US5073796A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cooling system for an apparatus with a heat generating element therein
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1988-08-31
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Granted: 1991-12-17
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Expires: 2008-08-31
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus includes a heat source, e.g., a lamp or a printed circuit board, and a fixing unit. A flow of air is circulated by a fan in a housing of the image forming apparatus. A cooling face of a cooling mechanism contacts the flow of air so that the flow of air is cooled. During the circulation of air, air cools the heat source. The cooling mechanism emits heat out of the image forming apparatus in response to cooling, without admitting air from outside of the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Kensuke Suzuki
- 👤 Hiromasa Kohayakawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2017; G03G15/04; G03G21/00; G03G21/20; G03G21/206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus containing an element which generates heat, comprising: a housing accommodating said element; means for circulating air in said housing so that said element is in the flow of said air; means disposed in said flow of air, for absorbing heat from said air and cooling said air; means for emitting said heat absorbed by said heat absorbing means out of said housing; means for measuring a predetermined time; and means for actuating said absorbing means responsive to said time measuring means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus containing an element which generates heat, comprising: a housing accommodating said element; means for circulating air in said housing so that said element is in the flow of said air; means disposed in said flow of air, for absorbing heat from said air and cooling said air; means for emitting said heat absorbed by said heat absorbing means out of said housing; means for measuring a predetermined time; and means for actuating said absorbing means responsive to said time measuring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said absorbing means and said emitting means include means for absorbing and emitting heat by generation of an electric current.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said absorbing means and said emitting means include a thermocouple.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a board separating and defining a first room including said absorbing means and a second room including said element to be cooled with openings provided in such a manner that said air flows through said openings; and means disposed at least one of said openings for filtering dust.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for sensing the temperature in said housing; means for comparing said temperature and a predetermined temperature; and means for actuating said air circulating means responsive to said comparing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a cabinet accommodating a damp object; and means for transmitting said emitted heat into said cabinet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
An image forming apparatus which transfers an image to a sheet, comprising: means for illuminating an original image; means for making a latent image responsive to a light from said original image; means for bringing a toner into contact with said latent image; means for transferring said toner to said sheet; means for fixing said toner to said sheet by heat; a housing accommodating said illuminating means, making means, bringing means, transferring means and fixing means; means for circulating a flow of air in said housing; means, disposed in said flow of air, for absorbing heat from said air; means for emitting said absorbed heat out of said housing; means for measuring a predetermined time; and means for actuating said absorbing means responsive to said measuring means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
An image forming apparatus which transfers an image to a sheet, comprising: means for illuminating an original image; means for making a latent image responsive to a light from said original image; means for bringing a toner into contact with said latent image; means for transferring said toner to said sheet; means for fixing said toner to said sheet by heat; a housing accommodating said illuminating means, making means, bringing means, transferring means and fixing means; means for circulating a flow of air in said housing; means, disposed in said flow of air, for absorbing heat from said air; means for emitting said absorbed heat out of said housing; means for measuring a predetermined time; and means for actuating said absorbing means responsive to said measuring means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said absorbing means and emitting means include a thermocouple.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: means for defining and separating a first room including said absorbing means and a second room including said illuminating means with openings so that said air flows between said first and second rooms through said openings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said absorbing means and emitting means include a thermocouple disposed at one of said openings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising: a circuit board including an element for performing an operation of the image forming apparatus; means for defining and separating a first room including said absorbing means from a second room including said circuit board with openings so that air flows between said first and second rooms through said openings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: means, disposed at least one of said openings, for filtering dust.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said emitting means is disposed on a base portion of said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said emitting means is disposed on a rear side of said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising: a cassette for retaining a plurality of sheets; means for transporting said sheets to said transferring means, and; means for guiding said air to said cassette.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising: means for preventing said flow of air from contacting said fixing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising: means for guiding said air cooled by said absorbing means to said illuminating means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising: means for sensing the temperature in said housing; means for comparing said temperature with a predetermined temperature; and means for actuating said absorbing means responsive to said comparing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising: a cabinet, outside of said housing, accommodating paper and; means for transmitting said emitted heat into said cabinet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-16 | 1995-06-17 | 1995-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-16 | 1999-06-17 | 1999-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-16 | 2003-06-17 | 2003-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |