JP2007047496A - Image forming apparatus and deodorizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can decompose an odor component due to heating of fixation processing with high efficiency to eliminate an odor and so on, and can also obtain sufficient practical effect of deodorization at low operation cost and low maintenance cost with low power consumption and low noise. <P>SOLUTION: A deodorizing device 70 is provided between a fixing roller pair 5 and a paper discharge conveyance roller pair 11. In the deodorizing device 70, a negative ion generating device 71 is arranged on the bottom side of a case 70A, and a conveyance path 73 for a sheet is provided penetrating the case 70A; and an entrance shutter 74 is provided at a sheet entrance and an exit shutter 75 is provided at a sheet exit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for fixing an image by heating a sheet to which an image has been transferred. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improvement in the installation environment by efficiently reducing the outbreak of odorous components generated by heat fixing. Related to technology.

  An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet (including various recording materials) by an electrophotographic system has been put into practical use. At the end of the image forming process, the image forming apparatus heats and presses the sheet to which the image has been transferred to fix the image on the surface of the sheet. Therefore, volatile components are released from the heated sheet and image into the air, producing a strange odor. May occur. The odorous component released into the internal space of the housing structure of the image forming apparatus is released into the installation space by the cooling (ventilation) fan. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus installed in a narrow room is operated for a long time. The comfort of the installation space and the indoor work environment are impaired.

  Accordingly, various environmental measures have been proposed for the cumulative problem of odorous components associated with long-time operation of the image forming apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 (Registered Utility Model) proposes that a commercially available air cleaner is arranged in the installation space of the image forming apparatus to improve the comfort of the installation space and improve the indoor working environment.

  In Patent Document 2, an air cleaner is attached to an exhaust port of a cooling (ventilation) fan of an image forming apparatus so that odorous components in the housing structure are not discharged into the installation space as they are.

Registration plan No. 3059719 JP 2002-169432 A

  In the environmental measures disclosed in Patent Document 1, the odorous components once diffused around the image forming apparatus are decomposed and non-brominated by an air cleaner, so that a large amount of air can be processed at high speed in order to obtain effectiveness. A large capacity air purifier is required. In order to decompose and deodorize odorous components that have been diluted, a special filter, activated carbon, water contact method, etc., which is complicated, expensive, and requires an air cleaner that requires regular element replacement, The operating cost and maintenance cost increase due to an increase in power consumption of the fan accompanying an increase in pressure loss, and the operating noise of the air cleaner may cause the indoor environment to deteriorate more than the effect of reducing off-flavors.

  Since the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 does not diffuse odorous components into the indoor space, even an air cleaner having low decomposition efficiency and no bromide efficiency can achieve an effect that is greater than the environmental countermeasures disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  However, most of the odorous components generated by the operation of the image forming apparatus are generated by heating when fixing the image on the sheet, and the heated sheet retains the odorous component for a while after being loaded on the tray. Since it continues to be released, as in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260260, if it is attempted to achieve simultaneous determination by handling it in the same row as the countermeasure against ozone generation by corona discharge, a great inefficiency occurs.

  In other words, odorous components cause humans to feel odor even at very low concentrations in the atmosphere, causing discomfort, but when the concentration of odorous components in the air decreases, the efficiency of trapping, decomposing, and odorless by the air cleaner is Since it becomes extremely low, the odorous component needs to be decomposed and non-brominated before it diffuses into the atmosphere.

  In addition, volatile components caused by heating cause condensation, liquefaction, adsorption, and the like due to cooling, and volatile components condensed, liquefied, and adsorbed on members in the image forming apparatus are oxidized, altered (such as rubber material deterioration), and offensive odor. Therefore, it is necessary to proceed with decomposition and detoxification before the cooling proceeds.

  However, since the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 captures odorous components that are diffused and cooled in the housing of the image forming apparatus, the concentration of the odorous components at the capturing stage is low, and a special ceramic is used. If the high-performance filter used is not used, the effect cannot be obtained, and the acid gas generated by heating the sheet may condense in the housing and oxidize the photosensitive drum or the scanning mirror.

  Further, in a small printer or the like (see FIG. 1) in which a sheet stacking tray is formed on the upper surface of the housing structure, the fixing unit is disposed at a high position in the housing, so that odorous components are discharged by thermal convection. It is easy to escape from the casing to the indoor space through the gaps in the section, and odorous components released from the high-temperature sheets loaded on the stacking tray should be captured by the deodorizing device attached to the ventilation mechanism in the casing. There is no.

  The present invention captures odorous components resulting from heating in the fixing process at a stage where diffusion progress is low and cooling progress is low, and can achieve high efficiency decomposition, no bromination, etc., low power consumption, low noise, An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a sufficient non-bromide effect at a low operating cost and a low maintenance cost.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus provided with fixing means for fixing the image by heating the sheet to which the image has been transferred, and by passing the sheet having the image fixed therein, A deodorizing unit that reduces odorous components generated by heating of the fixing unit is disposed downstream of the fixing unit in the sheet conveying direction.

  An example of the deodorizing means imparts a property of reducing the odorous component to a housing member that restricts movement of air inside and outside by partitioning a space through which the sheet passes, and air inside the housing member. Activation means.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the deodorizing means is arranged on the downstream side (fixed sheet discharge path) of the fixing means where the concentration and temperature of the odorous component due to heating are high. Compared with the arrangement shown in Patent Document 2, the odorous components resulting from the heating of the fixing process can be captured at a low stage of diffusion and the odorous components can be reduced in a high concentration state. The treatment efficiency is improved by increasing the number of molecules, and the total amount of odorous components released to the external space without treatment is reduced as compared with the case of treatment at a low concentration.

  Also, since odorous components resulting from heating during the fixing process are captured at a stage where the cooling progress is low, and they are decomposed and not brominated at high temperatures, the odor escapes the process by condensation, liquefaction, adsorption, etc. due to cooling. Compared to the case where the components are reduced and the room temperature treatment is performed, the total amount of odorous components released to the external space without being treated is reduced. Decomposition by high-temperature heat energy and increased efficiency of non-bromide can be expected.

  Therefore, even with a deodorizing means that is small, simple, and not very efficient, such as a negative ion generator using corona discharge, it effectively decomposes odorous components and does not bromide, resulting in a high deodorizing effect. Can be achieved.

  When air with enhanced deodorizing function is held inside the casing member and the sheet is passed through it, the deodorizing function is not used during the period when the sheet does not pass even if the activation means has low activation capacity per hour. When a certain molecular concentration is increased and the sheet passes through, a sufficient number of molecules with a deodorizing function is secured and the deodorizing function is exerted at once. Odor component is reduced.

  Hereinafter, a color printer 50 which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the color printer 50 of the present embodiment, and may be implemented by a copying machine, a facsimile, a monochrome printer, a complex machine of these, or the like. As long as heat treatment is performed at the end of the image forming process, not only the electrostatic photography method, but other image forming methods, for example, an image forming device using thermosetting ink, an ink jet image forming device, and other printing devices Or the like.

  In the color printer 50 of this embodiment, the image carrier means is the intermediate transfer belt 2, the transfer means is the secondary transfer roller pair 3, the fixing means is the fixing roller pair 5, the stacking tray means is the discharge tray 7, and the reverse conveyance path is Double-sided conveyance path 27, power supply means is high-voltage power supply substrate 51, deodorization means is deodorization device 70, housing member is case 70A, activation means is negative ion generator 71, discharge means is positive electrode 77 and negative electrode 72, The sheet discharge path corresponds to the conveyance path 73 and the shutter means corresponds to the entrance shutter 74 and the exit shutter 75, respectively. However, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the combination of these members, and these members are used. The embodiments of the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be realized by various combinations using various alternatives that can be included.

<Color printer>
1 is a cross-sectional view of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an ion generation unit of the deodorization apparatus, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view around the deodorization apparatus, and FIG. It is sectional drawing of another example of an ion generation part.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color printer 50 includes photosensitive drums a (yellow), b (magenta), c (cyan), and d (black), which are four image forming media arranged in parallel. On the surface, toner images of colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed and held so as to be transferable. The intermediate transfer belt 2 disposed above the photosensitive drums a, b, c, and d contacts the photosensitive drums a, b, c, and d to transfer and hold the toner images of the respective colors. The toner images of the respective colors transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 2 in a superimposed manner, that is, color images, are transferred to the sheet P by the secondary transfer roller pair 3.

  The photosensitive drums a, b, c, and d are in contact with the driven rollers 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to form a transfer portion, and are driven in an integrated manner by a motor (not shown). A primary charger, a developing device, and a transfer charger (not shown) are arranged around the photosensitive drums a, b, c, and d, respectively, and are unitized as process cartridges 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d. .

  The exposure device 6 disposed below the photosensitive drums a, b, c, and d is coaxially rotated with modulated optical signals of laser beams respectively emitted at predetermined time intervals from four light sources (not shown). And a modulated light signal is scanned on the surface of each of the photosensitive drums a, b, c, and d to form a latent image.

  The photosensitive drum a is scanned with a modulated light signal based on the yellow component color image signal obtained by developing the image data of the document, and an electrostatic latent image of yellow component color is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum a. Then, the yellow toner is supplied from the developing device to develop it, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a yellow toner image. When the yellow toner image arrives at the primary transfer portion where the photosensitive drum a and the intermediate transfer belt 2 come into contact with the rotation of the photosensitive drum a, the primary transfer bias voltage applied to the transfer charging member 2a causes The yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum a is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 2 (primary transfer).

  A magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum b by the same method as described above until the portion carrying the yellow toner image of the intermediate transfer belt 2 reaches the photosensitive drum b, and the magenta toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 2. The image is transferred onto the yellow toner image with the heads of the images aligned.

  Similarly, a cyan toner image and a black toner image are formed on the photosensitive drums c and d, respectively, by the time the intermediate transfer belt 2 moves and the leading edge of the image reaches the photosensitive drums c and d. In this primary transfer portion, a cyan toner image and then a black toner image are superimposed and transferred onto the yellow toner image and the magenta toner image.

  In the cassette 4, a large number of sheets P as recording materials are stored. The sheets P are sent one by one from the cassette 4 to the conveyance path 25 by the pickup roller 8, and the entry timing is adjusted by the registration roller 9 and enters the secondary transfer roller pair 3 that is a secondary transfer portion. The secondary transfer roller pair 3 collectively transfers the four color toner images (color images) on the intermediate transfer belt 2 onto the sheet P by the applied secondary transfer bias voltage (secondary transfer).

  The sheet P on which the toner images of four colors are transferred is guided by the conveyance guide 20 and conveyed to the fixing roller pair 5. The fixing roller pair 5 is configured by pressing a follower roller with a heating roller provided with a heating element therein, and applies a pressure while heating the sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred, for example, to 170 degrees C. The toner image powder is melted and adhered to the sheet structure. Subsequent pressure release and cooling completes the fixing of the toner image.

  After the toner image of each color is fixed by the fixing roller pair 5 and a full-color print image is formed on the sheet P, the sheet P is transferred from the conveying roller pair 10 provided downstream of the fixing roller pair 5 to the discharge conveying roller pair 11. Then, the sheet P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 7 by the paper discharge conveyance roller pair 11.

  On the other hand, when images are formed on both sides of a sheet, the sheet P is switched back and conveyed by reversing the discharge conveyance roller pair 11 while the sheet P being discharged is held above the discharge tray 7. It is caused to enter the double-sided conveyance path 27 from the branch part 22.

  Then, the paper is fed again to the registration roller 9 through the junction 28 in the reverse state, and the same image forming procedure as that in the first image formation is repeated, so that four color toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 2. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 2 is transferred to the back surface of the sheet P that has been held and entered the pair of secondary transfer rollers 3. The sheet P to which the four color toner images have been transferred is guided by the conveyance guide 20 and conveyed to the fixing roller pair 5 to fix the image. The sheet P is transferred from the conveyance roller pair 10 to the paper discharge conveyance roller pair 11 and remains as it is. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 7.

<Deodorizer>
Between the branching section 22 downstream of the fixing roller pair 5 and the paper discharge conveying roller pair 11, a deodorizing device 70 for disassembling and deodorizing odorous components generated due to heating by the fixing roller pair 5 is disposed. ing. The deodorizing apparatus 70 includes a negative ion generator 71 on the bottom side of the case 70 </ b> A that passes through the sheet conveyance path 73. The negative ion generator 71 negatively ionizes gas molecules in the air and releases them into the internal space of the case 70A for accumulation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the negative ion generator 71 has a positive electrode 77 and a large number of negative electrodes 72 facing each other at a predetermined interval. The needle-like negative electrode 72 protrudes perpendicularly to the surface of the flat positive electrode 77, and a negative high voltage is applied by the high-voltage power supply substrate 51.

  A voltage of several kV is applied between the positive electrode 77 and the negative electrode 72 from the high-voltage power supply substrate 51 disposed in the housing 30 (FIG. 1) of the color printer 50 to cause the negative electrode 72 to perform negative corona discharge. Then, gas molecules in the air are negatively ionized by electrons emitted from the negative electrode 72, and negative ions are generated in the space between the positive electrode 77 and the negative electrode 72.

  When air is blown in a direction parallel to the surface of the positive electrode 77 using the air blowing means 76 such as an air blowing fan, the negative ions generated in the opposite space are moved upward by the air blowing, and negative ions are generated. Negative ions are released to the outside through a hole provided in the ceiling of the case of the device 71.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the deodorizing apparatus 70 is provided with a sheet conveyance path 73 therethrough, and the sheet P heated by the fixing roller pair 5 and starting to release volatile components and odorous components is conveyed. It is guided by the path 73, passes through the inner space of the case 70 </ b> A, and is guided to the paper discharge conveyance roller pair 11. Since the conveyance path 73 is formed of a large number of wires arranged in the conveyance direction of the sheet P, both front and back surfaces of the sheet P are efficiently exposed to the air in the case 70A.

  An entrance shutter 74 is disposed at the entrance to the case 70A of the sheet P guided by the transport path 73, and an exit shutter 75 is disposed at the exit from the case 70A. The entrance shutter 74 and the exit shutter 75 are formed of a thin film material having a vertical cut, and are opened and closed by being driven by the conveyed sheet.

  The entrance shutter 74 and the exit shutter 75 are opened when the sheet P enters the conveyance path 73, and are closed when the sheet P passes through the conveyance path 73. The closed entrance shutter 74 and exit shutter 75 substantially seal the entrance and exit of the case 70A, respectively, to separate the air inside and outside, and reduce the leakage of negative ions to the external space during the period when the sheet P does not pass through. .

  Therefore, during a period when the sheet P does not enter the case 70A, negative ions are accumulated in the internal space of the case 70A by the negative ion generator 71, and the negative ion density is increased. When the sheet P passes through, the accumulated negative ions cover the sheet P all over, and decompose and deodorize volatile components and odorous components generated from the sheet P and images.

  In addition, when the sheet P passes through the case 70A and is discharged by the paper discharge conveyance roller pair 11, the entrance shutter 74 and the exit shutter 75 are opened, and negative ions are emitted from the internal space of the case 70A to the color printer 50. Overflowing into the housing 30 (FIG. 1), the odorous substance in the housing 30 is decomposed and debrominated. At the same time, negative ions overflow into the indoor space through the gap between the pair of paper discharge conveyance rollers 11, and dust and pollen floating in the indoor space can be removed to prevent air pollution such as viruses and bacteria.

  Further, the negative ions adhering to the sheet P in the process of passing through the case 70 and the negative ions entering the surface air layer of the sheet P move to the sheet discharge tray 7 (FIG. 1) together with the sheet P, and the negative ions surround the sheet. An ionic layer is formed, and the odorous component generated from the sheet P in the cooling process is decomposed and brominated free.

  In the case of double-sided printing, when the sheet P is switched back and conveyed by the paper discharge conveyance roller pair 11, the sheet P stagnates in the case 70, so the number of negative ions contacting the sheet P is integrated over time and is odorized. More components can be decomposed and brominated free.

  The negative ion generator 71 may be replaced with a negative ion generator 71D shown in FIG. In the negative ion generator 71D, a flat positive electrode 77 is disposed at the outlet of the case, and the generated negative ions move from the negative electrode 72 toward the positive electrode 77 (ion wind). Even if not, negative ions are emitted from the hole provided in the positive electrode 77 to the outside of the negative ion generator 71D.

  Further, the air cleaning method is not limited to the method in which the negative ion generator 71 is provided, but may be a case in which a plasma electrode for generating plasma is provided.

  In addition, the entrance shutter 74 and the exit shutter 75 may be replaced with a weight-added one having better sealing performance, and the conveyed sheet may be detected and forcibly opened and closed by a solenoid or the like.

<Removable deodorization device>
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a color printer according to another embodiment as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view seen from the front, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the paper discharge unit. The color printer 50B according to another embodiment is configured in the same manner as the color printer 50 according to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 except that the deodorizing device 70B is detachable. Among these, members common to FIG. 1 and the like are denoted by common reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, a fan 60 and a duct 61 are disposed above the fixing roller pair 5 and above the paper discharge roller pair 11 in the housing 30 of the color printer 50B. When the fan 60 is operated, air between the fixing roller pair 5 and the paper discharge transport roller pair 11 in the housing 30 is taken in (air flow Y1), and the taken air is sucked into the fan 60. The exhaust of the fan 60 is discharged from the inside of the housing 30 to the outside through the opening 62 formed in the paper discharge portion via the duct 61.

  The exhaust discharged to the outside contains a large amount of odorous components generated from the heated toner, sheet P, molded resin member, and the like. Also, odorous components continue to be released from the sheet P discharged from the pair of paper discharge rollers 11 during the cooling process.

  On the other hand, a recess 7E is formed on the upstream side of the paper discharge tray 7, and an optional deodorizing device 70B is attached to the recess 7E. The deodorizing apparatus 70B includes therein a negative ion generating apparatus 71 shown in FIG. 2, and operates in the same manner as the deodorizing apparatus 70 shown in FIG.

  The high-voltage power supply substrate 51 for applying a voltage to the negative ion generator 71 is disposed in the space between the paper discharge tray 7 and the intermediate transfer belt 2, and the high-voltage output of the high-voltage power supply substrate 51 is provided in the recess 7E. It is connected to a female connector (not shown).

  On the other hand, an electrode (not shown) in the negative ion generator 71 is connected to a male connector disposed at a position corresponding to the female connector of the recess 7E on the bottom surface of the deodorizer 70B, and the deodorizer 70B is recessed. When pushed into 7E, the male connector and female connector are connected.

  The high-voltage power supply substrate 51 originally generates a high voltage for transfer for charging the intermediate transfer belt 2, and shares the high-voltage power supply for transfer and the high-voltage power supply of the deodorizing device 70B. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of the options, simplify the bundle route, and save space.

  In addition, since the transfer unit using the intermediate transfer belt 2 is disposed directly under the high-voltage power supply substrate 51 in the housing 30, the bundle path from the high-voltage power supply substrate 51 to the transfer unit is short and simplified. .

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the air discharged from the opening 62 of the color printer 50B is taken into the deodorizing device 70B through the opening of the deodorizing device 70B. The air containing a large amount of the odorous component taken in is decomposed and non-brominated by the negative ions generated by the negative ion generator 71 and discharged to the external space (air flow Y2).

  The sheet P is taken into the conveyance path 73 in the deodorizing apparatus 70B via the paper discharge conveyance roller pair 11 of the color printer 50B. The conveyance path 73 is filled with negative ions generated from the negative ion generator 71, and the odorous components generated from the sheet P are decomposed and non-brominated.

  Accordingly, during double-sided printing, the sheet P stays in the conveyance path 73 for a long time, and the odorous components generated from the sheet P can be efficiently decomposed and non-brominated, so that the odorous components generated in the housing 30 by the conveyance of the sheet P Can also be suppressed.

  Further, in the paper discharge tray 7, negative ions are released toward the paper discharge tray 7 by the action of the air flow Y2, so that odorous components generated from the sheet bundle Pt loaded and discharged can be decomposed and non-brominated.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, when a multifunction device is configured by arranging a reader 102 and an operation unit on the upper part of the color printer 50 </ b> B, an organic chemical substance is easily trapped in the in-machine space 80 under the reader 102. By installing the deodorizing device 70B, the in-machine space 80 can be kept clean.

  Moreover, the negative ions diffused from the interior space 80 to remove dust and pollen floating in the interior space and prevent air pollution such as viruses and bacteria, so that a comfortable indoor environment and work environment can be maintained. .

<Correspondence with Invention>
The color printer 50 according to this embodiment includes a fixing roller pair 5 for fixing the image by heating the sheet P to which the image has been transferred. By passing the sheet P fixed therein, the color printer 50 passes through the sheet P. A deodorizing device 70 that reduces odorous components generated from the sheet P or the like by heating using the fixing roller pair 5 is disposed downstream of the fixing roller pair 5 in the sheet conveying direction. More specifically, the deodorizing device 70 is disposed on the downstream side (fixed sheet discharge path) of the pair of fixing rollers 5 having a high concentration and temperature of odorous components caused by heating. Therefore, the odorous component resulting from the heating of the fixing roller pair 5 can be captured at a low diffusion progress stage and decomposed and brominated in a high concentration state. As compared with the case of processing at a low concentration, the total amount of odorous components released to the external space without being processed is reduced.

  In addition, odorous components resulting from the heating of the fixing process can be captured at a stage where the cooling progress is low, and can be decomposed and non-brominated at high temperatures, so that the process can be avoided by condensation, liquefaction, adsorption, etc. due to cooling. The amount of odorous components is reduced, and the total amount of odorous components released to the external space as they are without being treated is reduced as compared with the case of processing at room temperature. Decomposition by high-temperature heat energy and increased efficiency of non-bromide can be expected.

  Therefore, even in the deodorizing apparatus 70 that employs the negative ion generator 71 using corona discharge, is small, simple, and does not have a very high efficiency (the arrangement shown in Patent Document 2 can hardly be expected to be effective) High deodorizing effect can be achieved.

  The deodorizing means is not limited to the deodorizing device 70 using negative ions as long as it is arranged on the downstream side of the high-temperature treatment section, and is a photocatalyst, an active filter, an adsorption filter, an air-water contact, activated carbon, a low temperature It can be replaced with a deodorizing device using molecular adsorption, perfume gas, or the like.

  The color printer 50 of the present embodiment is disposed downstream of the sheet discharge tray 7 formed on the upper surface of the main body and the sheet conveying direction of the fixing roller pair 5 and discharges the fixed sheet to the sheet discharge tray 7. A pair of paper transport rollers 11. Therefore, if nothing is done, the odorous component generated from the sheet heated by the fixing roller pair 5 is diffused by heat convection from the gap between the sheet discharge roller pair 11 or the sheet stacked on the sheet discharge tray 7 to the external space. Resulting in. However, since the deodorizing device 70 is disposed between the fixing roller pair 5 and the paper discharge conveyance roller pair 11, the diffusion of the odorous component is more effective than the arrangement shown in Patent Document 2. Can be prevented.

  The color printer 50B according to another embodiment is disposed downstream of the sheet discharge tray 7 formed on the upper surface of the main body and the sheet conveying direction of the fixing roller pair 5 and discharges the fixed sheet to the sheet discharge tray 7. The deodorizing device 70B is connected to the discharge conveyance roller pair 11 so as to be detachable. Therefore, the deodorizing device 70B is easy to attach, detach, purchase, and attach as an option, and does not require time and effort. If it is unnecessary, it can be removed and the color printer 50B can be provided at a low price. If the deodorizing ability is insufficient, it can be easily replaced with a high-power deodorizing device formed in the same appearance. Further, since the deodorizing device 70B attached to the paper discharge unit can be detached from the color printer 50B, the maintainability of the color printer 50B and the deodorizing device 70B is improved.

  The multifunction device shown in FIG. 6 includes a reader 102 that reads an image of a document with a space above the main body of the color printer 50B, so that odorous components are likely to stay in the space. However, since the deodorizing device 70B is connected to the paper discharge transport roller pair 11 and provided in the space, the odorous component can be quickly eliminated.

  In the color printer 50 of the present embodiment, the deodorizing device 70 can be attached to and detached from the housing 30 by forming a portion of the housing 30 adjacent to the paper discharge / conveying roller pair 11 so as to be removable. It can be. In this case, by preparing an alternative part in which only the conveyance path 73 from which the case 70A and the negative ion generator 71 are removed is attached to the removable part of the housing 30, it is possible to cope with the non-installation specification of the deodorizer 70. it can.

  Further, the deodorizing device 70 partitions the space through which the sheet passes to limit the movement of air inside and outside, and the negative ion generator 71 that gives the air in the case 70A a property of reducing odorous components. Therefore, air with enhanced deodorizing function is held inside the case 70A and the sheet is passed therethrough, and the sheet passes even if the negative ion generator 71 has a low activation capacity per hour. The concentration of molecules with a deodorizing function is increased during the period when they are not used, and when passing through the sheet, the number of molecules with a deodorizing function is sufficiently secured and the deodorizing function is exerted at once, resulting in an increase in processing efficiency. Less odorous components escape from decomposition and non-bromide.

  The activation means is not limited to the negative ion generator 71 using corona discharge as long as it provides a deodorizing function to the air, but is not limited to an ultraviolet lamp, neutralized gas discharge, far infrared heater, plasma generator, It can be replaced with an activation device using an oxygen generator, an ozone generator, or the like.

  The color printer 50B according to another embodiment includes a transfer unit that transfers an image to a sheet using a high voltage, and a high-voltage power supply substrate 51 that supplies the transfer unit with a high voltage. Since the positive electrode 77 and the negative electrode 72 that increase the negative ion density in the air using the high voltage supplied from the high-voltage power supply substrate 51 are provided, it is not necessary to separately provide a high-voltage power source for increasing the negative ion density.

  Further, since the deodorizing device 70B is supplied with power from the high-voltage power supply substrate 51 provided in the color printer 50B, the deodorizing device 70B can be attached with a compact and inexpensive price.

  In addition, the paper discharge tray 7 on which the sheet P on which the image is fixed is stacked is disposed so as to overlap the transfer portion in the vertical direction, and the case of the deodorizing device 70B is disposed on one end side of the paper discharge tray 7, and the paper discharge tray Since the high-voltage power supply substrate 51 is disposed between the transfer unit 7 and the transfer unit, the high-voltage power supply substrate 51, the deodorizing device 70B, and the transfer unit are electrically connected to supply a high voltage to be short and simplified. .

  In addition, since the high-voltage power supply substrate 51 is disposed immediately below the paper discharge tray 7 and the image forming unit or the transfer unit is disposed below the discharge tray 7, the bundling path from the high-voltage power supply substrate 51 to the discharge / charging element is simplified. In addition, handling can be easily performed in terms of serviceability.

  Further, the color printer 50 according to the present embodiment includes an entrance shutter 74 and an exit shutter 75 that reduce leakage of the air in the case 70A to the outside when the sheet P does not pass than when the sheet P passes. Since the case 70A is provided on at least one of the inlet side and the outlet side of the sheet, the deodorizing performance of the air in the case 70A can be more efficiently improved during the period in which the sheet P does not pass.

  Further, since the entrance shutter 74 is provided in the deodorizing device 70, the cleaning action can be exerted in the housing 30 only when the sheet P is conveyed, so that the user feels uncomfortable even during the jam processing. This contributes to energy saving of the deodorizing apparatus 70 as well.

  Further, since the exit shutter 75 is provided at the sheet outlet of the deodorizing apparatus 70, the cleaning function can be exerted on the paper discharge tray 7 and the indoor space only when the sheet P is being conveyed. Contributes to energy.

  The color printer 50B according to another embodiment includes a fan 60 and a duct 61 that take in air from the space through which the sheet P between the fixing roller pair 5 and the deodorizing device 70B passes and guide the air to the deodorizing device 70B. Therefore, the amount of diffusion of volatile components and odorous components into the housing 30 can be reduced, and condensation, corrosion, etc. on the mechanism in the housing 30 can be avoided.

  In addition, the fan 60 for sucking the air in the housing 30 and exhausting it out of the housing 30 has an opening in the deodorizing device 70B in order to take the air exhausted through the duct 61 into the deodorizing device 70B. In addition to the sheet P, not only can the odorous component in the housing 30 discharged from the toner and molding resin be efficiently decomposed, but also the sheet P generated on the sheet discharge tray 7 is generated. It can also efficiently decompose odorous components and various dusts floating in the room.

  Further, since a fan or the like for sending air out of the housing 30 is unnecessary in the deodorizing apparatus 70B, the deodorizing apparatus 70B that is compact, inexpensive, and energy saving can be constructed.

  Further, an intermediate transfer belt 2 that forms an image to be transferred onto the sheet and holds the image so as to be transferred, and a double-sided conveyance path that guides the sheet P that has been switched back and conveyed over the paper discharge tray 7 to the intermediate transfer belt 2 in a reverse state. 27, in the case of double-sided printing, the deodorizing effect can be enhanced by allowing the sheet P to stay in the deodorizing device 70B for a longer time than in the case of single-sided printing.

  In addition, since the pair of paper discharge conveyance rollers 11 can reversely convey the sheet P during double-sided image formation, odorous components generated from the sheet P in the housing 30 during double-sided conveyance can be suppressed. It is possible to provide the color printer 50B that does not cause discomfort to the user even during processing.

  In addition, an optional deodorizing device 70B that can be attached to and detached from the color printer 50B according to another embodiment includes a case that can be attached to and detached from the color printer 50B, and a negative ion density of air in the case that is disposed inside the case. A negative ion generating device 71, and a wiring and a connector for supplying a high voltage to the negative ion generating device 71 from a high-voltage power supply substrate 51 that generates a high voltage, and a conveyance path for an image-formed sheet passing through the case 73 is set. Therefore, the deodorizing apparatus 70B can be attached / detached as necessary, and the odorous component generated from the sheet P can be efficiently decomposed and non-brominated.

  By the way, the deodorizing device 70 mounted on the color printer 50 shown in FIG. 1 includes a fixing roller pair 5 for fixing the image by heating the image-formed sheet P, and a paper discharge formed on the color printer 50 main body. The deodorizing device 70 can be attached and detached in the same manner as in the color printer 50B of another embodiment. As a unit, it may be possible to take out upward.

  In addition, the deodorizing device 70B mounted on the color printer 50B of another embodiment is erased adjacent to the pair of discharge conveyance rollers 11 that discharge the sheet P to the discharge tray 7 formed on the upper part of the color printer 50 main body. Since the odor device 70B is arranged, the attachment / detachment state of the deodorization device 70B can be seen at a glance. When the deodorizing device 70B is not installed, the paper discharge tray 7 can be used widely.

  The multifunction device shown in FIG. 6 includes a reader 102 that reads an image of a document with a space above the color printer 50B main body, and the deodorizing device 70B is provided in the space connected to the pair of paper discharge conveyance rollers 11. Since it exists, the attachment or detachment state of the deodorizing apparatus 70B can be known at a glance. When the deodorizing device 70B is not installed, the paper discharge tray 7 can be used widely.

  By the way, in recent years, air cleaner filters mounted on air purifiers have become more sophisticated, and it has become possible to collect fine dust that is invisible in the room, but it can deodorize odors such as cigarettes and formaldehyde in building materials. As a means, activated carbon is generally used. However, recently, in order to achieve higher performance, deodorization systems using photocatalysts and high-voltage discharges have increased, and in particular, air equipped with a high-voltage power source that generates plasma or generates negative ions by discharge. Purifiers are popular.

  The color printer 50 of the present embodiment assembled in view of such a background has a feature that is not shown in Patent Document 2 in the arrangement and structure of the deodorizing devices 70 and 70B. That is, the deodorizing devices 70 and 70B are disposed in the downstream of the fixing roller pair 5 in the vicinity of the paper discharge roller pair 11, and negative ions are accumulated in the case 70A to contribute to deodorization. Since the conveyance path 73 is provided in the scent, odorous components generated from the sheet P can be efficiently reduced.

It is sectional drawing which looked at the color printer which is one Embodiment of this invention from the front side. It is sectional drawing of the ion generation part of a deodorizing apparatus. It is an enlarged view around a deodorizing apparatus. It is sectional drawing of another example of an ion generation part. It is sectional drawing which looked at the color printer of another embodiment from the front side. It is explanatory drawing of arrangement | positioning of the deodorizing apparatus in the multifunctional device which attached the leader.

Explanation of symbols

P sheet 2 Image carrier means (intermediate transfer belt)
3 Transfer means (secondary transfer roller pair)
5 Fixing means (fixing roller pair)
7 Loading tray means (output tray)
27 Reverse transport path (Double-sided transport path)
50, 50B Image forming device (color printer)
51 Power supply means (high voltage power supply board)
60, 61 Air intake means (fan, duct)
70, 70B Deodorizing means (deodorizing device)
70A Housing member (case)
71 Activation means (negative ion generator)
77, 72 Discharge means (positive electrode, negative electrode)
73 Sheet discharge path (conveyance path)
74, 75 Shutter means (inlet shutter, outlet shutter)

Claims (14)

In an image forming apparatus provided with a fixing unit for fixing the image by heating the sheet to which the image is transferred,
A deodorizing means for reducing odorous components generated by heating of the fixing means by passing a sheet having the image fixed therein is disposed downstream of the fixing means in the sheet conveying direction. Image forming apparatus. A stacking tray means formed at the top of the image forming apparatus main body;
A discharge member disposed downstream of the fixing unit in the sheet conveying direction, and discharging the fixed sheet to the stacking tray unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing unit is disposed between the fixing unit and the discharge member. A stacking tray means formed at the top of the image forming apparatus main body;
A discharge member disposed downstream of the fixing unit in the sheet conveying direction, and discharging the fixed sheet to the stacking tray unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing unit is detachably attached to the discharge member. The image reading device for reading an image of a document is provided with a space above the image forming body, and the deodorizing device is provided in the space connected to the discharge member. Image forming apparatus. The deodorizing means is
A housing member that partitions the space through which the sheet passes and restricts the movement of air inside and outside;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an activating unit that imparts a property of reducing the odorous component to air inside the housing member. Transfer means for transferring the image to a sheet using a high voltage, and power supply means for supplying a high voltage to the transfer means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the activating unit includes a discharging unit that increases an ion density in the air using a high voltage supplied from the power supply device. The transfer means is arranged in a positional relationship overlapping with the stacking tray means,
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the power supply unit formed into a substrate is disposed at an interval between the stacking tray unit and the transfer unit.   Shutter means for reducing movement of the air in the housing member to the outside when the sheet does not pass than when the sheet passes is provided on at least one of the entrance side and the exit side of the seat in the housing member The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   9. The air intake unit according to claim 5, further comprising an air intake unit that takes in air from a space through which a sheet between the fixing unit and the deodorization unit passes and guides the air to the deodorization unit. Image forming apparatus. An image carrier means for forming an image to be transferred to the sheet and holding the image in a transferable manner;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a reverse conveyance path that guides the sheet, which is switchback conveyed over the stacking tray unit, to the image carrier unit in a reverse state. . A housing member removable from the image forming apparatus;
Discharging means disposed inside the housing member to increase the negative ion density of air in the housing member;
Connection means for supplying a high voltage from a power supply means for generating a high voltage to the discharge means,
A deodorizing apparatus, wherein a discharge path for a sheet formed with an image through the housing member is set.   It is arranged in a conveyance path between a fixing unit that heats an image-formed sheet and fixes the image, and a discharge member that discharges the sheet to a stacking tray unit formed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body. The deodorizing apparatus according to claim 11. 12. The deodorizing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the deodorizing apparatus is disposed at a position adjacent to a discharge member that discharges a sheet to a stacking tray unit formed in an upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus includes an image reading device that reads an image of a document with a space above the image forming main body, and the deodorizing device is connected to the discharge member and provided in the space. The deodorizing apparatus according to claim 11.

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