| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably form a satisfactory image by efficiently heating and fixing a transfer material having a toner image transferred to it, without using a current-heat conversion device such as a halogen heater, thereby saving energy, and by preventing temperature increase of each unit or electrical part in an apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A fixing unit 17 includes: a fixing part 28 for fixing a toner image by applying heat and pressure to recording paper having the toner image transferred to it: and a cooling part 29 for cooling the recording paper having the toner image fixed to it. The evaporator 54 of a heat pump 5 using a vapor compression refrigerating cycle is connected to the cooling part 29 of the fixing unit 17 via a heat transfer medium. The condenser 52 of the heat pump is connected to the fixing part 28 via a heat transfer medium. The heat pump 5 absorbs heat from the cooling part 29 to cool it. The heat pump 5 applies the heat absorbed from the cooling part 29 to the fixing part 54 to heat it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI |
