| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent troubles or failures from occurring under energy-saving operation by supplying power to a load, even when the output from a thermoelectric conversion means is stopped further, after a power source has been turned off, when converting the remaining heat from the fixing device of an image forming apparatus into power by the thermoelectric conversion means, using the power for the driving of the load. <P>SOLUTION: A thermoelectric conversion element 160 receiving heat generated in the fixing device 135 performs thermoelectric conversion, to generate electromotive force at an output end. Since the output end of the thermoelectric conversion element 160 is connected to an electric double-layer capacitor 165c functioning as a secondary battery, the electric double-layer capacitor 165c is charged with the electrical energy generated. The load (heat exhaust FAN 190), receiving the supply of power is connected to the trailing stage of the electric double-layer capacitor, and the power is stably supplied to the load, even when the output from the thermoelectric conversion element is stopped. The electric double-layer capacitor can be charged rapidly and can cope with various loads, by supplying a high current to the load, even when discharging. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI |
