Electrophotographic copier with safety arrangement for preventing damage to copying material in fixing arrangement during copier malfunction

摘要

The copier includes a fixing arrangement for the heat-treatment of copying material by means of a heating device, and a blower operative for keeping the heat of the fixing arrangement away from heat-sensitive components of the copier, particularly the copying drum, by establishing a flow of cooling air travelling along a first predetermined flow path. The safety arrangement includes a diverting device activatable for diverting at least part of the flow of cooling air established by the blower away from the first flow path and into a second flow path leading through the interior of the fixing arrangement to effect cooling of the interior of the fixing arrangement. A detecting device detects copier malfunction. A control unit connected to the diverting device and to the detecting device is operative in response to detection of copier malfunction for activating the diverting device, to prevent copying material in the fixing arrangement from becoming damaged or ignited due to overheating.