JPH10247052A - Cooling equipment using heat pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce cost, to save space, and to improve a cooling performance without the needs for cooling fan by arranging plural sheets of radiating fins in parallel with and around a heat pipe mutually at angular intervals. SOLUTION: This equipment has a heat pipe 1 receiving heat from a heat source and heat radiating fins 2 which are provided at an end part of the heat pipe 1 and dissipate received heat. In this case, a plurality of blades 4 are arranged for a plural radiating fins 2 being mutually parallel with each other and also being placed perpendicular to an axial direction of the heat pipe 1, being perpendicular to the radiating fins 2 and the phase shifted with respect to the axis of the heat pipe 1, namely, so as to be arranged at intervals of an angle around the heat pipe. Thus, the heat dissipating part doubles as a cross flow fan, and when the surface of the heat pipe is brought into contact with the heat source, it takes heat from the heat source; the heat is uniformly diffused in the heat pipe instantaneously; and is dissipated in the air from the heat dissipating part 4 consisting of the heat radiating fins 2 and plural blades.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for receiving heat from a heat source through a heat pipe and transferring the heat to the outside, and more particularly to a sheet material cooling device in OA equipment such as a copying machine and a laser printer. The present invention relates to a temperature reduction of a sheet material heated by the action of a heat fixing unit of an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a heat transfer device for transferring heat to the outside using a rotary heat pipe to cool a certain heat source,
Conventionally, a configuration in which a plurality of radiating fins are provided at at least one end of a heat pipe and a cooling fan for supplying a cooling medium, for example, cooling air, to the radiating fins is known and common. In the configuration of the heat transfer or cooling device conceptually shown in FIG. 8, when the surface of the heat pipe 1 comes into contact with the heat source, heat is taken from the heat source, and the heat is instantaneously diffused into the heat pipe 1 (heat-in). It becomes uniform, and heat is radiated to the outside (heat-out) from a heat radiating portion composed of a plurality of heat radiating fins 2 arranged parallel to each other at the end of the heat pipe 1 and perpendicular to the axial direction of the heat pipe. It has become. In general, a cooling fan 3 for supplying cooling air to the radiating fins 2 is provided to improve heat transfer efficiency. However, such a configuration has disadvantages such as an increase in the number of components, a high cost, and a large percentage of space occupation.

As an example in which such a heat transfer device is applied to an image forming apparatus, there is a recording sheet cooling device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 4-46451. As shown in FIG. 9, the cooling device includes a sheet cooling roller including a heat pipe 1 that conveys a recording sheet discharged from a heat fixing unit of the image forming apparatus while cooling the sheet, and radiates heat to at least one end of the sheet cooling roller. Fin 2 and conveyor belt 1
When heat is taken from the recording sheet 10 at the nip portion between the heat pipe 1 and the conveyance belt 11,
The heat is instantaneously dispersed in the heat pipe 1 and is radiated to the atmosphere by supplying cooling air to the radiating fins 2 provided in the radiating portion of the heat pipe (sheet cooling roller) by the cooling fan 3. It has become.

[0004]

However, such a cooling device, like the above-described heat transfer device, has many disadvantages, such as a large number of components, and is disadvantageous in that it requires high cost and a large space. In order to improve the cooling performance, it is necessary to increase the number of rotations and increase the size of the cooling fan, and there are adverse effects such as an increase in noise and power consumption and an increase in the size of the entire cooling device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, achieve cost reduction and space saving without requiring a cooling fan, increase noise, increase power consumption, and improve the entire apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device that can achieve an improvement in cooling performance while avoiding an increase in the size of the cooling device.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cooling apparatus having a heat pipe for receiving heat and a radiating fin provided on the pipe for dissipating the received heat. Is solved by arranging a plurality of sheets in parallel with the axis of and at an angular interval from each other around the pipe.

A plurality of the radiating fins are arranged so as to be parallel to each other and orthogonal to the axial direction of the heat pipe, and are arranged orthogonal to the radiating fins and at an interval from each other around the heat pipe. The above problem can be solved even if a plurality of blades are arranged in the heat dissipation fan.

If the angular intervals are equal, the flow of air becomes steady, which is preferable. It is preferable to arrange a cooling fan upstream of the cooling fin in the cooling air flow path because the cooling efficiency is improved. Further, if the cooling device is located in the main device housing with respect to the main device to which the cooling device is to be attached, and external air is taken in and discharged from the cooling device via the guide path, heat is generated. Cooling by fins or vanes arranged parallel to the axis of the pipe is more effective.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The details of the present invention will be described in detail below. It is to be noted that the following embodiments are merely examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1A conceptually shows the basic structure of a cooling device according to the present invention. FIG. 1B shows a cross section of the radiation fin portion when the perspective view configuration of FIG. 1A is viewed from the right side. This basic configuration is similar to the conventionally known basic configuration shown in FIG. 8, and has a heat pipe 1 for receiving heat from a heat source and a radiating fin 2 provided at an end of the pipe 1 for dissipating the received heat. doing. In this embodiment, for a plurality of radiating fins 2 arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axial direction of the heat pipe,
A plurality of blades 4 are arranged so as to be orthogonal to the radiation fins 2 and shifted in phase with respect to the axis of the heat pipe 1, in other words, around the heat pipe so as to have an angular interval from each other. As a result, the heat radiating portion also functions as a cross flow fan. Instead of disposing another blade 4 in addition to the radiation fin 2, a plurality of radiation fins can be disposed parallel to the axis of the heat pipe 1 and around the pipe at an angular interval from each other. . By doing so, the radiation fins can also serve as a cross flow type fan.

With these configurations, when the surface of the heat pipe 1 comes into contact with a heat source, heat can be taken from the heat source, and the heat is instantaneously diffused into the heat pipe 1 to be uniform. Radiation fin 2 arranged at the end
And a plurality of blades 4 (or radiating fins arranged in parallel with the axis of the heat pipe and at an angular interval around the pipe) to radiate heat to the outside. Since the blades or radiating fins are arranged in parallel to the axis of the heat pipe 1, as shown in FIG. 1B, when this cooling device is installed in a duct (guide path), the heat pipe 1 The cooling air is introduced into the heat radiating portion according to the rotation of the heat radiating fins 2 and the orthogonal blades 4,
In particular, the cooling air efficiently hits the orthogonal blades 4 and then is discharged from the duct to realize efficient heat radiation.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an image forming apparatus provided with the recording sheet cooling device according to the present invention.
The image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding unit 5, an image forming unit 6, a heat fixing unit 7, and a double-sided unit 8 in addition to the cooling device 9. These units such as the paper feeding unit are conventionally known units, and need not be particularly described here. It goes without saying that the cooling device according to the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus having no double-sided portion. The cooling device 9 is installed downstream of the heat fixing unit 7 in the sheet conveyance direction. The cooling device 9 cools the recording sheet after passing through the heat fixing unit (7), thereby preventing toner blocking in a paper discharge unit and a double-sided stacking unit (both sides) located further downstream and an image forming unit. 6, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the photoconductor from rising.

In the double-sided section 8, when the sheet feed roller 8a rotates clockwise, the recording sheet on which single-side copying has been performed is inverted and stacked on the stack section (8b). And
After the set number of recording sheets are stacked, the sheet feed roller 8a
Is reversed in the counterclockwise direction, and re-feeding to the image forming unit 6 is performed.

FIG. 3A conceptually shows an example of the recording sheet cooling device 9. FIG. 3B shows a cross section of the radiation fin portion when the perspective view configuration of FIG. 3A is viewed from the right side. The basic configuration of the cooling device 9 is similar to the conventionally known basic configuration shown in FIG.
And a radiating fin 2 provided at at least one end of the pipe 1 and a transport belt 11. In the present embodiment, as in the case of FIG. 1, a plurality of radiating fins 2 arranged in parallel with each other and perpendicular to the axial direction of the heat pipe, A plurality of blades 4 are arranged out of phase with respect to the axis of the pipe 1. As a result, the heat radiating portion also functions as a cross flow fan. As in the case of FIG. 1, instead of disposing another blade 4 in addition to the radiation fin 2, a plurality of radiation fins are provided in parallel with the axis of the heat pipe 1 and at an angular interval around the pipe. Can also be arranged.

With such a configuration, the heat pipe 1
When heat is taken from the recording sheet 10 at the nip portion of the conveyor belt 11, the heat is instantaneously diffused into the heat pipe 1 and becomes uniform. The heat is dissipated. Since the blades or radiating fins are arranged in parallel to the axis of the heat pipe 1, FIG.
When this cooling device is installed in a duct (guide path), cooling air is introduced into the heat radiating portion as the heat pipe 1 rotates, as shown in FIG. 4 efficiently hits the cooling air, and then is discharged from the duct to realize efficient heat radiation. Therefore, the cooling efficiency is increased without separately providing a cooling fan, and cost reduction and space saving can be achieved.

In this embodiment, the heat pipe 1 is disposed above the recording sheet 10 as shown in FIG. 4A, but the heat pipe 1 is disposed below the recording sheet as shown in FIG. 4C, or as shown in FIG. 4C, may be configured by using other holding means such as a rubber roller 13 instead of the transport belt. Note that reference numeral 12 in FIG.
Denotes a recording sheet conveyance path.

FIG. 5A conceptually shows an example of a mode different from FIG. 3 of the recording sheet cooling device 9. FIG. 5 (b)
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the radiation fin portion when the perspective configuration of FIG. 5A is viewed from the right side. The basic configuration of the cooling device 9 is the same as the basic configuration shown in FIG. The cooling fins 3 are arranged on the upstream side of the cooling fins 2 in the cooling air flow path. In such a configuration, FIG.
The cooling capacity can be improved without increasing the size of the cooling fan 3 or increasing the number of revolutions as compared with the conventionally known configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing an embodiment in which cooling air outside the image forming apparatus is supplied to the radiating fins 2. In this embodiment, the ventilation holes are provided in the rear cover 14 of the image forming apparatus so as to be located before and after the cooling device. Further, a partition 16 is mounted inside the rear cover 14 so as to form a cooling air passage in the space inside the rear cover 14, and separates the cooling device from other heat pipe portions. With this configuration, the outside air is covered by the rear cover 1.
4, the cooling fan 3 and the radiating fins 2 pass through the ventilation holes, and then go out of the machine again to radiate heat. Generally, the temperature of the air outside the device is lower than that of the air inside the device, and thus the cooling capacity is improved by supplying the air outside the device to the radiating fins 2.

FIG. 7 schematically shows an embodiment in which the heat radiating fins 2 are arranged outside the image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, an auxiliary cover 15 is provided outside the rear cover 14 of the image forming apparatus, the internal space of the auxiliary cover 15 is used as a cooling air passage, and the radiation fins 2 protrude into the internal space. When the outside air passes through the limited passage space through the ventilation hole provided in the auxiliary cover 15, the outside air efficiently hits the radiation fin 2 and its orthogonal blades, particularly the orthogonal blades, and realizes efficient heat radiation.

[0020]

According to the present invention, in a cooling device having a heat pipe for receiving heat and a radiating fin provided on the pipe and dissipating the received heat, the radiating fin is parallel to the axis of the heat pipe and is connected to the pipe. Since a plurality of cooling fins are arranged around the periphery at an angular interval, the radiating fins also serve as cross flow fans, so that cooling efficiency can be increased without providing a separate cooling fan, thereby reducing costs and saving cost. Space can be achieved.

A plurality of radiating fins are arranged so as to be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axial direction of the heat pipe, and a plurality of radiating fins are arranged perpendicular to the radiating fins and at intervals around the heat pipe. If the blades are arranged on the heat dissipation fan, very efficient heat dissipation can be realized.

If a cooling fan is arranged upstream of the cooling fin in the cooling air flow path, the cooling efficiency is further improved. Also, if the cooling device is located in the main device housing with respect to the main device to which the cooling device is to be attached, and the external air is taken in and discharged from the cooling device via the guide path, the cooling performance is improved. Can be further increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a cooling device according to the present invention,
(A) is an overall perspective view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of a radiation fin portion viewed from the right side of the figure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus provided with a recording sheet cooling device according to the present invention.

3A and 3B show a basic configuration of a recording sheet cooling device according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A is an overall perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a radiation fin portion viewed from the right side of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram for clarifying the position of a heat pipe of a cooling device, and (a), (b), and (c) show different positional relationships.

5A and 5B show a basic configuration of a recording sheet cooling device according to another configuration, wherein FIG. 5A is an overall perspective view, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a radiation fin portion viewed from the right side of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating a positional relationship of a cooling air flow path with respect to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating another positional relationship of the cooling air flow path with respect to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a conventionally known heat transfer device.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of a conventionally known recording sheet cooling device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heat pipe 2 Radiation fin 4 Cooling blade 10 Recording sheet 11 Conveyor belt

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A cooling device having a heat pipe for receiving heat and a radiating fin provided on the pipe and dissipating the received heat, wherein the radiating fins are parallel to an axis of the heat pipe and are angularly spaced from each other around the pipe. A cooling device comprising a plurality of cooling devices. 2. A cooling device having a heat pipe for receiving heat and a radiating fin provided on the pipe and dissipating the received heat, wherein a plurality of the radiating fins are arranged in parallel with each other and orthogonal to the axial direction of the heat pipe. A cooling device, wherein a plurality of blades, which are arranged and are orthogonal to the radiation fins and arranged at an angular interval around the heat pipe, are arranged in the radiation fan. 3. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the angular intervals are equal. 4. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein a cooling fan is disposed upstream of the radiation fin in a cooling air flow path. 5. The cooling device is located within a housing of the main device with respect to the main device to which the cooling device is to be attached, and external air is taken into and discharged from the cooling device via a guide path. The cooling device according to claim 1. 6. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the heat pipe conveys the recording sheet discharged from the heat fixing unit of the image forming apparatus while cooling the recording sheet. apparatus.