Image forming apparatus including vortex tube that generates cold air to cool a recording medium and warm air to heat a member inside the image forming apapratus

摘要

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section configured to form a toner image, a transfer portion configured to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium, and a fixing portion configured to fix the toner image on the recording medium, by heating the toner image. A vortex tube is configured to receive supply of compressed air generated by a compressor to generate cold air having a temperature that is less than a temperature of the compressed air, and warm air having a temperature that is greater than the temperature of the compressed air. A cooling portion is configured to receive a supply of the cold air generated by the vortex to cool the recording medium on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing portion. Further, a member inside of the image forming apparatus is heated by the warm air generated by the vortex tube.