JP2004233618A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus constituted so that a work environment around the image forming apparatus can be kept good, and energy-saving can be attained. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with a negative ion generating part 314. An electron emission type negative ion generator and a cartridge containing a tourmaline ore are used as the negative ion generating part 314. The negative ion generating part 314 is arranged near a heat cooling fan 315. And negative ion is generated by the negative ion generating part 314 toward the heat cooling fan 315. Then, the negative ion is dispersed around the image forming apparatus while riding on the air of the heat cooling fan 315. Besides, if the negative ion generating part 314 contains the tourmaline ore, the generation of the negative ion is activated by positioning the part 314 near the heat source of a fixing device 307 etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer for forming an image. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image and purifying air around the image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air conditioner or the like has been known as an electric appliance that makes a room comfortable. Some air conditioners have a function of generating negative ions (for example, Patent Document 1 and Utility Model Document 1). Here, specific actions of the negative ions include, for example, purification of air contaminated with smoke and dust, purification of harmful substances such as formaldehyde, decomposition and deodorization of cigarette smoke and unpleasant odor, and sterilization. That is, recent air conditioners have a function of maintaining a favorable surrounding environment by spraying negative ions. In a room such as an office, many image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile are installed. Some of these image forming apparatuses also generate negative ions in a part of the image forming process (for example, Patent Document 2).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-121087 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-334135 [Utility model document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3087068
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional technique described above has the following problems. That is, unlike the air conditioner, the image forming apparatus does not consider the environment. For example, in the image forming apparatus, when the toner is fixed by the fixing device, a slight odor is generated. In other image forming processes, ozone and smoke may be generated. Therefore, the image forming apparatus does not necessarily have a good effect on the working environment in the office. However, unlike air conditioners, no consideration is given to the working environment. Patent Document 1 and Utility Model Document 1 do not specifically describe the image forming apparatus. Further, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 2 can certainly generate negative ions. However, the negative ions generated by the image forming apparatus are used only in a part of the image forming process. Therefore, the environment surrounding the image forming apparatus has not been maintained well.
[0005]
Further, the image forming apparatus is generally used with the commercial power turned on. This is contrary to the recent demand for energy saving. Even if a built-in battery is used, the battery must be replaced or charged periodically according to the life of the battery.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve at least one of the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of maintaining a favorable working environment around the image forming apparatus and saving energy.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image forming apparatus made to solve this problem is an image forming apparatus having an outer frame cover for covering an apparatus for an image forming process, and is located inside the outer frame cover and generates negative ions. And a discharging means for discharging the negative ions generated in the negative ion generating section to the outside of the outer frame cover.
[0008]
The image forming apparatus of the present invention has a negative ion generator inside the apparatus. Here, the negative ions have a function of purifying harmful substances. Therefore, part of the harmful substances generated inside the image forming apparatus is purified, and the amount of harmful substances discharged is suppressed. Unpleasant odors are also eliminated. Further, since the negative ions are scattered around the image forming apparatus by the discharging means, it is possible to remove an unpleasant odor around the image forming apparatus. As the discharging unit, for example, a paper transport unit that discharges the output paper after fixing to the outside of the image forming apparatus, or a fan that ventilates. Accordingly, it is possible to remove the off-flavor and the like discharged from the inside of the image forming apparatus, and to purify the air around the image forming apparatus, and to maintain a good working environment around the image forming apparatus. Note that there is a device (for example, a charger) that generates negative ions in a part of the image forming process, but the negative ion generating unit of the present invention does not need to be a part of the image forming process. That is, a dedicated device for generating negative ions may be used.
[0009]
Further, it is more preferable that the negative ion generating section of the image forming apparatus of the present invention has tourmaline ore. Tourmaline ore has the property of generating negative ions. Therefore, negative ions can be generated without a special device and control.
[0010]
Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is a part of an apparatus for an image forming process, and preferably has a heat generating portion for generating heat, and the heat generating portion also serves to heat the negative ion generating portion. Tourmaline ore has the property that the generation of negative ions is activated by applying heat. Therefore, the generation of negative ions is activated by heat from the heat generating portion, and more negative ions are dispersed around the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the working environment around the image forming apparatus can be better maintained. The heating of the negative ion generating section can be performed, for example, by disposing the negative ion generating section near the heat generating section.
[0011]
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is more preferable to use tourmaline ore of the negative ion generator as a power source. Tourmaline ore can obtain a certain potential difference by applying a predetermined pressure. Therefore, power can be supplied to an electronic device or the like during standby by using it as an auxiliary power supply. As a result, the frequency of using the external power supply is suppressed, and energy saving is achieved.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic color copying machine.
[0013]
[First form]
The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is a tandem type full-color copying machine, and forms a color image by arranging four image forming units as shown in FIG. More specifically, the color copying machine according to the present embodiment includes an automatic document feeder 100, an image reading / photographing unit 200, and an image forming unit 300. Further, the image forming unit 300 has, for each color, photoconductors 305K, 305C, 305M, 305Y, developing units 302K, 302C, 302M, 302Y, and transfer chargers 303K, 303C, 303M, 303Y. Further, it includes an exposing device 301, a transfer belt 304, a fixing device 307, paper feed cassettes 310a, 310b, 310c, and a discharge unit 311. Further, it has a negative ion generator 314 and a hot-cooling fan 315. The negative ion generator 314 generates negative ions, and corresponds to, for example, an electron emission type negative ion generator or a filter containing tourmaline ore. The hot-cooling fan 315 exchanges air in the image forming apparatus. The specific positions of the negative ion generator 314 and the hot / cold fan 315 need not be as shown in FIG.
[0014]
Next, the operation of the negative ion generator 314 will be described based on the conceptual diagram of FIG. The negative ion generator 314 in FIG. 2 is an electron emission type negative ion generator (hereinafter, referred to as “negative ion generator”). The negative ion generator 314 in FIG. 2 can scatter negative ions on the downstream side of the fixing device 307 in the output paper discharge direction. For this purpose, it is inclined at an angle at which negative ions can be sprayed downstream in the sheet discharging direction. Then, negative ions are sprayed from the negative ion generator 314 in accordance with the output sheet discharge timing. The negative ions sprayed toward the output sheet are discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus together with the output sheet. The timing at which the negative ions are sprayed is not limited to the timing at which the output sheet passes, and may be constantly sprayed.
[0015]
Further, the negative ion generator 314 may be installed near the hot-cooling fan 315 as shown in FIG. In that case, the nozzle of the negative ion generator 314 is arranged so as to generate negative ions toward the hot-cooling fan 315. As a result, the negative ions are placed on the air blown by the hot-cooling fan 315 and dispersed around the image forming apparatus. Note that the hot-cooling fan 315 may be capable of adjusting the direction of the blown air.
[0016]
As described above in detail, in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the negative ion generator 314 generates negative ions. Then, the generated negative ions are discharged from the image forming apparatus together with the output paper, and are scattered around the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, the air is sprayed around the image forming apparatus by the air flow of the hot / cold fan 315. The negative ions remove unpleasant odor and the like discharged from the inside of the image forming apparatus and purify air around the image forming apparatus. Thus, an image forming apparatus that can maintain a favorable working environment around the image forming apparatus has been realized.
[0017]
[Second embodiment]
In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, tourmaline ore is used as a source of generating negative ions. Specifically, a cartridge having tourmaline ore (hereinafter, referred to as a “tourmaline cartridge”) is applied as the negative ion generator 314 of the first embodiment. In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, a tourmaline cartridge 314 is attached to an outer cover of the fixing device 307 as shown in FIG. Tourmaline ore has the property that the generation of negative ions is activated by changes in temperature and pressure. Therefore, in the tourmaline cartridge 314 in FIG. 4, the generation of negative ions is activated by the heat generated from the fixing device 307. Then, the generated negative ions are scattered around the copying machine by an airflow of a hot-cooling fan 315 installed near the fixing device 307. The form of use of the tourmaline ore may be, for example, a coating or a coating of the tourmaline ore powder on the outer cover of the fixing device 307 in addition to the cartridge.
[0018]
[Modification of Second Embodiment]
In addition to generating negative ions, tourmaline ores have spontaneous polarization and have the property of constantly maintaining the potential difference between the two poles. By utilizing this characteristic, tourmaline ore can be used as an auxiliary power source. That is, a weak direct current generated from tourmaline ore can be supplied to an electronic device such as a CPU or a DRAM. Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus using tourmaline ore as an auxiliary power supply of an electronic device will be described.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus of this modification includes an image processing control board 320, a black tourmaline ore (shoal tourmaline) 330, and a commercial power supply / auxiliary power supply switch 331. Electronic devices such as a CPU and a DRAM are arranged on the image processing control board 320. The image processing control board 320 receives power supply from either the black tourmaline ore 330 or an external DC power supply via the switch 331. The black tourmaline ore 330 is provided with a 2 cm square plus electrode and a minus electrode. Then, by applying a constant pressure, a potential difference of 5.3 V is constantly obtained between the two electrodes. Therefore, the black tourmaline ore 330 can be used as a power source. The changeover switch 331 is switched, for example, between the time of image formation and the time of non-image formation. That is, when power consumption is large, a commercial power supply is used. On the other hand, when power consumption is low, tourmaline ore is used. As a result, energy saving is achieved. When a red tourmaline ore (lithia tourmaline) having the same surface area is used instead of the black tourmaline ore, a potential difference of 3.3 V is constantly obtained.
[0020]
In the image forming apparatus of the modified example, the electric power generated from the tourmaline ore is supplied to the electronic device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be supplied to a fixing device. In the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, tourmaline ore is used as a negative ion generator, and in the image forming apparatus of the modified example, tourmaline ore is used as an auxiliary power supply. Is also good.
[0021]
As described in detail above, in the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, the tourmaline cartridge 314 is used as the negative ion generator. That is, the tourmaline ore generates negative ions. Further, the tourmaline cartridge 314 is arranged at a position adjacent to the fixing device 307. Therefore, the generation of negative ions is activated by the heat from the fixing device 307. The generated negative ions are scattered around the image forming apparatus by the airflow of the hot-cooling fan 315. That is, it is possible to remove off-flavors and the like discharged from the inside of the image forming apparatus and to purify air around the image forming apparatus. Further, in the case of using tourmaline ore, a control device or the like for generating negative ions is not required. Therefore, an image forming apparatus that can easily maintain a favorable working environment has been realized.
[0022]
Further, in the image forming apparatus of the modified example, an electrode provided on the tourmaline ore can be electrically connected to an electronic device such as a CPU. Therefore, it is possible to supply electric power from the tourmaline ore to the electronic device. As a result, the frequency of using the external power supply during standby can be suppressed. Therefore, an image forming apparatus that achieves energy saving is realized. In addition, since tourmaline ore can constantly maintain a potential difference, there is no need to perform operations such as replacement and charging. Therefore, maintenance is easy.
[0023]
Note that the present embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, naturally, the present invention can be variously modified and modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the electrophotographic type. That is, an inkjet type image forming apparatus may be used. In that case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the negative ion generating unit 314 is provided downstream of the ink jet head 317 in the output paper discharge direction. Thereby, the smell of the ink discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus is reduced.
[0024]
Further, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image by using a thermal print head, the thermal print head may be coated with a tourmaline ore powder patch to generate negative ions. In addition, if the heat source is used, generation of negative ions can be activated not only in the fixing device and the thermal print head. For example, a driving body such as a motor corresponds to this. Then, a negative ion generator may be provided at or near the heat source.
[0025]
Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a copying machine, but may be applied to a printer, a scanner, a facsimile, or the like. Further, it may be one that forms a color image or one that is dedicated to a monochrome image. Further, a tandem system or a 4-cycle system may be used.
[0026]
The embodiments of the present invention described above include the inventions described in the following supplementary notes in addition to the inventions described in the claims.
[0027]
[Supplementary Note 1] In an image forming apparatus having an outer frame cover that covers an apparatus of an image forming process,
A negative ion generator that is located inside the outer frame cover and generates negative ions;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a discharging unit configured to discharge negative ions generated by the negative ion generating unit to the outside of the outer frame cover.
[0028]
[Supplementary Note 2] In the image forming apparatus described in Supplementary Note 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharging unit has a function of discharging the output medium on which the image is formed to the outside of the outer frame cover.
[0029]
[Supplementary Note 3] In the image forming apparatus described in Supplementary Note 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge unit has a function of adjusting a temperature inside the outer frame cover by exchanging air inside the outer frame cover.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of maintaining a favorable working environment around the image forming apparatus and saving energy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a color copying machine according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an arrangement (near a fixing unit) of a negative ion generating unit in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an arrangement of a negative ion generating unit (near a heat-cooling fan) in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an arrangement of a tourmaline cartridge (near a hot-cooling fan) in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a form in which tourmaline ore is used as an auxiliary power source.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an arrangement of negative ion generating units in an image forming apparatus of an ink jet type.
[Explanation of symbols]
307 Fixing unit (heating unit)
314 Negative ion generator 315 Heat cooling fan (exhaust means)

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus having an outer frame cover for covering an apparatus for an image forming process,
A negative ion generator that is located inside the outer frame cover and generates negative ions;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a discharging unit configured to discharge negative ions generated by the negative ion generating unit to the outside of the outer frame cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the negative ion generator includes tourmaline ore. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
It is a part of the equipment of the image forming process and has a heat generating part that generates heat.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating unit also serves to heat the negative ion generating unit. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the tourmaline ore of the negative ion generator is used as a power source. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image,
Tourmaline ore,
Electronic devices that require power supply,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the tourmaline ore and the electronic device are electrically connected.

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