JP2006195357A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus equipped with cooling structure accurately and efficiently cooling any of a plurality of heat generating parts (part to be cooled) in an apparatus main body. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 10 is equipped with: a suction part 30 provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 111 and sucking air into the apparatus main body 111; an exhaust part 40 exhausting the air introduced into the apparatus main body 111 through the suction part 30; and the part to be cooled 50 disposed between the suction part 30 and the exhaust part 40 in the apparatus main body 111. The suction part 30 is equipped with: a plurality of suction ports 31 provided according to the respective parts to be cooled 50; ventilation fans 33 sending the air sucked from the suction ports 31 to the parts to be cooled 50; and a plurality of air ducts 32 making the air sucked and sent by the ventilation fan 33 go toward the part to be cooled 50 being an object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, and a printer, and more particularly to an improvement in cooling processing for a device that generates heat and is provided in the apparatus main body.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus as a copying machine as described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this image forming apparatus, laser light from an exposure device based on document image information read by a document reading device is applied to the peripheral surface of a photosensitive drum rotating about an axis that is uniformly charged by a charging device. Irradiating and supplying toner from the developing device to the electrostatic latent image formed thereby to form a toner image, transferring the toner image to a sheet fed from a sheet feeding cassette, and then fixing the toner image to the sheet The fixing process is performed by heating, and the sheet after the fixing process is discharged to the outside. The toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum that has been transferred to the paper is removed by the cleaning device.

  In such an image forming apparatus, there are heat generating portions (for example, a charging device and a fixing device) in various places, and if the inside of the apparatus main body is heated to a predetermined temperature or more by the heat generated by these heat generating portions, a problem occurs in the image forming processing. Therefore, the cooling process is performed by the cooling structure.

  The cooling structure includes an intake port provided on the front side of one side surface of the apparatus main body, an exhaust port provided on the rear side of the other side surface, and an axial fan provided facing the exhaust port in the apparatus main body. The air introduced into the apparatus main body through the intake port by driving the axial flow fan obliquely flows through the apparatus main body, thereby cooling the heat generating portion.

  On the upstream side of the axial fan, a first duct for guiding the air flow from the exposure device, a second duct for guiding the air flow from the cleaning device and the fixing device, and a second duct for guiding the air flow from the power supply substrate. 3 ducts are provided, and a shielding plate that can be opened and closed is provided at the entrances of the first and third ducts.

The air flow that has passed through the outer surfaces of the cleaning device and the fixing device is always sucked by the axial fan through the second duct where the shielding plate is not present, while the exposure device is opened when the shielding plate of the first duct is opened. The passing air flow is also sucked by the axial fan, and the air flow from the power supply board is also sucked by the axial fan when the shielding plate of the third duct is opened. Therefore, by driving the axial fan, the cleaning device and the fixing device are always cooled by the air flow, whereas the exposure device and the power supply substrate are cooled by opening the shielding plate only when necessary. It is described that the cooling effect in the apparatus main body can be improved.
JP 2003-76253 A

  By the way, in the cooling structure described in Patent Document 1, one axial fan is provided on the exhaust port side, and the heat generation of the apparatus main body is performed by opening and closing the shielding plates provided in the first and second ducts, respectively. Since the flow of the airflow passing through the part is controlled, there is a disadvantage that the cooling process with high accuracy cannot always be performed on the target cooling part. That is, even if the flow of the airflow passing through the first to third ducts provided on the upstream side of the axial fan near the exhaust port is controlled by opening / closing the shielding plate, Since the introduced air flows through the main body of the apparatus through each heat generating part, there is a disadvantage that the cooling process cannot be performed with high accuracy and efficiency particularly for a predetermined heat generating part.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and has a cooling structure capable of efficiently and efficiently performing a cooling process on any of a plurality of heat generating portions (cooled portions) in the apparatus main body. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus provided.

  The invention according to claim 1 is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body, and includes an intake section that sucks air into the apparatus main body, an exhaust section that exhausts air introduced into the apparatus main body through the intake section, An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of cooled portions disposed between the intake portion and the exhaust portion in the apparatus main body, wherein the intake portions are provided in correspondence with each cooled portion. An air intake port, a blower fan that blows air sucked from the air intake port to the cooled portion, and air to be cooled that is sucked and blown by the blower fan individually from the plurality of air intake ports It is characterized by comprising a plurality of air ducts respectively directed to the part.

  According to such a configuration, on the front side of the apparatus main body, the plurality of blower fans respectively corresponding to the plurality of cooled parts built in the apparatus main body, and the cooled apparatus targeted for the air sucked by the blower fan The air sucked by the drive of each blower fan is guided to the blower duct dedicated to each cooled part and directed toward the cooled part targeted by the blower fan. In this way, the part to be cooled is cooled.

  In this way, each cooled part is exposed to the dedicated air blowing fan and the air flow sucked in by the air blowing fan through the dedicated air duct, so that it is located on the exhaust port side as in the prior art. There is only one fan, and it corresponds to each cooled part compared to the one that introduces air into the device body through the duct corresponding to each cooled part provided on the inlet side of this fan By adjusting the driving of the blower fan, it is possible to supply the air to be cooled with an optimal amount of air to each cooled portion, thereby realizing a highly accurate and efficient cooling process for the cooled portion.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a developing device according to the first aspect, wherein a toner image is formed on the apparatus main body by supplying toner to a peripheral surface of a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. A cleaning device that removes residual toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum after the toner image is transferred to the paper, and a fixing device that performs a fixing process on the toner image transferred to the paper. The portion is around the fixing device and one or both of the developing device periphery and the cleaning device periphery.

  According to such a configuration, the periphery of the developing device, the periphery of the cleaning device, and the periphery of the fixing device set as the cooled parts are all the periphery of the device in which the heat source exists, and the arrangement of each device in the device body Since the state is uniform without being partially biased, each device can be effectively and accurately controlled according to its characteristics by accurately feeding cooling air with a preset air volume around each device. Cooling is achieved, and a uniform temperature distribution at an appropriate temperature in the apparatus main body is achieved.

  Furthermore, since the photosensitive drum that can be regarded as another heat source is sandwiched between the developing device and the cleaning device, the air is sent to the periphery of the developing device and the cleaning device so that the air is surrounded by the periphery of the photosensitive drum. This also cools the photosensitive drum.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the cooled portion is unitized by mounting a predetermined device in the casing, and faces the air duct in the casing. Ventilation holes are formed in the wall surface, and the blower duct is characterized in that a front end edge surface thereof is in close contact with the wall surface so as to surround the ventilation hole via a seal member.

  According to such a configuration, since the air duct is in close contact with the wall surface of the housing through the seal member in a state of surrounding the ventilation hole, the air supplied to the cooled part through the air duct is sealed by the seal member. It is supplied only to the unit to be cooled by the action, and the cooling process of the target cooled unit is performed with high accuracy by adjusting the air volume.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the blower fan is provided in the housing.

  According to such a configuration, the inside of the casing of each unit to be cooled is directly and efficiently cooled by the blower fan provided in the casing, and the respective units to be cooled are targeted. Air volume control becomes easy.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the apparatus main body is provided with an openable and closable front cover that opposes a front portion of the cooled portion. A plurality of air inlets are provided, and the air duct is integrated with the front cover and is disposed opposite to the air inlets.

  According to such a configuration, by opening the front cover, the air duct is separated from the cooled part and the cooled part is exposed to the outside, so that the maintenance work of the cooled part can be easily performed. .

  According to invention of Claim 1, since each to-be-cooled part is exposed to the airflow sent through the exclusive ventilation duct and the air which the ventilation fan sucked in via the exclusive ventilation duct, respectively, Compared to the case where only one fan is provided on the exhaust port side, and air is introduced into the apparatus main body through ducts corresponding to each cooled portion provided on the inlet side of the fan, By adjusting the drive of the blower fan corresponding to each cooled part, it is possible to supply the air with the optimum air volume without excess or deficiency to each cooled part. Processing can be realized.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the periphery of the developing device, the periphery of the cleaning device, and the periphery of the fixing device set as the cooled parts are all around the device in which the heat source exists, Since the arrangement of each device is uniform without being biased in part, each device has high accuracy according to its characteristics by accurately feeding cooling air with a preset air volume around each device. In this case, the temperature distribution can be effectively reduced, and a uniform temperature distribution at an appropriate temperature in the apparatus main body can be achieved.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the air duct is in close contact with the wall surface of the housing through the seal member in a state of surrounding the ventilation hole, the air supplied to the cooled part through the air duct is It is supplied only to the unit to be cooled by the sealing action of the seal member, and the cooling process of the target cooled part can be performed with high accuracy by adjusting the air volume.

  According to invention of Claim 4, since the ventilation fan is provided in the housing | casing, the inside of the housing | casing of each to-be-cooled part unitized by the ventilation fan provided in the said housing directly, and In addition to being efficiently cooled, the air volume targeted for each cooled portion can be controlled with high accuracy by not being influenced by other fans.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the air duct that is integral with the front cover is separated from the cooled part by opening the front cover, the cooled part is exposed to the outside. Work can be done easily.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram in front sectional view for explaining the internal structure. In the present embodiment, as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a multifunction machine having functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function will be described as an example. The apparatus is not limited to such a multifunction machine, and can be applied to a single-function machine such as a copying machine, a printer apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, or a scanner apparatus.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a multifunction machine 11 that performs image forming processing, and a large number of transfer processes attached to the right side of the multifunction machine 11 in FIG. 1. From the sheet feeding device 12 that stores and feeds the sheet P and the post-processing device 13 that is attached to the left side of the sheet P and performs post-processing such as punching and stapling on the sheet P after the transfer process. It has the basic composition which becomes. The multifunction machine 11 includes a rectangular parallelepiped apparatus main body 111 in which various devices for image formation described later are mounted, and a document reading apparatus 119 attached to the upper part of the apparatus main body 111.

  The apparatus main body 111 is provided with a power switch 111a at an appropriate position on the side surface and an operation panel 111b at an appropriate position on the upper surface (the front side of the document reading device 119). The operation panel 111b includes an image forming process. Are provided, a start button 111c for starting the operation, a numeric keypad 111d for inputting the number of sheets P to be processed, a monitor screen 111e made of liquid crystal for outputting various comments, and the like.

  In the apparatus main body 111, as shown in FIG. 2, a paper feeding unit 112 disposed in a lower portion thereof, a paper transport unit 113 disposed on the side and above the paper feeding unit 112, and An image forming unit 114 disposed above the sheet feeding unit 112, a fixing device 115 disposed on the discharge side of the image forming unit 114, and above the image forming unit 114 and the fixing device 115. The image reading unit 116 is provided. The image forming unit 114 and the fixing device 115 are elongated in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2) perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction inside the apparatus main body 111, and in the upper part of the apparatus main body 111 in FIG. The image forming unit 114 and the fixing device 115 are arranged in this order from the right side along the conveyance direction (from right to left) of the paper P.

  The sheet feeding unit 112 feeds a bundle of sheets P stacked and loaded in the sheet feeding cassette 112a one by one from the uppermost sheet P to the sheet conveying unit 113 by rotating the sheet feeding roller. . The sheet conveying unit 113 conveys the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding unit 112 or the sheet feeding device 12 to the image forming unit 114 by various conveying roller pairs 113a, and further in the image forming unit 114 and the fixing device 115. The paper P on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the post-processing device 13 via a conveying roller pair 113a provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 115.

  In double-sided printing, the paper P is conveyed again to the image forming unit 114 after the image transfer surface is reversed by the switchback unit 113b. When the post-processing device 13 is not installed, the paper P after the fixing processing by the fixing device 115 is directly discharged to the outside through the conveyance roller pair 113 a on the downstream side of the fixing device 115.

  The image reading unit 116 reads image information of a document. When reading each document by hand, the document reading device 119 is opened and a contact glass provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 111. When the original is placed on 116a and the original bundle is automatically read one by one, the original bundle is placed on the paper feed tray of the original reading device 119 in a closed state. It has become. When the original bundle is placed on the paper feed tray, the originals one by one from the original bundle are automatically fed sequentially onto the contact glass 116a. In any case, the original positioned on the contact glass 116a is irradiated with light from an exposure lamp, and the reflected light is guided to a photoelectric conversion unit including a CCD line sensor or the like via a reflecting mirror.

  The image forming unit 114 is disposed below the image reading unit 116 and forms a predetermined toner image on the paper P by an electrophotographic process. The image forming unit 114 has a photoconductive property that is rotatably supported by the shaft. A photosensitive drum 114a, a charging device 114b arranged around the photosensitive drum 114a along the rotation direction, the exposure device 114c, the developing device 114d, the transfer device 114e, and the cleaning device. The apparatus 114f and the static elimination apparatus 114g are provided.

  The fixing device 115 is disposed on the downstream side of the image forming unit 114 in the sheet conveying direction, and the sheet P on which the toner image has been transferred in the image forming unit 114 is formed by a pair of heating rollers 115a and a pressure roller 115b. The toner image is held between fixing rollers and heated to fix the toner image on the paper P to the paper P.

  The paper feeder 12 accommodates a large amount of paper P and feeds the paper P toward the paper transport unit 113 of the apparatus main body 111. In the paper feeding device 12, a lift unit 121 on which a large amount of paper P is stacked moves up and down, and the uppermost one of the stacked paper bundles is fed out by a separating roller 122 and a conveying roller pair 123, and is on the side of the device main body 111. It is designed to be conveyed.

  The post-processing device 13 performs post-processing such as punching and stapling on the paper P conveyed from the device main body 111 via the conveying roller pair 113a at the downstream end, and folding the paper P in the center. After performing the book binding process for binding the book, the paper P is discharged to the main discharge tray 131 or the sub discharge tray 132 configured in multiple stages. In FIG. 1, the discharge trays 131 and 132 are not shown.

  Hereinafter, a basic operation of the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described. First, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 114a rotating in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 is uniformly charged by the charging device 114b, and subsequently the exposure device 114c (laser device or the like) based on the image information read by the image reading unit 116. ) Is irradiated onto the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 114a, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 114a. By supplying toner as a developer from the developing device 114d to the electrostatic latent image, a toner image is formed.

  Next, the sheet P from the sheet feeding device 12 or the sheet feeding unit 112 is conveyed toward the photosensitive drum 114a on which the toner image is formed through the sheet conveying unit 113, and here, the transfer device 114e composed of a transfer roller or the like. As a result, the toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 114a is transferred to the paper P. Then, the sheet P on which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 114a, conveyed to the fixing device 115, and the toner image is fixed by heat treatment by passing between the heating roller 115a and the pressure roller 115b. The The paper P that has passed through the fixing device 115 is transported to the post-processing device 13 through the transport roller pair 113a, and is discharged to the paper discharge trays 131 and 132 after predetermined post-processing such as stapling processing and punching processing.

  The photosensitive drum 114a, to which the transfer process of the toner image to the paper P has been completed, removes the residual toner remaining on the peripheral surface by the cleaning device 114f, and then removes the residual charge by the neutralization device 114g. Thereafter, the peripheral surface is again charged by the charging device 114b.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, the image forming unit 114, the fixing device 115, and the like generate heat by the image forming operation as described above. In particular, the heat from the fixing device 115 causes the inside of the apparatus main body 111 to have a high temperature atmosphere. become. If this high temperature atmosphere is left as it is, there is a risk of adversely affecting the equipment in the apparatus. Therefore, in the present invention, the atmosphere in the apparatus main body 111 is replaced (specifically, outside air is introduced into the apparatus main body 111). Thus, the inside of the apparatus main body 111 is cooled.

  Hereinafter, a cooling structure for cooling the cooling structure 20 provided in the apparatus main body 111 of the multifunction machine 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 as necessary based on FIGS. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the multifunction machine 11 focused on the cooling structure 20 in order to explain the cooling structure 20, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the same side sectional view. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the multifunction machine 11 showing a state in which the front cover body (front cover) 117 is opened. FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an embodiment of the air duct 32 (third air duct 323), and the air duct 32 is in close contact with the wall surface of the unit housing 60 via the annular seal member 325. It shows the state that was done.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the cooling structure 20 is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 111 and introduces air into the apparatus main body 111 through the intake section 30. And a plurality of to-be-cooled parts 50 in which the air taken in from the intake part 30 is disposed between the intake part 30 and the exhaust part 40 in the apparatus main body 111. After being circulated and cooling the cooled part 50, the exhausted part 40 is exhausted to the outside.

  In the present embodiment, as the cooled portion 50, the first cooled portion that is the periphery of the developing device 114d that supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 114a on which an electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image. 51, a second cooled portion 52 around the cleaning device 114f that removes residual toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 114a after the toner image is transferred to the paper P, and the toner image transferred to the paper P A third cooled portion 53 that is the periphery of the fixing device 115 that performs the fixing process is set.

  The intake section 30 is provided in correspondence with the intake ports 31 and a plurality of intake ports 31 provided corresponding to the cooled parts 50 (first to third cooled parts 51, 52, 53). The blower duct 32 and the blower fan 33 provided in the cooled portion 50 so as to face the blower duct 32 are provided. By driving the blower fan 33, the air taken in through the air inlet 31 flows through the cooled part 50 and then exhausted through the exhaust part 40.

  The suction port 31 includes a first suction port 311 for the first cooled portion 51 in which a part on the right side of the developing device 114d and the photosensitive drum 114a in FIG. 3 is accommodated, and a cleaning device 114f and a photosensitive member. The second inlet 312 for the second cooled portion 52 in which a part of the left side of the drum 114a in FIG. 3 is accommodated in the area and the third cooled portion 53 in which the fixing device 115 is accommodated in the area are targeted. It consists of a third air inlet 313.

  As shown in FIG. 1, these first to third intake ports 311, 312, and 313 are arranged in a lateral direction at the upper position of the front cover body 117 that covers the upper front portion of the apparatus main body 111 so as to be freely opened and closed. Is provided.

  On the other hand, the front cover body 117 is formed in a double structure by a front plate 117 ′ and a back plate 117 ″ facing the front plate 117 ′ in a state of being slightly separated from the front plate 117 ′. The first to third intake ports 311, 312, 313 are provided on the side of the front plate 117 ′. The peripheral edge of the back plate 117 ″ is bent toward the front plate 117 ′, and an annular edge formed in a close contact state. The front plate 117 ′ and the back plate 117 ″ are integrated by being fixed to the front plate 117 ′. Between the front plate 117 ′ and the back plate 117 ″, the first to third intake air is provided. An air passage space V through which air taken in from the ports 311, 312, 313 passes is formed.

  The air passage space V is partitioned into three by two partition plates 117c, whereby the first air passage space V1 corresponding to the first air inlet 311 and the first air duct 321, the second air inlet 312 and The second air passage space V2 corresponding to the second air duct 322 and the third air passage space V3 corresponding to the third air inlet 313 and the third air duct 323 are divided into three spaces.

  In this way, the air taken in from the first air inlet 311 passes through the first air passage space V1 dedicated to the first cooled part 51 and is introduced into the first cooled part 51 via the first air duct 321. The air taken in from the second air inlet 312 passes through the second air passage space V2 dedicated to the second cooled portion 52, is introduced into the second cooled portion 52 via the second air duct 322, and The air taken in from the third air inlet 313 passes through the third air passage space V3 dedicated to the third cooled portion 53, and is introduced into the third cooled portion 53 via the third air duct 323. It has become.

  As described above, the air passage space V is partitioned into the first to third air passage spaces V1, V2, and V3 corresponding to the first to third cooled parts 51, 52, and 53, so The flow path of the air which goes to the 1st-3rd to-be-cooled parts 51,52,53 is each decided, and the air which goes to each to-be-cooled part 51,52,53 influences the air which goes to the other to-be-cooled part 50 by this. Therefore, air can be introduced into each of the cooled parts 51, 52, 53 in a stable state.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the front cover body 117 has a pair of upper and lower connections projecting in opposite directions from the upper and lower edges of one side (the right side in the example shown in FIG. 5). There are shafts 117a (the lower connecting shaft 117a is not shown), and these connecting shafts 117a are mounted on the right side above the paper feeding unit 112 of the apparatus main body 111, so that they rotate forward and backward around the connecting shaft 117a. It opens and closes by moving.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a lattice-like louver 117b is attached to the first air inlet 311 and the third air inlet 313, while the second air inlet 312 at the center represents an emblem. Thus, the front surface of the multifunction device 11 is excellent in design. An annular gap 118 a for taking in outside air is formed between the symbol board 118 and the inner peripheral surface of the second air inlet 312.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the air duct 32 has a rectangular tube shape from the back plate 117 ″ of the front cover body 117, which has a double structure, into the apparatus main body 111, and the back plate 117. It protrudes in a state penetrating ″. The blower duct 32 has one end surface facing the first air inlet 311 and the other end surface facing the first cooled portion 51, and one end surface facing the second air inlet 312. The second air duct 322 is opposed to the second air-cooled duct 322 with the other end surface opposed to the second cooled portion 52, the one end surface is opposed to the third air inlet 313, and the other end surface is opposed to the third cooled portion 53. The third air duct 323 is provided.

  Each of the first to third air ducts 321, 322, and 323 has a lattice 324 (FIGS. 5 and 6) made of vertical and horizontal bars on the other end surfaces (end surfaces facing the portion to be cooled 50). In addition, an annular seal member 325 made of an elastic member such as rubber or soft synthetic resin is attached to the peripheral surface of the other end surface.

  On the other hand, the developing device 114d, the cleaning device 114f, and the fixing device 115 are grouped together as related units, and are housed in a unit housing 60 (FIG. 5). As such a unit case 60, a developing device unit case 61 to which a charging device 114b is mainly attached, a cleaning device unit case 62 to which a cleaning device 114f is mainly attached, and a fixing device to which a fixing device 115 is attached. An apparatus unit housing 63 and the like are provided. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the unit housing 60 overlaps the part to be cooled 50.

  And each said 1st-3rd ventilation duct 321,322,323 is respectively in the state which the front cover body 117 was closed so that it could oppose the front surface of the corresponding unit housing | casing 60 through a slight clearance, respectively. A projecting amount from the back plate 117 ″ is set. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the first air duct 321 is interposed between the front surface of the developing device unit housing 61 and the annular seal member 325. The third air duct 323 is fixed to the fixing device unit housing so that the second air duct 322 can contact the front surface of the cleaning device unit housing 62 via the annular seal member 325. The projecting amounts are set so as to be able to contact 63 via the annular seal member 325.

  In particular, the fixing device unit housing 63 is configured to hold the fixing device 115 in the lower portion thereof, so that the upper position of the fixing device 115 is opposed to the third air duct 323. A plurality of ventilation holes 631 are formed in a wall surface of the fixing device unit housing 63 facing the third air duct 323. Accordingly, the air supplied from the third blower duct 323 flows through the fixing device unit housing 63 through the ventilation hole 631, and the hot air generated and raised by the fixing device 115 is accompanied by the flow-through air to the outside. By being discharged, the cooling process of the third cooled portion 53 is efficiently performed.

  The wall surface of the cleaning device unit housing 62 facing the second air duct 322 is also provided with a vent hole 621 similar to the vent hole 631, so that the air introduced through the second air duct 322 is cleaned. By flowing through the device unit casing 62, the second cooled portion 52 is efficiently cooled.

  The developing device unit housing 61 is not provided with holes such as the vent holes 621 and 631, but there are gaps penetrating the developing device unit housing 61 in various places. Since the air introduced through the first air duct 321 passes through these gaps and flows through the developing device unit housing 61, the first cooled portion 51 is efficiently cooled.

  The blower fan 33 is provided with dedicated ones in the first to third cooled parts 51, 52, 53. The blower fan 33 includes a first blower fan 331 dedicated to the first cooled part 512 provided in the first cooled part 51 and the second cooled part provided in the second cooled part 52. 52 includes a second blower fan 332 dedicated to 52 and a third blower fan 333 dedicated to the third cooled portion 53 provided in the third cooled portion 53. Each of the blower fans 331, 332, and 333 is provided so that the fan shaft is along the center line of each of the blower ducts 321, 322, and 323, so that the air is not biased in each of the blower ducts 321, 322, and 323. It is made to circulate in a state.

  Further, a filter 326 (FIG. 6) is stretched over the inlet side of each of the air ducts 321, 322, 323 so as to cover the air ducts 321, 322, 323, and the first to third cooled parts 51, The first to third blower fans 331, 332, 333 in the 52, 53 drive the first to third cooled parts 51, 52, 53 through the first to third blower ducts 321, 322, 323. The air that is taken in is cleaned.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the exhaust unit 40 includes an exhaust duct 41 erected on the bottom plate 111 g (FIG. 4) of the apparatus main body 111 and the bottom plate 111 g while sharing the back plate 111 f of the apparatus main body 111. And a plurality of exhaust holes 42 formed in a portion corresponding to the lower end surface of the exhaust duct 41. The exhaust duct 41 has a left-right width dimension in FIG. 3 set to be substantially the same as the width dimension of the cooled part 50, and a height dimension set to be substantially the same as the lowest height dimension of the cooled part 50. Thus, the air flowing through the cooled part 50 passes through the exhaust duct 41 and is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust hole 42.

  According to the cooling structure 20 configured as above, external air passes through the first to third intake ports 311, 312, 313 by driving the first to third blower fans 331, 332, 333. Once introduced into the space between the front plate 117 ′ and the back plate 117 ″ of the front cover body 117, the first to third air ducts 321, 322 and 323 are removed in a state where dust is removed through the filter 326. Then, the first to third cooled parts 51, 52, and 53 are cooled, and the cooled air passes through the exhaust duct 41 and the exhaust holes 42. Is discharged to the outside.

  And the 1st-3rd to-be-cooled parts 51,52,53 are each provided with the 1st-3rd ventilation fan 331,332,333 for exclusive use, and each ventilation fan 331,332,333 is, The first to third air ducts 321, 322, 323 are designed to send air only to the target cooled parts 50, so that each part is dedicated according to the status of each cooled part 51, 52, 53. It becomes possible to perform a highly accurate cooling process by setting the air volume of the blower fan 33.

  As described above in detail, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 111 and sucks air into the apparatus main body 111, and the apparatus main body via the intake section 30. 111 is provided with an exhaust part 40 for exhausting air introduced into the apparatus 111, and an air intake part 30 in the apparatus main body 111 and a cooled part 50 disposed between the exhaust parts 40. A plurality of intake ports 31 provided corresponding to each cooled portion 50, a blower fan 33 that blows air sucked from the intake ports 31 to the cooled portion 50, and a blower that is sucked and blown by the blower fan 33 A plurality of air ducts 32 are provided for directing the air that is directed toward the target cooled part 50.

  According to this configuration, on the front side of the apparatus main body 111, the plurality of blower fans 33 respectively corresponding to the plurality of cooled parts 50 provided in the apparatus main body 111 and the air sucked by the blower fan 33 are targeted. Since the air duct 32 that is directed to the cooling target device is provided, the air sucked by the driving of each blower fan 33 is guided to the blower duct 32 dedicated to each cooled portion 50 and the blower fan 33. Is sent toward the target cooled part 50, thereby cooling the cooled part 50.

  In this way, each of the cooled parts 50 is exposed to the dedicated air blowing fan 33 and the air flow sucked in by the air blowing fan 33 through the air flow sent through the dedicated air blowing duct 32. Compared to one in which only one fan is provided on the exhaust port side, and air is introduced into the apparatus main body 111 through ducts corresponding to each cooled part 50 provided on the inlet side of the fan, By adjusting the driving of the blower fan 33 corresponding to each cooled part 50, it is possible to supply the air of the optimum air volume without excess or deficiency to each cooled part 50, and thereby with high accuracy for the cooled part 50. An efficient cooling process can be realized.

  Further, the cooled portion 50 supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 114a on which an electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image, and after transferring the toner image to the paper P. Since the periphery of the cleaning device 114f that removes residual toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 114a and the periphery of the fixing device 115 that performs a fixing process on the toner image transferred to the paper P are set, these developments are performed. The periphery of the device 114d, the periphery of the cleaning device 114f, and the periphery of the fixing device 115 are all around the device in which the heat source exists, and the layout of each device in the device main body 111 is partially biased in layout. Each device has its own characteristics by accurately feeding cooling air with a preset air volume around each device. Depending is effectively cooled with high precision, it is possible to achieve a uniform temperature distribution in the proper temperature in the apparatus main body 111.

  Note that the photosensitive drum 114a, which can be regarded as another heat source, is sandwiched between the developing device 114d and the cleaning device 114f. Therefore, by sending air to the periphery of the developing device 114d and the periphery of the cleaning device 114f, the photosensitive drum 114a can be regarded as another heat source. Air also circulates around the photosensitive drum 114a, whereby the photosensitive drum 114a can also be cooled.

  Each of the cooled parts 51, 52, 53 is provided by mounting a predetermined device that generates heat in the developing device unit housing 61, the cleaning device unit housing 62, and the fixing device unit housing 63. The air ducts 321, 322, 323 are unitized, and the air holes 621, 631 (this is the main wall of the unit housings 61, 62, 63 facing the air duct 32 via the annular seal member 325). In the embodiment, the developing device unit housing 61 is not provided with a ventilation hole. However, since there exists a ventilation gap instead of the ventilation hole, this gap can be regarded as a ventilation hole). The air from each of the air ducts 321, 322, 323 is supplied only to the cooled parts 51, 52, 53. It becomes Rukoto can perform cooling treatment of the cooled portion of interest by adjustment of the air volume with high accuracy.

  Further, the apparatus main body 111 is provided with an openable / closable front cover body 117 facing the front portion of the cooled part 50. The front cover body 117 is provided with a plurality of air inlets 31. Since the cover body 117 and the air inlet 31 are disposed so as to be integrated with each other, by opening the front cover body 117, the air duct 32 integrated with the front cover body 117 is separated from the cooled part 50, and the cooled part 50 is It will be in the state exposed outside, and, thereby, the maintenance work of the to-be-cooled part 50 can be performed easily.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and includes the following contents.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the developing device unit housing 61 is set as the first cooled portion 51, the cleaning device unit housing 62 is set as the second cooled portion 52, and the third cooled portion is used. The fixing device unit housing 63 is set as the portion 53, but in the present invention, the developing device unit housing 61, the cleaning device unit housing 62, and the fixing device unit housing 63 are used as the cooled portion 50. The fixing device unit housing 63 is set as at least the third cooled portion 53, and the other developing device unit housing 61 and the cleaning device unit housing 62 are not limited to setting all. Depending on the situation, one of them may be set as the first cooled portion 51 or the second cooled portion 52. Further, if the situation permits, the developing device unit housing 61 and the cleaning device unit housing 62 do not have to be cooled by blowing.

  (2) In the above embodiment, no partition is provided in the air passage space formed between the front plate 117 ′ and the back plate 117 ″ in the front cover body 117. The intake air from the third intake port 313 is provided so that the intake air from the first intake port 311 is directed only to the first air duct 321 and the intake air from the second intake port 312 is directed only to the second air duct 322. May be directed only to the third air duct 323. By doing so, it becomes possible to control the air volume directed to each cooled part 51, 52, 53 with higher accuracy.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the air duct 32 is formed in a rectangular tube shape, but the present invention is not limited to the air duct 32 having a rectangular tube shape, depending on the situation. You may form by the cylindrical shape or the cylindrical body of another shape.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the exhaust hole 42 of the exhaust part 40 is provided in the bottom plate 111g of the apparatus main body 111. Instead, the exhaust hole 42 is provided on the back plate 111f side of the apparatus main body 111. Also good. In this way, it is not necessary to provide the exhaust duct 41, which can contribute to a reduction in component costs.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the symbolic plate 118 is formed in a hexagonal shield shape whose outer peripheral edge has a decorative effect, but the shape of the symbolic plate 118 is limited to a hexagonal shape. It may be a triangle or a rectangle, and may be a circle or an ellipse. However, if the outer peripheral edge of the symbol board 118 is not a simple shape such as a circle or a square, but a decorative shape having a decorative effect, it is advantageous in that it does not stand out even if dust or the like adheres. As the decorative shape, in addition to the shield shape as in the above-described embodiment, for example, a shape such as an elephant shape shaped like an animal or a plant can provide a decorative effect.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the blower fan 33 is provided in the cooled part 50, but the present invention is not limited to the blower fan 33 provided in the cooled part 50. The air duct 32 may be provided in the front cover body 117. By doing so, it becomes possible to perform maintenance of the blower fan 33 with the front cover body 117 opened, and it is possible to improve the maintainability.

1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of front sectional view which shows one Embodiment of the internal structure of an image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of planar sectional view of the multifunctional machine for demonstrating a cooling structure. It is explanatory drawing of the side surface sectional view of the multifunctional machine for demonstrating a cooling structure. It is a perspective view which shows a multifunctional machine, and has shown the state by which the front cover body was open | released. It is a partially cutaway perspective view showing one embodiment of an air duct, and shows a state in which the air duct is in close contact with the wall surface of the unit housing via an annular seal member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 MFP 111 Main body 111a Power switch 111b Operation panel 111c Start button 111d Numeric keypad 111e Monitor screen 111f Back plate 111g Bottom plate 112 Paper feed part 113 Paper conveyance part 113a Conveying roller pair 113b Switchback part 114 Image formation part 114a Photosensitive drum 114b Charging device 114c Exposure device 114d Development device 114e Transfer device 114f Cleaning device 114g Static elimination device 115 Fixing device 115a Heating roller 115b Pressure roller 116 Image reading unit 116a Contact glass 117 Front cover body (front cover)
117 ′ Front plate 117 ″ Back plate 117 a Connecting shaft 117 b Louver 117 c Partition plate 118 Representation plate 118 a Annular gap 119 Document reading device 12 Paper feeding device 121 Lift unit 122 Rolling roller 123 Conveying roller pair 13 Post-processing device 131 Main discharge tray 132 Sub Discharge tray 20 Cooling structure 30 Intake portion 31 Intake ports 311 to 313 First to third intake ports 32 Air ducts 321 to 323 First to third air ducts 324 Grid 325 Annular seal member 326 Filter 33 Air blow fans 331 to 333 First -3rd ventilation duct 40 Exhaust part 41 Exhaust duct 42 Exhaust hole 50 Cooled parts 51-53 1st-3rd cooled part 60 Unit housing 61 Developing device unit housing 62 Cleaning device unit housing 621 Ventilation hole 63 Fixing device unit housing 631 Holes P Paper V air passage space V1~V3 first to third air passage space

Claims (5)

An air intake section that is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body and sucks air into the apparatus main body, an exhaust section that exhausts air introduced into the apparatus main body via the air intake section, and the intake section in the apparatus main body, An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of cooled parts disposed between exhaust parts,
The intake section includes a plurality of intake ports provided corresponding to each cooled portion, a blower fan that blows air sucked from the intake port to the cooled portion, and is sucked and blown by the blower fan. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of air ducts that respectively direct the air to be cooled individually from the plurality of air inlets to a target cooling target.   The apparatus main body includes a developing device that supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum on which the electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image, and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum after the toner image is transferred to a sheet. A cleaning device that removes residual toner remaining and a fixing device that performs a fixing process on the toner image transferred to the paper are provided, and the cooled portion includes the periphery of the fixing device, the periphery of the developing device, and the cleaning device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is one or both of the periphery.   The cooled portion is unitized by mounting a predetermined device in a housing, and a ventilation hole is formed in a wall surface of the housing facing the air duct, and the air duct has a tip edge surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is closely attached to the wall surface so as to surround the ventilation hole via a seal member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the blower fan is provided in the housing.   The apparatus main body is provided with a front cover that can be opened and closed facing the front portion of the cooled part, and the front cover is provided with a plurality of air inlets, and the air duct is integrated with the front cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed so as to oppose to the image forming apparatus.

Images