JP2008299018A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which prevents smoke, or a nasty smell component and dust included in the smoke from being discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus when smoke is given out inside the image forming apparatus due to abnormal temperature rise or the like. <P>SOLUTION: When the image forming apparatus becomes in the abnormal temperature rise state where the temperature of the heater 50 of a heating roller 52 is abnormally high relative to a set temperature, a part of a cover member 56 that is a resin product may be melted, and if a part of the cover member 56 is melted out, the smoke is given out. The smoke flows out to the periphery of a fixing device 48 but is stored in a smoke collecting container 62 because the smoke collecting container 62 is arranged on the periphery of the fixing device 48. At such a time, the dust and the nasty smell component are included in the smoke but are collected to the smoke collecting container 62. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with a fixing device for fixing an image transferred on a sheet.

In a conventional image forming apparatus, a sheet in a sheet feeding cassette is conveyed by a sheet feeding roller in a printer mechanism. Further, after an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by the developing unit, toner is attached to the photosensitive drum to be visualized. Then, the image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a sheet. The sheet on which the image is transferred is further conveyed and reaches the fixing device. The fixing device includes a heat roller and a press roller, and the sheet is pressed by the press roller while being heated by the heat roller while being sandwiched between the heat roller and the press roller. As a result, the image transferred onto the paper is fixed as a permanent image.
JP 7-319322 A

  By the way, although the heat roller constituting the fixing device is heated by a built-in heater, there is a possibility that an abnormal temperature rise phenomenon that becomes higher than the set temperature may occur due to a failure, a trouble in a control system, or an unauthorized use. When an abnormal temperature rise phenomenon occurs, smoke is generated by melting resin parts around the fixing unit, etc., and dust and off-flavor components contained in the smoke are discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus. It can be considered to adversely affect the surrounding area of the forming apparatus.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention takes into consideration the above situation, and when smoke is generated inside the image forming apparatus due to abnormal temperature rise or the like, the smoke, the off-flavor component or dust contained in the smoke is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the occurrence of the above.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus provided with a fixing device for fixing an image transferred on a sheet inside the housing, and smoke generated from the fixing device is formed inside the housing. It has a smoke collecting means for collecting.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, smoke detecting means provided in the vicinity of the fixing device for detecting smoke generated from the fixing device, and smoke generated by the smoke detecting means. And smoke induction means that operates when sensed to induce smoke to the smoke collection means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus further includes a collecting unit that collects smoke dust and off-flavor components induced by the smoke guiding unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus provided with a fixing device for fixing an image transferred on a sheet inside the housing, provided inside the housing in the vicinity of the fixing device. Smoke sensing means for sensing smoke generated from the fixing device, smoke guidance means for inducing smoke in an arbitrary direction when smoke is sensed by the smoke sensing means, and guided by the smoke guidance means And collecting means for collecting smoke dust and off-flavor components.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when smoke is generated from the fixing device inside the housing, the smoke is collected by the smoke collecting means inside the housing. As a result, smoke is not discharged outside the housing, and it is possible to prevent a strange odor from drifting around the installation location of the image forming apparatus and dust from flying.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the smoke generated from the fixing device is detected by the smoke detecting means, and when the smoke is detected by the smoke detecting means, the smoke guiding means is activated to cause the smoke collecting means to smoke. Is induced. Thereby, the smoke generated from the fixing device can be reliably recovered by the smoke recovery means.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the smoke dust and off-flavor components induced by the smoke guiding means are collected by the collecting means. Thereby, dust and off-flavor components contained in the smoke can be removed, so that the smoke collected by the smoke collecting means does not contain dust and off-flavor components. As a result, smoke dust and off-flavor components do not adhere to the smoke recovery means, and the product life of the smoke recovery means can be improved.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the smoke generated from the fixing device is detected by the smoke detecting means, the smoke guiding means is activated and the smoke is guided in an arbitrary direction. And the smoke dust and off-flavor components induced by the smoke guiding means are collected by the collecting means. Thereby, since dust and off-flavor components can be removed from the smoke, it is possible to prevent dust and off-flavor components from being discharged outside the housing of the image forming apparatus. Further, since the smoke collecting means is not necessary, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. At the same time, the space for providing the smoke collecting means is not necessary, and the image forming apparatus can be prevented from being enlarged.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a housing 12. A paper feeding unit 14 is provided at the lower part of the housing 12. The paper feed unit 14 is provided with one paper feed cassette 16 and a paper feed roller 18. By driving the paper feed roller 18, the paper is fed out from the paper feed cassette 16 and sent out toward the paper transport path 20. A registration roller device 22 is provided on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 18 in the paper conveyance direction. Further, a recording unit 24 is provided on the downstream side of the registration roller device 22 in the sheet conveyance direction. The registration roller unit 22 is driven by the timing of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 26 of the recording unit 24 by aligning the leading end of the sheet against the nip portion of the registration roller unit 22 and the sheet is fed. Sent out. Note that a plurality of paper feed trays can be mounted on the paper feed unit 14, and a specified size can be selected from an arbitrary paper feed tray in the same manner as in a general image forming apparatus. It is possible to configure as an apparatus capable of selecting paper and feeding paper.

  Further, the recording unit 24 is configured in the same manner as in the case of an apparatus using a general electrophotographic system. Specifically, around the photosensitive drum 26, a charging member 28, a laser light source 30, and a transfer roller. 32 are arranged respectively. A developing device 34 is provided on the downstream side of the laser light source 30 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 26. In the developing device 34, a developing roller 36 is provided corresponding to the photosensitive drum 26. In the recording unit 24, the surface of the photosensitive drum 26 is uniformly charged by discharging from the charging member 28, and then the laser light source 30 emits image light to form an electrostatic latent image. It is formed. Then, toner carried as a thin layer on the surface of the developing roller 36 is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 26, and a visible image is formed as a toner image.

  The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 26 is transferred to the paper by applying a voltage of a predetermined value from the transfer roller 32 while the paper is nipped between the transfer roller 32 and conveyed. The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is fixed through a fixing device 48 described later to produce a recording sheet, and is discharged toward the discharge tray 60 by a discharge roller device 58 disposed at the end of the sheet conveyance path 20. Is done. In addition, after the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 26 is transferred to the sheet, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 26 is scraped off by the rotating brush 40 of the cleaning device 38 and transported by a screw or the like. The toner is sent to a waste toner box (not shown) by the means.

  The developing device 34 is provided with a toner bottle mounting portion 42. The toner bottle mounting portion 42 is mounted with a toner bottle 44 filled with toner. The new toner replenished from the toner bottle mounting portion 42 is mixed with the toner remaining inside the developing device frame and the toner returned from the developing roller 36 by the stirring means such as the paddle 46 inside the developing device 34 and homogenized. Is done. The toner is again carried as a thin layer on the developing roller 36 and is supplied toward the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 26.

  A fixing device 48 is provided on the downstream side of the photosensitive drum 26 in the sheet conveying direction. The fixing device 48 includes a heating roller 52 with a built-in heater 50 and a pressure roller 54, and each of these rollers 52 and 54 is accommodated in a cover member 58 made of resin. In the fixing device 48, the toner melted by the heat of the heating roller 52 is pressed against the paper by the pressure roller 54 while the paper on which the toner image is transferred is nipped between the rollers 52 and 54 and conveyed. Fixed as a permanent image. The sheet on which the permanent image is fixed is discharged toward the discharge tray 60 by the discharge roller device 58.

  Here, a smoke collection container 62 for collecting smoke (including dust and off-flavor components contained in the smoke) generated from the fixing device 48 is disposed inside the housing 12 and around the fixing device 48. Has been. The smoke collection container 62 is provided so as to surround the fixing device 48. That is, the temperature of the heater 50 built in the heating roller 52 can be appropriately controlled due to troubles in the control system, heater failure, unauthorized use, etc., and the temperature of the heater 50 becomes abnormally high with respect to the set temperature. When the temperature rises abnormally, the cover member 56, which is a resin product, is melted, so that smoke is generated. The generated smoke is collected by the smoke collection container 62 described above. At this time, the smoke contains off-flavor components and dusts, all of which are also collected in the smoke collection container 62. It should be noted that the means for collecting smoke is not necessarily a container, and may be a bag-like one (smoke collection bag), for example.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the temperature of the heater 50 of the heating roller 52 is abnormally high, the cover member 56 that is a resin product may be partially melted. When a part of the member 56 melts, smoke is generated. The smoke flows around the fixing device 48. Since the smoke collection container 62 is disposed around the fixing device 48, the smoke is accommodated in the smoke collection container 62. At this time, the smoke contains dust and off-flavor components, but these are also collected in the smoke collection container 62. When the thermostat (temperature control device) of the fixing device 48 detects an abnormal temperature rise and the heat generation from the heater 50 stops, the temperature inside the image forming apparatus 10 (housing 12) decreases. As a result, smoke odor components and dust adhere to the inside of the smoke collection container 62.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent smoke (dust and off-flavor components) from being discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10 (outside of the housing 12), so that the smoke and smoke are included around the place where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed. There is no off-flavor or dust, and it can prevent adverse effects on people and the environment.

  Further, when a bad smell component or dust adheres to the inside of the smoke collection container 62, the smoke collection container is discarded or washed, and another new smoke collection container 62 is attached.

  Although the configuration in which the smoke collection container 62 is disposed around the fixing device 48 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The structure which arrange | positioned the smoke collection | recovery container 62 may be sufficient.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Note that the same components as those of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 70 according to the second embodiment is provided with a smoke sensor 72 that detects smoke in the vicinity of the fixing device 48. The configuration of the smoke sensor 72 is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-319322 and can be used. Specifically, the smoke sensor 72 includes a light emitting side diode portion and a light receiving side smoke sensor portion, and detects weak smoke based on light transmittance.

  The smoke sensor 72 is electrically connected to the controller 74. When smoke is detected by the smoke sensor 72, a smoke detection signal is output to the controller 74.

  A fan 76 is disposed below the fixing device 48. When the fan 76 is rotationally driven, smoke generated from the fixing device 48 is guided to a smoke collection container 78 described later. A smoke collection container 78 is provided below the fan 76. The smoke collection container 78 has the same function although the shape is different from the smoke collection container 62 used in the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment.

  The fan 76 is electrically connected to the controller 74, and when a smoke detection signal from the smoke sensor 72 is output to the controller 74, a drive signal is output from the controller 74 to the fan 76. When the drive signal from the controller 74 is output to the fan 76, the fan 76 is rotationally driven. When the fan 76 is driven to rotate, the smoke generated from the fixing device 48 is guided to the smoke collection container 78.

  Note that the smoke sensor 72 and the fan 76 are directly and electrically connected without providing the controller 74, and when the smoke sensor 72 outputs a smoke detection signal to the fan 76, the fan 76 is driven to rotate. Then, the smoke generated from the fixing device 48 may be guided to the smoke collection container 78. As a result, the controller 74 becomes unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced, and the limited space inside the housing 12 can be prevented from being sacrificed. As a result, the enlargement of the image forming apparatus 70 can be suppressed and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 70 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the temperature of the heater 50 of the heating roller 52 is abnormally high, the cover member 56 that is a resin product may be partially melted. When a part of the member 56 melts, smoke is generated.

  When smoke is generated, it is detected by the smoke sensor 72. When smoke is detected by the smoke sensor 72, a smoke detection signal is output from the smoke sensor 72 to the controller 74. When the smoke detection signal from the smoke sensor 72 is output to the controller 74, a drive signal is output from the controller 74 to the fan 76. When the drive signal from the controller 74 is output to the fan 76, the fan 76 is driven to rotate, and the smoke is guided to the smoke collection container 78.

  In the configuration in which the controller 74 is not provided, when smoke is detected by the smoke sensor 72, a smoke detection signal is output from the smoke sensor 72 to the fan 76. When the smoke detection signal from the smoke sensor 72 is output to the fan 76, the fan 76 is driven to rotate and the smoke is guided to the smoke collection container 78.

  When the thermostat (temperature control device) of the fixing device 48 detects an abnormal temperature rise and the heat generation from the heater 50 stops, the temperature inside the image forming device 70 (housing 12) decreases. As a result, smoke odor components and dust adhere to the inside of the smoke collection container 78.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent smoke (dust and off-flavor components) from being discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 70 (outside of the housing 12), so that the smoke and smoke are included around the place where the image forming apparatus 70 is installed. There is no off-flavor or dust, and it can prevent adverse effects on people and the environment.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Since the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured based on the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. The description will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 80 according to the third embodiment collects harmful smoke components (for example, off-flavor components and dust) on the outlet side of the fan 76 (downstream side in the smoke flow direction). A dustproof filter 82 is attached. The dustproof filter 82 is conventionally known, and for example, a dust removing filter is used in addition to dust and dirt. A filter that collects tobacco smoke can also be applied. A nonwoven fabric or the like can also be used for the dustproof filter 82.

  As a result, the smoke induced by the fan 76 is passed through the dust filter 82, and harmful components of the smoke (for example, off-flavor components and dust) are collected by the dust filter 82. As a result, harmful components of smoke are removed.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the smoke induced by the fan 76 is passed through the dust filter 82, and harmful components of the smoke (for example, off-flavor components and dust) are collected by the dust filter 82. As a result, the smoke The harmful components are removed.

  For this reason, the smoke collected in the smoke collection container 78 is already in a state where harmful components have been removed. For this reason, when the temperature inside the image forming apparatus 80 is lowered, smoke odor components and dust do not adhere to the smoke collection container 78. Thereby, the product life of the smoke collection container 78 can be significantly improved.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Note that the same components as those of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a smoke sensor 92 is provided in the vicinity of the fixing device 48 of the image forming apparatus 90 of the present embodiment. Further, a fan 94 for guiding smoke generated from the fixing device 48 in an arbitrary direction (upward direction) is provided above the fixing device 48. A dustproof filter 96 is attached to the outlet side of the fan 94 (downstream side in the smoke flow direction). A controller 98 is electrically connected to the smoke sensor 92 and the fan 94. It should be noted that no smoke collection container is disposed inside the housing 12 of the image forming apparatus 90 of the present embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when smoke is generated from the fixing device 48, it is detected by the smoke sensor 92, and the fan 94 is rotationally driven via the controller 98. As a result, the smoke is guided upward by the fan 94. Here, since the dust-proof filter 96 is attached to the outlet side (downstream side in the direction of smoke flow) of the fan 94, harmful components (smell odor components and dust) of smoke are collected. And the smoke from which the harmful component was removed is discharged | emitted outside from the upper part of the housing | casing 12 as normal airflow A, without being collect | recovered by a smoke collection container. The controller 98 is not always a necessary component, and the smoke sensor 92 and the fan 94 are electrically connected. When the smoke detection signal from the smoke sensor 92 is output to the fan 94, the fan 94 is driven to rotate. You may comprise.

  In this embodiment, the smoke collection container is not provided, but the smoke discharged from the outside is smoke from which harmful components have been removed, that is, a normal air flow, and thus adversely affects the surroundings of the installation site. There is nothing. In addition, since no smoke collection container is provided in the housing 12, a space for providing the smoke collection container in the housing 12 is not required, and the housing 12 and thus the image forming apparatus 90 are increased in size. Can be suppressed. In addition, since the smoke recovery container is unnecessary, the manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus 90 can be reduced.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Case 48 Fixing apparatus (fixing device)
62 Smoke collection container (smoke collection means)
70 Image forming apparatus 72 Smoke sensor (smoke detecting means)
76 Fan (smoke induction means)
78 Smoke collection container (smoke collection means)
80 Image forming apparatus 82 Dust-proof filter (collecting means)
90 Image forming apparatus 92 Smoke sensor (smoke detecting means)
94 Fan (smoke induction means)
96 Dustproof filter (collection means)

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus provided with a fixing device for fixing an image transferred on paper inside a housing,
An image forming apparatus comprising smoke recovery means for recovering smoke generated from the fixing device inside the housing. Smoke detecting means provided in the vicinity of the fixing device for detecting smoke generated from the fixing device;
Smoke induction means that operates when smoke is detected by the smoke detection means and induces smoke to the smoke collection means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a collecting unit that collects smoke dust and off-flavor components induced by the smoke guiding unit. An image forming apparatus provided with a fixing device for fixing an image transferred on paper inside a housing,
Inside the housing,
Smoke detecting means provided in the vicinity of the fixing device for detecting smoke generated from the fixing device;
Smoke induction means that operates when smoke is detected by the smoke detection means and induces smoke in any direction;
A collecting means for collecting smoke dust and off-flavor components induced by the smoke guiding means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images