JP2008216760A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing leakage of driving sound of a cooling means and noise generated from in the image forming apparatus, through an opening of the cooling means. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: an image forming means which forms an unfixed image onto a recording medium with a developer on the basis of image information; a fixing means which fuses the unfixed image formed on the recording medium by the image forming means to fix the unfixed image so as to form an image on the recording medium; an reversing conveyance means which reverses the recording medium having had the image formed on one side by the image forming means and the fixing means, and conveys the recording medium to the image forming means again in order to form images on both sides; a cooling means which cools the recording medium conveyed by the reversing conveyance means, by ventilation; and an ejection part from which the recording medium having images formed on one or both sides by the image forming means and the fixing means is ejected. The cooling means is ventilated through an air path formed in the ejection part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a fixing device for fixing a toner image on an image carrying material by passing an image carrying material on which a toner image is placed through the heating unit, the image carrying material conveyed from the heating unit is conveyed. There is known a fixing device that has a cooling unit that blows air on a conveyance path, and the air flows in a direction away from the heating unit (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a transfer device that transfers the unfixed developer image onto the recording material, and the recording material conveyed from the transfer device is heated and pressed while nipping and transporting, thereby fixing the unfixed developer image on the recording material. Fixing device, a double-sided unit device for transporting the recording material discharged from the fixing device again to the transfer device side during double-sided image formation, and a cooling fan installed in the double-sided unit device for cooling the recording material In the image forming apparatus, the cooling fan is driven at a predetermined speed for a predetermined period only when a predetermined condition is satisfied at the time of double-sided image formation, and is stopped or decelerated after the predetermined period has elapsed. An image forming apparatus characterized by being set is known (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 01-166354 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-239647

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium in which an image is formed by melting an unfixed image formed by a developer on a recording medium by an image forming unit by a fixing unit, and an image formed on one side. In order to form an image on both sides by reversing, the cooling means for cooling when the paper is reversed and conveyed by the reversing and conveying means that conveys the image to the image forming means again, the driving sound of the cooling means and the noise generated from the inside of the image forming apparatus An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the leakage from the opening of the cooling means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit for forming an unfixed image on a recording medium with a developer based on image information, and an unfixed image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit are melted. Fixing means for fixing so that an image is formed on a recording medium, and the image forming means again to form an image on both sides by reversing the recording medium on which the image is formed on one side by the image forming means and the fixing means. A reversing and conveying means for conveying; a cooling means for cooling the recording medium conveyed by the reversing and conveying means by ventilation; and a discharge unit for discharging the recording medium on which one or both sides are formed by the image forming means and the fixing means. And the cooling means ventilates through an air passage formed in the discharge portion.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit that forms an unfixed image on a recording medium with a developer based on image information, and an unfixed image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit is melted. Fixing means for fixing so that an image is formed on a recording medium, and the image forming means again to form an image on both sides by reversing the recording medium on which the image is formed on one side by the image forming means and the fixing means. A reversing and conveying unit that conveys; a cooling unit that cools the recording medium conveyed by the reversing and conveying unit by ventilation; and a supply unit that supplies the recording medium to the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the air is ventilated through an air passage formed in the air.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the opening of the air passage opens toward the lower side or the rear side of the image forming apparatus. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit that forms an unfixed image on a recording medium with a developer based on image information, and an unfixed image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit is melted. Fixing means for fixing so that an image is formed on a recording medium, and the image forming means again to form an image on both sides by reversing the recording medium on which the image is formed on one side by the image forming means and the fixing means. A reversing and conveying means for conveying; a cooling means for cooling the recording medium conveyed by the reversing and conveying means by ventilation; and a discharge unit for discharging the recording medium on which one or both sides are formed by the image forming means and the fixing means. The cooling means is ventilated by a ventilation path formed in the discharge section, and the opening of the ventilation path is formed to cool the surface of the recording medium discharged to the discharge section by ventilation. It is characterized by An image forming apparatus.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the ventilation in the ventilation path by the cooling unit is intake air, and the cooling unit includes odor and volatilization generated on the surface of the recording medium discharged to the discharge unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a removing unit that removes the organic organic compound.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge portion, a displacement that is displaced in the vertical direction according to the weight of the recording medium so that the vertical position of the recording medium discharged to the discharge portion has a predetermined height. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a means is provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the leakage of the driving sound of the cooling unit and the noise generated from the inside of the image forming apparatus from the opening of the cooling unit as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. it can.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the leakage of the driving sound of the cooling unit and the noise generated from the inside of the image forming apparatus from the opening of the cooling unit as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. it can.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further reduce the leakage of the driving sound of the cooling unit and the noise generated from the inside of the image forming apparatus from the opening of the cooling unit as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Can do.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the leakage of the driving sound of the cooling unit and the noise generated from the inside of the image forming apparatus from the opening of the cooling unit, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. In addition, the surface of the recording medium discharged to the discharge portion can be cooled by ventilation.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above effects, the odor and volatile organic compounds generated on the surface of the recording medium discharged to the discharge portion are removed as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. be able to.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above effect, the vertical position of the recording medium discharged to the discharge portion can be set to a predetermined height as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
1 to 3 are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 optically reads an image of a document 11 placed on a platen 10 and converts the image into electrical image data (image information) by a CCD sensor 12; The image input unit 1 includes an image output unit (IOT) 2 that forms an image on a recording sheet (recording medium) P based on image data transferred from the image input unit 1. On the other hand, an ADF 13 for automatically feeding the document 11 can be attached.

  The image output unit 2 includes an image forming unit (image forming unit) 2A that forms an unfixed image with a developer on the recording sheet P based on the image data, and an unfixed image formed on the recording sheet P by the image forming unit 2A. And a fixing device (fixing means) 4 for fixing the toner image so as to form an image on the recording sheet P.

  The image output unit 2 forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 20 based on the image data transferred from the image input unit 1, and then primarily transfers the toner image to the endless transfer belt 3. The upper toner image is secondarily transferred to the recording sheet P to form an unfixed image on the recording sheet P. The recording sheet P on which the toner image is secondarily transferred passes through the fixing device 4 and is discharged to the discharge tray (discharged). Part) 50 to be discharged. Details of the discharge tray 50 will be described later.

  Further, the photosensitive drum 20 rotates in the direction of the arrow at a predetermined process speed, and a charging corotron 21 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 to a predetermined background portion potential around the photosensitive drum 20 and image data. A laser beam scanner 22 that exposes the photosensitive drum 20 with a laser beam modulated based on the above and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20, and a developer that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20. 23, transfer pretreatment corotron 24 for removing the potential on the photosensitive drum 20 prior to the primary transfer of the toner image to the transfer belt 3, and residual toner on the photosensitive drum 20 after the primary transfer of the toner image is completed. A cleaner 25 to be removed is arranged.

  On the other hand, the transfer belt 3 is wound around a plurality of rolls and rotated in the direction of the arrow, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 is transferred to the transfer belt 3 and then recorded from the transfer belt 3. Secondary transfer is performed on the sheet P. A primary transfer roll 30 that forms a transfer electric field between the transfer belt 3 and the photosensitive drum 20 is provided at a position facing the photosensitive drum 20 with the transfer belt 3 interposed therebetween, and a secondary transfer is performed at the secondary transfer position of the toner image. A roll 31 and a counter electrode roll 32 are provided with the transfer belt 3 sandwiched therebetween, and the recording sheet P is inserted between the secondary transfer roll 31 and the transfer belt 3 so as to be transferred to transfer the toner image. Has been. A belt cleaner 33 is provided between the secondary transfer position and the primary transfer position in the rotation path of the transfer belt 3 to remove paper dust and residual toner from the surface of the transfer belt 3 after the secondary transfer. It has been.

  Further, below the image output unit 2 is a paper feed unit for supplying the recording sheet P to the image output unit 2, and includes four stages of paper feed trays 5 a to 5 that contain recording sheets P of different sizes. Equipped with 5d. Then, the recording sheet P having a size selected in the copying operation is sent out from one of the paper feed trays to the image output unit 2 by the rotation of the pickup roll 51. A plurality of sheet conveyance rolls 52 are provided on the conveyance path of the recording sheet P from each of the paper feed trays 5a to 5d to the secondary transfer position of the toner image, and a registration roll is provided immediately before the secondary transfer position. 53 is provided, and the registration roll 53 is moved to the secondary transfer position at a predetermined timing synchronized with the writing timing of the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20 for the recording sheet P sent from the paper feed trays 5a to 5d. It comes to send.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 26 denotes an image processing unit that supplies image data to the laser beam scanner 22 after processing the image data transferred from the image input unit 1 to the image output unit 2 according to the content of the copying operation.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes a manual feed tray (a supply unit that supplies the recording sheet P to the image forming unit 2A) used for manually feeding the recording sheet P.

  Reference numeral 55 denotes a sheet conveying belt for feeding the recording sheet P onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred to the fixing device 4.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an inverter path (reversing conveying means) for reversing the recording sheet P on which the image is formed on one side by the image forming unit 2A and the fixing device 4 and conveying the recording sheet P to the image forming unit 2A again to form images on both sides. ). Accordingly, the recording sheet P on which an image is formed on one side or both sides by the image forming unit 2A and the fixing device 4 is discharged to the discharge tray 50.

  In the vicinity of the inverter passage 56, a fan (cooling means) 58 for cooling the recording sheet P conveyed in the inverter passage 56 by ventilation is provided. Details of the fan 58 will be described later.

  The symbol CR is a device controller that controls a predetermined control operation of each component device.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the laser beam scanner 22 exposes the photosensitive drum 20 based on the image data of the original captured by the image input unit 1, and the photosensitive drum 20 is exposed on the photosensitive drum 20. The electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is written. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 23 with a slight delay from the writing timing. The toner image thus formed is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 3 by the primary transfer roll 30, and the transfer belt 3 rotates while holding the toner image. The toner image primarily transferred onto the transfer belt is secondarily transferred to the recording sheet P sent from the registration roll 53 at a predetermined timing, and the recording sheet P on which the unfixed image is transferred is discharged through the fixing device 4. It is discharged to the tray 50.

  Next, the discharge tray 50 and the fan 58 of the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment will be described.

  2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating a discharge tray and a fan of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the discharge tray and the fan of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus main body 100A in a state where the discharge tray 50 is removed from the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 100 with the discharge tray 50 attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

  On the right side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, a discharge port 60 is formed through which the recording sheet P on which an image is formed on one or both sides by the image forming unit 2A and the fixing device 4 is discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100A. .

  Further, on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, a vent hole 62 for ventilating the inside and the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 100A is formed below the discharge port 60 and to the right of the inverter passage 56. In the present embodiment, the vent holes 62 are formed at two locations at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction.

  The fan 58 is provided inside the image forming apparatus main body 100 </ b> A of the vent 62. In the present embodiment, two fans 58 are provided corresponding to the vent holes 62 provided in two places. The fan 58 is an intake fan that sucks air from the outside to the inside of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The discharge tray 50 is provided on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100A so as to cover the ventilation hole 62 from the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 100A in a horizontal view, below the discharge port 60.

  The discharge tray 50 is attached to the right side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, and extends from the discharge port 60 by a predetermined distance so as to incline upward by a predetermined angle in front view with the lower end of the attachment portion 50a as a base end. The tray 50b is formed so that the discharged recording sheet P is placed thereon.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing a ventilation path formed in the discharge tray in the present embodiment. FIG. 3A is a front view showing the air passage 50 c of the discharge tray 50. FIG. 3B is a bottom view showing the air passage 50 c of the discharge tray 50.

  The discharge tray 50 is formed with a ventilation path 50c that ventilates the outside and inside of the image forming apparatus. The vent 50c of the discharge tray 50 includes an opening 50d formed on the right end surface on the image forming apparatus main body 100A side at the base end of the tray 50b of the discharge tray 50 and the base end of the tray 50b of the discharge tray 50. This is a cavity formed by being connected to the opening 50e formed on the lower end surface of the portion.

  The opening 50d is formed at substantially the same position as the position of the vent 62 formed in the image forming apparatus main body 100A, and is formed so as to have approximately the same area as the opening area of the vent 62. .

  In the present embodiment, the air passage 50c is provided at two locations corresponding to the two fans 58 provided.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the fan 58 is ventilated through the ventilation path 50 c formed in the discharge tray 50.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the opening part 50e of the ventilation path 50c is opened toward the downward direction.

  Note that the opening portion of the vent path of the discharge tray 50 may be opened toward the rear of the image forming apparatus 100.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus (color multifunction peripheral) according to the present embodiment. The color MFP 200 also has a function as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the color multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) 200 is provided with a scanner 103 as an image reading apparatus at the top, and a personal computer (not shown) is connected via a network (not shown).

  The color MFP 200 functions as a fax machine that copies an image of a document read by a scanner, prints it based on image data sent from a personal computer, and transmits and receives image data via a telephone line. It has become.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 101 denotes a main body of the color multi-function peripheral, and an automatic original transport for automatically transporting originals (not shown) separated one by one to the upper part of the main body of the color multi-function peripheral (device main body) 101. An apparatus (ADF) 102 and a scanner 103 that reads an image of a document conveyed by the automatic document conveyance device 102 are provided. The scanner 103 illuminates a document (not shown) placed on the platen glass 104 with a light source 105, and reduces a reflected light image from the document by a full-rate mirror 106, half-rate mirrors 107 and 108, and an imaging lens 109. Scanning exposure is performed on an image reading element 110 formed of a CCD or the like via the 111, and the reflected light image of the original is read by the image reading element 110 at a predetermined dot density (for example, 16 dots / mm).

  The reflected light image of the original read by the scanner 103 is sent to the image processing device 112 (IPS) as reflectance data of three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) (8 bits each), for example. In the image processing apparatus 112, the image data (image information) of the document is subjected to shading correction, position shift correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame deletion, color / moving editing, and the like as necessary. Predetermined image processing is performed. In addition, the image processing apparatus 112 performs predetermined image processing on image data (image information) sent from a personal computer (not shown) or the like.

  Image data that has been subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing device 112 is also processed by the image processing device 112 into four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) (each 8 bits). It is converted into color gradation data (image data) and is common to the image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), which will be described later. It is sent to ROS (Raser Output Scanner) 114. In the ROS 114 serving as an image writing unit, image exposure with the laser beam LB is performed according to gradation data of a predetermined color. Note that not only a color image but also a monochrome image can be formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an image forming unit A is provided inside the apparatus main body 101. The image forming unit A includes yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K). ) Four image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K are arranged in parallel at regular intervals in the horizontal direction.

  The four image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K are all configured in the same manner. Broadly speaking, the surfaces of the photosensitive drum 115 and the photosensitive drum 115 serving as an image carrier that is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed are used. A charging roll 116 as a contact-type charging device that uniformly charges, an ROS 114 as an image writing unit that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing an image corresponding to a predetermined color on the surface of the photosensitive drum 115, and a photosensitive member The image forming apparatus includes a developing device 117 as developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 15 with toner of a predetermined color, and a cleaning device 118 for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 115. These photosensitive drums 115 and the image forming members arranged in the periphery are integrally unitized, and can be individually replaced from the apparatus main body 101 for each of the image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ROS 114 is configured in common to the four image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K, and modulates four semiconductor lasers (not shown) according to the image data of each color. Laser light LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K are emitted from the semiconductor laser in accordance with image data. The ROS 114 can be individually configured for each of a plurality of image forming units. Laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K emitted from the semiconductor laser are applied to the polygon mirror 119 via an f-θ lens (not shown), and are deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror 119. The laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror 119 pass through an imaging lens (not shown) and a plurality of mirrors to an exposure point on the photosensitive drum 115. Then, scanning exposure is performed obliquely from below.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ROS 114 scans and exposes an image on the photosensitive drum 115 from the lower side. Therefore, the ROS 114 develops the four image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K located above. There is a risk that toner or the like may fall from the apparatus 117 and be contaminated. Therefore, the ROS 114 is hermetically sealed by a rectangular parallelepiped frame 120, and four laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K are displayed on the top of the frame 120 for each image. Transparent glass windows 121Y, 121M, 121C, and 121K are provided as shield members for exposure on the photosensitive drums 115 of the forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K.

  From the image processing apparatus 112, each color is supplied to the ROS 114 provided in common to the image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Are sequentially output, and the laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K emitted from the ROS 114 according to the image data are scanned and exposed on the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 115, An electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductive drum 115 is converted into yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners by developing devices 117Y, 117M, 117C, and 117K, respectively. Developed as an image.

  The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images sequentially formed on the photosensitive drums 115 of the image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K On the intermediate transfer belt 125 of the transfer unit 122 disposed over the image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K, the images are transferred in multiple by the four primary transfer rollers 126Y, 126M, 126C, and 126K. These primary transfer rolls 126Y, 126M, 126C, and 126K are provided on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 125 corresponding to the photosensitive drum 115 of each of the image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K. A transfer bias power source (not shown) is connected to the primary transfer rolls 126Y, 126M, 126C, and 126K, and a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to a predetermined toner polarity is applied at a predetermined timing. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate transfer belt 125 is wound around the drive roll 127, the tension roll 124, and the backup roll 128 with a constant tension, and has excellent constant speed (not shown). A drive roll 127 that is rotationally driven by a dedicated drive motor is driven to circulate at a predetermined speed in the direction of the arrow. The intermediate transfer belt 125 is made of, for example, a belt material (rubber or resin) that does not cause charge-up.

  The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 125 in multiple contact are pressed against the backup roll 128 as shown in FIG. The sheet 130 on which the toner images (unfixed images) of the respective colors are secondarily transferred onto the sheet (recording medium) 130 as a sheet material by the secondary transfer roll 129 and the toner image (unfixed image) of each color is transferred is positioned above a fixing device ( Fusing means) 140. The secondary transfer roll 129 is in pressure contact with the side of the backup roll 128 and is configured to secondary-transfer toner images of each color onto a sheet 130 conveyed from below to above.

  As for the sheet 130, a sheet of a predetermined size is separated one by one by a feed roll 135, a retard roll 136, etc. from any of the sheet feeding trays 131, 132, 133, 134 arranged in a plurality of stages below the apparatus main body 101. In this state, the paper is fed through a paper conveyance path 138 provided with a conveyance roll 137. The paper 130 fed from any of the paper feed trays 131, 132, 133, 134 is temporarily stopped by the registration roll 139, and in synchronization with the image on the intermediate transfer belt 125, the registration roll 129 causes the intermediate transfer belt 125 to be stopped. The paper is fed again to the secondary transfer position.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet 130 on which the toner image of each color is transferred undergoes a fixing process with heat and pressure by the fixing device 140, and then is first discharged with the image forming surface down by the transport roll 141. Provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 101 by a discharge roll 144 provided at the exit of the first paper transport path 143 through the first paper transport path 143 for discharging to the face-down tray 142 as a tray. It is discharged onto the face-down tray 142.

  Further, when the sheet 130 on which the image is formed as described above is discharged with the image forming surface facing upward, as shown in FIG. 4, face up as the second discharge tray with the image forming surface facing upward is performed. Via a second paper transport path 146 for discharging to a tray (discharge section) 145, a discharge roller 147 provided at the outlet of the second paper transport path 146 is used to provide a side portion (in the drawing, The paper is discharged onto a face-up tray 145 provided on the left side surface.

  In the case of performing full-color double-sided copying in the color multifunction peripheral 200, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet 130 with the image fixed on one side is directly discharged onto the face-down tray 142 by the discharge roll 144. In addition, the conveyance direction is switched by a switching gate (not shown), and the discharge roll 144 is temporarily stopped and then reversely rotated, and is conveyed by the discharge roll 144 to a double-sided paper conveyance path (reversal conveyance means) 148. The double-sided paper transport path 148 is transported again to the registration roll 139 with the transport roller 149 provided along the paper transport path 148 being reversed, and this time, the paper 130 After the image is transferred / fixed on the back surface of the paper, it is discharged to either the face-down tray 142 or the face-up tray 145 via the first paper transport path 143 or the second paper transport path 146.

  A fan (cooling means) 152 that cools the sheet 130 conveyed by the sheet conveying path 148 by ventilation is provided in the vicinity of the sheet conveying path 148 for both sides.

  In FIG. 4, 150Y, 150M, 150C, and 150K are toner cartridges that supply toner of a predetermined color to the developing device 117 of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Reference numeral 151 denotes a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 125.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating each image forming unit of the color multifunction peripheral 200 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the four image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are all configured in the same manner, and these four image forming units 113Y, 113M. , 113C, and 113K are configured so that yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are sequentially formed at predetermined timings as described above. As described above, the image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K of the respective colors are each provided with the photosensitive drum 115, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 115 is uniformly charged by the charging roll 116 for primary charging. The Thereafter, the surface of the photoconductive drum 115 is scanned and exposed to an image forming laser beam LB emitted from the ROS 114 according to the image data, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color is formed. The laser beam LB scanned and exposed on the photosensitive drum 115 is set so as to be exposed from an obliquely lower position slightly below the right side of the photosensitive drum 115. The electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drum 115 are respectively yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners by the developing rolls 117a of the developing devices 117 of the image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K. Are developed into visible toner images, and these visible toner images are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 25 in multiple layers by charging of the primary transfer roll 126. The developing device 117 of each of the image forming units 113Y, 113M, 113C, and 113K uses a one-component developer composed only of toner, even if a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier is used. It may be what you do.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 115 after the toner image transfer process is completed is prepared for the next image forming process by removing residual toner and the like by the cleaning blade 118a of the cleaning device 118. In the cleaning device 118, for the sake of convenience, the cleaning blade 118a and the tip of the seal member are shown in the state of entering the inside of the photosensitive drum 115, but this is because the tip of the cleaning blade 118a and the seal member is the photosensitive drum. The free state before contacting the surface of 115 is shown.

  Next, the face-up tray 145 and the fan 152 of the color multifunction peripheral 200 according to this embodiment will be described.

  On the left side of the apparatus main body 101, a discharge port 154 is formed through which the sheet 130 on which an image is formed on one or both sides by the image forming unit A and the fixing device 140 is discharged from the apparatus main body 101.

  In addition, a vent hole 156 is formed on the left side surface of the apparatus main body 101. The vent hole 156 vents the inside and the outside of the apparatus main body 101 below the discharge port 154 and to the left of the double-sided sheet conveyance path 148.

  The fan 152 is provided inside the apparatus main body 101 with respect to the vent hole 156. The fan 152 is an intake fan that draws air into the color multifunction peripheral 200 from the outside to the inside.

  The face-up tray 145 is provided on the left side surface of the apparatus main body 101 so as to cover the vent hole 156 from the outside of the apparatus main body 101 in a horizontal view, below the discharge port 154.

  The face-up tray 145 extends from the discharge port 154 by extending a predetermined distance so as to incline upward by a predetermined angle in front view with the mounting portion 145a attached to the left side surface of the apparatus main body 101 and the lower end of the mounting portion 145a as a base end portion. The tray portion 145b is formed so that the printed paper 130 is placed thereon.

  The face-up tray 145 is formed with a ventilation path 145c that ventilates the outside and inside of the color multifunction peripheral 200. The air passage 145c of the face-up tray 145 has an opening 145d formed on the right end surface on the apparatus main body 101 side at the base end of the tray portion 145b of the face-up tray 145 and the base of the tray portion 145b of the face-up tray 145. This is a cavity formed by connecting to an opening 145e formed on the lower end surface of the end.

  The opening 145d is formed at substantially the same position as the position of the vent hole 156 formed in the apparatus main body 101, and is formed so as to have substantially the same area as the opening area of the vent hole 156.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the fan 152 ventilates through the vent path 145c formed in the face-up tray 145.

  In the present embodiment, the opening 145e of the air passage 145c opens downward.

  The opening of the air passage of the face-up tray 145 can be opened toward the rear of the color multifunction peripheral 200.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. In addition, in this embodiment, about the structure same as the structure shown in 2nd Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus (color multifunction peripheral) according to the present embodiment. The color multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) 300 changes the face-up tray B of the color multifunction peripheral 200 to a face-up tray 202 and is provided with a manual feed tray C. The face-up tray section B includes a face-up tray 145, a fan 152, a discharge port 154, and a vent port 156. Further, the face-up tray 202 is a member formed so that the sheet 130 on which one or both of the images are formed by the image forming unit A and the fixing device 140 and discharged from the apparatus main body 101 is placed.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the manual feed tray C will be described.

  On the left side surface of the apparatus main body 101, a manual feed tray (supply unit) 204 is provided so that the sheet 130 to be supplied to the image forming unit A can be placed thereon.

  A supply port 206 for supplying the paper 130 to the image forming unit A is formed on the left side surface of the apparatus main body 101.

  In addition, a vent hole 208 is formed on the left side surface of the apparatus main body 101. The vent hole 208 vents the inside and the outside of the apparatus main body 101 below the supply port 206 and to the left of the double-sided sheet conveyance path 148.

  A fan (cooling means) 210 that cools the sheet 130 conveyed by the sheet conveying path 148 by ventilation is provided in the vicinity of the double-sided sheet conveying path 148. The fan 210 is provided inside the apparatus main body 101 of the vent hole 208. The fan 210 is an intake fan that draws air into the color multifunction peripheral 300 from the outside to the inside.

  The manual feed tray 204 is provided on the left side surface of the apparatus main body 101 so as to cover the ventilation hole 208 from the outside of the apparatus main body 101 in a horizontal view, below the supply port 206.

  The manual feed tray 204 is attached to the left side surface of the apparatus main body 101, and extends a predetermined distance so as to incline upward by a predetermined angle when viewed from the front with the upper end of the mounting portion 204a as a base end portion. The tray section 204b is formed so that the paper 130 to be supplied to the paper is placed thereon.

  The manual feed tray 204 is formed with a ventilation path 204 c that ventilates the outside and the inside of the color multifunction peripheral 300. The air passage 204c of the manual feed tray 204 has an opening 204d formed on the right end surface on the apparatus main body 101 side at the base end portion of the attachment portion 204a of the manual feed tray 204 and a base end portion of the attachment portion 204a of the manual feed tray 204. This is a cavity formed by connecting to an opening 204e formed on the lower end surface.

  Note that the opening 204 d is formed at substantially the same position as the position of the vent 208 formed in the apparatus main body 101 and is formed so as to have approximately the same area as the opening area of the vent 208.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the fan 210 ventilates through the vent path 204 c formed in the manual feed tray 204.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the opening part 204e of the ventilation path 204c is opened toward the downward direction.

  Note that the opening portion of the ventilation path of the manual feed tray 204 can be opened toward the rear of the color multifunction peripheral 300.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those shown in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a discharge tray portion of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7A is a front view showing the discharge tray portion E of the image forming apparatus 400. FIG. 7B is a side view showing the discharge tray portion E of the image forming apparatus 400. The image forming apparatus 400 is obtained by changing the discharge tray portion D of the image forming apparatus 100 to a discharge tray portion E. The discharge tray portion D includes a discharge tray 50, a fan 58, a discharge port 60, and a vent port 62.

  Hereinafter, the discharge tray portion E will be described.

  On the right side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, a discharge tray on which an image is formed on one or both sides by the image forming unit 2A and the fixing device 4 and a recording sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100A is placed. 302 is provided.

  Further, on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, there is formed a discharge port 304 through which the recording sheet P on which an image is formed on one or both sides by the image forming unit 2A and the fixing device 4 is discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100A. ing.

  Further, on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, a vent hole 306 is formed below the discharge port 304 and to the right of the inverter passage 56 to vent the inside and the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 100A. In the present embodiment, the vent holes 306 are formed at two locations at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction.

  A fan (cooling means) 308 is provided in the vicinity of the inverter passage 56 to cool the recording sheet P conveyed in the inverter passage 56 by ventilation. The fan 308 is provided inside the image forming apparatus main body 100 </ b> A of the vent 306. The fan 308 is an intake fan that sucks air from the outside to the inside of the image forming apparatus 400.

  The discharge tray 302 is provided on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100A so as to cover the vent hole 306 in a horizontal view from the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

  Further, the discharge tray 302 is attached to the right side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, and the upper portion extends a predetermined distance so as to incline upward by a predetermined angle in front view with the right side surface side of the image forming apparatus main body 100A as a base end. The attachment portion 302a is provided above the attachment portion 302a and extends from the image forming apparatus main body 100A by extending a predetermined distance so as to incline upward by a predetermined angle in front view with the right side surface side of the image forming apparatus main body 100A as a base end. The recording sheet P is formed so that the recording sheet P is connected to the tray portion 302b, the mounting portion 302a, and the tray portion 302b, and is discharged to the tray portion 302b. A coil spring (displacement means) 302c that is displaced in the vertical direction according to its own weight, and a thickness of a predetermined distance rearward from the rear end of the tray portion 302b. From the upper end of the made are tray portion 302b has a convex portion 302d1 have a predetermined distance upwardly projecting and a rear end portion 302d which is connected to the rear end of the mounting portion 302a.

  In the present embodiment, two coil springs 302c are provided at the proximal end portion and one at the distal end portion in the horizontal direction with respect to the direction in which the attachment portion 302a and the tray portion 302b are inclined.

  In addition, an opening 302d2 is formed on the front surface of the convex portion 302d1 of the rear end portion 302d. In the present embodiment, the opening 302d2 is formed at three positions from the base end to the tip in the horizontal direction with respect to the direction in which the attachment portion 302a and the tray portion 302b are inclined.

  The discharge tray 302 is formed with a ventilation path 302e that ventilates the outside and inside of the image forming apparatus 400. The vent path 302e of the discharge tray 302 is a convex portion of an opening 302f formed on the left end surface on the image forming apparatus main body 100A side at the base end portion of the mounting portion 302a of the discharge tray 302 and the rear end portion 302d of the discharge tray 302. This is a cavity formed by connecting the opening 302d2 formed in the portion 302d1.

  The opening 302f is formed at substantially the same position as the position of the vent 306 formed in the image forming apparatus main body 100A and has the same area as the opening area of the vent 306. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the fan 308 is ventilated through the ventilation path 302e formed in the discharge tray 302.

  Further, the odor and volatile organic compound (VOC) generated on the surface of the recording sheet P discharged to the discharge tray 302 are decomposed and adsorbed on the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 100A of the vent 306. Thus, a filter (removing means) 310 for removing at a predetermined removal rate is provided.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the scope of the summary of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the discharge tray and the fan of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view showing a ventilation path formed in the discharge tray in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus (color multifunction peripheral) according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating each image forming unit of the color multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus (color multifunction peripheral) according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a discharge tray portion of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100, 400: Image forming apparatus, 200, 300: Color multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus), 2A: Image forming section (image forming means), A: Image forming means, 4: Fixing device (fixing means), 140: Fixing Device (fixing means) 56: Inverter path (reverse conveying means), 148: Paper conveying path (reverse conveying means), 58, 152, 210, 308: Fan (cooling means), 50, 302: Discharge tray (discharge section) ): 145: face-up tray (discharge unit), 204: manual feed tray (supply unit), 50c, 145c, 204c, 302e: air passage, 50e, 145e, 204e, 302d2: opening, 310: filter (removing means) 302c: coil spring (displacement means), P: recording sheet (recording medium), 130: paper (recording medium)

Claims (6)

Image forming means for forming an unfixed image with a developer on a recording medium based on image information;
Fixing means for fusing an unfixed image formed on the recording medium by the image forming means and fixing the image so as to form an image on the recording medium;
A reversing conveying means for reversing the recording medium on which the image is formed on one side by the image forming means and the fixing means and conveying the recording medium again to form an image on both sides;
Cooling means for cooling the recording medium conveyed by the reverse conveying means by ventilation;
A discharge unit for discharging a recording medium on which an image is formed on one side or both sides by the image forming unit and the fixing unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling unit vents through a vent path formed in the discharge unit. Image forming means for forming an unfixed image with a developer on a recording medium based on image information;
Fixing means for fusing an unfixed image formed on the recording medium by the image forming means and fixing the image so as to form an image on the recording medium;
A reversing conveying means for reversing the recording medium on which the image is formed on one side by the image forming means and the fixing means and conveying the recording medium again to form an image on both sides;
Cooling means for cooling the recording medium conveyed by the reverse conveying means by ventilation;
A supply unit for supplying a recording medium to the image forming unit,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the cooling unit ventilates through a vent path formed in the supply unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the air passage opens downward or toward the rear of the image forming apparatus. Image forming means for forming an unfixed image with a developer on a recording medium based on image information;
Fixing means for fusing an unfixed image formed on the recording medium by the image forming means and fixing the image so as to form an image on the recording medium;
A reversing conveying means for reversing the recording medium on which the image is formed on one side by the image forming means and the fixing means and conveying the recording medium again to form an image on both sides;
Cooling means for cooling the recording medium conveyed by the reverse conveying means by ventilation;
A discharge unit for discharging a recording medium on which an image is formed on one side or both sides by the image forming unit and the fixing unit,
The cooling means is ventilated by a ventilation path formed in the discharge section, and the opening of the ventilation path is formed to cool the surface of the recording medium discharged to the discharge section by ventilation. An image forming apparatus.   The ventilation in the ventilation path by the cooling means is intake air, and the cooling means is provided with a removing means for removing odors and volatile organic compounds generated on the surface of the recording medium discharged to the discharge portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided.   5. The displacement unit that is displaced in the vertical direction according to the weight of the recording medium so that the vertical position of the recording medium discharged to the discharge unit has a predetermined height is provided in the discharge unit. The image forming apparatus according to 5.

Images