Charge control device and image forming apparatus including charge control device

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a feeder configured to feed a sheet;
• an imager configured to form a toner image on a sheet fed by the feeder;
• a fixer configured to thermally fix the toner image formed by the fixer;
• a generator including an element for converting heat, light, electric waves, or vibration to electricity, the generator being configured to use waste heat from the fixer, irradiated light from outside, electric waves propagating through surrounding space, or vibration of the feeder to generate electricity;
• a plurality of battery units configured to store electricity provided from the generator;
• and
• a charge control device configured to use the electricity provided from the generator to charge the plurality of battery units,
• the charge control device including:
• a constant current source configured to use the electricity provided from the generator to generate and adjust an output current amount to a constant target value;
• a selector configured to select one battery unit from the plurality of battery units and to supply output current of the constant current source to the one battery unit;
• a measurer configured to measure an amount of actual current flowing from the constant current source to the one battery unit;
• and
• an instructor configured to monitor a measured value provided by the measurer and to instruct the selector, when the measured value meets a condition for a reduction of charging current amount to be regarded as having occurred, to change a destination to which the output current of the constant current source is supplied from the one battery unit to a different battery unit.