JP2004271933A - Exhaust port muffler for image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an exhaust port muffler for an image forming apparatus, in which a filter can be replaced without increasing the number of components. <P>SOLUTION: A portion 10a forming the outside of a duct 10 through which a current of air is discharged downward from the inside of a housing 1 is integrally formed on the external member 2 of, for example, a resin molded article forming the back of the housing 1 of the image forming apparatus. Ribs 2b in the shape of louvers are integrally formed in a part forming the inside of the duct 10 on one side of the housing 1. A wall 3 made of Mylar, resin, or the like, which is independent from the ribs 2b is attached to the end faces of the ribs 2b. A hole 2a for inserting a dust-proof filter 4 from outside is disposed in the external member 2. A current of air discharged from an exhaust fan 5 passes through the dust-proof filter 4 after changed downward in the direction in which it flows within the duct 10. Then, it is discharged downward out of the housing 1 from an exhaust port 10b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an exhaust port muffler for an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus using the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many image forming apparatuses such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, and a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of these functions are provided with a duct for exhausting airflow downward from the back of the machine in order to reduce noise. As such an image forming apparatus, for example, there is an image forming apparatus having a function as a silencer in which a duct for exhausting airflow from an exhaust port downward is formed separately from an exterior member (for example, see Patent Document 1). .).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-340037 [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the number of parts is increased because the duct is formed separately from the exterior member of the image forming apparatus in consideration of the exchangeability of a filter that collects dust from an exhausted air flow. there were.
[0005]
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an exhaust port silencer of an image forming apparatus in which a filter can be replaced without increasing the number of parts, and an image forming apparatus using the same.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an exhaust port silencer for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is an exhaust port silencer for an image forming apparatus, wherein the exhaust port silences an airflow downward from the back side of the image forming apparatus. A duct for discharging air, wherein an outer shape portion of the duct is integrally formed with an outer cover forming a back surface of the image forming apparatus, and a louver-shaped rib separate from the duct and an inner side of the duct are provided in the duct. It is characterized in that a wall forming a shape portion is arranged.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, in the exhaust port silencer of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the separate wall body is made of Mylar or a resin material.
[0008]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the exhaust port silencer of the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect is provided with a plurality of the ducts.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, in the exhaust port silencer of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, a sound absorbing material is provided inside the duct. I do.
[0010]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, in the exhaust port silencer of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a replacement hole for a dustproof filter is provided in an outer shape portion of the duct. It is characterized by being provided.
[0011]
In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is provided with the exhaust port muffler of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a rear view (A) and a cross-sectional view (B) showing an image forming apparatus and an exhaust port silencer thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a casing of the image forming apparatus, 2 denotes an exterior member, 5 denotes an exhaust fan, and 10 denotes an exhaust duct.
[0013]
As shown in the figure, an outer shape portion 10a of a duct 10 for discharging airflow downward from the inside of the housing 1 is integrally formed with an exterior member 2 forming a back surface of the housing 1 of the image forming apparatus. The exterior member 2 is, for example, a resin molded product. The outer shape portion 10a has an upper portion recessed into the housing 1 as shown in the drawing, a lower portion protruding outside, and a lower end portion opened to form an exhaust port. 10b. In the illustrated example, the cross-sectional shape of the duct 10 is generally rectangular although the opening size varies, but the present invention is not limited to this cross-sectional shape and may be a semicircle or other cross-sectional shapes.
[0014]
As shown in the figure, the inner side surface of the duct 10 on the housing 1 side does not have a portion constituting the surface because the outer shape portion 10a is integrally formed with the exterior member 2. Therefore, the duct 10 is formed by integrally forming a louver-shaped rib 2b on that portion, and attaching a wall 3 made of a mylar, a resin material, or the like separately from the rib 2b to an end surface of the rib 2b. .
[0015]
Further, the exterior member 2 is provided with a hole 2a for inserting the dustproof filter 4 from the outside near the uppermost portion of the vertically descending portion immediately below the portion inclined obliquely downward from the uppermost portion as shown in the figure. is there. The dustproof filter 4 inserted through the hole 2a is mounted and held on the rib 2b at the tip end. As is clear from the drawing, the dustproof filter 4 can be easily replaced by holding the knob 4a of the dustproof filter 4 by hand and pulling it out and pushing it.
[0016]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
The airflow exhausted from the exhaust fan 5 enters the upper part of the duct 10 as shown by the arrow in the figure, the flow direction is changed downward at the slope portion of the outer shape part 10a, passes through the dustproof filter 4, and is The air goes down the vertical portion along the portion 10a and is exhausted downward from the housing 1 through the exhaust port 10b.
[0017]
Although illustration is omitted, if a suitable sound absorbing material is provided between the rib 2b and the wall 3, the inner surface of the outer shape portion 10a, etc., the noise of the fan 5 and the noise generated by the exhaust flow can be reduced. The sound can be absorbed in the inside 10 so that the sound is not leaked to the outside so that the amount of noise can be reduced.
[0018]
Further, since there is no louver near the exhaust side of the exhaust fan 5, wind noise caused by the louver is reduced. Further, since the rib 2b is formed in a louver shape, the exhaust fan 5 on which the operator's hand is rotating can be used. It also prevents touching and injuries, ensuring safety.
[0019]
In the illustrated embodiment, the number of the ducts 10 is three, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a single unit or a plurality of two or more units may be provided as necessary.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
The exhaust port silencer of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention and the image forming apparatus according to claim 6 using the same, as described above, the outer shape of the duct for exhausting airflow downward from the back side of the image forming apparatus. Part is formed integrally with the exterior cover, and inside the duct, a louver-shaped rib separate from the duct and a wall forming the inside shape of the duct are arranged, so for downward exhaust without increasing the number of parts There is an effect that the exhaust duct can be configured.
[0021]
In the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect and the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect using the same, since the sound absorbing material is provided inside the duct, the effect that the noise can be further reduced in addition to the above-described common effect is obtained. is there.
[0022]
According to the muffler of the image forming apparatus of claim 5 and the image forming apparatus of claim 6 using the same, the replacement cover of the dustproof filter is provided in the outer cover constituting the back side, so that the number of parts is not increased. There is an effect that the dustproof filter can be easily replaced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a rear view (A) and a cross-sectional view (B) showing an image forming apparatus and an exhaust port silencer thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view (A) and a cross-sectional view (B) in which main parts are enlarged.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing of image forming apparatus 2 Exterior member 2a Hole 2b Rib 3 Wall 4 Dustproof filter 4a Knob 5 Exhaust fan 10 Exhaust duct 10a Outer shape part 10b Exhaust port

Claims (6)

An exhaust port muffler for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a duct for exhausting airflow downward from a back side of the image forming apparatus, wherein an outer shape portion of the duct is integrally formed with an outer cover forming a back side of the image forming apparatus. An exhaust port muffler for an image forming apparatus, wherein a louver-shaped rib separate from the duct and a wall forming an inner shape portion of the duct are arranged in the duct. 2. The exhaust port muffler for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said separate wall is made of Mylar or a resin material. 3. The exhaust port muffler for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said ducts. 4. The exhaust port muffler for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sound absorbing material is provided inside the duct. 5. An exhaust muffler for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outer shape portion of said duct is provided with a hole for replacing a dustproof filter. An image forming apparatus comprising the exhaust port muffler for the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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