| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain the influence of a fixing means exerted on toner and to maintain excellent development by providing a barrier for insulating heat between the fixing means and a process cartridge and forming an air duct between the barrier and the process cartridge. SOLUTION: A rib for insulating heat 19 is provided over both side walls in a longitudinal direction between the process cartridge 2 and a fixing device 15. Louvers 20 are provided respectively on side walls on both front and rear sides in space surrounded by the rib 19 and the front surface of a cartridge frame body 30. A fan is provided between an outside cover and the louver 20 in the vicinity of either louver 20 so as to allow air to flow from the other louver. Therefore, the high-temperature air from the fixing device 15 is prevented from flowing into the cartridge 2 by the rib 19, an air layer becomes heat insulating material, and further the cartridge 2 is cooled by the cool air flowing from the other louver, whereby temperature rise is restrained. |
