| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an image forming apparatus which transduces exhaust heat into electric power by a thermoelectric transducer to stably operate without affecting a load side even if the output voltage of the thermoelectric transducer drops. <P>SOLUTION: The thermoelectric transducer 3 such as a Seebeck element is mounted on a fixing unit 2 of the image forming apparatus 1. Exhaust heat of the fixing unit 2 is transduced into electric power, which is supplied to the load 11. The output voltage of the thermoelectric transducer 3 is monitored and when the voltage is lower than a required voltage, the power supply source for the load 11 is switched from an AC/DC converter 12 to a DC power source. When the output voltage of the thermoelectric transducer 3 recovers, the electric power from the thermoelectric transducer 3 is supplied to the load 11 again. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT |
