JP2001236000A - Exhaust heat rack, and image forming device equipped with this rack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the discharge of heat of a supported device. SOLUTION: An exhaust heat rack 203 is equipped with an upper tray 4 for supporting a first device 1, a lower tray 6 having element 14 inside for supporting a second device 2 having discharge ports 2a and 2b for discharging air heated by the heating element to the outside, and struts 225 and 226 for connecting and supporting the upper tray and the lower tray. The struts are formed in the shape of pipe, and have inlets 225a, 225b, 226a and 226b into which heated discharged air can flow from the discharge ports, and outlets 225c and 226c located more upwards than the inlets, and thus act as exhaust ducts.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat-dissipating rack for discharging heat from a supported apparatus, and an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet by independently disposing image reading means and image forming means on the heat-dissipating rack. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a discharge sheet stacking unit is disposed between an image reading unit and an image forming unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 9 to 14 show a digital copier (hereinafter simply referred to as "copier") 100 which is an example of a conventional image forming apparatus. The copier 100 includes a reader 1 that reads image information of a document and generates a digital signal, a printer 2 that forms a document image on a sheet based on the digital signal from the reader 1, and a rack that supports the reader 1 and the printer 2. 3 and so on. In the printer 2,
In order to fix the toner image on the sheet, a fixing unit 14 for nipping and conveying the sheet while applying pressure and heat to the sheet is provided. The rack 3 serves as a main body of the copying machine.

[0003] The arrangement relationship of the reader 1, the print 2, and the rack 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, the rack 3 is formed by connecting the reader mounting table 4 and the rack bottom plate 6 to the right support 25 and the left support 26 with an interval in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the reader 1 is mounted on the reader mounting table 4 and the printer 2 is mounted on the rack bottom plate 6 at a predetermined position by a positioning member (not shown). As shown in FIG. 10, a paper discharge tray 7 is formed in a part of the top cover 21 on the upper surface of the printer 2. The sheet on which the image is formed is discharged from the printer 2 to the discharge tray 7. Reader 1
The reason why the sheet on which the image is formed is discharged between the printer 2 and the printer 2 is to reduce the installation area of the copier 100. Further, since the sheet feeding unit 15 employs a front loading system in which a sheet cassette is inserted from the front of the copying machine (right side in FIG. 11), sheets can be supplied from the front of the copying machine 100. It has become.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, the exhaust ports 2a, 2b, and 2c of the printer 2 are connected to the right side surface 2 of the printer 2.
a, the left side surface 2e, and the rear side surface 2f. Right side 2d, left side 2e, and rear side 2f of printer 2
Are located on the right part 3a, the left part 3b, and the rear part 3c of the rack 3, respectively.

[0005]

However, in the conventional copier 100, since the area occupied by the copier 100 is reduced, the copier 100 is installed close to the wall W in a narrow place as shown in FIGS. Often used. In such a case, the right part 3a, the left part 3b, and the rear part 3c of the rack 3 approach the wall W, and the right exhaust port 2 of the printer 2
a, the left outlet 2b, and the rear outlet 2c may be in a state where the wall W is closed. On the other hand, a fixing unit 14 that generates heat is provided in the printer 2. For this reason, the air in the printer 2 is supplied to the right exhaust port 2a and the left exhaust port 2a.
b and the rear discharge port 2c, so that it is difficult to flow out of the printer 2 and stays inside the printer 2, is heated by the fixing unit 14, and raises the temperature inside the printer 2. Further, it has been a cause of failure of the electric system of the copying machine 100 and a cause of occurrence of malfunction or the like.

Further, a sheet discharge port 2g for discharging a sheet on which an image is formed is formed in an upper portion of the printer 2. The sheet discharge port 2g has a reader mounting table 4
Covered with. On the other hand, when the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port 2g passes through the fixing unit 14, the sheet is heated by being pressurized and heated by the fixing unit 14. For this reason, when the sheets are continuously discharged, the heat of the sheets stacked on the discharge tray 7 is trapped in the space A between the printer 2 and the reader mounting table 4, and the exhaust heat discharge efficiency from the printer 2 is reduced. Gets worse. In such a case, the heated air in the printer 2 becomes more confined in the printer 2 and further raises the temperature in the printer 2.

Further, when the copying machine 100 is installed close to the wall W, the heated air in the printer 2 passes between the printer 2 and the wall W and wraps around the reader 1, and the reader 1 The temperature was also increasing.

As described above, the reader is placed on the upper stage of the rack 3,
In a copying machine having a structure in which the printer 2 is supported on the lower stage, the efficiency of discharging air heated by the fixing unit 14 is poor depending on the use condition, and the heated air may cause an electrical system failure or malfunction. Or the service life was shortened.

(Object) The present invention provides a heat-dissipating rack having a function of discharging heat from a supported apparatus, and an image forming means supported by the rack to improve the discharge of air from the image forming means. Even if it is installed close to the wall,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which heat is not stored in an image forming unit.

[0010]

An object of the present invention is to provide an upper shelf supporting a first device, a heating element inside, and an exhaust port for discharging air heated by the heating element to the outside. A lower shelf supporting the second device, and a column connecting and supporting the upper shelf and the lower shelf;
Wherein the support has an inlet formed in a pipe shape, into which the heated air discharged from the outlet can flow, and an outlet positioned above the inlet. The problem is solved by the exhaust heat rack acting as a duct.

The outlet of the heat-dissipating rack is formed at the upper end of the support.

[0012] The upper end of the support column of the heat-dissipating rack protrudes upward from the first device.

An exhaust fan is provided in the support between the inlet and the outlet of the heat exhaust rack.

The exhaust fan of the exhaust heat rack is provided near the outlet.

According to the present invention, there is provided a heat exhaust rack according to any one of the above, image reading means for reading an image of a document, and a toner image formed on a sheet based on image information read by the image reading means. And an image forming unit for fixing the toner image to the sheet by heating a fixing unit, wherein the first device is the image reading device, and the support supports heat of the fixing unit and the discharge sheet. The problem is solved by an image forming apparatus that discharges heat of the sheets stacked on a stacking unit.

A discharge sheet stacking section for stacking sheets discharged from the image forming means is arranged between the upper shelf plate of the image forming apparatus and the image forming means. The heat of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit is discharged.

(Operation) By the heating element in the second device,
The heated air flows out of the exhaust port. An inlet guides the heated air into the column. The heated air is light and easy to rise. The struts use this to guide the heated air ascending to the outlet. In this way, the strut serves as an exhaust duct, and sequentially discharges the air flowing out of the second device to the upper part of the heat exhaust rack.

The column supports the first and second devices. For this reason, when using the height of the column effectively, the first
Is provided at the upper end of the column. Therefore, when the outlet is formed at the upper end of the support, even when the height of the support is used to a maximum extent, the support allows the heated air from the second device to move above the rack or to the first device. To prevent air from flowing out of the second device without blocking between the first device and the second device.

Furthermore, if the upper end of the column protrudes above the first device and the outlet is formed at the upper end,
The struts ensure that the heated air from the second device is guided over the first device and does not become trapped between the first device and the second device.

Further, when an exhaust fan is provided in the support between the inlet and the outlet, the exhaust fan forcibly sucks the heated air from the second device through the inlet.
Raise the inside of the column and let it flow out of the outlet.

Further, when the exhaust fan is provided near the outlet, the exhaust fan removes the air heated in the second device.
Forcibly ascend to the outlet and flow out of the outlet.

In the case of an image forming apparatus in which the image reading device is supported on the upper shelf of the heat-dissipating rack and the image forming means is supported on the lower shelf, the columns are heated by a fixing unit in the image forming device. To guide the air discharged from the image forming means,
Drain from outlet.

When a discharge sheet stacking section for stacking sheets discharged from the image forming means is arranged between the upper shelf plate and the image forming means, the support is heated by the fixing section of the image forming means and discharged. The heat of a plurality of sheets continuously discharged and stacked on the sheet stacking section is guided to the upper part of the exhaust rack.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a digital copier (hereinafter simply referred to as "copier") which is an example of an image forming apparatus having a rack (heat exhaust rack) 203 of the first embodiment. 200). FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire copying machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view. FIG. 3 is FIG.
FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rack 203. 9 to 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Explanation of Copying Machine) The copying machine 200 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a reader (image reading unit) 1 that reads image information of a document and generates a digital signal, and a printer (image forming unit) 2 that forms an image of the document on a sheet based on the digital signal from the reader 1 , And a rack 203 supporting the reader 1 and the printer 2. The rack 203 serves as a main body of the copying machine.

Reader 1, Print 2, and Rack 203
Will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the rack 3 is formed by connecting a reader mounting table 4 and a rack bottom plate 6 to a right and left rectangular column 225 and a left column 226 with an interval in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the reader 1 is mounted on the reader mounting table 4 and the printer 2 is mounted on the rack bottom plate 6 at a predetermined position by a positioning member (not shown).

(Explanation of Internal Structure of Reader 1) In FIG. 2, the reader 1 has a platen cover 10 which presses and holds the original set on the original table 5 above the reader 1 on the original table 5.
And an image operating mechanism 9 for scanning the image of the original, and a controller 11 for processing the image information of the original with a digital signal. The controller 11 processes the image information of the original with the digital signal and transmits it to the printer 2. It has become. The image scanning mechanism 9 has a first mirror base 28 and a second mirror base 29. Each of the mirror tables 28 and 29 reads the image of the document while moving to the right in the figure.
When the reading of the document is completed, the document returns to the home position at the left end in FIG.

(Description of Internal Structure of Printer 2) In FIG. 2, the printer 2 receives a digital signal input from the reader 1 and irradiates a laser beam to the photosensitive member 23 to write an image (laser). Scanner) 12
Forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 23 by writing the image, forming a toner image on the photoreceptor 23, and transferring the toner image to the sheet S; A fixing unit 14 that applies pressure and heat to the sheet while nipping and conveying the sheet, and fixes a toner image on the sheet; and a sheet feeding unit 15 that is disposed below the printer 2 and supplies the sheet. I have.

(Explanation of an operation for forming an image on a sheet) The sheet feeding unit 15 discharges a sheet from the sheet feeding unit 15 and guides a sheet on a sheet conveying path 16 provided on a side of the printer 2 to form an image. To the unit 13. Image forming unit 13
Transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 23 to the supplied sheet, and sends the sheet to the fixing unit 14. The fixing unit 14 fixes the toner image on the sheet, and
Send to The reversing path 17 discharges the sheet from the sheet discharge port 2g to the discharge tray 7 provided on the upper surface of the printer 2.

(Description of How to Perform Jam Clearing and Maintenance in Printer 2) Image Forming Unit 1 in Printer 2
3 and the paper feed unit 15 perform jam processing and maintenance on a front door 2 that is provided on the front of the printer 2 and that can be opened and closed.
This can be done by opening 0. The jam clearance in the sheet conveying path 16 and the reversing path 17 can be performed by opening the right door 18 and the left door 19 which can be opened and closed on both sides of the printer 2. The maintenance of the laser scanner 12 can be performed by removing the top cover 21 detachably provided on the upper surface of the printer 2.

(Explanation of the structure of the rack 203) The rack bottom plate 6 is provided with four casters 22 for moving the rack 203. Adjuster for caster 22 (not shown)
Is locked, the copying machine 200 can be stopped at a predetermined position. The right support 225 and the left support 226 of the rack 203 are square pipes, and not only support the reader 1 but also serve as an exhaust duct.

The inner surface of the right support 225 and the left support 226 (opposite surfaces of the support) has an intake port (inlet) 225a,
225b, 226a and 226b are formed, exhaust ports (outlets) 225c and 226c are formed at the upper end, and fans 30 and 3 are provided near the exhaust ports 225c and 226c.
1 is provided. The fans 30 and 31 are
5a, 225b, 226a, 226b to the exhaust port 225
c, 226c to create a flow of air.
In addition, the cutout at the time of cutting a square pipe may be used for the exhaust ports 225c and 226c.

The air heated by the fixing unit 14 and discharged from the exhaust ports 2a, 2b, 2c of the printer 2 and the fixing unit 1
4 is heated by the sheets discharged to the sheet discharge tray 7 and drawn into the flow of air generated by the fans 30 and 31, and is taken into the intake ports 225 a, 225 b, and 22.
6a and 226b are sucked into the right support 225 and the left support 226, and are exhausted from the exhaust ports 225c and 226c.
It is exhaled above 0.

The warm air stagnated between the side of the printer and the wall is sucked into the right support 225 and the left support 226 serving as an exhaust duct, and the space between the reader 1 and the printer 2 is also provided. The air stagnant in A is sucked by the right support 225 and the left support 226 in the same manner, and is discharged above the copier 200. As a result, the temperature inside the printer 2 is prevented from rising, and the cause of the failure of the electric system of the copying machine 200 and the cause of the occurrence of the malfunction can be eliminated.

[Second Embodiment] FIGS. 5 to 8 show a copying machine 300 as an example of an image forming apparatus having a rack (heat-dissipating rack) 303 according to a second embodiment. This copying machine is also a digital copying machine like the copying machine of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the entire copying machine. FIG. 6 is a schematic front sectional view. FIG. 7 is a left side view of FIG. FIG. 8 shows the rack 3
03 is a perspective view of FIG.

In the copying machine 200 of the first embodiment and the copying machine 300 of the second embodiment, the upper ends of the right support 225 and the left support 226 of the copy machine 200 of the first embodiment are limited only to the upper surface of the reader mounting table 4. While not extending, the structure is different in that the upper ends of the right support 325 and the left support 326 of the copying machine 300 of the second embodiment extend to the upper part of the reader 1. Therefore, the different parts will be described, and the other parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the copying machine 200 of the first embodiment, and the description of those parts will be omitted. The rack 303 shown in FIG. 8 also functions as the main body of the copying machine.

The right column 325 and the left column 326 of the rack 303 are also square pipes, and not only support the reader 1 but also function as an exhaust duct. Right support 32
5 and the inner surface of the left support column 326 (opposite surfaces of the support columns), the intake ports (inflow ports) 325a, 325b, 326a, 3
26b is formed, and an exhaust port (outflow port) 325 is provided at the upper end.
c, 326c are formed, and exhaust ports 325c, 32
Fans 30 and 31 are provided near 6c. The fans 30 and 31 also have the intake ports 325a, 325b and 32
Air flows from the outlets 6a and 326b to the exhaust ports 325c and 326c.

The right support 325 and the left support 326
Extends to near the upper surface 10a of the platen cover 10 of the reader 1, and preferably projects above the upper surface 10a.
Exhaust ports 325c and 326c are formed at the upper end.

The air heated by the fixing unit 14 and discharged from the exhaust ports 2a, 2b, 2c of the printer 2 and the fixing unit 1
The air heated by the sheet 4 and discharged by the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge tray 7 is drawn into the flow of air generated by the fans 30 and 31, and is taken into the air inlets 325a, 325b and 32.
6a and 326b are sucked into the right support 325 and the left support 326, and are discharged from the exhaust ports 325c and 326c.
It is exhaled above 0. At this time, the exhaust port 325c,
326c is the upper surface 10a of the platen cover 10 of the reader 1.
Because it is located above the exhaust ports 325c, 32
The air discharged from 6c does not flow around the reader 1.

As a result, the warm air stagnated between the side of the printer and the wall is sucked by the right support 325 and the left support 326 serving as an exhaust duct, and the air between the reader 1 and the printer 2 is separated. The warm air stagnant in the space A is also sucked by the right support 325 and the left support 326 in the same manner and discharged above the copying machine 300. For this reason,
In addition to preventing the temperature inside the printer 2 from rising, it is possible to prevent the heat of the printer 2 from flowing around the reader 1 and eliminate the cause of the failure of the electric system of the copying machine 300 and the cause of the malfunction. .

Incidentally, the racks 203 and 303 support the reader 1 and the printer 2 of the copying machine.
It is not limited to this. For example, a facsimile reader and printer as another example of the image forming apparatus may be supported. Any other device may be used as long as it has a heating element inside.

[0042]

According to the exhaust heat rack of the present invention, the columns serve as exhaust ducts, and the air that has flowed out of the second device is sequentially discharged to the upper part of the exhaust heat rack. In addition, it is possible to prevent the temperature inside the second device from rising, thereby preventing malfunction and failure of the second device due to heat.

In the exhaust heat rack of the present invention, when the outlet is formed at the upper end of the column, even when the height of the column is used to the maximum, the column can supply heated air from the second device. It is guided around the first device or above the first device so as not to be trapped between the first device and the second device, so that the outflow of air from the second device is smoothed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the temperature inside the second device from rising, thereby preventing malfunction and failure of the second device due to heat.

In the heat-dissipating rack of the present invention, when the upper end of the column protrudes upward from the first device and the outlet is formed at the upper end, the column is heated by the heated air from the second device. Is reliably guided above the first device so as not to be trapped around the first device and between the first device and the second device. The outflow can be smoothed, the temperature in the second device can be prevented from rising, and the malfunction and failure of the first device and the second device due to heat can be prevented.

In the exhaust heat fan of the present invention, if an exhaust fan is provided in the support between the inlet and the outlet, the exhaust fan forcibly heats the heated air from the second device into the inlet. From the second column, and the air flows out from the outlet. Therefore, the air can be smoothly discharged from the second device, and the temperature inside the second device can be prevented from rising. Malfunctions and failures can be prevented.

In the exhaust heat fan of the present invention, when the exhaust fan is provided near the outlet, the exhaust fan forcibly raises the air heated in the second device to the outlet, and Outflow from the outlet and smooth outflow of air from the second device prevent the temperature inside the second device from rising, thereby preventing malfunction and failure of the second device due to heat.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the column of the heat discharge rack guides the air discharged from the image forming means by being heated by the fixing portion in the image forming means and flows out from the outlet. Therefore, the temperature rise in the image forming means can be reduced, the cause of the failure due to heat can be avoided, and the image can be reliably formed on the sheet.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, even when a discharge sheet stacking section for stacking sheets discharged from the image forming means is arranged between the upper shelf plate and the image forming means, the column of the heat discharge rack can be used. Since the heat of the plurality of sheets, which are heated by the fixing unit of the image forming unit and continuously discharged to the discharge sheet stacking unit, are discharged to the upper portion of the exhaust rack, the heat in the image forming unit is raised. It is possible to reliably form an image on a sheet by reducing the temperature and avoiding the cause of failure due to heat.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copying machine which is an image forming apparatus using a heat exhaust rack according to a first embodiment of the present invention for a main body.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the heat exhaust rack according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a copying machine which is an image forming apparatus using a heat exhaust rack according to a second embodiment of the present invention for a main body.

FIG. 6 is a schematic front sectional view of the copying machine shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the copying machine shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a heat exhaust rack according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a copying machine provided with a conventional rack.

FIG. 10 is a schematic front sectional view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a left side view of FIG. 9;

12 is a front view showing a use state of a copying machine using the conventional rack of FIG. 9 for a main body.

13 is a left side view showing a use state of a copying machine using the conventional rack of FIG. 9 for a main body.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a conventional rack.

[Explanation of symbols]

 W Wall A space S Sheet 1 Reader (first device, image reading means) 2 Printer (second device, image forming means) 2a Right exhaust port 2b Left exhaust port 2c Rear exhaust port 2g Sheet exhaust port 4 Reader mounting table (Upper shelf) 6 Rack bottom plate (Lower shelf) 7 Discharge tray (discharge sheet stacking unit) 13 Image forming unit 14 Fixing unit (heating element) 15 Paper feed unit 18 Right door 19 Left door 20 Front door 21 Top cover 30 Fan 31 Fan 200 Copier (image forming apparatus) 203 Rack (heat exhaust rack) 225 Right support (support, exhaust duct) 225a, 225b Intake port (inlet) 225c Exhaust port (outlet) 226 Left support ( Prop, exhaust duct) 226a, 226b Inlet 226c Exhaust port (outlet) 300 Copier (image forming apparatus) 303 Rack (heat exhaust rack) 3 5 right struts (struts, exhaust duct) 325a, 325b suction port (inlet) 325 c outlet (outflow port) 326 Left pillar (pillar, the exhaust duct) 326a, 326b inlet 326c outlet (outflow port)

Claims (7)

[Claims] An upper shelf supporting a first device, and a lower stage supporting a second device having a heating element therein and an exhaust port for discharging air heated by the heating element to the outside. And a support for connecting and supporting the upper shelf and the lower shelf, wherein the support is formed in a pipe shape and the heated exhausted from the exhaust port is provided. A heat exhaust rack having an inlet into which air can flow and an outlet located above the inlet and serving as an exhaust duct. 2. The heat exhaust rack according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is formed at an upper end of the column. 3. The heat-dissipating rack according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the support column protrudes above the first device. 4. The exhaust heat rack according to claim 1, wherein an exhaust fan is provided in the support between the inflow port and the outflow port. 5. The exhaust heat rack according to claim 4, wherein the exhaust fan is provided near the outlet. 6. An exhaust heat rack according to claim 1, an image reading means for reading an image of a document, and a sheet based on image information read by the image reading means. Image forming means for fixing the toner image to the sheet by heat of a fixing unit after forming a toner image, wherein the first device is the image reading device, and the second device is the image reading device. An image forming apparatus as a forming unit, wherein the heating element is the fixing unit, and the support radiates heat of the fixing unit. 7. A discharge sheet stacking section for stacking sheets discharged from the image forming means is arranged between the upper shelf plate and the image forming means, and the discharge sheet stacking section is stacked on the discharge sheet stacking section by the support. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the heat of the sheet is discharged.