EP1310837B1 - Apparatus for the management of air quality in an electrostatographic printer - Google Patents

Abstract

Device comprises a non-climatized, feed-back free section for management of the air quality in a first inner section (150) and a climatized feed-back section (120) for management of air quality in a second inner region (130). The first inner section comprises a fixing station, while the second inner section comprises a number of sequential image generation modules with additional chambers though which climatized air is supplied. The two sections are separated by a separation element and the climate-control device servers to control air temperature and humidity.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of electrophotographic printing, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for managing air quality for an electrostatographic printer.

To ensure efficient operation, the air environment must be controlled in modern high performance electrostatographic color presses. Such color printing machines comprise a number of successively arranged electrostatographic imaging modules. In each module of such a printing press, a monochrome toner image may be electrostatically transferred directly from a respective moving primary imaging element to a moving pickup element, such that a multicolor toner image is gradually formed on the pickup element. More commonly, however, in each module of such a color electrostatographic printing machine, a monochrome toner image is electrostatically transferred from a respective moving primary imaging member, eg a photoconductor member, to a moving intermediate transfer member and subsequently from the intermediate transfer member to a moving pickup member. In some printing presses, the receiving element is guided successively through the image forming modules, wherein in each module the respective monochrome image is transferred from the respective primary image forming element to a respective intermediate transfer element and from there to the moving receiving element. In this case, the monochrome toner images are successively and one above the other transferred to the receiving element, so that in the last module a multi-colored toner image, such as a four-color toner image, is completed. Subsequently, the receiving element is moved into a fixing station, in which the multicolored toner image is fixed on the receiving element. Alternatively, the respective monochrome toner images formed in the respective modules are transferred to each other so as to form a composite multicolor toner image on the intermediate transfer member. This composite image is then placed on the move moving receiving element, which is then moved into a fuser, in which the composite image is fixed on the receiving element. To achieve higher image quality in a modular color electrostatographic printer, air pollution must be minimized and stable relative humidity and temperature maintained for all modules.

In a prior art electrostatographic color printer or color copier with unregulated internal relative humidity, the relative humidity within the machine is dependent upon the relative humidity of the ambient air of the machine, i. the relative humidity inside changes from day to day and from season to season. In addition, the relative humidity within a modular electrostatographic printer with an unregulated indoor environment can vary greatly from module to module, even with stable relative humidity outside the machine, which can seriously affect image quality.

As is known, the relative humidity may have a strong influence on the charge-to-mass ratio of the toner particles contained in a developer used in a toner station. Thus, with a change in relative humidity within a particular modulus of a modular printer in response to a change in the relative humidity of the environment, the image density produced by the corresponding toner on a receiver may also vary unless well-known countermeasures are taken. For example, the image exposure of the corresponding photoconductive primary imaging member or the charging voltage for the corona sensitization of the corresponding photoconductive primary imaging member may be adjusted. It gets even worse when relative humidity varies within all toner stations of the modules of a modular printer due to the relative humidity of the environment. The resulting module-to-module bulk-to-modulus variations will tend to be very variable, since differently colored developers will generally be used in the toner stations for different colors, and their charge-to-mass ratio will again be characteristic of them on Changes in relative humidity respond. Therefore, a change in the relative humidity of the ambient air in a printer in which the interior environment is not controlled, usually undesirably causes different density changes for the differently colored toners of a multi-color toner image unless the mentioned countermeasures are taken individually for each toning station expensive and uncomfortable).

In addition, a change in relative humidity can lead to undesirable changes in photoconductivity that may need to be compensated, e.g. the charging voltage is increased or decreased before the image exposure.

Similarly, changes in relative humidity in an unregulated internal environment modular machine may cause undesirable changes in the resistance of the intermediate transfer members thereby affecting the efficiency of dependent toner transfer from primary imaging members to intermediate transfer members and from intermediate transfer members to receiver members. To maintain a constant transmission density of the toner on a receptacle, such changes in resistance require adjustments to the applied voltages, e.g. typically be applied to intermediate elements and transfer rollers of the modules.

In addition, absorption of moisture by paper take-up sheets tends to cause swelling of the paper. For example, the sheets of an imaging pass may swell to different levels depending on the manner in which the receiving sheets were stacked prior to use in the machine. The swelling due to moisture may also differ at different locations of a sheet, for example if the sheets were not made uniform. The moisture contained in the receiver sheet usually results in image defects as the sheets pass the heat rollers of a fuser. Such image defects are, for example, interruptions of the toner images by steam generated during fixing as well uneven deformation or bulging of the receiving sheet in a fuser. The moisture content of a paper receiving element also affects the efficiency of the electrostatic transfer of the toner to the receiving element. Accordingly, a voltage applied to transfer the toner must generally be adjusted to compensate for variations in moisture content caused by changes in relative humidity. Such adjustments disadvantageously require the use of additional special tools in the machine. In addition, if the moisture content is not evenly distributed in a receiving member, the efficiency of the electrostatic toner transfer at different locations of the receiving member may be different, causing further image damage such as a blob-like transfer. To overcome these problems in electrostatographic printers, paper receptacles in a pretreatment station can be pretreated at a given relative humidity and temperature to maintain the moisture content within predetermined limits prior to use of the receptacles. This improves the reproducibility of the image quality from sheet to sheet on the one hand and reduces the occurrence of moisture-induced defects on the other hand. However, outside changes in relative humidity inside the printer may cause damage despite pretreatment of the receptacles if the relative humidity of the interior of the printer is otherwise unregulated.

Since relative humidity is affected by both absolute humidity and temperature, temperature changes in an electrostatographic printer cause corresponding local changes in relative humidity. Therefore, in a machine with an unregulated internal temperature, local ambient temperature fluctuations affect the local relative humidity. In a modular machine, temperature changes from module to module generally cause corresponding changes in relative humidity, even if, for example, ambient air is passed through the machine to ventilate the machine.

In addition, temperature variations in a modular electrostatographic printer are also undesirable in view of the fact that many key components, e.g. the metal drums must have precise dimensions that change unacceptably by a change in internal temperature. A change in the internal temperature may e.g. caused by a change in the ambient temperature outside of a machine with unregulated internal temperature. In a modular machine with an unregulated internal temperature, the temperature may vary uncontrollably from module to module. As a result, the dimensional changes of the components also differ from module to module, which affects the registration of the individual monochrome toner images of a multicolored image on a recording element. Although such dimensional changes of the components can sometimes be compensated for by e.g. which are appropriately programmed to expose the photoconductive primary imaging elements, such compensation measures can be costly and complicated to implement.

It is also known that the photo-discharge characteristics of a photoconductive primary imaging element, e.g. the quantum efficiency and photo carrier tracing are usually temperature dependent. Therefore, the photodischarge behavior of the respective photoconductive primary imaging members in an unregulated modulated electrophotographic color electrophotographic printer tends to change uncontrollably from module to module as the ambient temperature outside the printer changes. Such changes in the photo-discharge behavior must be compensated if the toner image density for the individual colors is to be kept within predetermined limits.

In an electrostatographic printing machine, considerable amounts of heat are generated which generally develop unevenly at different locations on the press. Of course, since the on-machine imaging operations as well as the air pollution causing mechanisms in the machine are heat dependent, management of the heat is desirable. This is generally done by mechanisms for cooling the interior of the printer and by distributing the heat generated by the cooling mechanisms to locations outside the printer while also dissipating the heat generated by the cooling mechanisms themselves. A distribution of the heat can be achieved by an air flow through at least a part of the machine, wherein the heat is transferred to the air flowing through.

The operating efficiency of a corona charging device depends on both the relative humidity and the temperature. Many corona chargers are used in conjunction with the imaging modules used in a modular color electrophotographic printer. In addition, the formation of pollutants such as ozone or nitrogen oxide (NO _x ) depends on the relative humidity and the temperature. Strong changes in relative humidity or module-to-module temperature in a printer with an unregulated indoor environment can potentially cause pollution issues.

As is well known, the ozone generated by the corona chargers can lead to premature aging of the plastic or polymer components of an electrophotographic color printer. Ozone attacks the organic photoconductive elements serving as the primary imaging elements. As a result, the performance of the photoconductive elements is affected, and there are visible damage such as cracking. Similarly, NO _x reacts with water vapor to form an acid, eg, nitric acid. When these acids come into contact with a surface of a primary imaging element, this can lead to a large increase in surface conductivity. This disadvantageously blurs the latent electrostatic image on the primary imaging element. It is known to remove the ozone or NO _x generated by a corona charging device for charging a photoconductive primary imaging element by discharging the ozone or NO _x in an air flow specifically associated with the charging device from the charging device and the vicinity of the adjacent photoconductive surface. In addition, since ozone is hazardous to health, it is usually filtered out within the printer from the air, so that emerging from the printer and in the ambient air outside the printer does not exceed the legally prescribed maximum ozone level.

Amines that may be present in the air within an electrostatographic device can seriously affect image quality. When the relative humidity and amine concentration within the electrostatographic apparatus are high, the latent image tends to become less sharp and blurred. Even at low amine concentrations, the resulting slight blurring of the image may adversely effect blurring of dots in dots in micro-latent halftone images. Amines can also chemically react with the NO _x molecules often produced by the corona loader to form difficult to remove ammonium salt deposits which can collect on the photoconductor surface. When adsorbed water molecules are present, these ammonium salts form a conductive layer of surface electrolytes which can cause more blurring of the latent image than NO _x alone. Amines can be generated outside the electrophotographic machine or within the electrophotographic machine. Typical external amine sources are humidification systems where steam is generated and released into the ambient air, such as in industrial facilities such as factories or offices with electrostatographic printers. Cyclohexylamine is an amine additive often used as a corrosion inhibitor in such dampening systems which volatilises in the vapor. Morpholine can also be used as an amine additive. Ambient air amine concentrations produced by humidification systems are often high enough to cause serious problems for the electrophotographic imaging process, especially in winter when in use. Other external amine sources are ammonia-containing detergents, including floor cleaners, used on or around the electrostatographic printer. Also, phototypes that may be in the vicinity of the electrostatographic printer are external amine sources. Internal amine sources of an electrophotographic machine may be, for example, non-metallic machine components; For example, the epoxides used to join machine parts may include amines such as polyoxyalkylene amine and Secrete aminoethylpiperazine. For high-resolution printing it is therefore desirable to remove such amines from the air within the imaging areas of an electrostatographic printer, and in particular from the air in the area of the corona chargers.

In addition, particles such as dust and fibers contaminate the air inside an electrostatographic machine. Operations that require the transport and handling of paper sheets inside the machine are known to often produce paper dust and paper fibers that are carried in the air. In the area of the toner stations, dust is also generated, e.g. Developer dust (in a two-component developer toner dust and carrier particle dust) or silica dust and aluminum dust from the used as surface additives for toner, which is then carried in the air. Dust and fibers can be attracted to the electrically charged bodies, such as the surfaces of the primary imaging elements and the corona chargers, and impair the function of image recorders. Dust and fibers on the surfaces of the primary imaging elements can cause serious image damage since they are e.g. prevent uniform photo discharge or interfere with toner transfer. In addition, dust and fibers have a detrimental effect on machine performance and performance of other mechanical equipment used to operate a printer. Therefore, it is desirable for the reasons mentioned above to filter out dust and fibers from the air inside an electrostatographic printer.

As is known, fixer oils, for example silicone oil, are frequently used as release agents in fixation stations. Volatiles of this fixer may be carried in the air inside an electrostatographic machine, causing severe damage to components, particularly corona chargers comprising thin high voltage wires for generating corona discharge. Volatile components of silicone oil around a corona charger during operation may degrade on the thin high voltage wires, forming silica deposits that affect charge performance. Volatiles The fuser oil may also disadvantageously condense on multiple surfaces within an electrostatographic machine to form sticky or rubbery residues which interfere with machine operation. Therefore, a management or a control of the volatile components of the fixing oil is desirable.

From the standpoint of a customer using an electrostatographic printer, it is important to limit to a reasonable level the noise level due to the mechanical elements during operation of the printer, and in particular the noise level caused by the airflow passing through ducts. As a rule, in addition to observing the legal requirements for reducing the harmful gases such as ozone produced by an electrostatographic machine, it is also necessary to manage the noise pollution.

In the following, the prior art will be examined with respect to the mentioned difficulties associated with the management or control of ambient air in an electrostatographic machine.

The noise generated by mechanical elements in an electrophotographic machine can be reduced or suppressed by the use of sound damping material, as in US 4,626,048 is disclosed. The noise caused by high velocity air flow through a duct can be reduced or suppressed by the use of sound shields in conjunction with sound attenuating material, as in US Pat US 5,819,137 is disclosed.

Active control of the dust in an electrophotographic machine is also known. The US 3,914,046 describes, for example, the use of a suction device for removing scattered toner dust. A return of air to control the dust in the area of a developer station is eg in the US 3,685,485 described. The US 5,481,339 describes the recycling of air filtered dust to imaging modules within a modular electrophotographic printer. A filtering out of harmful dust in an ionographic machine is eg in the US 4,093,368 and in the US 4,154,521 described. A control of the dust by vacuum, screens and electrostatic effects is in the US 5,028,959 described. The US 5,073,796 and the US 5,819,137 describe filtering out dust from the air entering a printer and the air inside a printer. The US 5,056,331 discloses the use of a positive pressure inside a printer to prevent dust from entering the printer from outside.

The control of the ozone generated by an electrophotographic machine is for example in the US 3,914,046 and the US 4,154,521 as well as the US 5,073,796 disclosed. The US 4,154,521 describes the use of a catalytic filter to generate ordinary oxygen from the ozone. The US 5,028,959 discloses aspirating the ozone from a primary charging device through a tube leading to a filter at an exit of the electrophotographic copier. The US 4,178,092 discloses the metering and aspiration of air on a corona charging device for removing harmful gases, and heating of a photoconductor for desorption of chemically active elements generated by the corona charging device. In the US 4,093,368 there is described a circulating air flow within an electrostatographic ionographic machine in which the ozone is continuously removed from the circulating airflow by means of an ozone filter. The US 5,481,339 and the US 5,819,137 disclose the discharge of ozone-containing air from the individual corona chargers in a printer.

The US 5,028,959 discloses the management of fixer oil volatiles formed in a fuser station by means of a suction tube leading from a fuser station to a filter at an exit of an electrophotographic copier. The US 5,307,132 discloses diverting air from the area of a fuser station through a tube leading out of an electrophotographic copier.

The US 5,819,137 discloses the use of a catalyst-like ozone filter integrated into an inlet filter for introducing outside ambient air into an electrophotographic printer. The ambient air may contain amines, eg cyclohexylamine.

The catalyst-like filter reduces the amine concentration of the ambient air entering through the filter. A system for detecting amines in the ambient air and for removing the amines by means of a chemical filter is in US 6,096,267 disclosed.

Cooling of an electrophotographic printer by air movement devices such as fans or blowers is for example in the US 3,914,046 , of the US 5,038,170 and the US 5,819,137 described. The US 5,307,132 describes a heat-dissipating fan for removing air from a fuser. The US 5,751,327 describes cooling of devices with light emitting diodes (LED) serially connected in a closed cooling circuit in a printer by means of a cooling fluid such as water.

Cooling of the circulating in an electrophotographic device air is eg in the US 5,073,796 described. The cooling is achieved by a Peltier effect exploiting device without air from outside the unit is admitted. The device comprises an area cooled during operation and a surface heated during operation. The circulating air is cooled by flowing past the cooled surface, with the heat from the heated surface being directed to baffles to radiate the heat into the room where the machine stands. According to one embodiment of the US 5,073,796 Air is passed over the heated surface of the device utilizing the Peltier effect and the heated air thus produced is used to pretreat paper sheets in a pretreatment unit of the device.

The US 4,727,385 discloses a management of the relative humidity in an electrophotographic machine by a dehumidifying / cooling device which utilizes the Peltier effect. The apparatus comprises an operationally cooled surface and a heated in operation surface, wherein humid air is passed over the cooled surface and cooled so that the moist air, the water can be withdrawn, after which the cooled, dehumidified air passed over the heated surface can be to be reheated. The US 5,056,331 discloses one to an electrophotographic Machine connected air conditioning unit for air conditioning the air stirred in and through the electrophotographic machine without recycling, wherein the air conditioning unit causes dehumidification of the moist ambient air flowing into the machine and the dehumidification can be done with or without a change in air temperature. A control of the relative humidity and temperature of the air in a modular electrophotographic printer is in US 5,481,339 which discloses a supply of a first conditioned airflow having within-range controlled relative humidity and within-range controlled temperature of an air conditioning device integrated into the modular printer via pipe connections to each imaging module of the printer. In addition, a second conditioned air flow is provided, the relative humidity and temperature of which may differ from the relative humidity and temperature of the first conditioned air flow and which can be supplied to the toning station of the modules. In the US 5,481,339 Both the first and second conditioned air streams are carried and reused in the printer for reuse. Relative humidity and relative humidity sensors actively control the temperature and relative humidity of the air recycled by the air conditioning device. The US 5,539,500 discloses the use of a relative humidity sensor and a relative humidity control unit around image forming elements in an electrophotographic machine wherein the excess moisture of the moist ambient air entering the machine is removed by means of a cooling device and the humidification of the dry air entering the machine Ambient air is achieved by passing the dry air through a saturated membrane. The air entering the machine is circulated in the machine and then discharged to the outside of the machine, ie not processed and reused.

Electrostatographic machinery, where part of the air inside the machine is recycled for reuse, has the benefits of local supply and fuel economy. Devices for the return of air for filtering dust and ozone from the Air in the interior of an electrostatographic machine are, for example, in the already mentioned US 4,093,368 and also already mentioned US 5,073,796 disclosed. The already mentioned US 3,685,485 describes recirculation of air near or within a toner station, wherein developer particles scattered around the toner station are collected by a filter disposed in a local circulating air stream associated with the toner station. The already mentioned US 5,481,339 teaches filtering out dust and ozone from the recycled and recirculated air in the modules of a modular electrophotographic printer, the air from each module being directed through separate pipes to an exhaust manifold and from there through a suitable dust and ozone filter. The filtered air thus produced is then conditioned in an air conditioning apparatus and directed to an inflow manifold which directs the conditioned conditioned air back to the modules. In the US 5,481,339 For example, the air-conditioned air flow rate is reported to be about 120 m ³ / h (about 71 cfm (cubic feet per minute).) This total amount of conditioned air is circulated through the modules of a printer, such as a modular electrophotographic printer, which typically has 10 modules. five each on both sides of a continuous receiving member in the form of a moving duplex imaging web).

On the other hand, in general, an electrostatographic machine into which air flows and from which the air exits without recirculation and recycling has the advantage that the entire interior of the machine or certain sections of the machine can be easily ventilated or cooled, such as it eg in the US 5,056,331 , of the US 5,539,500 and the US 5,819,137 is described. However, such a device is relatively inefficient in terms of energy consumption compared to a device that works with recycling.

There is a need for an overarching approach to air quality management in a modular color electrostatographic printing machine. One such overarching approach involves purifying and conditioning air for its recycling and recycling in the imaging modules, as well as directing a differential stream of non-recycled air through the machine to dissipate excess Heat and certain pollution generated by the operation of the machine. Continuing this approach, there remains a need to provide optimum relative humidity and temperature of the individual modules in a modular electrostatographic printing machine and to individually control the relative humidity and temperature of particular subsystem devices of the modules.

The invention is an air quality management device that provides general ambient air quality management in a modular electrostatographic printer, the printer serving to form color images on receivers. The general management of air quality includes the management of the air pollution level, e.g. the content of particles, ozone, amines, and acrolein that may be present in the printer. The overall management of air quality also includes the supply of conditioned air with controlled temperature and relative humidity to certain interior areas of the printer.

It is an object of the present invention to supply conditioned air flows to the individual imaging modules and certain subsystem devices of the modules, which are subsequently recycled and reprocessed by an air conditioning apparatus integrated into the air quality management apparatus, the conditioned air being at an appropriate temperature as required and relative humidity is brought.

It is a further object of the invention to provide additional air conditioning air streams associated with the image forming modules, which are subsequently recycled and recycled in the air conditioning apparatus, the further conditioned air streams being separate from the conditioned air streams used in the modules. The additional chambers comprise electrical and mechanical components which serve to operate the modules and must be operated in a controlled temperature range.

A further object of the invention is to enable management of the air quality of non-conditioned air, which is supplied to neither the modules nor the auxiliary chambers, but is guided at high flow rate through other sections of the printer, e.g. through a fuser and optionally through a station for pretreating paper.

Therefore, the invention provides an air quality management device which separates certain polluted air streams from other streams and separates the conditioned air streams (used in imaging components of the printer) from the non-conditioned streams (used in the non-imaging components of the printer).

The air quality management apparatus comprises a non-air-conditioned recirculation section through which ambient air is drawn in from outside the printer, and a return section for both cleaning and air-conditioning the air. The printer is used to generate color images on recording elements and comprises a first interior area and a second interior area. The non-return section is used to manage the air quality of the air carried in the vicinity of a fuser for fixing the color images on the receiving elements and optionally the air quality of air passing through a paper pre-treatment station, possibly in the printer. The second interior area comprises a number of image-forming modules arranged one behind the other, to which devices such as loading devices, image recorders, toner stations and cleaning stations are assigned. The second inner region is delimited from the first inner region by at least one separating element. The recirculation section is for the management of the air quality in the first interior, and the recirculation section is for the management of the air quality in the second interior. In the non-return section, which serves to dissipate the excess heat generated in the first inner region and the polluted air, ambient air is introduced through at least one inflow opening via a plurality of provided in the first inner region flow paths to at least one outflow opening wherein the non-return section comprises at least one air movement device that provides a predetermined total air flow. The return portion of the air quality management apparatus includes an air conditioning apparatus for controlling the temperature and the relative humidity of the air in the second indoor area. The air conditioning device comprises at least one input and at least one output, wherein each output provides an outflowing air stream, which is subdivided into outflowing part streams, which are individually air-conditioned. Certain streams of these effluent air streams are directed to respective imaging modules to be used there. The return section of the air quality management device further comprises at least one air return device which moves the air present in the second inner region back through the air conditioning device at a predetermined total return rate so that the outflowing air streams pass through a plurality of return lines and from there to one near the air conditioning system Input of the air conditioning device arranged filter unit is guided, wherein the filter unit is designed such that it continuously removes particles, ozone and amines from the air in the second interior region.

In the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which in some of the relative relationships of various components are shown, the arrangement of the device is of course changed. For the sake of clarity and understanding of the drawings, some elements have been removed, and the illustrated or implied proportions of the various elements composing the disclosed components may not reflect actual proportions, with some dimensions deliberately exaggerated.

Fig. 1A

eine schematische Darstellung eines Blockdiagramms einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Management der Luftqualität, die zwei Abschnitte umfasst: einen rückführungslosen Abschnitt und einen Rückführabschnitt, in dem die Luft zur Rückführung klimatisiert und in einer Filtereinheit gefiltert wird;

Fig. 1B

die in Fig. 1A dargestellt Vorrichtung mit weiterhin einer Einströmöffnung in den Rückführabschnitt und einer optionalen Ausströmöffnung, wobei die Einströmöffnung zum Einziehen eines Umgebungsluftstroms in den Rückführabschnitt dient und die optionale Ausströmöffnung zum Ausstoß eines entsprechenden Luftstroms aus dem Rückführabschnitt dient;

Fig. 1C

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Ausführungsform der in Fig. 1A gezeigten Filtereinheit;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung von Strömungswegen in einem Rückführabschnitt einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Management der Luftqualität, die zum Einsatz in einer modularen Farbdruckmaschine mit einer Anzahl elektrostatografischer Bebilderungsmodule geeignet ist, wobei die Strömungswege zu den Modulen hin und von den Modulen weg sowie zu den den Modulen zugeordneten Komponenten und Zusatzkammern hin und von diesen weg führen;

Fig. 3A

eine schematische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer Klimatisiervorrichtung zum Einsatz in der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Management der Luftqualität;

Fig. 3B

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Filtereinheit zum Einsatz in Verbindung mit der in Fig. 3A gezeigten Klimatisiervorrichtung;

Fig. 3C

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer zusätzlichen Filtereinheit zum Einsatz in Verbindung mit der in Fig. 3B gezeigten Filtereinheit;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer alternativen Ausführungsform einer Klimatisiervorrichtung zum Einsatz in der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Management der Luftqualität;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform einer Klimatisiervorrichtung zum Einsatz in der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Management der Luftqualität;

Fig. 6

eine vereinfachte Darstellung eines modularen elektrostatografischen Druckers mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Management der Luftqualität;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung der Luftströme in einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Management der Luftqualität;

Fig. 8A

eine Seitenansicht einer Befeuchtungsvorrichtung zum Einsatz in einer crfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Management der Luftqualität;

Fig. 8B

eine Vorderansicht der in Fig. 9 dargestellten Befeuchtungsvorrichtung zum Einsatz in einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Management der Luftqualität; und

Fig. 9

eine Anordnung zur Zufuhr von Wasser zur Befeuchtung in einer Klimatisiervorrichtung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Management der Luftqualität.

Show it:

Fig. 1A

1 is a schematic representation of a block diagram of an air quality management device according to the invention comprising two sections: a recirculation section and a return section in which the air is conditioned for recirculation and filtered in a filter unit;

Fig. 1B

in the Fig. 1A 5, the apparatus further comprises an inlet opening into the return section and an optional outflow opening, the inlet opening serving to draw an ambient air flow into the return section and the optional outflow opening serving to discharge a corresponding air flow from the return section;

Fig. 1C

a schematic side view of an embodiment of in Fig. 1A shown filter unit;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of flow paths in a return section of an air quality management device according to the invention, which is suitable for use in a modular color printing machine with a number of electrostatographic imaging modules, the flow paths to the modules towards and away from the modules and to the components associated with the modules and additional chambers lead to and away from them;

Fig. 3A

a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of an air conditioning device for use in the device according to the invention for the management of air quality;

Fig. 3B

a schematic side view of a filter unit for use in conjunction with in Fig. 3A shown air conditioning device;

Fig. 3C

a schematic side view of an additional filter unit for use in conjunction with in Fig. 3B shown filter unit;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of an air conditioning device for use in the device according to the invention for air quality management;

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of another alternative embodiment of an air conditioning device for use in the device according to the invention for air quality management;

Fig. 6

a simplified representation of a modular electrostatographic printer with an inventive device for air quality management;

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of the air flows in a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention for air quality management;

Fig. 8A

a side view of a humidifying device for use in a device according to the invention for air quality management;

Fig. 8B

a front view of in Fig. 9 shown humidifying device for use in an apparatus according to the invention for the management of air quality; and

Fig. 9

an arrangement for supplying water for humidification in an air conditioning device of an air quality management device according to the invention.

The invention is an air quality management device that can be integrated into a modular color electrostatographic printer for producing color images on imaging elements, where the color electrophotographic printer may be an electrophotographic color printer or a color electrographic printer. An exemplary modular color printer embodying the invention can be employed comprises a number of successively arranged electrostatographic imaging modules. In each module, a toner image, such as a monochrome toner image, is electrostatically transferred from a respective moving primary imaging member, eg a photoconductor member, to a moving intermediate transfer member and from this intermediate transfer member to a moving receiving member. The recording element is successively moved through the image forming modules, in each of which the corresponding toner image is transferred from the respective primary imaging element to a respective intermediate transfer element and from there to the moving receiving element, wherein the monochrome toner images are successively transferred one above the other to the receiving element, so that in the last Module a multicolored image, such as a four-color image, is completed. Subsequently, the receiving element is moved into a fixing station, in which the finished multi-colored image is fixed on the receiving element. Alternatively, the respective toner images produced in the individual modules can be transferred one above the other onto the intermediate transfer element, so that a composite multicolored image is formed thereon and subsequently transferred to the receiving element. The receiving element is then moved into a fixing station, in which the composite image is fixed on the receiving element. As a further alternative, the respective toner image may be electrostatically transferred from a respective moving primary imaging member directly onto a moving pick-up member so as to successively produce a final multi-color image in the successive modules. Another alternative is to place the various imaging modules around a primary imaging member on which a finished multi-color composite toner image can be formed. This can then be transferred from the primary imaging element to a receptacle. Typically, the colored toners used in a device constructed as described above are part of a four-color set tailored for color imaging. However, certain modules can also use other toners, such as spot color toners or colorless toners, as known.

The color electrostatographic printer with which the air quality management device of the present invention can be used comprises a first inner area and a second inner area, wherein the second inner area is separated from the first inner area by at least one partition member.

The air quality of the air present in the first interior area is regulated by means of a recirculation section of the air quality management device, wherein ambient air is directed through the first interior area and discharged from the printer, optionally including a paper pretreatment station for pre-treating the paper receiving elements.

The air quality in the second indoor area is controlled by a recirculation section of the air quality management apparatus comprising means for controllably directing conditioned air through the second indoor area to maintain the temperature and relative humidity of the air within a predetermined range of values, the conditioned air being continuous recycling is recycled to the second interior area. It can be provided that more than one individually air-conditioned air flow is routed to different locations and used there. The second interior area includes e.g. a number of successively arranged electrophotographic imaging modules which are provided with devices operating in connection therewith such as e.g. Corona charging devices, image recorders, toner stations and cleaning stations are assigned. Typically, four or more imaging modules are used.

One aspect of the invention is to keep contaminated air streams isolated, thereby detecting air pollutants at the point of their formation.

Fig. 1A shows a generic diagram of an apparatus 100 according to the invention for air quality management. This generic diagram serves as a reference diagram for describing various embodiments of the invention. The explanation of Fig. 1A Terminology used in the following disclosure used similarly. The dashed line designated by reference numeral 140 schematically indicates a non-recirculating portion of the air quality management apparatus 100 of the present invention. The dotted line indicated by reference numeral 120 schematically indicates a return portion of the air quality management apparatus 100. The recirculation section 140 is for air quality management in the first interior 150. The recirculation section 120 is for managing air quality in both a primary recycling area 130 (hereinafter referred to as area 130) and an air conditioning device 160. The second interior area includes area 130 as well as each another area containing air to be reprocessed and recirculated by the air-conditioning device 160, that is, air stirred by one or more lines (not shown) connecting the air-conditioning device 160 to the area 130. The return section 120 includes at least one mechanism for removing air polluting elements from the air to be returned. The air conditioning device 160 (also labeled A / C) includes at least one output (not separately shown) and provides conditioned air circulated through at least one feedback device (not shown) in region 130. The conditioned air flowing in the direction of the arrow indicated by a ₁ is conveyed from the air-conditioning device 160 via at least one entrance (not shown) through a wall 131 into the area 130 and subsequently through a plurality of areas 130 (not shown). Return lines led. A corresponding recycle stream, labeled with an arrow labeled a ₂ , is diverted from the region 130 and exits through at least one outflow port (not shown) in a wall 132. The air to be reprocessed is then returned to the air conditioning device 160 via suitable conduits after having previously passed through a filter unit 161 in which air pollutants, eg particles, ozone and amines, are removed from the air to be recycled and recycled. The air flow a ₁ comprises at least one outflowing partial flow leaving the air-conditioning device 160.

An exemplary filter unit 161 usable in connection with the apparatus 100 is shown in FIG Fig. 1C shown. The air flow to be recirculated (which corresponds to the in Fig. 1A by the arrow a ₂ indicated air flow corresponds) is indicated by the directed in the direction of the filter unit 161 arrow D. The filter unit 161 comprises an inflow opening 163a. A drain 163b connected to the air conditioning device 160 forwards the filtered air, as indicated by the arrow D '. The filter unit 161 includes a particulate filter 164 for removing coarse particles from the air stream D, a particulate filter 165 for removing fine particles, an ozone filter 166 for absorbing or decomposing ozone, and an amine filter 167 for absorbing or decomposing amines (listed in the order in FIG they are passed by the air to be filtered). The filters 164, 165, 166 and 167 are disposed within a suitable conduit system connecting the inflow conduit 163a to the diverter 163b. Short conduit sections 163c, 163d, and 163e provide a suitable distance 168a, 168b, and 168c, typically about 3 mm between the successive filters. The filter unit 161 may not include all four filters 164, 165, 166, and 167, but preferably includes filters for removing coarse and fine particles. In addition, the unit 161 may also include fewer or more than four filters, and any number of filters may be provided to remove all types of undesirable contaminants needed to clean the air to be reprocessed in the recirculation section of the air quality management apparatus 100.

In certain embodiments, the conditioned air of the airflow a ₂ has the same temperature and the same relative humidity in all the outflowing substreams, while in other embodiments at least two outflowing substreams have different temperature and / or moisture properties.

In the further disclosed embodiments of a device according to the invention for managing the air quality, in addition to the first and second inner regions, a (in Fig. 1A not shown) third and / or fourth interior area provided, which do not overlap with the first and second inner area.

The air-conditioning device 160 includes temperature sensors (not shown) which determine the air temperature of one or more outflowing air streams. The Air temperature is electronically passed as temperature information to a (not shown) temperature control, which controls by means of suitable temperature control mechanisms, the air temperature of the at least one outflowing air flow. Similarly, the air conditioning apparatus 160 includes sensors (not shown) for detecting the relative humidity of one or more effluent streams. The relative humidity is passed electronically as moisture information to a (not shown) control of the relative humidity, which controls by means of suitable control mechanisms, the relative humidity of the at least one outflowing air flow. The flow rate of the streams a ₁ and a ₂ is substantially the same and is determined by a predetermined total return rate of the air present in the second interior region. In addition to the walls 131 and 132, the area 130 is further defined by a wall 133 and by at least one partition 135. The walls 131, 132, 133 and the at least one divider 135 and further walls (not shown) together form a housing of the area 130. Similarly, the walls 151, 152, 153 and the at least one divider 135 define and (not shown) more walls a housing of the first interior area. The at least one separating element 135 is common to the first inner region 150 and the region 130.

The non-return section 140 provides an outflow of ambient air from outside the printer, as indicated by the arrow a ₃ , and an outflow exhaust stream indicated by the arrow a ₄ , this exhaust air flow outside the printer, but preferably not in the ambient air area of the printer to be disposed of waste air contains. The exhaust air removes the contaminants generated in area 150 and excess heat from the printer. The exhaust air flow a ₄ is preferably supplied to an external mechanism for air disposal within the building in which the printer is. This external mechanism can be designed, for example, as a heating, ventilation or air conditioning system (HVAC system), as is generally the case for the building as a whole. The inflow a ₃ runs through at least one inflow opening (not shown) in the wall 152. The corresponding substantially equal exhaust air flow a ₄ extends through at least one outflow opening in the wall 151 The flow rate of the influx as well as the exhaust air flow are substantially equal to a predetermined total flow rate of the first inner region 150. The air flow through the first inner region 150 is generated by at least one air movement device (not shown) which directs an airflow from the at least one inflow port through a plurality caused by (not shown) flow paths in the inner region 150 to the at least one outflow opening. Apart from the at least one inflow opening for the inflow of air into the first inner area 150 and the at least one outflow opening from the first inner area 150, the inner area 150 is preferably sealed against the ambient air of the printer.

Each inflow port of the region 150 preferably comprises a filter for removing the particles entrained in the air from the ambient air entering the first inner region 150. The inflow opening filter 157 is preferably a high flow rate filter, similar to a conventional filter used in a home heating system, e.g. from Fedder Corporation or Grainger Corporation (e.g., Grainger Model 5C460). Optionally, in addition to the particulate removal filter, an amine filter 158 specifically designed for the removal of amines may be provided to remove amines from the ambient air entering the first interior region 150.

The at least one separating element 135 may be assigned a plurality of flow-through openings 145 and 146, which may be arranged at any point along the at least one separating element 135. By means of one or more such throughflow openings 145, one or more air streams indicated by the arrow a _{5 can} flow from the region 130 into the first inner region 150 (the primary recycling region 130 being integrated into the second inner region). Similarly, through one or more flow orifices 146, one or more airflows indicated by the arrow a ₆ flow from the first interior region into the region 130. The total flow rate of the airflow indicated by the arrow a ₅ is substantially equal to the total flow rate of the airflow a through the arrow a ₆ indicated air flow. The flow rate of the indicated by the arrow a ₅ air flow is a predetermined fraction of the specified Total return rate, which is preferably less than 0.33 and may also be substantially zero in certain devices.

Between a first location immediately within the wall 131 in the interior of the area 130 and another location immediately inside the wall 132 there is typically an air pressure gradient associated with the specified total return rate of the air flowing through the area 130. Between a location immediately within the wall 152 in the interior of the first interior area 150 and a further location directly within the wall 151 there is usually also an air pressure gradient associated with the specified total flow rate of the air flowing through the first interior area. In general, the air pressure immediately inside the wall 131 is higher than the air pressure immediately inside the wall 151, and the air pressure immediately inside the wall 152 is higher than the air pressure immediately inside the wall 132 corresponding to the directions of the arrows a ₅ and a ₆ , which reflect the case that the flowing air flows a ₅ and a _{6 are} not negligible. In addition, the flow-through openings 145 and 146 can also be distributed along the length of the at least one separating element 135. In this case, the flow rate of such a distributed flow pattern is dependent on the position of the at least one associated flow opening 145, 146. In the case of distributed flow there is usually a point in the distributed flow pattern at which the local net current between the areas 130 and 150 is essentially zero.

An alternative embodiment of the air quality management device according to the invention is shown in FIG Fig. 1B in which the units denoted by an apostrophe correspond to the corresponding unapostrophic units in Fig. 1A are completely similar. Filtered ambient air is directed from the outside at a pre-specified inflow rate through suitable inlet pipes (not shown) directly into the region 130 ', as indicated by the arrow a ₇ . The pre-specified inflow rate divided by the total return rate is preferably less than 0.2, and more preferably less than 0.05. The outflow rate of an airflow flowing out of the second inner area is substantially equal to the inflow rate of the airflow from the outside into the printer. This outflowing airflow may be directed from the second interior region into the first interior region where it is combined with the airflow therefrom, or may pass directly via suitable discharge conduits (not shown) through an optional outflow opening from the second interior volume to a location external to the printer emanate, as indicated by the arrow a ₈ . Such a corresponding outflow rate of airflow exiting the second interior area to a location outside the printer is required when said predetermined fractional part of the specified total return rate is substantially zero and there are substantially no airflows such as the airflows a ₅ 'and a ₆ ' flowing through flow-through openings. are present, ie when the at least one separating element effectively seals the second inner region against the first inner region. If necessary, an air stream a ₈ for disposal by means of suitable (not shown) lines with a flow of air a ₄ 'are combined. A goal of the supply of filtered ambient air from outside the printer with a pre-specified inflow through the second inner region, especially in devices substantially without flow openings for air streams such as the air streams a ₅ 'and a ₆ ' is the refreshing of the atmosphere within the second inner region, for example To compensate for changes in air composition through the use of coronary devices provided in the second interior area.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary schematic air flow diagram of the air circulated by means of a return section of an air quality management device according to the invention in a second inner region, wherein the return section is designated by reference numeral 200. In the second inner area, five image forming modules M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 are provided. However, a smaller or larger number of modules may be used in the printer. Associated with each imaging module is a toner which, together with the other toners of the other modules, form a multicolor toner image which is successively built from module to module. Typically, four or five modules are used to produce monochrome toner images to be transferred to a receiver. The monochrome toner images typically comprise a cyan toner image formed in a cyan toner module, a magenta toner image formed in a magenta toner module, one in one Yellow toner module generated toner image in yellow and a generated in a black toner module toner image in black. All monochrome toner images together form the finished multi-colored toner image that is transferred to the receiving element. The fifth module can be used to create images in a special toner, such as a special color toner for creating logos. Alternatively, the fifth module may also be used to produce a colorless or clear toner layer or a colorless or clear toner image. As a further alternative, six modules may be used to provide both a special color toner module and a clam shell module. You can also use a larger number of modules that use spot color toners or clear toners. Depending on the application, any suitable juxtaposition of modules can be used.

For example, the imaging module M1 generates a first toner image of a multicolor toner image and is located in a region 220 bounded by lines 241, 242, and 243. The dotted line 240 indicates a separation between the module M1 and the module M2, which may be a partial wall or not a wall. The other imaging modules are located in similar demarcated areas. The modules M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 are each assigned a corresponding additional chamber A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5. Each of the auxiliary chambers includes heat generating devices for operating the respective module. The heat generating devices include drive motors, for example, for rotating rotatable elements such as drums or rotatable movable belts in the modules, a power supply, circuit boards, and the like. The additional chamber A1 designated by reference numeral 230 is in Fig. 2 bounded by the lines 243, 244, 245 and 246. The other additional chambers have similar boundary lines. The boundary line 243 represents a common wall, which separates the area 220 and the additional chamber A1 from each other. The same applies to the adjoining additional chambers. Rotary drive axles (not shown) may pass through openings (not shown) in the walls, eg in the wall 243, and connect drive motors disposed within the auxiliary chambers to rotatable drums or movable belts disposed in the respective modules. The openings are preferably sealed about the axes to effectively counteract the auxiliary chambers to seal the modules. Similarly, guides for electrical wires are preferably provided between the auxiliary chambers and the modules, the guides preferably being provided with seals where the guides pass through the walls, eg the wall 243. The seals serve to ensure the effective isolation of the additional chambers from the modules. Each of the boundaries between adjoining additional chambers, eg, the boundary 246, may be formed as a complete wall or as a partial wall enabling a certain airflow between the auxiliary chambers.

In the Fig. 2 shown air conditioning device 260 and the inflow filter unit 261 similar in function to in Fig. 1 A main circulation device 250 provides the primary impetus for the circulation of air within the recirculation section 200 of the air quality management device. The Hauptzirkulatiohsvorrichtung, which is located in a housing 251, as a fan, fan, suction mechanism or similar. be educated. Conditioned air is moved by the main circulation device 250 through the housing 251 and there divided into three air streams, which are indicated by the arrows X, Y and Z respectively and flow in the direction indicated by the arrows. Each of the air flows X, Y, Z is a percentage partial flow of the airflow exiting the outlet of the air conditioning device 260, the percentage being determined by the respective flow resistance. The sum X + Y + Z of the air flow rates is equal to the specified total return rate of the air in the second indoor area. Although it is shown here that the main circulation device 250 is connected to the air conditioning device 260 via the air chamber 251, it is, of course, also possible to dispose the device 250 within the device 260 or separately from the device 260.

The air flow X provides conditioned air for ventilating the modules which is fed to an inlet manifold 201 of the modules, the inflow manifold 201 having outflow pipes through which the air flow X is supplied as approximately uniform module aeration streams to the respective air areas (eg the area 220), eg also the individual modules M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. This approximately uniform module aeration currents, indicated by the corresponding arrows x ₁ , x ₂ , x ₃ , x ₄ and x ₅ , provide conditioned air for ventilation of the individual modules. The arrows q _1, q _2, q _3, q ₄ and q ₅ indicate respective exhaust air streams which are guided through respective exhaust pipes of the respective portion to a Ausströmverteiler 203, an air flow X 'returned from the via a line system to the filter unit 261 ,

Airflow Y provides conditioned air directly to certain subsystems in modules M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. Therefore, the air flow Y is supplied to an inflow manifold 202 for supplying the subsystems and from there, as indicated by the arrows y ₁ , y ₂ , y ₃ , y ₄ and y ₅ , approximately uniform subsystem aeration flows to the modules M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 be supplied. Each subsystem stream may include, for example, an imager-related stream share and a charger-related stream share. The image recorder-related stream components serve to cool a respective (not shown) image writer in the respective module. The charging device-related power components are used to ventilate one or more charging devices (not shown), eg corona charging devices, in the respective module. Therefore, the subsystem stream y _{1 is shown} as being subdivided (by a suitable line system) into separate streams, ie, a bookmark-related stream component j ₁ and a charger-related stream component k ₁ . The pen-related current component j ₁ is used to cool a writer in the module M1 while the charger-related current component k _{1 is} for aeration of the corona charger, for example, to ventilate a primary charger to sensitize a photoconductive primary imaging member (not shown) in module M1. The other subsystem streams in the remaining modules, as shown, are similarly subdivided into sub-streams. Alternatively, the pen-related ventilation flow rate and the charger-related ventilation flow rate may also be routed directly into the inflow manifold 202 to supply the subsystems to the particular location of the subsystem. An image recorder for exposing a photoconductive primary imaging element in a module may comprise, for example, a laser array or an LED array. The image writer is preferably provided with cooling fins, wherein the respective image writer is cooled by the respective image recorder-related stream share, for example, the current component j ₁ , from air flowing past the cooling fins.

The image recorder-related aeration stream portions j ₁ , j ₂ , j ₃ , j ₄ and j ₅ cool the image recorders and are each returned to the exhaust air streams q ₁ , q ₂ , q ₃ , q ₄ and q ₅ leaving the modules and finally to the air stream X 'united. Alternatively, a (in Fig. 2 not separately shown) may be provided separate line system, which directs the image recorder related aeration current components either individually or together to the filter unit 261 back.

The charging device-related ventilation flow components k ₁ , k ₂ , k ₃ , k ₄ , k ₅ can be used for ventilating certain charging devices, eg primary charging devices, of the charging devices in the modules and are used for recycling with the exhaust air streams q ₁ , q ₂ leaving the modules q ₃ , q ₄ , q ₅ and thereby combined with the air flow X '. Similarly, the example of the chargers, such as corona chargers, generated in the modules ozone according to the exiting the modules exhaust air streams q ₁ , q ₂ , q ₃ , q ₄ and q ₅ , ie in the air flow X ', entrained and led back to the filter unit 261. Alternatively, a (in Fig. 2 not separately shown) may be provided, which directs the ozongeschwängerte air back to the filter unit 261 and can be connected directly to the interior of each charging device in the modules M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. However, the conduit system may also remove ozone in the vicinity of each corona charging device.

A different conduit system (not shown) directs particulate-warmed air away from the toner stations (not shown) and the cleaning stations (not shown) in the modules. In the immediate vicinity of each toner station, therefore, a discharge for removing developer dust is provided, by means of which the developer particles released from the respective toner station into the air are removed in the vicinity of the toner station. Developer particles may, as known, comprise carrier particles, toner particles and other particles, eg silica particles, titanium particles and the like. Furthermore, in the next Near each cleaning station provided a discharge for wastes of the cleaning station, which removes the accumulating in the vicinity of the respective cleaning station waste particles. Such a cleaning station may be used, for example, for cleaning a primary imaging element (not shown) or an intermediate transfer element (not shown). Fig. 2 shows the effluent streams p ₁ , p ₂ , p ₃ , p ₄ and p ₅ flowing out of the modules M1, M2, M3, M4, M5. These exhaust air streams remove both the developer dust and waste particles of the cleaning station of the respective module and directing them to a particle-related Ausströmverteiler 204. Each of the exhaust air streams p ₁ , p ₂ , p ₃ , p ₄ and p ₅ thus contains a tonerstationsbezogene exhaust air stream and a cleaning station related Abluftstromanteil , both of which are directed to the particle-related distributor 204. From this particle-related distributor 204, the air entraining the developer dust and the waste particles of the cleaning station is passed to the filter unit 261 as an air stream W for recycling, the stream W having previously passed through an optional additional filter 271. The additional filter 271 serves as an additional combined filter for developer dust and wastes of the cleaning station. In order to counteract the locally increased flow resistance caused by the additional filter 271, an additional air movement device 270, for example a suction device, is provided in an air chamber 272.

Of course, separate (in Fig. 2 not shown separately) piping systems for transporting the Entwaubstaubgeschwängerten air from the respective Tonerstation to a particle-related Ausströmverteiler for collecting the Entwaubstaubgeschwängerten air and their subsequent forwarding to the optional additional filter 271 or for transport of waste particles of the cleaning station polluted air from the respective cleaning station a particulate outflow manifold and from there to the optional auxiliary filter 271 or to separate auxiliary filters (not shown) that may be used in conjunction with such separate piping systems. In addition, each module M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 may have a respective additional developer dust filter (not shown) and a corresponding waste particle filter (not shown) of the cleaning station, both of which additional filter may be formed as a separate filter or as a combination filter for each module. For each of these filters may further be provided an additional suitable air moving device and a downstream of the filters, connected to the air chamber 262 suitable conduit system.

The conditioned air stream Z supplies ventilation air for the ventilation of the additional chambers A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5. The ventilation air for the additional chambers is directed to a Einströmverteiler 205. The main purpose of the ventilation of the additional chambers is to dissipate the heat emitted by the heat generating devices within the auxiliary chambers. Examples of heat generating devices are mechanical devices, power supplies, motors, electrical equipment, electrical circuit boards, etc. The dissipation of excess heat is important, for example, for maintaining mechanical operating tolerances, which are typically sensitive to thermal expansion. The aeration of the auxiliary chambers has as a further purpose the removal of contaminants which are sometimes generated within the auxiliary chambers, eg water vapor, particles, ozone emitted by electric motors, nitrogen oxides (emitted by electric motors) and amines (possibly emitted by the plastic components). In the inlet distributor 205, the air flow Z is divided into approximately uniform additional chamber air flows z ₁ , z ₂ , z ₃ , z ₄ and z ₅ for the ventilation of the individual additional chambers with conditioned air. After the circulation through the respective additional chamber, the air is returned in the form of corresponding exhaust air streams z ₆ , z ₇ , z ₈ , z ₉ , z ₁₀ for reconditioning, wherein the exhaust air streams are directed to an outflow manifold 206, from where an air stream Z ' the air leaving the Ausströmverteiler 206 exits air to the filter unit 261. The filter unit 261 removes, for example, particles, ozone and amines, which arise in the additional chambers and are carried along by the air flow Z '.

The filter unit 261 generally includes a plurality of filters arranged in the direction of the air streams X ', W and Z' in a predetermined order. This plurality of filters preferably comprises filters similar to the filters of those in U.S. Pat Fig. 1A Filter unit 161 are formed, that is, the filter unit 261 usually includes at least one coarse particle filter and a fine particle filter, and may further include other filters, such as an ozone filter and an amine filter, which are listed here in the order in which they are passed by the recirculating air coming from the air chamber 262.

A preferred embodiment of an air conditioning apparatus which can be used in the return section of the air quality management apparatus according to the invention is shown as reference numeral 300 in FIG Fig. 3A shown. The dashed line 360 labeled A / C surrounds the operating section of the air-conditioning device (corresponding to elements 160 and 260 in FIG Fig. 1A or 2). The flow directions of the air flowing through the operating section 360 are represented by black filled arrowheads, while unfilled arrowheads are used to indicate the flow direction of a coolant within a closed tube system of the air conditioning device. The conditioned air streams X ", Y" and Z "leave an air chamber 364, from which they are moved by means of a main circulation device 365 arranged in the air chamber 364. (The device 365 corresponds to the device 250 in FIG Fig. 2 ). The three air flows X ", Y", Z "can each of the three in Fig. 2 shown air flows X, Y, Z correspond. However, in certain applications, it may also be necessary for a different number of conditioned streams to exit the air chamber 364. Similarly, the air to be reprocessed is shown as airflows X "', Y"', Z "'flowing back to an air chamber 362 for the air-conditioning device The three air flows X"', Y "'and Z"' may each correspond to those in FIG Fig. 2 shown three air flows X ', W and Z'correspond; however, if desired, a different number of air streams to be reprocessed in the air chamber 362 may also be provided. The incoming air streams pass through a filter unit 361A which contains a coarse particle filter and a fine particle filter, which are described in more detail below. The air chamber 362 and the filter unit 361A may alternatively be integrated into the air conditioning device. After the filtering process in the filter unit 361A, the incoming air streams are combined in a mixing chamber 363 into a single air stream T.

As schematically in Fig. 3B 1, the inflowing air streams X "', Y"' and Z "'flow in the direction of arrow H via an inflow line 358a into the filter unit 361A, passing first a coarse particle filter 366 and then a fine particle filter 367. The filters 366 and The length of the air space 366a is preferably about 3 mm, but may also be longer or shorter as needed for optimal flow through the filter unit 361A.

The coarse particle filter 366 (the first filter) serves to intercept the largest particles entrained in the reprocessing air, eg, particles whose dimensions are greater than minimum dimensions, preferably smaller than the diameter of the toner particles used in the modules. The coarse particle filter preferably removes substantially all particles that are 10 μm or larger, and more preferably, preferably all particles that are 5 μm or larger. A preferred coarse particle filter is made, for example, from a wool of 6 denier nonwoven polyester wool with an adhesive wherein the density of the wool is about 2 g / m ^{2 of} the cross-sectional area of the filter.

The fine particle filter 367 serves to trap fine particles whose dimensions are smaller than the minimum dimensions of the particles trapped by the coarse particle filter. The fine particle filter is preferably 90% effective for trapping particles having a diameter of about 0.1 μm. A preferred material for the fine particle filter consists of needled modacrylic and permanently charged polypropylene filter Elektretspinnfasern with a density of about 50 g / m ^2, the filter cross-sectional area.

Regardless of the in Fig. 3A As shown in the preferred arrangement of the filter units 361A and 361B, the filter unit 361B may also be located in close proximity and downstream of the filter unit 361A.

As in Fig. 3A ₁ , the air flow T is subdivided into a first air flow designated V ₁ and a second air flow designated V ₂ , wherein V ₁ and V _{2 are} the flow rates of the first air flow and the second air flow, respectively. The air streams are directed in a suitable conduit system in the direction indicated by the filled-point arrows. The flow rate ratio V ₁ / V ₂ may be a fixed ratio which can not be adjusted during operation of the air conditioning device. Alternatively, however, a (in Fig. 3A not shown) mechanism for adjusting the ratio V ₁ / V _{2 be provided} in real time during operation of the air conditioning device, for example, by the flow rates V ₁ , V ₂ individually determining flow resistances are adjustably controlled. In a preferred embodiment of an air quality management device hereinafter referred to as in Fig. 7 As shown in embodiment 700, the fixed ratio of the flow rates V ₁ and V _{2 is} approximately 0.77 ± 0.2.

The first air stream V ₁ is cooled by passing it past an evaporator coil 330 provided with thermally conductive cooling fins 333 (shown schematically). The cooling fins 333 are in thermal contact with the evaporator coil 330 and cool and dehumidify the guided past the cooling fins 333 first air flow V _first (The spiral shape of the evaporator coil 330 serves only a symbolic function and is unrelated to the actual shape, which may, for example, be bent zigzag or formed in any other conventional or known manner in refrigeration and air conditioning apparatuses Fig. 3A The serpentine coil 330 is formed as a thermally conductive tube containing a refrigerant which can be used as a cold mixture of gas and liquid by means of a (not shown ) Coolant circulation mechanism is passed through the interior of the tube. After passing through the evaporator coil 330, the first air stream V _{1 is combined} with the second air stream V ₂ , so that a merged air flow T 'is formed. This merged air stream T 'is represented by a (not shown) primary line led past a heating coil 350 after the air flow T 'has previously passed through an internal filter unit 361B.

As in Fig. 3C is shown, the merged stream T 'flows in the direction of arrow H "via an inflow line 359a in the filter unit 361B and thereby passes first an ozone filter 368 and then an amine filter 369. The filters 368 and 369 are arranged in the line system 369c and from The length of the air space 368a is preferably about 3 mm, but may also be longer or shorter if necessary for optimum flow through the filter unit 361B.

The ozone filter 368 is preferably formed as a catalytic filter for decomposing ozone into normal oxygen, although other types of ozone filters may be used. A preferred catalytic ozone filter is a TAK-C filter from Nicheas, Japan, which is about 20 mm thick and has about 220 cells per square centimeter (560 cells per square inch).

The amine filter 369 serves to remove cyclohexylamine and other harmful amines, and is preferably formed as a catalytic amine filter available from Nicheas of Japan. A preferred amine filter is about 30 mm thick and has about 138 cells per (350 cells per square inch).

The filter unit 361B may be located at any suitable location, eg, prior to splitting the airflow T into the air streams V ₁ and V ₂ or after the heating coil 350. Alternatively, the filters of the filter unit 361B may also be integrated into the filter unit 361A as it is eg in Fig. 1C is shown.

The combined air stream T 'from which the ozone and amines have been filtered out leaves the filter unit 361B via a line 359b in the direction of the arrow H "' and flows through the heating coil 350. The heating coil 350 comprises thermally conductive heating fins (shown schematically) 345, which is in thermal contact with the Heating coil stand. The heating coil serves for the intermittent heating of the combined air flow T ', ie it is operated intermittently. In this case, a (indicated by unfilled arrowheads) stream F _{1 of} the coolant in the form of a hot compressed gas is passed through the heating coil 350, wherein the heating coil is formed as a thermally conductive tube containing the hot coolant and from the heat to heat the the heating ribs 345 passing merged air flow T 'is derived. As described below, the intermittent operation of the heating coil 350 for heating the converged air flow T 'is controlled by a temperature controller 390. After passing through the heating coil 350, the combined airflow T 'is passed through a humidification unit 380 in which the combined airflow T' is intermittently humidified.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a cooled and dehumidified air stream (corresponding to stream V ₁ ) is passed past a heating coil (corresponding to heating coil 350) before being merged with a stream corresponding to stream V ₂ , thereby providing a converged air stream resulting from a filter unit corresponding to the filter unit 361B and from there to a moistening unit corresponding to the unit 380. The other elements of this alternative embodiment are similar to the elements of embodiment 300.

After leaving the moistening unit 380, the combined air flow, which is now denoted by T ", is guided past the main circulation device 365 and exits therefrom as air flow T". A temperature sensor 391 detects the temperature of the converged airflow T "'The temperature sensor 391 is connected to a temperature controller 390. A relative humidity sensor 371 connected to a relative humidity control 370 determines the relative humidity of the combined airflow T''. Upon detection of the temperature by the temperature sensor 391 and humidity by the relative humidity sensor 371, the merged airflow exits the air chamber 392 and the air-conditioning device 300, eg divided into a plurality of outflowing air streams X ", Y", Z ". Although the sensors 371 and 391 are located within the air chamber 392 here, the sensors may alternatively be located at any suitable location downstream of the device 365 be, for example, at a location within the air flow T "'conductive conduit system.

The temperature determined by the temperature sensor 391 and forwarded to the temperature controller 390 in the form of an electronic signal is maintained by the temperature controller within a predetermined temperature range having a maximum and a minimum and a target temperature preferably approximately in the middle of the predetermined temperature range , On the other hand, when the temperature of the converged air flow Tn is lower than the target temperature, the heating coil 350 is activated by passing a hot coolant through the heating coil by a turn-on signal of the temperature controller 390. This will be described in more detail below combined flow of air T "'is above the target temperature, the shutdown signal of the temperature control 390, the flow of hot coolant through the heating coil 350 is turned off. The target temperature is preferably a setpoint determined, for example, by a logic circuit or other suitable mechanism of temperature control 390. A temperature control turn-on signal activates a solenoid valve Q, designated 335, which opens a gate to allow hot flow of coolant F ₁ to flow into the heating coil 350 at a suitable inflow rate. On the other hand, a shut-off signal of the temperature controller 390 causes the valve Q to close the gate, thereby stopping the inflow of the hot coolant flow F ₁ . In a preferred embodiment of the device for air quality management, which in Fig. 7 As embodiment 700, the minimum temperature of the predetermined temperature range is about 20.0 ° C and the maximum temperature is about 22.2 ° C.

The relative humidity of the combined flow T "detected by the relative humidity sensor 371 and forwarded in the form of an electronic signal to the relative humidity control 370 is maintained within a predetermined range of relative humidity by the relative humidity control 370 , which has a minimum value and a maximum value and contains a target value which is preferably approximately in the middle of the predetermined range of relative humidity If the relative air humidity of the combined air flow T "'is below the target value, the control unit for the relative humidification 370, the humidification unit 380 is activated, as described in more detail below. On the other hand, if the relative humidity of the combined airflow T "'is above the target value, humidification by the humidification unit 380 is aborted by a shutdown signal from the temperature controller 390. The target relative humidity is preferably a setpoint, eg from a logic circuit or other suitable one Relative humidity control mechanism 370. In a preferred embodiment of the air quality management apparatus disclosed in US Pat Fig. 7 As embodiment 700, the minimum value of the predetermined range of the relative humidity is about 30% and the maximum value about 40%.

The relative humidity controller 370 and the temperature controller 390 may be formed as separate units, as in FIG Fig. 3A however, they may also be combined in a single unit, such as that available from Watlow Controls, Winona, Minn., USA as the "Watlow Series 998 Temperature / Process Controller".

The moistening unit 380 may be formed as any moistening device suitable for controllably and intermittently moistening the merged stream T '. The moistening unit 380 may be formed as a spraying device or an aerosol device, eg as a water aerosol injector (eg a piezoelectric aerosol generator or a radio frequency aerosol generator), as well as a Spray nozzles or as moistening elements, such as a pad, foam, a sponge, etc., which are moistened by a spray device or by immersion in a water tank. A water aerosol or spray may be introduced directly into the confluent air stream T ', or the combined air stream may be passed past or through a wettable element.

The moistening unit 380 preferably includes a drip mechanism and a wettable pad that is used in conjunction with the drip mechanism, as described below with reference to FIG Fig. 8 is described. Activation of the moistening unit 380 by a relative humidity control 370 energizing signal causes the drip mechanism to actively drip filtered water onto the wettable pad to suitably wet the wettable pad, thereby allowing the passing stream to contact the pad T 'is actively moistened. Turning off the humidifying unit 380 by a shutdown signal from the relative humidity control 370 prevents the filtered water from dripping onto the wettable pad. The drip mechanism is preferably turned on only when activated and turned off upon deactivation. Alternatively, however, the dripper mechanism may also be infinitely variable via signals from the relative humidity control 370 so as to provide a variable rate of dripping filtered water onto the wettable support. This allows for improved control of relative humidity and thus causes lower relative humidity deviations from the target relative air humidity T "'In an alternative embodiment of humidifying unit 380, a spraying device is used instead of the dropping mechanism to respond in response to appropriate activation. and the deactivating signals from the relative humidity control 370, spray intermittently filtered water from a nozzle onto the wettable pad 10. The spraying device may also be configured as a continuously operating device, eg, as a nozzle producing a continuous spray of filtered water, with deactivation causes a mechanism to change the spray direction so that, for example, the spray no longer humidifies the wettable pad, and activation causes the mechanism to change the spray direction such that the spray mistifies the wettable pad again in a suitable manner. Any other suitable mechanism for intermittent and controllable active humidification of the merged stream T 'may also be used.

The water used for moistening in the moistening unit 380 is not usually evaporated completely efficiently. Therefore, e.g. a drain may be provided over which the water used for humidification, which does not evaporate during humidification of the air passing through the humidifying unit 380, is discharged from the printer. Alternatively, the dampening water not evaporated in the humidifying unit 380 may also be recycled and reused in the humidifying unit 380.

In the Fig. 3A shown air conditioning device 300 includes a closed circuit in which the coolant is circulated by means of the coolant circulation mechanism, wherein the coolant successively passes through the various devices, including the aforementioned evaporator coil 330 and the heating coil 350. Coolant streams are represented by unfilled arrowheads. In the evaporator coil 350, the refrigerant is transferred from the liquid state to the gaseous state by evaporation, whereby the first stream V _{1 is} cooled. The evaporator coil is successively provided with a pressure regulator 335 (denoted by PR) and a compressor 340 for compressing the refrigerant gas to a compressed and a correspondingly heated refrigerant gas. Upon exiting the compressor 340, the hot compressed refrigerant gas flows to a solenoid valve 355 downstream of the compressor 340 (designated Q) which opens a gate which intermittently divides the refrigerant flow into a main refrigerant flow F ₂ and an intermittent subcoolant flow F ₁ . In response to a turn-on signal of the temperature controller 390, the solenoid valve Q directs the subcoolant flow F ₁ through the heating coil 350, as the dotted lines in Fig. 3A suggest. On the other hand, in response to a shutdown signal of the temperature controller 390, the intermittent subcoolant flow F _{1 is turned off} by the solenoid valve Q as described above.

In an alternative embodiment, a continuously variable three-way valve is provided for improved control of the individual streams F ₁ and F ₂ instead of the solenoid valve 355. The infinitely variable three-way valve allows continuous adjustment of a controlled secondary flow F ₁ over a range of values by means of control signals of the temperature control 390, whereby temperature fluctuations of the flow T 'and thus also the deviations of the air flow T "' from the target temperature are reduced used negative feedback, in which an error signal causes an adjustment of the continuously variable three-way valve to bring the temperature of the air flow T "'further to the target temperature.

At a location downstream of solenoid valve 355 (and heating coil 350) is a condenser coil 320 through which the main coolant stream F ₂ and each intermittent secondary coolant stream, eg, stream F ₁ , are passed, as shown. The condenser coil 320 is used for cooling and thus for the condensation (ie liquefaction) of a part of the coolant and is designed as a thermally conductive tube through which the coolant is passed. After leaving the condenser coil 320, the refrigerant now present as a mixture of liquid and gaseous portions is passed as coolant flow F ₃ through an expansion valve 325 (denoted by EV) and from there back to the evaporator coil 330.

An influx G of ambient air is drawn from outside the air-conditioning device 300 through an inflow opening, which preferably has an inlet filter, which is similar to a conventional heating system filter, as it also for filtering the in Fig. 1A shown air flow a ₃ is used. The incoming ambient air stream G may then be passed through an optional air compressor 310 in which the incoming ambient air stream is compressed to a compressed air stream. The air flow G flows past the thermally conductive cooling fins 315 arranged on a cooling coil 320, which are in thermal contact with the cooling coil. The (compressed) air flow from the circulating in the evaporator coil coolant absorbs heat, thereby the (compressed) air stream becomes a heated (and expanded) air stream exiting the air conditioning device 300 as an air stream G 'through an exhaust port to be disposed outside the printer and preferably outside the space in which the printer is located.

The coolant used in the closed loop contains at least one fluorohydrocarbon. The refrigerant is preferably a mixture of about 50 weight percent difluoromethane and 50 weight percent pentafluoroethane, e.g. sold under the name R410A.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of an air conditioning device 400. The air conditioning device 400 includes devices that are capable of producing at least two streams of individually conditioned air, each stream having an individually controlled relative humidity. Each of the streams is directed through a respective exhaust port so that the streams are at different locations within a first recirculation area as shown in FIG Fig. 1A shown schematically and exemplified as a return region 130, can be used separately. The operating range of the air conditioning device 400 is limited by a dashed line 460 and a wavy line 465. On the left of the wavy line 465, the air-conditioning device 400 completely corresponds to the device 300, ie an air flow T ₀ in Fig. 4 is completely equivalent to the merged air flow T 'in Fig. 3A , In Fig. 4 Thus, a confluent air flow T _{0 flows} through a primary conduit (not shown) leading from a heating coil (not shown) corresponding in all details to the heating coil 350. The merged air flow T ₀ is divided into more than one partial flow, more generally into a number N of such partial flows, which are designated as T ₁ , T ₂ , ..., T _N , wherein T ₁ is the first partial flow and at T _N is the last substream and each substream is conducted in a corresponding secondary conduit (not shown).

A respective partial flow T ₁ , T ₂ , ..., T _N flows through a respective secondary line to a respective humidification unit, each with RHU ₁ , RHU ₂ , ... RHU _N and are respectively designated by reference numerals 480a, 480b, ..., 480n. After individual moistening in the respective moistening unit, the respective substream T ₁ ', T ₂ ',..., T _N 'now designated with an additional apostrophe (') passes through a respective sensor for the relative air humidity 471a, 471b,. 471n and a respective temperature sensor 491a, 491b, ..., 491n. Each of the in Fig. 4 shown humidification corresponds in all of the Fig. 3A shown moistening unit 380, and also corresponds to each of in Fig. 4 The relative humidity sensors in each of the sensor 370 and each temperature sensor shown in the sensor 390 are shown. The humidification units are intermittently operated in conjunction with the corresponding relative humidity control 470 in a manner similar to the air conditioning apparatus 300 to detect a respective one of the respective sensors to maintain the relative humidity determined in the relative humidity within a predetermined range of humidity, which is limited by a respective low of the relative humidity and a respective maximum value of the relative humidity. The respective value range of the relative humidity contains a target value of the relative humidity, which is preferably in the middle of the respective predetermined value range of the relative humidity. Now, when the respective sensor for the relative humidity found in a lying below the target value of the relative humidity RH of a partial stream, it sends a respective signal r _1, r _2, ..., _N r to the control for the relative humidity is 470, which a respective turn-on signal u ₁ , U ₂ , ..., u _N sends to the corresponding moistening unit. Similarly, the respective humidification unit is deactivated by a shutdown signal when the relative humidity detected by the relative humidity sensor is above the target relative humidity.

The temperature of the partial flows T ₁ ', T ₂ ', ..., T _N 'is continuously determined by the corresponding temperature sensor, and the determined temperature is in the form of a signal t ₁ , t ₂ , ..., t _N to the Temperature control 490 passed. An algorithm for calculating a control temperature provided in a data processor of the temperature controller 490 uses at all times all the temperature signals t ₁ , t ₂ ,..., T _N. The control temperature is set by the temperature controller 490 within a predetermined temperature range, which is limited by a minimum and a maximum temperature. The predetermined temperature range includes a target temperature, which is preferably approximately in the middle of the temperature range. The temperature controller 490 sends a turn-on signal e to a solenoid valve (which in its function corresponds to the in Fig. 3A shown, when the calculated control temperature is below the target temperature, so that a hot coolant flow is passed through the heating coil in a similar manner as in the air conditioning device 300. Similarly, the hot coolant flow through the heating coil is aborted by a temperature control 490 shutdown signal when the calculated control temperature is above the target temperature. The individual temperature signals t ₁ , t ₂ ,..., T _N may be weighted differently in the algorithm to optimize the performance of the air conditioning device 400.

Although it is shown here that the substreams T ₁ ', T ₂ ', ..., T _{N '} exit the device 400 as individually air-conditioned effluent streams S ₁ , S ₂ , ..., S _N through discharges (not shown) Of course, each of these partial streams can be divided into further outflowing streams for different uses, eg for use in the modules or the associated additional chambers. For example, because the various developers used in the individual toning stations of the imaging modules have different charge-to-mass ratios depending on relative humidity, which are sensitively sensitive to changes in relative humidity, it is advantageous for the apparatus 400 to have individually conditioned partial flows provides to generate a locally different relative humidity in the vicinity of or in the individual toner stations of the individual modules, whereby a stable, predictable developer performance is achieved. As another example, an outflowing airflow having a particular temperature (and relative humidity) may also be subdivided, and the resulting sub-streams may be directed to the individual image recorders of the modules to similarly cool the image recorders. In addition, an effluent substream of a particular temperature may be subdivided to more generally ventilate each module and each additional chamber, thus advantageously providing dimensional stability to those therein arranged to provide mechanical parts such as drums or other elements for which during operation with respect to the spatial extent very narrow tolerance ranges are necessary.

Each of the outflowing streams S ₁ , S ₂ , ..., S _N has a tailored to him relative humidity and an individual temperature, which differs by a certain amount of the control temperature. Each deviation from the control temperature is specifically dependent on the following factors: the algorithm, the weighting of the temperature signals t ₁ , t ₂ ,..., T _N in the algorithm and the fact that a humidifying operation of a substream means a temperature change, ie cooling , causes. By using the algorithm, the device 400 provides more limited control of the temperature of the individual partial flows compared to controlling the relative humidity.

Even if this is not in Fig. 4 ₂ , each of the outflowing streams S ₁ , S ₂ ,..., S _N may be moved by a main circulation device or may be directed by an individual circulation mechanism along a specific path. After the humidification unit RHU ₁ and in front of the sensors 471 a and 491 a, therefore, an individual fan (not shown) may be provided to move the air flow S ₁ . Similarly, individual blowers may also be provided after the humidification units RHU ₂ , ..., RHU _N in order to move the corresponding airflow S ₂ , ..., S _N.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment 500 of an air conditioning device. The air-conditioning device 500 contains devices which are suitable for generating at least two streams U ₁ , U ₂ ,..., U _{N of} individually conditioned air, the individual streams each having an individually controlled relative air humidity and temperature. Each stream flows through a corresponding outflow port (not shown) to be separately deployed at different locations of a primary recirculation area, as is the case in Figs Fig. 4 shown air conditioning device 400 is the case. The elements marked with apostrophe (') in Fig. 5 correspond to the respective unapostrophic labeled element in Fig. 4 , The dashed line 560 and the solid line 565 are analogous to the corresponding lines 460 and 465 in FIG Fig. 4 , The relative humidity control 570 corresponds in all respects to the relative humidity control 470. The apparatus 500 differs from the apparatus 400 by a number N of integrated temperature setting mechanisms designated TAM ₁ , TAM ₂ , ..., TAM _N (reference numerals) 540a, 540b, ..., 540n). In addition, the apparatus 500 differs from the apparatus 400 by an integrated temperature controller 590 connected to an additional reheat temperature sensor 592 which determines the temperature of the merged stream T _o 'after it leaves the heating coil (not shown). The temperature sensors 591a, 591b, ..., 591n are all similar in all respects to the temperature sensors 491a, 491b, ..., 491n. Similarly, the relative humidity sensors 571a, 571b, ..., 571n are similar in every respect to the relative humidity sensors 471a, 471b, ..., 471n, and are similarly controlled by the relative humidity control 570.

A respective partial flow T ₁ ', T ₂ ', ..., T _N 'flows past a respective temperature adjustment mechanism TAM and a respective humidification unit RHU', leaving the corresponding humidification unit RHU 'as a partial flow, which here is marked with a double apostrophe , ie T ₁ ", T ₂ ", ..., T _N ", and continues to flow to a respective temperature sensor and a respective sensor for the relative humidity, before the corresponding partial flow as one of N outflowing streams U ₁ , U ₂ , ..., U _N leaves the air-conditioning device 500.

The temperature adjustment mechanisms TAM ₁ , TAM ₂ ,..., TAM _N enable an intermittent individual adjustment of the temperature of the partial flows T ₁ ", T ₂ ",..., T _N measured by the temperature sensors 591a, 591b,..., 591n wherein the individual adjustment is controlled by respective signals c ₁ , c ₂ , ..., c _{n of} the temperature control to the temperature adjusting mechanisms, This individual adjustment of the temperature is made as a correction or increase of the temperature of the temperature measured by the additional post-heating temperature sensor 592 merged Current T ₀ 'after heating. The temperature of the combined current T _o 'after heating, measured by the additional post-heating temperature sensor 592, is communicated to the temperature controller 590 as a signal d ₁ . The temperature controller 590 maintains the temperature after heating within a predetermined temperature range bounded by a minimum and a maximum temperature. The predetermined temperature range includes a target temperature, which is preferably approximately in the middle of the predetermined temperature range. An activation signal d _{2 of} the temperature control 590 activates a solenoid valve (the function of which in all respects corresponds to the function of the in Fig. 3A shown, when the temperature after heating is lower than the target temperature, whereby a flow of hot coolant is passed through the heating coil in a similar manner as in the air-conditioning device 300. Similarly, when the temperature after heating is higher than the target temperature, the circulation of the hot coolant in the heating coil is shut off by a cut-off signal of the temperature controller 590.

The described intermittent operation for adjusting the temperature of a respective partial flow is controlled by a corresponding signal c ₁ , c ₂ , ..., c _n , which sends the temperature control 590 to the respective temperature adjusting mechanism, the temperature control being preset in such a way it maintains the temperature of the effluent substream at a predetermined value which is within a predetermined temperature range bounded by a minimum and a maximum temperature. The predetermined temperature range for the effluent substream contains a target temperature, which is preferably approximately in the middle of the temperature range. In response to a corresponding activation signal from the temperature controller 590 to the corresponding temperature adjusting mechanism, the temperature adjusting mechanism is activated by the temperature controller, causing a corresponding change in the respective temperature of the effluent substream. In response to a deactivation signal from the temperature control to the temperature adjusting mechanism, deactivation of the respective temperature adjusting mechanism occurs, whereby the change in the temperature of the corresponding outflowing partial flow is terminated. The activation of the respective temperature setting mechanism by a corresponding activation signal of the temperature control takes place only if the corresponding temperature sensor determines that the temperature of an outflowing partial flow differs from the target temperature of the respective outflowing partial flow. The respective activation is continued until the relevant temperature of the respective outflowing substream corresponds approximately to the target temperature, whereupon the activation signal is terminated by the corresponding deactivation signal.

Although in Fig. 5 As shown, each temperature adjusting mechanism TAM is disposed upstream of the respective humidifying unit RHU ', in an alternative embodiment, a reverse arrangement of these elements may be provided.

Each of the outflowing substreams U ₁ , U ₂ , ..., U _N can be moved through a main circulation device, but can also be moved along a specific path from one (in Fig. 5 not shown) circulating individual circulation mechanism.

Although it is shown here that all outflowing substreams U ₁ , U ₂ ,..., U ₃ leave the apparatus 500 as individually air-conditioned substreams, it goes without saying that each of these substreams can in turn be subdivided into further streams for different uses, eg for use in the Modules or the associated additional chambers.

An advantage of embodiment 500 is that the effluent substreams, with separately controllable temperatures, can be used to partially offset temperature variations that occur in the interior of the printer due to the asymmetric arrangement of the heat-generating components relative to the conditioned air-supplied locations. These temperature fluctuations are generally dependent on the relative position of the modules to each other and to the heat-generating components. For example, there is the possibility that the individual Image recorders in the different modules do not have identical temperature environments, so individually conditioned air can be routed locally to the image writers to achieve approximately the same temperature at each image writer.

A temperature adjusting mechanism 540a, 540b, ..., 540n may be formed as any suitable means for controlling or increasing the temperature of the respective effluent substream T ₁ ", T ₂ ", ..., T _N ", which is a suitable temperature adjusting mechanism Preferably, electronically controllable, for example via on and off signals of the temperature control 590. A suitable temperature adjustment mechanism is for example a by the temperature control 590 activatable and deactivatable device that uses the Peltier effect, as shown in the US 5,073,796 is described, and having a cooling surface and a heating surface, so that a certain partial flow can be brought either into contact with the cooling surface or the heating surface in order to achieve a heating or cooling of the corresponding partial flow. Alternatively, either the cooling surface or the heating surface of a device using the Peltier effect can be used at different times, depending on whether a particular partial flow is to be cooled or heated. For example, a temperature adjusting mechanism may further include an electric heater for heating a particular partial flow, which heater may comprise a preferably electrically adjustable temperature controller, and a (cooling) heating element comprising a particular partial flow contacting (cooling or) heating fins and conduits in which a (cooling or) heating fluid circulates. As the temperature adjusting mechanism, any suitable heating or cooling device may be used.

Fig. 6 shows a simplified side view (front view) of a modular electrostatographic printer 600 with certain areas in which the air quality is controlled by a device according to the invention for air quality management. The printer comprises a moving conveyor belt 610 for transporting pick-up elements, eg cut paper sheets, through a number of image-forming modules arranged one behind the other. Fig. 6 shows five such modules M1 ', M2', M3 ', M4', M5 '. However, more or fewer modules could be provided. The modules are separated by separations, eg by partition 640, which have the same properties as those in FIG Fig. 2 shown separation 240. The conveyor belt 610 is stretched between two drums 620 and 630 and moves driven by the counterclockwise rotating drums 620, 630 in the direction indicated by the arrow m direction. On the conveyor belt 610 adhere for example by electrostatic forces receiving elements R ₀ , R ₁ , R ₂ , ..., R ₆ . Each of these receptacles is shown here associated with a module, although during transport through the printer there may also be a receptacle between two modules. The receiving element 645 (R ₅ ) is thus assigned to the module M1 ', the receiving element 655 (R ₄ ) to the module M2', etc.

The modules M1'-M5 'are located in Fig. 1A shown second interior area, in which the air is regulated by the device for air quality management. As Fig. 1A 2, conditioned air is supplied to the modules by the air-conditioning device (not shown). The modules M1'-M5 'are located in a housing with walls H ₁ , H ₂ , H ₃ , which preferably also form boundary walls of the second inner area. Each module is located in one area, for example the module M1 'in an area 635. The modules M1'-M5' are preferably associated with corresponding additional chambers (not shown), which are also part of the second interior area and whose function corresponds to that in Fig. 2 resemble shown chambers A1-A5.

The conveyor belt 610 includes an upper portion 615 that defines a boundary surface that defines the second interior area more closely. Similarly, the conveyor belt 610 includes a lower portion 605 which defines a boundary surface defining the first interior region. The first interior area is also bounded by a wall H ₄ in such a way that the bottom portion 605 and the wall H4 form part of the first interior area, as in FIG Fig. 6 is shown (wherein further boundary walls of the first inner region are not shown).

The air quality management device of the printer 600 includes a third interior region 660. A boundary of this third interior region is the band 610, the interior surface of which partially surrounds the third interior region 660. The front and rear walls (not shown) also define the third interior region 660. Typically, the conveyor belt 610 does not contact the front and rear walls so that between the edges of the belt (the leading and trailing edges of the belt) and the belt front and rear wall there is a gap. These spaces allow an exchange of air between the second inner area and the third inner area and between the third inner area and the first inner area. These flow-through openings form throughflow paths between the first inner region and the second inner region over the third inner region. Such flow paths are in the in Fig. 1A generally shown air quality management device.

In the printer 600, air flows substantially in the direction indicated by the arrow B ₀ through the first inner region, ie, below the lower portion 605 of the belt 610. This direction is similar to the direction of the air flow a ₃ through the first inner region in FIG Fig. 1A , Due to a general pressure gradient from the right to the left in the in Fig. 6 As shown in the section of the first inner region, the air flowing through the flow-through openings tends to flow in the direction of the module M1 'and away from the module M5'. Therefore, less air inflow occurs at the middle modules M2 ', M3' and M4 'than at the end modules M1' and M5 '. Module M1 'is the module into which most of the unacclimated air enters, and module M5' is the module from which the largest amount of conditioned air flows out. Since the second inner region is a closed region, which preferably has substantially no connection to air from outside the printer, maintaining the flow requires that the total flow rate of the air flowing from the first inner region to the second inner region be substantially equal to the flow rate of the second inner region corresponds to the first inner area inflowing air. The air flow B ₀ is finally based on the Fig. 1A already explained way out of the printer.

The conveyor belt 610 serves as a separating element, which partially separates the first inner area from the second inner area. In addition, the band 610 defines in its function as a separating element, the flow openings between the first inner region and the second inner region at the edges of the band. In addition to the conveyor belt 610 as a separator, the printer 600 includes further separator elements (not shown), e.g. Walls that separate the first interior from the second interior. By these dividing elements, however, preferably no flow openings, i. the Durchströmraten between the first inner region and the second inner region are negligible.

The air in region 660 is a mixed air whose properties are between the properties of the air present in the first interior region and the properties of the air present in the second interior region, the properties comprising the temperature and relative humidity. Thus, although this mixed air is not actively controlled in the third interior, the mixed air still needs to be trapped in the air regulated by the air quality management apparatus of the printer 600. For this reason, the air quality control apparatus includes the third interior area.

The first interior area includes a paper supply (not shown) and a paper pre-treatment station (not shown). The paper from the paper supply passes through the station for pre-treatment of paper in which it is pretreated in known manner to reach a certain relative humidity and temperature. For example, the receiver sheet R ₆ , a pre-treated paper sheet, just enters the region 635 to obtain a toner image from the module M 1 '.

The Aufhahmebogen R ₀ has just passed the wall H ₂ , from which the sheet R _{0 is transported} in a known manner to a (not shown) fuser. The fixing station usually contains a fixing element for fixing the toner on the receiving elements in a known manner, and a cooling section arranged downstream of the fixing station, in which the fixed images are cooled. A significant advantage of the Printer 600 device used for air quality management is that the air flow B ₀ flows in an advantageous manner in the direction away from the modules at the fixing station by (wherein the conduit system is oriented such that the air flow B ₀ does not cool the fixing portion in an undesirable manner ). The air flow B ₀ carries with it volatile substances and aerosols of the fixing oil and discharges them from the printer. The air flow B _o is preferably strong enough to substantially prevent the fouling caused by the fixing oil from reaching the second interior area, ie penetrating into the modules via the flow openings already described. In some prior art printers, the fuser oil volatiles may spread or migrate through the printer, causing problems such as sticking of components.

The direction and preferably great strength of the air flow B ₀ has a further advantage in terms of dealing with the contamination by acrolein (also referred to as acrylaldehyde or allyl aldehyde), which is harmful, even at low concentrations to humans. Acrolein is a volatile substance that is released when heated by certain special papers, for example in the pre-treatment station or in the fuser. The direction and strength of stream B ₀ ensure efficient removal of acrolein from the printer. If necessary, the acrolein can be, for example, by means of a filter unit 161 as in Fig. 1A trained filter unit are filtered out of the air contained in the second inner region. As a component of the filter unit for removing acrolein, a commercially available 30 mm thick activated carbon filter (eg from Nicheas or Puritec) can be used.

A preferably strong air flow B ₀ also advantageously helps to prevent soiling such as gases or paper dust, for example from the transport belt upstream paper handling devices to adhere to the conveyor belt 610 or absorbed by the tape.

In an alternative embodiment of the in Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 600, below the lower portion 605, a first interior portion (not shown) may be provided defining, parallel to the lower portion 605 extending wall may be provided which (instead of the lower portion 605) serves as a boundary of the first inner region and as an additional function partially defines the third inner region.

In a further alternative embodiment of the embodiment 600, the air flow B ₀ in one of the in Fig. 6 shown direction opposite direction, ie in the direction of the arrow m instead of against this direction.

Fig. 7 FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of an air quality management device 700 of the present invention in an electrostatographic printing machine similar to the printer 600. The device 700 comprises four housings; a first housing 796 delimited by walls or boundaries 781, 782, 783 and 784 having a cooling unit 760 for air conditioning the air recirculated and recycled by the apparatus 760, a second housing 799 delimited by boundaries 773, 774, 775 and at least one partition 776 a plurality of electrostatographic imaging modules and the same number of auxiliary chambers associated with the imaging modules, a third housing 798 delimited by boundaries or walls 777, 778, 779 and the at least one separator 776, and a fourth housing 797 defined by boundaries or walls 784, 785, 786 and 787 wherein the boundary 784 is a common wall that separates and preferably isolates the first housing 796 and the fourth housing 797 from each other. The first housing 796 and the second housing 799 are part of the return portion of the air quality management apparatus as shown in FIG Fig. 1A is shown by way of example. The third housing 798 is part of the non-return portion as shown in FIG Fig. 1A is shown. The fourth housing 797 includes a fourth interior area, which will be described in more detail below. An air conditioning device 780 of the device 700 is partially in the first housing and partially in the second housing and is bounded by walls 781, 782, 783, 785, 786 and 787. The air conditioning device 780 includes a cooling unit 760.

The at least one partition member 776 includes a conveyor belt (not shown) that encloses a third interior area (not shown) and similar to the third interior area 660 in the inboard storage area Fig. 6 shown printer 600 enclosing conveyor belt 610 is formed. In addition, throughflow ports 745 and 746 (through the third interior area) allow for the exchange of airflows L and L 'passing between the housing 799 and the housing 798. The airflows L and L' passing through gaps near the edges of the (not shown) Conveyor belts, as already shown Fig. 6 has been described. The at least one separator 776 includes, in addition to the belt 610, any other suitable separator suitable for separating the housings 798 and 799 from each other, eg, a wall as already described with reference to the printer 600. This (not shown) further separating element complements the conveyor belt and preferably has no flow openings between the housings 798 and 799.

The cooling unit 760 is similar in function to that of FIG Fig. 2 It 260 air conditioned and circulates conditioned air through the imaging modules and additional chambers, preferably similar to those already described with reference to Fig. 2 described additional chambers are formed and each, as described, associated with the imaging modules. Therefore, therefore, similar to the in Fig. 2 200, air-cooled effluent air streams XX, YY and ZZ are moved from a main circulation device 750 through outflow openings (not shown) of the air chamber 751 by suitable conduits from housing 796 to housing 799, the air flows corresponding to those in FIG Fig. 2 shown air flows X, Y and Z correspond. The main circulation device 750 and the air chamber 750 are the same as those in FIG Fig. 2 shown devices 250 and 251, ie the outflowing air streams XX, YY and ZZ all have the same relative humidity and temperature when they leave the air chamber 751. The walls 773 and 783 are physically separated by an air gap 740, and the air streams XX, YY, ZZ are directed by means of flexible pipe joints across this air gap. The flexible pipe connections also provide some degree of mechanical isolation by: it suppresses the transmission of the vibrations generated by the components contained in the housings 796 and 799.

The current ZZ is passed to the additional chambers and used there, the additional chambers in Fig. 7 symbolically indicated by dashed line 794 (line 794 has no physical meaning). The connections to the individual additional chambers and the outflow openings of the additional chambers are not shown. The current ZZ can thus be passed successively through the additional chambers 794. The current ZZ is preferably divided so that the individual additional chambers 794 each have a partial flow is supplied. The air conducted through the auxiliary chambers 794 exits the auxiliary chambers 794 as a stream ZZ 'to be newly conditioned by a common exhaust port (not shown). Similar to the current Z 'in Fig. 2 the stream ZZ 'flows through suitable pipes back to an air chamber 762 and from there through a filter unit 761 to be air conditioned by the apparatus 760, the pipes preferably being made of a flexible material to achieve a degree of mechanical vibration isolation , In one embodiment of the air conditioning device 780, the air chamber 762 and the filter unit 761 are preferably similar to the air chamber 262 and the filter unit 261 of FIG Fig. 2 educated. Specifically, the filter unit 761 of this embodiment preferably has similar filters and a similar predetermined filter order as the filter unit 261, eg, a coarse particle filter, a fine particle filter, an ozone filter, and an amine filter, which filters are listed in the order in which they are filtered by the filter unit 761 flowing air flow ZZ 'happen. For example, according to another embodiment of the air conditioning device 780, the filter unit may preferably be formed similarly to the filter unit 361A as shown in FIG Fig. 3A and 3B and an internal filter unit (not shown) for filtering out ozone and amines, which is preferably similar to the one shown in FIG Fig. 3A and 3C illustrated unit 361B is formed. A differential pressure gradient in the filter unit 761 can, for example, be measured electronically in order to monitor the aging of the filters, in particular the particle filters, for timely replacement. If necessary, an associated (not shown) Differential pressure switch can be operated to change the air flow rate or to generate a warning signal.

Stream XX is a stream of conditioned air used to aerate the imaging modules of the printer, which are in Fig. 7 symbolically represented by the dotted line 795 (line 795 has no physical meaning). The current XX can be passed in succession to the individual modules. Stream XX is preferably split for separate delivery to the individual modules (not shown individually). In this way, the stream XX flows past all the primary imaging members, intermediate transfer members, transfer rollers, etc. included in the modules. The current XX also serves to ventilate subsystem stations of the modules such as charging stations, toner stations, cleaning stations, etc.

A partial stream P ₂ of stream XX is directed towards the environment of the toner stations and cleaning stations of the modules. The cleaning stations serve, for example, for cleaning the primary imaging elements, the intermediate transfer elements and all drums or bands which are located in the modules and which have to be cleaned by a cleaning device. The remaining part of the flow XX for ventilation of the modules is shown as air flow P ₁ . A stream P ₂ 'is sucked out of this environment and recycled for reprocessing. Alternatively, the stream P ₂ 'may also come from locations within the toner stations and the cleaning stations of the modules. The current P ₂ 'can be passed through an optional additional filter 771, which is similar to the filter 271 of the device 200 of Fig. 2 is formed, ie in the filter 771 is a combined filter for filtering out developer dust and the pollution generated by the cleaning stations. After passing through the filter 771, the flow P ₂ 'flows through an outflow port (not shown) as a recirculating stream WW whose characteristics are similar to the flow W of FIG Fig. 2 similar. The stream WW flows past an additional air movement device 770 arranged in a housing 772 and is led back from there via pipes to the air chamber 762, wherein the pipes preferably consist of a flexible material to ensure a degree of mechanical vibration isolation. The additional air movement device 770 is similar in function to the device 270 in FIG Fig. 2 ,

Certain streams of conditioned air can be used directly in each subsystem station. The current YY is thus used at the image recorders and certain charging stations of the imaging modules 795 of the printer. A section J of the stream YY serves to cool the image recorders (not shown in detail) in the modules. The stream J can be passed successively past the writers. Preferably, however, the current J is split, so that in each case a partial current is passed to the image writer. The remainder of the stream YY serves as the air flow K for venting certain charging devices in the second interior area, eg primary corona charging devices for charging photoconductive primary imaging elements of the modules. The current K can be passed successively past the individual charging devices or through them. Preferably, however, the current K is split, so that in each case a partial current is passed to each of the respective charging devices. After cooling the individual image writers and the ventilation of the charging devices, the air streams J 'and K' leaving these recorders and loaders are merged with the air stream P ₁ and recycled as a stream XX ', eg via a common outflow opening (not shown) from the housing 799 discharged. Similar to the current X 'in Fig. 2 For example, the airflow XX 'is directed back to the air chamber 762 via conduits preferably made of flexible material to ensure a degree of mechanical vibration isolation.

The housing 798 includes the previously described first interior area, which includes a paper cooling station 791 and a paper heat station 792 for pre-treating paper in a pretreatment station of the printer. In addition, the first interior includes a cooling station 790 forming part of a (in Fig. 7 not shown) fixing station. A stream B ₃ of ambient air flows into the inner region 798 via at least one inflow opening (not shown) which opens into the housing 798. The air flow B ₃ is filtered in a suitable manner, for example by means of a Einströmöffnungsfilters 763 similar to a conventional filter with high flow rate for a heating system of a residential building, and divided into a plurality of streams, for example in four streams E ₁ , E ₂ , E ₃ , E ₄ . A plurality of flow paths for directing the plurality of air streams connect the at least one inflow port to at least one exhaust port in the wall 779 and direct the plurality of air streams. Stream B ₃ is used to manage the air quality of the air flowing through the first interior area and present in that interior area, the management managing to dissipate the heat generated in the first interior area and removing any ozone, acrolein, contamination present in the enclosure 798. Amines or water vapor includes.

The stream E ₁ flows in a flow path through the cooling station 790 for cooling recording elements after fixing toner images on the recording elements by means of the fixing of the fixing station. This flow path includes an additional cooling fan 754, which, for example, is upstream of, or alternatively downstream of, the cooling station 790 and is part of the fuser station (not shown). The fan 754 may be adjustable in its performance. After passing through the cooling unit 790 downstream of the fixing unit, the air flow E ₁ flows out of the housing 798 as an air flow E ₁ 'through an outflow opening (not shown) in the wall 779. The airflow E ₂ flows in a flow path through the paper cooling station 791, wherein an additional pre-cooling fan 755 and an additional aftercooling fan 756 are located in the flow path. The paper cooling station is part of the pretreatment station and is used to cool the paper after the pretreatment at elevated temperature in the heater 792. The fans 755 and 756 may be adjustable in performance. After passing through the cooling station 791, the air stream E ₂ flows out of the housing 798 as an air flow E ₂ 'through an outflow opening (not shown) in the wall 779.

The stream E ₃ flows past the heater 792 in a flow path and is discharged from the housing 798 as an air flow E ₃ 'through an outflow opening (not shown) in the wall 779. An advantage of the device 700 is that harmful Vapors that may be generated by the paper heater may be drained through separate tubes, preventing these vapors from spreading inside the printer or from the printer into the room where the printer is located.

The air flow E ₄ flows in at least one flow path through frame sections 793 of the printer. The stream E ₄ generally serves to ventilate the frame portions of the first interior area forming internal spaces supported by frame members of the printer. After passing through the frame sections 793, the air flow E _{4 is} discharged from the housing 798 as an air flow E ₄ 'through an outflow opening (not shown).

The exhaust air streams E ₁ ', E ₂ ', E ₃ ', E ₄ ' can, as in Fig. 7 is shown to flow through separate outflow openings, but may alternatively be agitated and discharged as a merged stream from the housing 798. The air of the exhaust air streams E ₁ ', E ₂ ', E ₃ ', E ₄ ' flows through flexible connection lines (not shown) leading from the housing 798 to the housing 797. The flexible connecting leads allow for a degree of mechanical vibration isolation between the third and fourth housings (there is a physical gap between the walls 779 and 787).

According to an alternative embodiment of the air quality management apparatus 700 for a printer having a separate stand-alone pre-treatment unit, the paper cooling station 791 and the paper heating station 792 and the respective airflows E ₂ and E _{3 are} not included in the air quality management apparatus such that the fans 755 and 756 (and the lines for the currents E ₂ and E ₃ ) are eliminated.

The fourth housing 797 bounded by the walls 784, 785, 786 and 787 encloses a fourth interior area. The fourth interior is both the first interior and the second interior (and also the in Fig. 7 not shown third interior area) separately. Preferably, there is neither between the fourth inner region and the first inner region nor between the fourth inner region and the second (or third) indoor area an air exchange. Air streams E ₁ ', E ₂ ', E ₃ ', and E ₄ ' are directed through housing 797 by suitable conduits (not shown) to be directed to a disposal location outside the printer through a discharge conduit (not shown). The air streams E ₁ ', E ₂ ', E ₃ ', E ₄ ' do not mix with the air in the housing 797 and are discharged as part of an airflow B ₂ from the printer. The air flows E ₁ ', E ₂ ', E ₃ ', E ₄ ' are mainly moved by the suction force of a main air moving device 752 arranged in a housing 753 through the various flow paths 790, 791, 792 and 793 (in the devices 754, 755 and 756 are complementary air movement devices).

In addition to the suction force to draw the stream B ₃ into the housing 798, the main air moving device 752 generates a suction to _draw an ambient air flow B ₁ into the housing 797 from outside the printer. The ambient air flow B ₁ is drawn from outside the printer through an inlet (not shown) and directed past an inlet filter 764 and a condenser coil 720. Subsequently, the airflow B _{1 may be directed} through an optional air compressor 710 to compress the storm B ₁ into a compressed airstream G ", the air compressor being part of the fourth housing 797. The inlet filter 764 is a high flow filter similar to a commercial filter It filters particles entrained in the air from the airflow B ₁ flowing into the housing 797. The (compressed) airflow flows past thermally conductive fins 721 which are in thermal contact with the thermally conductive condenser coil 720 (Compressed) air stream absorbs heat from a coolant flowing through the condenser coil 720 which causes cooling of the refrigerant and a transition of the (compressed) air stream to a heated (expanded) air stream G "'. The heated and expanded air flow G "'is discharged from the fourth inner area through an outflow line (not shown) into the air chamber 753, with the air flow G"' being brought together with the air flow B ₂ . Although the air flowing through the fourth inner region does not directly affect the air quality in the image forming modules or devices such as the paper pretreatment device and the fixing device however, the fourth interior area is treated as an integral part of the air quality management device 700 in that the inflow rate of the ambient air B ₁ and the compressed air flow rate G "are controlled factors in determining the proper function of the condenser coil 720. The efficient and space The use of a single blower 752 for moving the air streams G "', E ₁ ', E ₂ ', E ₃ ' and E ₄ 'is a special feature of the device 700.

The air conditioning device 780 is preferably similar to that in FIG Fig. 3A device 300, which means that the device 780 has functionally similar elements, lines and materials as the device 300. Accordingly, the air conditioning device 780 preferably includes a closed loop for circulating a coolant, preferably a fluorocarbon coolant, through successive closed-loop devices, the coolant being circulated by a coolant circulation mechanism (not shown) as a coolant flow. The coolant circulation mechanism is part of the cooling unit 760. The sequential devices through which the coolant is circulated are: the condenser coil 720 (similar to the condenser coil 320), from which the coolant in a pipe system 789a in the direction of the arrow i flows _in through the wall 784 in the cooling unit 760 (not shown, the evaporator coil 330 similar) evaporator coil in which the refrigerant is evaporated from a liquid state to a coolant gas, a (similar to the compressor 355 formed not shown) of the Evaporator coil downstream compressor for compressing the refrigerant gas to a compressed refrigerant gas, and a downstream (not shown, the gate 340) the compressor downstream gate in which the refrigerant flow into a (not shown) main coolant flow and a (not shown) intermittent secondary coolant flow is divided wobe i the gate is activated by a solenoid valve (not shown) which allows intermittent circulation of intermittent secondary coolant flow through a heating coil (not shown). The evaporator coil, the compressor for compressing the refrigerant gas, the gate and the heating coil are all in the cooling unit 760. The condenser coil 720 is the gate and downstream of the heating coil. The main coolant stream and intermittent subcoolant stream are co-directed from unit 760 through wall 784 within pipe system 789b in the direction of arrow i _out back to condenser coil 720 where the coolant is again condensed to liquid state to again through unit 760 to be circulated.

They are e.g. five successively arranged electrostatographic imaging modules are provided, which are indicated symbolically by reference numeral 795.

The management of the air quality of the air present and circulating in the second interior area includes the dissipation of excess heat generated in the housing 799 by heat generating devices, eg, for operation of the modules 795, through the cooling unit 760 of the air conditioning device 780. The heat generated in the second interior area becomes the following heat generation values about 500 watts through the image writers, about 500 watts through other parts in the modules 795, about 1500 watts through the main air circulation device 750 and the additional air movement device 770, and about 1500 watts through the heat generating devices located in the auxiliary chambers 794. The heat generating devices in the return portion of the apparatus 700 include mechanical devices, power supply, motors, electrical elements, electrical circuit boards, etc. A specified total return rate of the air in the second interior region is about 0.56 m ³ / sec (1180 cubic feet per minute) and is in the Range between about 0.51 m ³ / sec (1080 cubic feet per minute) and 0.65 m ³ / sec (1380 cubic feet per minute).

The air quality management of the first interior air includes the dissipation of the excess heat generated in the housing 798. For example, the first indoor controlled heat generation values included in the five imaging modules 795 are about 1000 watts through the fuser cooling unit 790, about 300 watts through the auxiliary cooling fan 754, about 1000 watts through the paper cooling device 791, about 300 watts each through the additional pre-cooling fans 755 and 755 the additional aftercooler 756, about 2500 watts of the paper heater 792 and about 4000 watts from the at least one flow path through the frame sections 793.

The ambient airflow B ₁ flowing into the housing 797 is at least about 0.59 m ³ / sec (1250 cubic feet per minute), and the ambient airflow B ₃ entering the housing 798 is at least about 0.56 m ³ / sec (1180 cubic feet per minute) Minute). Accordingly, the exhaust air flow B _{2 is} at least about 1.15 m ³ / sec (2430 cubic feet per minute). The airflow B ₃ corresponds to a specified total flow rate through the first interior region, which is about 0.56 m ³ / sec + 0.094 m ³ / sec (1180 cubic feet per minute ± 200 cubic feet per minute).

The exhaust air stream B ₂ discharges a certain amount of the heat generated by a fixing element arranged in the fixing station of the printer for fixing toner images on receiving elements. The fuser station-related portion of the airflow through and in the first interior area also carries fugitive fixer oils generated by the fuser station away from the fuser station. The fixation station-related stream is preferably part of the frame stream E ₄ '. The fixing station is located in the first interior area at a location where the volatile fixing oils are removed in an advantageous manner, so that substantially no volatile fixing oils reach the modules. The volatile fixing oils can be derived, for example, from the air flow L 'flowing through from the first inner region to the second inner region. The fuser station is preferably arranged such that the fuser-station-related airflow passes in the vicinity of, but not through, the fuser station so as not to disadvantageously cool the fuser member.

Unexpectedly and surprisingly, it has been found that the device 700 performs best when the specified total air flow rate through the interior portion (controlled by the non-return portion) and the specified total return rate in the second interior portion (controlled by the return portion) are approximately equal. The specified total air flow rate and the specified Total return rates are preferably different from each other by less than about 5%.

When a printer employing device 700 is in standby or standby mode, i. if e.g. If no images are being generated or the printer is otherwise not being used, reduced standby values for both the specified total air flow rate and the specified total return rate may be specified to keep the temperature and relative humidity of the air streams XX, YY and ZZ constant at their setpoint to keep and thereby save operating energy of the printer.

In an alternative embodiment of the air quality management apparatus which is suitable for a printer in which paper of different grammage is used as receiving elements for different printing passes, the air flow rates can be suitably adjusted when printing recording elements of different grammages. In particular, the specified total air flow rate may be specified separately for each grammage of a pickup element and adjusted accordingly. Receiving elements of different grammages, eg light paper types and heavy paper types, generally require the discharge of different high temperatures from the first interior area. To compensate for the different high temperatures derived certain air currents in the first interior, eg in Fig. 7 shown housing 798, to improve their performance or to save energy. For example, the airflows may be adjusted to minimize the energy lost in the fuser of the printer, or to optimize the performance of the pretreatment station for different grammage receptacles.

Fig. 8 FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a preferred humidification device 800 as may be used in a humidification unit of the air conditioning apparatus in an air quality management device according to the present invention. Fig. 8A shows a side view of the moistening device. An airflow 805 is in front of an absorbent humidable pad 810, and an air stream 806 has passed through the moisturizing pad 810 and is behind it. A drip mechanism in the form of a tube 820 feeds filtered water to the device 800 and drips drops 815 of filtered water onto an upper portion of the wettable pad. The water drops 815 are absorbed by the overlay. Water evaporating from the moistened pad 810 humidifies the air stream 805, resulting in a humidified air stream 806. Excess water droplets 816 of the water flowing by gravity from a saturated support 810 drips into a catch basin 830. Fig. 8B shows a rear view of the support 810. The underside of the tube 820 has an array of holes 825 through which drops 815 fall. The holes 825 of the tube 820 are preferably 0.038 inch (0.0381 cm) in diameter and are spaced at a regular pitch of 5.08 cm (2 inches). Filtered water is supplied under pressure as needed, as indicated by arrow 835, with the tube 820 having a closure 821 at its end such that the water forcibly flows through the bores 825.

The support 810 has an open structure, so that the air flow 805 flows through the support with low flow resistance. The water supplied by the water stream 835 is typically ordinary deionized water from which particles have been filtered out in a water filter unit. A preferred water filter unit is the Ion Exchange Research II Grade model of International Water Technology Corporation with a low pressure filter operating at a regulated water pressure of about 207 kPa (30 psi).

As already eg with reference to Fig. 3A As described, a humidifying unit is activated or deactivated as needed to control the relative humidity of the air leaving the air conditioning device in the return section of the air quality management device. In the Fig. 8A and 8B The moistening device 800 shown is activated by the opening of a valve (not shown) that allows the flow 835 of water and thus the generation of the droplets 815. Such as in connection with in Fig. 3A shown Air conditioning device 300 already described, the valve is after opening an activation signal to a valve control mechanism by a (not shown, for example, similar to the controller for the relative humidity 370 formed) control for the relative humidity by means of the (not shown) valve control mechanism intermittently opened. Accordingly, the device 800 is deactivated by closing the valve after sending a deactivation signal from the relative humidity control to the valve control mechanism, thereby stopping the generation of the drops 815. The valve control mechanism is preferably an electrically operated solenoid. In an alternative embodiment, the valve is infinitely adjustable by means of the control signals sent by the controller for the relative humidity to the valve control mechanism. By negative feedback and an error signal, the dripping rate of the drops 815 is continuously adjusted to provide the stream 806 with a variable amount of moisture.

During active humidification by the device 800, up to 85% of the humidifying water in the sump may be collected and profitably recycled and reprocessed. In an alternative embodiment, drops 816 are collected by a collection mechanism and the water thus collected is passed back to tube 820 through a suitable pipe system (not shown) with valves (not shown) to be reused for humidification. This is done e.g. by means of a (not shown) back pumping mechanism. If required, the collected water may be passed through an optional additional filter (not shown) for re-filtration.

Fig. 9 FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a preferred humidification system 900 for supplying humidification water to a humidification unit of an air conditioning apparatus in an air quality management apparatus according to the present invention. Through a fitting in a wall 915, a main water flow flows through a water pipe 920 into an air conditioning device 970. The air conditioning device 970, a rolling unit with walls standing on a floor 935, contains certain humidifying elements. The water flowing through the conduit 920 flows through a water filter 910 and on to a humidifier 950. Excess water in the humidifier 950 drips into a sump 930 and is pumped by a pump 960 into a water drain 925. The moistening device 950 preferably comprises a moistening unit which, except for the reservoir 830, is similar to the one in FIG Fig. 8 illustrated device 800 is formed. The flow of water through a valve 980 is controlled by signals from a relative humidity control (not shown) to a valve control mechanism (not shown) to control humidification by the humidification device as already described Fig. 8 to control the way described. This in Fig. 9 Alternatively, valve 980 shown in front of the water filter 910 may be disposed in the conduit system 945 between the filter 910 and the humidification unit 950. That of a moisturizing pad (ie one like the in Fig. 8 Water dripping in humidifying unit 950 drips into collecting basin 930. Water condensate may also drip from the evaporator coil of air conditioning device 970 and be collected in collecting basin 930 (such as those shown in Figs Fig. 3A shown evaporator coil 330 formed evaporator coil in Fig. 8 not shown).

The apparatus 900 comprises a catch basin 940 for catching water in case of water circulation malfunction, e.g. clogging of water drain 925 or drain of pool basin 930 or malfunction of pump 960. Such malfunction would result in malfunction of the humidification control of air conditioner 970 and possibly flooding if catch basin 940 overflows. In a preferred embodiment, at least one water level sensor 990 is provided in the sump 940, which sends a signal to the valve control mechanism to close the valve 980 when the sensor 990 reaches the water. This signal also places the air conditioning device 970 in a "cooling without humidification" mode of operation.

In this mode, "Cooling without Humidification", coolant is sporadically leaked from a (in Fig. 9 not shown) coolant circulation mechanism by the (not shown) evaporator coil moves, ie with reduced relative duty cycle. It takes place Preferably, less than about 10% of the time a coolant flow, ie, the duty cycle is preferably less than about 10%. In particular, a duty cycle of less than 5% is preferred. In comparison, the relative duty cycle of in Fig. 3A The air conditioning device 300 shown is preferably 100%. Even with a reduced duty cycle, the temperature of the conditioned air, that is, the air leaving the device 970 for recirculation, can be kept at a temperature close to the target temperature, as a rule. This is due to the fact that the cooling by the evaporator coil has a very low cooling requirement as compared to the typical dehumidification of the humid air flowing into the device 970 for air conditioning and recirculation. In cooling without humidification mode, after passing the evaporator coil, the coolant will be drained from a (in Fig. 3A not shown) valve, such as a three-way valve, in a (not shown) branch line and directly deflected back to the evaporator coil. In the air conditioning device 970, which usually has similar elements and components as those in Fig. 3A Having shown device 300, the branch line bypasses the pressure regulator and the compressor (eg, the in Fig. 3A shown pressure regulator 335 and compressor 340). In experimental tests with the apparatus 900, it has been found that useful color prints can be made in a printer whose air conditioning apparatus 970 operates in the "no humidification" mode of operation. Useful electrophotographic prints on paper can be made when the temperature and relative humidity of the printer's ambient air are approximately equal to those normally experienced within a building, eg, about 21 ° C (70 ° F) and 50% relative humidity. Under these circumstances, a target temperature of about 21 ° C was maintained without controlling the relative humidity.

The present invention has the following advantages compared to the prior art.

One advantage is that substantially all the excess heat generated by the printer is not radiated or emitted to the room in which the printer is located but is derived in the form of an outside of the machine, eg in a heating, ventilation or air conditioning (HVAC system) to be disposed exhaust air flow from the device according to the invention for controlling the air quality. In this way, the operation of the device for air quality management advantageously does not rely on heat exchange with the ambient air, as is the case in eg US 5,056,331 the case is.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the first interior area has high flow rates. These high flow rates essentially prevent volatile fixing oils from reaching sensitive components of the machine, eg, the imaging modules, the elements in the modules, and the elements in the additional chambers associated with the modules. In the US 5,481,339 The main fan moves airflow at a relatively low flow rate of about 0.034 m ³ / sec (about 71 cubic feet per minute) and circulates it through ten imaging modules of a duplex printer for continuous sheet printing. In contrast, the recirculating section and the return section of the air quality management apparatus 700 of the present invention move 33 times as much air.

In addition, at the US 5,481,339 the determination of the relative humidity and the temperature of the air circulated through an air-conditioning device by means of the air-conditioning device upstream sensors. In the present invention, the sensors for determining the relative humidity and temperature are advantageously downstream of the air conditioning, ie they are located in the vicinity of the outflow openings in Fig. 3A . 4 5, 400, and 500. Since both the temperature and the relative humidity of the air flowing into an air conditioning device may considerably and unpredictably change after passing through the air conditioning device, the present subordinate position of the temperature control and humidification device is FIG Sensors for determining the relative humidity and temperature preference. It leads to a more stable control of Temperature and relative humidity of the air leaving the air conditioning device as the device of US 5,481,339 ,

As a further advantage of the present invention, the modules and associated additional chambers of the printer are each supplied with conditioned air, so that the temperature in each module and each additional chamber can be maintained at a similar setpoint temperature. In addition, the strong air flow through the first interior in the first interior maintains a relatively uniform temperature. The frame of the printer, which is usually made of metal, is therefore exposed to only low heat-related loads. In the case of locally different heat generation rates of the various heat generating devices of the printer or a thermal gradient in the ambient air surrounding the printer, the stresses would be e.g. otherwise much larger. Therefore, only minimal bending or twisting of the frame occurs, which is important for maintaining the high demands on the mechanical tolerances necessary for the correct operation of the modules.

In the above description of the invention, at least one air moving device for moving a specified total flow rate through the first inner region through a plurality of passages and at least one air returning device for returning a specified total return rate of the air through a plurality of return paths in the second inner region are disclosed. However, both the specified total flow rate of the first interior area and the specified total return rate may be changed from time to time as needed, e.g. may be necessary during operation of the printer or between printing runs. In addition, a device (not shown) for varying the proportional amounts of air flowing through certain flow passages or through certain return agitation paths, e.g. be provided in real time.

An improvement by the present invention compared to that in the US 5,819,137 described device is that a muffling maze to Suppressing caused by high flow rates noise pollution is not required.

The invention has been described in detail herein with reference to certain preferred embodiments. However, it will be understood that variations and changes can be made within the scope of the present claims.

List of reference numbers

100, 100 '

Device for air quality management

120, 120 '

Return section

130, 130 '

recycling area

131, 131 '

partition wall

132, 132 '

wall

133, 133 '

wall

135, 135 '

separating element

140, 140 '

unencumbered section

145, 145 '

flow-through

146, 146 '

flow-through

150, 150 '

first interior

151, 151 '

wall

152, 152 '

wall

153, 153

wall

157, 157 '

Filter the inflow opening

158, 158 '

optional amine filter

160, 160 '

climatization

161, 161 '

filter unit

163a

inlet line

163b

derivation

163c

line section

163d

line section

163e

line section

164

Particle filter for coarse particles

165

Particle filter for fine particles

166

ozone filters

167

Amin filter

168a

distance

168b

distance

168c

distance

200

Return section

201

Einströmverteiler

202

Einströmverteiler

203

Ausströmverteiler

204

Ausströmverteiler

205

Einströmverteiler

206

Ausströmverteiler

220

Area

230

Auxiliary chamber A1

240

parting line

241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246

boundary line

250

Main circulation device

251

casing

260

climatization

261

Einströmfiltereinheit

262

air chamber

270

additional air movement device

271

additional filters

272

air chamber

300

climatization

310

air compressor

315

cooling fins

320

condensing coil

325

expansion valve

330

evaporator coil

333

cooling fins

335

pressure regulator

340

compressor

345

heating ribs

350

heating coil

355

magnetic valve

358a

inflow

358c

line system

359a

inflow

359b

outflow

359C

line system

360

Limitation of the operating section of the air conditioning device

361A

filter unit

361B

filter unit

362

air chamber

363

mixing chamber

364

air chamber

365

Main circulation device

366

Pre-Filter

366a

airspace

367

fine particle filter

368

ozone filters

368a

airspace

369

Amin filter

370

Control of relative humidity

371

Relative humidity sensor

380

air humidification unit

390

temperature control

391

temperature sensor

392

air chamber

400

climatization

460

Clipping line of the air conditioning device

465

Clipping line of the air conditioning device

470

Control of relative humidity

471a, 471b, ..., 471n

Relative humidity sensor

480a, 480b, ... 480n

air humidification unit

490

temperature control

491a, 490b, ..., 491n

temperature sensor

500

climatization

540a, 540b, ..., 540n

temperature adjustment

560

boundary line

565

boundary line

570

Control of relative humidity

571a, 571b, ..., 571n

Relative humidity sensor

590

temperature control

591a, 591b, ... 591n

temperature sensor

592

additional temperature sensor

600

Device for air quality management

605

lower section

610

conveyor belt

615

upper section

620

drum

630

drum

635

interior

640

separation

645

receiving element

655

receiving element

660

third interior area

700

Device for air quality management

710

air compressor

720

condensing coil

721

cooling fins

740

air gap

745, 746

flow openings

750

Main circulation device

751

air chamber

752

Air moving device

753

casing

754

cooling fan

755

Vorkühlventilator

756

Nachkühlventilator

760

cooling unit

761

filter unit

762

air chamber

763

Einströmöffnungsfilters

764

Einströmöffnungsfilters

770

Air moving device

771

additional filters

772

casing

773-775

limit

776

separating element

777-779

limit

780

climatization

781-787

limit

789a, 789b

pipe system

790

Postfüserkühlstation

791

Paper cooling station

792

Papierheizstation

793

frame sections

794

additional chamber

795

module

796

first housing

797

fourth housing

798

third case

799

second housing

800

humidifying

805

airflow

806

humidified airflow

810

moisturizing pad

815

Waterdrop

816

excess water drops

820

pipe

821

shutter

825

drilling

830

catch basin

835

water inflow

900

humidification

910

water filters

915

wall

920

feed

925

water drainage

930

melting pot

935

ground

940

Based reservoir

945

line system

950

humidifying

960

pump

970

climatization

980

Valve

990

Water level sensor

A / C

climatization

A1-A5

additional chamber

a ₁

air flow direction

a ₂

Recycle stream

a ₃

Influx of ambient air

a ₄

exhaust air flow

a ₅

airflow

a ₆

airflow

a ₇

airflow

a ₈

airflow

B ₀

flow direction

B ₁

Ambient air flow

B ₂

exhaust air flow

B ₃

airflow

c ₁ , c ₂ , ..., c _n

control signal

D

recirculating airflow

D '

filtered airflow

d ₁

temperature signal

d ₂

turn-on

E ₁ , E ₂ , E ₃ , E ₄

airflow

E ₁ ', E ₂ ', E ₃ ', E ₄ '

airflow

e

Connection signal of the temperature control

F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃

Coolant flow

G

influx

G'

airflow

G"

compressed electricity

G"'

heated airflow

H

inflow

H'

outflow

H ₁ , H ₂ , H ₃ , H ₄

wall

H"

inflow

H"'

outflow

i _in

inflow

i _out

outflow

J

partial flow

J '

airflow

j ₁ , j ₂ , ..., j _N

Ventilation flow rate of the image writer

K

partial flow

K '

airflow

k ₁ , k ₂ , ..., k _N

Ventilation flow rate of the loader

L, L '

flowing airflow

M1-M5

Imaging module

M1'-M5 '

Imaging module

m

movement direction

P ₁

partial flow

P ₂

partial flow

P ₂ '

exhaust air flow

p ₁ , p ₂ , p ₃ , p ₄ , p ₅

exhaust air flow

Q

magnetic valve

q ₁ , q ₂ , q ₃ , q ₄ , q ₅

exhaust air flow

R ₀ -R ₆

receiving element

r _1, r _2, ..., r _N

signal

r ₁ ', r ₂ ', ..., r _N '

signal

RHU ₁ , RHU ₂ , ..., RHU _N

air humidification unit

RHU ₁ ', RHU _2', ..., RHU _N '

air humidification unit

S _1, S _2, ..., S _N

outflowing partial flow

T

airflow

T ', T ", T"'

merged airflow

T ₀

airflow

T ₁ , T ₂ , ..., T _N

partial flow

T ₁ ', T ₂ ', ..., T _N '

partial flow

T ₁ ", T ₂ ", ..., T _N "

partial flow

t ₁ , t ₂ , ..., t _N

temperature signal

t ₁ ', t ₂ ', ..., t _N '

temperature signal

TAM ₁ , TAM ₂ , ..., TAM _N

temperature adjustment

U ₁ , U ₂ , ..., U _N

outflowing partial flow

u ₁ , u ₂ , ..., u _N

turn-on

V ₁ , V ₂

airflow

W

airflow

WW

airflow

X, Y, Z

airflow

X ", Y", Z "

conditioned air streams

X "', Y"', Z "'

reprocessed air streams

XX, YY, ZZ

outflowing air streams

x ₁ , x ₂ , x ₃ , x ₄ , x ₅

ventilation power

X '

airflow

XX '

merged stream

y ₁ , y ₂ , y ₃ , y ₄ , y ₅

Subsystem ventilation power

z ₁ , z ₂ , z ₃ , z ₄ , z ₅

Additional chamber airflow

z ₆ , z ₇ , z ₈ , z ₉ , z ₁₀

exhaust air flow

Z '

airflow

ZZ '

outflowing airflow

Claims (10)

1. Apparatus (100) for air quality management, for use in an electrostatographic printer (600) for making color images on receiver members (R₀-R₆, 645, 655), said printer having a first interior section including a fusing station for fusing said color images on said receiver members (R₀-R₆, 645, 655) and a second interior section, which is separated from the first interior section (150) by means of at least one separating member and which includes at least one electrostatographic image-forming module and charging devices, image writers, toning stations and cleaning stations operating in conjunction with said at least one electrostatographic image-forming module,
   said air quality management apparatus including:

   an open-loop portion (140) for managing of the air quality of air flowing through and included in said first interior section (150), which first interior section (150) comprises at least one inlet port, at least one outlet port, a plurality of throughput pathways connecting said at least one inlet port with said at least one outlet port, and at least one air moving device for drawing ambient air from outside of said printer through said at least one inlet port to said first interior section (150) and for moving said air included in said first interior section (150) towards and through said at least one outlet port for expulsion as exhaust air, wherein said at least one air moving device provides a specified total airflow rate between said at least one inlet port and said at least one outlet port;

   a recirculation portion (120, 200) for managing the air quality of air included in and circulating within said second interior section (130), said recirculation portion (120, 200) comprising an air-conditioning device (160, 260, 300, 360, 400, 500, 780, 970, A/C) having an entrance and at least one exit, which air-conditioning device provides conditioning of said air included in said second interior section (130) and thereby dissipating excess heat generated in the second interior section (130), wherein each exit provides a portion of a respective airflow forming at least one exiting airflow, and wherein said recirculation portion (120, 200) of said apparatus (100) for air quality management further includes at least one recirculation device, which moves the air included in said second interior section (130) at a specified total rate of recirculation through said air-conditioning device, such that air-conditioned air leaving said at least one exit of said air-conditioning device is urged by said at least one air recirculation device through a plurality of recirculation pathways provided in said second interior section (130), which recirculation pathways are conjoined into a common duct for carrying air to be recycled to a filtering unit located within said common duct for removing contaminants from said air to be recycled in said air-conditioning device;

   wherein with the exception of said at least one inlet port to said first interior section (150) and said at least one outlet port from said first interior section (150), said first interior section (150) and said second interior section (130) are substantially sealed from ambient air outside of said printer;

   wherein said exhaust air dissipates excess heat and carries away contamination of the air, which are both generated within said first interior section (150) from said first interior section (150);

   wherein said recirculation portion of said apparatus for air quality management includes at least one mechanism for removing contaminants from said air included within said second interior section (130) during said recycling;

   wherein said conditioning and recycling by said air-conditioning device includes a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of said at least one airflow exiting said air-conditioning device within a predetermined temperature range; and

   wherein said conditioning and recycling by said air-conditioning device includes a humidity control unit for controlling the relative humidity of said at least one airflow exiting said air-conditioning device within a predetermined range of the relative humidity.
2. Apparatus (100) for air quality management according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   said at least one separating member defines at least one flow pathway between said first interior section (150) and said second interior section (130), said at least one flow pathway being associated with a flow rate of air from said first interior section (150) to said second interior section (130) a substantially equal flow rate of air from said second interior section (130) to said first interior section (150), which flow rate from said second interior section (130) to said first interior volume is a predetermined fraction of said specified total rate of recirculation within said recirculation portion of said apparatus for air quality management.
3. Apparatus for air quality management according to claim 2, characterized in that
   said predetermined fraction is less than about 0.33.
4. Apparatus for air quality management according to one of claims 2 or 3,
   characterized in that
   said at least one separating member includes a transport belt for transporting said receiver members (R₀-R₆, 645, 655) past said number of electrostatographic image-forming modules arranged in series.
5. Apparatus for air quality management according to claim 4, characterized in that
   said transport belt has a form of a tube encircling a third interior section, said third interior section communicating with said at least one flow pathway thereby resulting in a formation of an air mixture in said third interior section, said air mixture having characteristics intermediate the characteristics of said air included in said first interior section (150) and the characteristics of said air included in said second interior section (130), said characteristics including temperature and relative humidity.
6. Apparatus for air quality management according to one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the contamination of the air carried out from said first interior section (150) by said expelled exhaust air includes at least one contaminant of the following group of contaminants: amines, acrolein, ozone, fuser oil vapor, water vapor, and particulates.
7. Apparatus for air quality management according to one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that
   a device is provided for the purpose of conducting a refreshing flow of filtered air at a specified inflow rate from outside said printer into said second interior section (130) through at least one inlet duct, wherein a compensating airflow rate of approximately equal magnitude to said specified inflow rate is leaving said second interior section (130) to at least one location outside said second interior section (130).
8. Apparatus for air quality management according to claim7, characterized in that
   said specified inflow rate divided by said total recirculation rate is less than 0.2.
9. Apparatus for air quality management according to one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that
   in close proximity to each inlet port there is provided
   an amino filter for filtering amine contaminants from said ambient air flowing into said first interior section (150) through said at least one inlet port, and/or a particulate filter for filtering particulate contaminants from said ambient air flowing into said first interior section (150) through said at least one inlet port.
10. Apparatus for air quality management according to one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that
    said recirculation portion includes
    a device for removing ozone from said air included in said second interior section (130), and/or
    a portion of the coarse particle filters forming the filter unit for removing coarse particles from said air included in said second interior section (130), and/or
    a portion of the fine particle filters forming the filter unit for removing fine particles from said air included in said second interior section (130).

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