Electrophotographic printing apparatus having air flow passage

A thermally fixing type electrophotographic printing apparatus comprising:

• a vertically long housing forming an exterior of said apparatus and having a top part formed therein with a first opening, and a bottom part formed therein with a second opening;
• a thermally fixing means exhibiting a temperature higher than a temperature of an atmosphere surrounding said housing in an operating condition, and located in said housing;
• an image transfer unit including a corona-discharge means and exhibiting a temperature lower than the temperature of said fixing means, producing gas in the operating condition, and located in said housing substantially vertically below said thermally fixing means;
• an air flow passage leading an air stream induced by a difference in temperature between said thermally fixing means and a space below said thermally fixing means in said housing, from said second opening to said first opening by way of said corona-discharge means and said thermally fixing means, whereby an air stream is induced in said air flow passage due to a difference in temperature between said thermally fixing means and said corona discharge means, for cooling said thermally fixing means and for ventilating said corona-discharge means;
• and
• a sheet conveying means including a sheet conveying path which is different from a path of said air stream.