction. The cross-sectional area of ​​the path 324L connected to the upstream (front) outlet 321L of the overall cooling air W1 is large, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the path 324R connected to the downstream (rear) outlet 321R of the overall cooling air W1 is small. In other words, the height of the duct 32A decreases (the cross-sectional area of ​​the path 324 decreases) as you move from the upstream outlet 321L side (left side) to the downstream outlet 321R side (right side) of the overall cooling air W1 in the width direction (see arrow D1 in Figure 5(B)). In other words, of the multiple paths 324, the cross-sectional area of ​​path 324R, which connects to the leeward outlet 321R of the overall cooling air W1, is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​path 324L, which connects to the upwind outlet 321L of the overall cooling air W1. As a result, the airflow rate of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) blown out from each outlet 321 decreases as you move from the upwind side to the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1. Therefore, in the partial cooling section 30A, the airflow rate of the cooling air on the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1 is smaller than the airflow rate of the cooling air on the upwind side of the overall cooling air W1. As described above, the multiple paths 324 divided by the dividing wall 323 function as adjustment units of the present invention that adjust the airflow rate of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) blown out from the outlet 321 in the direction in which the overall cooling air W1 flows.

[0033] As described above, the partial cooling section 30A is equipped with a duct 32A having a plurality of outlets 321 that blow out cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air W1 flows. The duct 32A is divided internally by a dividing wall 323, forming a plurality of paths 324 that connect to each of the plurality of outlets 321. The cross-sectional area of ​​the path 324R that connects to the leeward outlet 321R of the overall cooling air W1 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the path 324L that connects to the upstream outlet 321L of the overall cooling air W1. As a result, the airflow rate of the cooling air on the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1 is smaller than the airflow rate of the cooling air on the upstream side of the overall cooling air W1. This makes it possible to efficiently utilize the airflow rate of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) and to cool the target section G1 evenly.

[0034] (Modification 2) Furthermore, in the above modified example 1, the airflow rate of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) blown out from each outlet 321 is adjusted by making the cross-sectional area of ​​each path 324 connected to each outlet 321 smaller as the overall cooling air W1 moves from the upwind outlet 321L to the downwind outlet 321R, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the inside of the duct 32B may be divided by a dividing wall 323 to form multiple paths 324 leading to each of the multiple outlets 321. Instead of making the cross-sectional area of ​​each path 324 leading to each outlet 321 different (making the height of the duct 32A different in the width direction), the opening area of ​​each outlet 321 may be made different. Figure 6(A) is a plan view of the duct 32B, and Figure 6(B) is a side cross-sectional view of the duct 32B as seen from the front. Specifically, in the modified example 2, the partial cooling unit 30B is configured such that the opening area of ​​the outlet 321L on the upwind side of the overall cooling air W1 is large, and the opening area of ​​the outlet 321R on the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1 is small. In this configuration, the opening area of ​​the outlet 321 decreases as you move from the upwind outlet 321L to the leeward outlet 321R in the width direction (left-right direction) (see arrow D2 in Figure 6(A)). In other words, the opening area of ​​the outlet 321R on the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the outlet 321L on the windward side of the overall cooling air W1. As a result, the amount of cooling air (partial cooling air W2) blown out from each outlet 321 decreases as you move from the windward side to the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1. Therefore, in the partial cooling section 30B, the amount of cooling air on the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1 is smaller than the amount of cooling air on the windward side of the overall cooling air W1. As described above, the multiple outlets 321 function as adjustment units of the present invention that adjust the airflow rate of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) blown out from the outlets 321 in the direction in which the overall cooling air W1 flows.

[0035] As described above, the partial cooling unit 30B is equipped with a duct 32B having a plurality of outlets 321 that blow out cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air W1 flows. The duct 32B is divided internally by a dividing wall 323, forming a plurality of paths 324 that connect to each of the plurality of outlets 321. The opening area of ​​the outlet 321R on the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the outlet 321L on the windward side of the overall cooling air W1. As a result, the airflow rate of the cooling air on the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1 is smaller than the airflow rate of the cooling air on the windward side of the overall cooling air W1. This makes it possible to efficiently utilize the airflow rate of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) and to cool the target part G1 evenly.

[0036] (Variation 3) Alternatively, instead of the above-described modifications 1 and 2, multiple cooling fans 33 that blow out cooling air (partial cooling air W2) may be arranged in a line in the direction in which the overall cooling air W1 flows. That is, the partial cooling unit 30C according to modification 3 is configured to include at least multiple cooling fans 33. In this case, the control unit (adjustment unit) 11 controls the rotation speed of the multiple cooling fans 33 such that the rotation speed of the cooling fan 33B on the leeward side (rear side) of the overall cooling air W1 is slower than that of the cooling fan 33F on the windward side (front side) of the overall cooling air W1. In other words, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 33F on the windward side of the overall cooling air W1 is faster, and the rotation speed of the cooling fan 33B on the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1 is slower. As a result, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 33 slows down as it moves from the upwind side to the downwind side of the overall cooling airflow W1. This makes it possible to reduce the airflow volume of the cooling air (partial cooling airflow W2) as it moves from the upwind side to the downwind side of the overall cooling airflow W1, thereby minimizing the power consumption of the cooling fan 33 while uniformly cooling the area to be cooled G1. In Modification Example 3, a configuration without a duct 32 is illustrated and explained, but a configuration with a duct 32 and multiple cooling fans 33 installed inside the duct 32 is also possible.

[0037] As described above, the partial cooling unit 30C is equipped with multiple cooling fans 33 that blow out cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air W1 flows. The adjustment unit (control unit 11) controls the rotation speed of the multiple cooling fans 33 such that the rotation speed of the cooling fan 33B on the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1 is slower than that of the cooling fan 33F on the windward side of the overall cooling air W1. This makes it possible to reduce the airflow of the cooling air (partial cooling air W2) as it moves from the windward side to the leeward side of the overall cooling air W1, thereby minimizing the power consumption of the cooling fans 33 while uniformly cooling the part G1 to be cooled.

[0038] Furthermore, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the image forming apparatus can also be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1. Image forming apparatus 11 Control Unit 12 Image reading unit 13 Image forming unit 131 Writing section 131a Exposure area 131b Photoreceptor 131c Developing Department 131d Charged part 131e Cleaning Department 131f Primary Transfer Roller 132 Intermediate transfer belt 133 Secondary Transfer Roller 134 Fixing section 135 Reversal Path 14 Storage section 15. Control Panel 151 Display section 152 Operation section 16 Communications Department 20. Exhaust fan (overall cooling unit: cooling device) 30, 30A, 30B, 30C Partial cooling section (cooling device) 31 Intake fan 32, 32A, 32B ducts 321 Air vent 322 Air volume adjustment wall (adjustment part) 323 Dividing Wall 324 routes 33 Cooling fan G1 Cooling target area W1 Overall Cooling Air W2 Partial cooling air

Claims

1. A cooling device for cooling the inside of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper, The overall cooling unit cools the entire interior of the image forming apparatus by a cooling airflow that flows through the inside of the image forming apparatus, A partial cooling unit that blows cooling air onto a portion of the object to be cooled, which is hidden in the shadow of other surrounding components and whose cooling by the overall cooling air is obstructed, thereby cooling the portion to be cooled, Equipped with, The cooling device is characterized in that the partial cooling section has a smaller airflow volume of the cooling air on the leeward side of the overall cooling air than the airflow volume of the cooling air on the windward side of the overall cooling air.

2. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the partial cooling section includes an adjustment section for adjusting the airflow rate of the cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air flows.

3. The aforementioned partial cooling unit includes a duct having a plurality of outlets that blow out the cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air flows, The duct is divided internally by airflow adjustment walls, forming multiple paths that lead to each of the multiple outlets. The cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the airflow adjustment wall is arranged such that the airflow of the cooling air blown out from the outlet on the leeward side of the overall cooling air is less than the airflow of the cooling air blown out from the outlet on the leeward side of the overall cooling air.

4. The aforementioned partial cooling unit includes a duct having a plurality of outlets that blow out the cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air flows, The duct is divided internally by partition walls, forming multiple paths that lead to each of the multiple outlets. The cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of ​​the paths leading to the outlet on the leeward side of the overall cooling air is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the paths leading to the outlet on the windward side of the overall cooling air.

5. The aforementioned partial cooling unit includes a duct having a plurality of outlets that blow out the cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air flows, The duct is divided internally by partition walls, forming multiple paths that lead to each of the multiple outlets. The cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening area of ​​the outlet on the leeward side of the overall cooling air is smaller than the opening area of ​​the outlet on the windward side of the overall cooling air.

6. The aforementioned partial cooling section is equipped with a plurality of cooling fans that blow out the cooling air in the direction in which the overall cooling air flows. The cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustment unit controls the rotation speed of the plurality of cooling fans such that the rotation speed of the cooling fan on the leeward side of the overall cooling airflow is slower than that of the cooling fan on the upwind side of the overall cooling airflow.

7. An image forming unit that forms an image on paper, A cooling device according to claim 1 for cooling the inside of the device, An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising:

Images