# US 9,519,267 B2 · Image forming apparatus including secondary transfer unit and fixing section disposed on printing paper transport path

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- Number: US 9,519,267 B2
- Document ID: US9519267B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/059,207
- Filed: 2016-03-02
- Published: 2016-06-23
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2012-03-14
- Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Hirokazu Nakamura; Kimihide Tsukamoto; Masaki Amemiya
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9519267B2

## CPC

- G03G 15/2017: {Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means (G03G15/2053 takes precedence)}
- B65H 5/068: {between one or more rollers or balls and stationary pressing, supporting or guiding elements}
- G03G 21/20: Humidity or temperature control {also ozone evacuation; Internal apparatus environment control}
- G03G 21/206: {Conducting air through the machine, e.g. for cooling, filtering, removing gases like ozone}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES

## Abstract

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported;
a fixing section disposed on the printing paper transport path;
an open/close cover configured, when opened, to expose the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus;
a cooling fan configured to cool a rotation member disposed in the fixing section,
a first duct, attached to the main body, configured to guide air from the cooling fan; and
a second duct attached to the open/close cover,
wherein the second duct is coupled to the first duct when the open/close cover is closed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a buffer member is provided where the second duct is coupled to the first duct when the open/close cover is closed.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first duct is configured to guide air from the cooling fan to the rotation member and to deliver air toward a surface of the rotation member near a nip section where the rotation member presses the printing paper.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an air guiding face configured to guide air from the cooling fan toward the rotation member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the air guiding face tilts in a direction from the cooling fan toward the rotation member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cooling fan is disposed at positions facing the rotation member at end portions of the rotation member in terms of an axial direction thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein
the printing paper transport path is a vertical transport path in which printing paper is transported vertically upward, and
the cooling fan is disposed below the rotation member.