JP2010237647A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus inside which a filter for absorbing produced smell or volatile substance is refreshed (regenerated) without adding special constitution, which achieves prolongation of a usable period of the filter, and which is compact, inexpensive and simple. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has a mode for performing refreshing action to allow the filter 16 provided inside the apparatus and having characteristics that it absorbs the volatile substance produced inside the apparatus under a predetermined temperature and discharges the absorbed volatile substance at the predetermined temperature or more to discharge the absorbed volatile substance by raising the temperature thereof to the predetermined temperature or more. In the image forming apparatus, heat generated inside the apparatus is used to raise the temperature of the filter 16 to the predetermined temperature or more. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by an electrophotographic method, such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine of these.

  In the field of image forming apparatuses, filters are attached to remove odors and volatile substances generated in the apparatus due to the operation of the apparatus. The main source of odor and volatile substances is that the adhesive, silicone rubber, etc. used in the fixing means volatilize depending on the fixing temperature.

  In Patent Document 1, a filter containing activated carbon is provided at an exhaust port or the like of an exhaust fan that exhausts heat inside the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus, so that odors and volatile substances are adsorbed and are not discharged outside the apparatus. However, although this method is effective in reducing odors and volatile substances, the adsorption performance of activated carbon is limited, and the filter must be replaced periodically.

  One way to increase the adsorption capacity of activated carbon is to make the filter finer, but if the filter is made finer, the flow resistance of the gas increases and the flow velocity decreases, and the temperature inside the device itself is reduced. It becomes a factor to raise.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a method for providing a dustproof filter, a photocatalytic filter, and an ultraviolet lamp as well as suctioning air as a countermeasure not to discharge volatile substances to the outside of the apparatus. However, if it is going to implement | achieve the response method by patent document 2, it will become a very large structure and will cause the enlargement of an apparatus main body and a cost increase.

  Patent Document 3 proposes that an activated carbon filter is arranged inside or in the vicinity of a fixing unit that is a generation source of volatile substances in an image forming apparatus so as not to disturb the heat convection in the apparatus.

  Patent Document 4 includes a heating means for heating the activated carbon of the activated carbon filter and a catalyst for heating and decomposing the odor. The activated carbon is heated by the heating means to release the odor component adsorbed on the activated carbon to refresh the activated carbon. In addition, there is described an air purifier that maintains the deodorizing performance of an activated carbon filter over a long period of time by decomposing and deodorizing the released odorous component with a catalyst.

  In the configuration described in Patent Document 3, since the adsorption capacity of the filter can be increased, the exchange cycle of the filter can be lengthened. However, since the adsorption performance is lowered as the adsorption amount increases, the work of exchanging the filter is required. The replacement of the filter may be a work, but in many cases, it is often troublesome to ask a maintenance inspection worker.

  In the configuration described in Patent Literature 4, the filter is refreshed by heating the filter with a heating unit to release the substance adsorbed on the filter, but a heating unit for filter refresh is necessary.

  The present invention can perform refresh (regeneration) of a filter that absorbs odors and volatile substances generated inside the apparatus without adding a special configuration, and extends the filter usage period to reduce the size, cost, and simplicity of the image. The object is to provide a forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a filter having a characteristic of adsorbing volatile substances generated inside the apparatus at a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature and releasing the adsorbed volatile substances at a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature is provided. The temperature of the filter is raised to a predetermined temperature or higher using the heat generated inside the apparatus when performing a refresh operation in which the volatile substance is released by raising the temperature to a predetermined temperature or higher. Yes.

  The heat generated inside the apparatus is heat generated from a fixing unit that is provided inside the apparatus and fixes the toner image on the recording paper with heat and / or pressure.

  The fixing unit is a heating unit that heats at least one of a rotatable fixing member or a rotatable pressing member that is disposed opposite to the fixing member and forms a nip that sandwiches the recording paper with the fixing member. In the mode in which the fresh operation is performed, the filter is heated to a predetermined temperature or higher by increasing the amount of heat generated by the heating means.

  In the present invention, a ventilation path that communicates with the outside of the apparatus main body, at least a part of which is adjacent to the fixing means, and air in the apparatus main body that is disposed on the ventilation path and is heated by heat generated by the fixing means, Exhaust means for discharging to the outside of the apparatus main body through the path, and the filter was disposed on the exhaust side of the ventilation path.

  The exhaust means is arranged either upstream of the filter or downstream of the filter on the suction side of the ventilation path or the exhaust side of the ventilation path.

  In the present invention, in the mode in which the refresh operation is performed, the temperature of the filter is raised to a predetermined temperature or higher by decelerating the flow velocity of the air flowing in the ventilation path.

  In the present invention, the temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the filter or temperature information approximate to the temperature of the filter, and the heat generation amount of the heating means or the flow rate of air flowing in the ventilation path are controlled based on the detection result of the temperature detection means. In the mode in which the control means is provided and the refresh operation is performed, the heat generation amount of the heating means or the air flow rate is controlled by the control means so that the temperature of the filter is raised to a predetermined temperature or more.

  In the present invention, there is provided display means for displaying contents for prompting the refresh operation.

  In the present invention, the total rotation amount measuring means for measuring the total rotation amount of either the fixing member or the pressure member, and the total rotation amount measured by the total rotation amount measurement means becomes a predetermined total rotation amount set in advance. In some cases, control means for executing a refresh operation is provided, and the timing for executing the refresh operation is determined from the operating state of the fixing member.

  In the present invention, the total operating amount measuring means for measuring the total operating amount of the exhaust means, and the refresh operation is executed when the total operating amount measured by the total operating amount measuring means reaches a predetermined total operating amount set in advance. Control means for determining whether or not the timing of executing the refresh operation is the operating state of the exhaust means.

  In the present invention, when the total rotation amount measured by the total rotation amount measuring unit reaches a predetermined total rotation amount set in advance, or the total operation amount measured by the total operation amount measuring unit is set to a predetermined total operation amount Display means for displaying the content prompting the execution of the refresh mode.

  In the present invention, a timer for measuring time and a display means are provided. In a mode in which the refresh operation is performed, a display means for prompting the apparatus user to execute the refresh operation when the time measured by the timer reaches a preset time. To be displayed.

  In the present invention, the apparatus user has an operation unit that is operated at an arbitrary timing, and the refresh operation is executed by operating the operation unit.

  In the present invention, when the refresh mode is executed, there is provided a display means for displaying contents for prompting the apparatus user to ventilate.

  According to the present invention, the refresh operation for releasing the adsorbed volatile substance by raising the temperature of the filter that adsorbs the volatile substance at a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature and releases the substance adsorbed at a predetermined temperature or higher to a predetermined temperature or higher. When the filter is heated, the temperature of the filter is raised to a temperature higher than the specified temperature using the heat generated in the device, so that the filter can be refreshed (regenerated) without adding a special configuration, and the filter usage period can be extended. It is possible to provide a simple, small and low-cost image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, since the temperature of the filter or the vicinity of the filter is measured using the temperature sensor, the accuracy when the temperature of the filter is raised to a predetermined temperature or higher can be improved, and the refresh operation can be performed accurately. The usage period of the filter can be made longer.

  According to the present invention, the exhaust means for discharging the air in the apparatus main body heated by the heat generated by the fixing means to the outside of the apparatus main body through the ventilation path is provided on the suction side of the ventilation path or the exhaust side of the ventilation path. Since it is arranged on the upstream side of the filter or on the downstream side of the filter, hot air can be blown against the filter for efficient heating, and the fan can be placed anywhere on the ventilation path. Thus, the efficiency and size of the apparatus can be further improved.

  According to the present invention, since the temperature of the filter is raised to a predetermined temperature or higher by reducing the flow velocity of the air flowing through the ventilation path, the filter can be refreshed without adding special parts for heating the filter. It can be carried out.

  According to the present invention, the control is performed when the total rotation amount measured by the total rotation amount measuring means for measuring the total rotation amount of either the fixing member or the pressure member becomes a predetermined total rotation amount set in advance. Since the refresh operation is executed based on the judgment of the means, the filter refresh operation can be performed at an optimum time corresponding to the operating state of the fixing means serving as a volatile substance generation source, and the refresh operation can be prevented from being forgotten.

  According to the present invention, since the refresh operation is performed when the total operation amount measured by the total operation amount measuring means for measuring the total operation amount of the exhaust means reaches a predetermined total operation amount, The refreshing operation of the filter can be performed at an optimum time corresponding to the operating state of the exhaust means related to the amount of adsorption of the substance, and the forgetting of the refreshing operation can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, since the refresh operation is performed by the device user operating the operation unit at an arbitrary timing, the refresh operation can be performed by the operation of the device user even when the refresh operation cannot be performed automatically. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the filter performance due to the non-execution of the refresh operation, and it is possible to extend the use period of the filter.

  According to the present invention, when the refresh mode is executed, the contents for prompting the apparatus user to ventilate are displayed on the display means, so that forgetting to ventilate when the adsorbed substance diverges can be prevented.

1 is an overall view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship of the exhaust means in the apparatus main body, the ventilation path, and a filter. It is a figure explaining the structure and effect | action of the form which controls the emitted-heat amount of a heater, (a) and (b) are the structure and effect | action by a temperature detection means and a control means, (c) is a temperature detection means and a control means. It is a figure which shows the structure when not using, respectively. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning place of an exhaust means, (a) The structure arrange | positioned at the suction side of a ventilation path, (b) is the structure arrange | positioned in the discharge | release side of a ventilation path and the downstream of a filter, (c) is ventilation. It is a figure which shows the structure each arrange | positioned in the upstream of a filter by the discharge | emission side of a path | route. It is a figure explaining the structure and effect | action of the form which controls the air velocity which flows in the ventilation path, (a) And (b) is the structure and effect | action by a temperature detection means and a control means, (c) is a temperature detection means. It is a figure which shows the structure when not using a control means, respectively. It is a figure explaining the structure and effect | action of a form which controls filter temperature based on the detection result of a total rotation amount measurement means. It is a figure explaining the structure and effect | action of a form which controls filter temperature based on the detection result of a total operation amount measuring means. It is a figure explaining the structure and effect | action of the form which added the measurement means and the display means to the structure of FIG. It is a figure explaining the structure and effect | action of the form which added the measurement means and the display means to the structure of FIG. It is a figure explaining the structure and effect | action of a form provided with the operation part which an apparatus user operates.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that it is easy for a person skilled in the art to make other embodiments by changing or correcting the present invention within the scope of the claims, and these changes and modifications are included in the scope of the claims of the present invention. Therefore, the following description is an example of the best mode of the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the claims.

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a laser printer which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 includes writing means 1, image forming means 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K that form toner images of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, intermediate transfer means 3, and recording paper P inside the apparatus main body 100A. A primary transfer device 5A for transferring each color toner image formed by the paper supply means 4 for feeding paper and the image forming means 2 to the intermediate transfer means 3, and a batch transfer of the toner images transferred to the intermediate transfer means 3 to the recording paper P A transfer unit 5B and a fixing unit 6 are provided, and a paper discharge unit 7 is provided in the upper part of the apparatus main body, and a full color image is formed according to a general electrophotographic process. Since the electrophotographic process is a well-known technique and is not the gist of the present invention, the description thereof will be limited.

  The writing unit 1 disposed below the paper discharge unit 7 is opened in the direction indicated by the arrow A together with the upper and outer cover 111 that forms the outer surface of the apparatus main body 100A, and the image forming unit positioned below the writing unit 1. 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K can be taken out above the apparatus. The image forming units 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K are detachable from the apparatus main body 100A.

  The transfer unit 5B is disposed on the sheet conveyance path C formed between the sheet feeding unit 4 and the fixing unit 6, and is opened in the direction of arrow B together with the lateral exterior cover 112 that forms the outer surface of the apparatus main body 100A. As a result, the paper transport path C is opened, and the paper jam can be easily handled.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an internal arrangement when the laser printer shown in FIG. 1 is viewed in plan. A metal frame 19 that partitions the fixing unit 6 and the image forming unit 2K side is disposed in the apparatus main body 100A. The frame 19 has a hat shape in plan view, and the fixing unit 6 is accommodated in a space portion 19A formed therein. The fixing unit 6 includes a fixing roller 8 serving as a rotatable fixing member, and a rotatable addition member that is disposed to face the fixing roller 8 and forms a nip that sandwiches the recording paper P between the fixing roller 8. A pressure roller 9 as a pressure member and a heater 10 as a heating means for heating the fixing roller 8 are provided, and the toner image is fixed on the recording paper P by the heat and pressure of the fixing roller 8, the pressure roller 9 and the heater 10. Let A plate-shaped duct member 14 is disposed opposite to the back surface 19B of the frame 19 in which the fixing unit 6 is housed (set), and the ventilation path 18 is formed by the two parts of the frame 19 and the duct member 14 to the apparatus main body 100A. It is formed extending in the depth direction D. The depth direction D of the apparatus main body 100A is covered with exterior covers 113 and 114 that form the outer surface of the apparatus with the lateral exterior cover 112 therebetween.

  One end 18A which is the suction side of the ventilation path 18 is located on the exterior cover 113 side, and the other end 18B which is the exhaust side of the ventilation path 18 is located on the exterior cover 114 side. The exterior cover 113 is formed with a louver portion 113a that is open to communicate with the outside of the apparatus. A louver portion 114 a connected to the fan duct 17 is formed on the exterior cover 114 side. The other end 18B of the ventilation path 18 communicates with the fan duct 17 communicating with the outside of the apparatus, and the other end 18B of the ventilation path 18 communicates with the louver portion 114a.

  An exhaust fan 15 serving as an exhaust means is provided inside the apparatus main body 100A. The exhaust fan 15 is disposed on the ventilation path 18 and discharges the air in the apparatus main body heated by the heat generated by the fixing unit 6 to the outside of the apparatus main body via the ventilation path 18.

  When the exhaust fan 15 rotates, air outside the apparatus is sucked into the apparatus main body 100A from the louver part 113a, passes through the ventilation path 18, and is exhausted from the fan duct 17 to the outside of the apparatus through the louver part 114a.

  The heater 10 of the fixing unit 6 is energized and generates heat when the laser printer performs a printing operation. A part Q2a of the amount of heat generated by the heat generation speeds through the ventilation path 18 formed adjacent to the fixing unit 6. Heat is transferred to the air moving at V and the air temperature rises. Further, a part Q2b of the heat quantity Q2a passes through the duct 14 forming the ventilation path 18 and raises the air temperature in the apparatus main body 100A. Although not shown, heat generated from motors for driving the image forming means 2Y, 2C, 2M, 2K, the intermediate transfer means 3, the paper feeding means 4, and the transfer means 6, and a power source for supplying power to these motors The air temperature in the apparatus main body 100A also rises due to heat generated from the apparatus. Due to this temperature rise, volatile substances are released from the components constituting the apparatus, and the volatile substances are filled in the machine. At this time, the ventilation path 18 is not a complete closed flow path but sucks a part of the air in the machine from the gap 14a and introduces it into the ventilation path 18 and exhausts it outside the machine.

  Between the ventilation path 18 and the louver part 114a on the exhaust side of the ventilation path 18, there is a characteristic of adsorbing volatile substances at a temperature T1 lower than a predetermined temperature and releasing volatile substances adsorbed at a temperature T2 higher than a predetermined level. A filter 16 is arranged. Examples of the filter 16 include a filter using activated carbon as an adsorbing member, but other filters may be used.

  With such a configuration, when the exhaust fan 15 rotates at a constant rotational speed, the air that has moved in the ventilation path 18 at the speed V and has received a heat quantity Q2a from the fixing means 6 and has risen in temperature is filtered by the filter 16. When passing through the filter, the filter temperature is heated to raise the temperature. Further, since air in the apparatus main body 100A is also introduced into the ventilation path 18 from the gap 14a, the air flowing through the ventilation path 18 contains volatile substances generated inside the apparatus. For this reason, volatile substances in the air are adsorbed by the filter 16 when the temperature of the filter 16 is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T1.

In FIG. 2, when the image forming apparatus is operating in the normal operation mode, if the amount of heat generated from the heater 10 and the rotation speed of the exhaust fan 15 are constant, the heat amount passes through a part Q2a and the ventilation path 18. The air speed V is constant. For this reason, in the conventional configuration, the temperature of the filter 16 is also constant, but the temperature at this time is lower than the temperature T2 at which the adsorbed material diverges from the filter 16. That is, there is no conventional image forming apparatus that raises the filter temperature above the temperature T2 at which the adsorbed material diverges from the filter 16. For this reason, volatile substances accumulate in the filter 16, and the adsorption performance does not deteriorate and recover. This is the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus based on the conventional configuration. From here, it moves to the characteristic configuration of the present invention.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the amount of heat generated by the heater 10 (hereinafter referred to as “temperature”) is controlled.

  In this embodiment, there are provided a mode in which a volatile substance is adsorbed and collected by the filter 16 and a mode in which a refresh operation for releasing (diverging) the adsorbed substance adsorbed on the filter 16 is performed. The collecting mode is a case where the exhaust fan 15 is rotating and the temperature of the filter 16 is a temperature T1 lower than a predetermined temperature. In this embodiment, normal image formation is assumed.

  In this embodiment, by controlling the temperature of the heater 10 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 20 serving as the temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the filter 16 or the temperature information approximate to the temperature of the filter 16 and the temperature sensor 20. The control means 21 for controlling the temperature of the filter 16 is provided.

FIG. 3A shows the temperature T3a of the heater 10 during normal image formation (in the collection mode), a part Q3a of the amount of heat generated at the temperature T3a, the air flow velocity V3a flowing in the ventilation path 18, and FIG. 3B shows the temperature S3a of the filter 16 detected by the temperature sensor 20 at this time. FIG. 3B shows the temperature T3b of the heater 10 during the refresh operation (in the refresh mode) and a part of the heat generated at the temperature T3b. Q3b, the air flow velocity V3b flowing through the ventilation path 18, and the temperature S3b of the filter 16 detected by the temperature sensor 20 at this time are shown. In FIG. 3B, the temperature T3b of the heater 10 is a temperature that raises the temperature S3b of the filter 16 to a temperature T2 that is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and is set to a temperature higher than T3a. As a means for raising the heater temperature in this way, the control means 20 controls to increase the current value for the heater 10 or to lengthen the energization time.

  In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 20 is disposed in the vicinity of the filter 16, and the ambient temperature immediately before the filter 16 that approximates the temperature of the filter 16 is set as the temperature S <b> 3 b of the filter 16. The temperature sensor 20 is connected to the control unit 21, detects the ambient temperature immediately before the filter 16, and inputs the detected temperature information to the control unit 21. The control means 21 is configured by a computer, and is configured to perform temperature control of the heater 10 based on temperature information input from the temperature sensor 20.

  As described above, when the temperature T3b of the heater 10 is higher than the temperature T3a of the heater 10 during normal image formation in the refresh mode, a part Q3b of the amount of heat generated in the heater 10 is more than a part Q3a of the amount of heat at the normal time. Also increases. At this time, in FIG. 3 (a) and FIG. 3 (b), if the rotational speed of the exhaust fan 15 is the same, the air flow velocity V3a and the air flow velocity V3b flowing in the ventilation passage 18 are constant. The amount of heat received during the movement of Q3b is greater in Q3b than in Q3a. For this reason, in the refresh mode, the temperature of the air flowing into the filter 16 becomes high, so that the temperature S3b of the filter 16 rises.

  For this reason, when the temperature sensor 20 detects the filter temperature S3b, the control device 21 changes the temperature T3b of the heater 10 from the filter 16 to the temperature T2 at which the volatile material as the adsorbed material diffuses based on the temperature information S3b detected by the temperature sensor 20. Control to be above. Table 1 shows the relationship between the heater temperatures T3a and T3b, the heat amounts Q3a and Q3b, the air flow rates V3a and V3b, and the temperatures S5a and S5b of the filter 16 detected by the temperature sensor 20 in the control for executing the fresh mode.

  In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 20 is disposed upstream of the filter 16 in the air flow, detects the temperatures S3a and S3b in the vicinity of the filter 16 and regards it as the filter temperature. 20 may be used to detect the temperature of the filter 16 itself. However, in consideration of workability when the filter 16 is cleaned or replaced by maintenance or the like, it is preferable to dispose the filter 16 separately.

  By adopting such a fresh mode control mode, the filter 16 is refreshed because it is heated (heated) to a temperature T2 or higher at which the adsorbed material diverges, and the number of filter replacements is reduced. The adsorption performance of can be maintained over a long period of time. Further, the temperature of the filter 16 is raised to a temperature T2 or higher at which the adsorbed material diverges, and the heat from the heater 10 included in the image forming apparatus 100 is used as the configuration of the fixing device 6. There is no need to add a heating means to the filter, and the filter can be used for a long time with a small size and low cost.

If the filter 16 is simply refreshed, the temperature T3b of the heater 10 is set to a sufficiently high temperature in advance so that the temperature of the filter 16 is higher than the temperature T2 at which the adsorbed material is diffused. As shown, the filter 16 may be refreshed in a small size and at a low cost without using the temperature sensor 20 and the control device 21.
(Second Embodiment)
Next, the arrangement of the exhaust fan 15 that creates an air flow inside the apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. As an arrangement | positioning location of the exhaust fan 15, the aspect shown to Fig.4 (a)-FIG.4 (c) is mentioned. 4A, the exhaust fan 15 is disposed on the one end 18A side which is the intake side (upstream side) of the ventilation path 18, and in FIG. 4B, the exhaust side 15 is the exhaust side (downstream side) of the ventilation path 18. An exhaust fan 15 is disposed on the end 18B side. When the exhaust fan 15 is disposed on the other end 18B side of the ventilation path 18, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the filter 16 is located downstream of the filter 16 or as shown in FIG. 4 (c). The aspect arrange | positioned rather than the upstream is mentioned. Such an arrangement form of the exhaust fan 15 may be arranged at least at an arbitrary position on the upstream side or the downstream side of the ventilation path 18 and can be most efficiently arranged depending on the configuration of the apparatus.
(Third embodiment)
In this embodiment, the refresh operation of the filter 16 is performed without increasing the temperature of the heater 10. Since the configuration of the fixing unit 6, the exhaust fan 15, the ventilation path 18, the temperature sensor 20 and the like shown in FIG. 5 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. The control means 23 has the same hardware configuration as that of the control means 20 shown in FIG. 4, but the control contents to be executed are different.

  In this embodiment, the heater 10, the temperature sensor 20, and the exhaust fan 15 are connected to the control means 23, and in this case, the rotational speed of the exhaust fan 15 is controlled based on the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 20 in particular. It has a function.

  FIG. 6A shows the temperature T5a of the heater 10, the part Q5a of the amount of heat generated at the temperature T5a, and the air flow velocity V5a flowing in the ventilation path 18 during normal image formation (in the collection mode). The temperature S5a of the filter 16 detected by the temperature sensor 20 at this time and the rotational speed n5a of the exhaust fan 15 are shown.

  FIG. 6B shows the temperature T5b of the heater 10 during the refresh operation (in the refresh mode), a part Q5b of the amount of heat generated at the temperature T5b, the air flow velocity V5b flowing in the ventilation path 18, and at this time The temperature S5b of the filter 16 detected by the temperature sensor 20 and the rotational speed n5b of the exhaust fan 15 are shown. The present embodiment is characterized in that the filter 16 is controlled so as to have a temperature T2 or higher at which the adsorbed material diffuses by changing the rotation speed of the exhaust fan 15 during the normal image forming operation and the refresh operation. For this reason, the heater 10 is controlled by the control means 23 so that the temperature T5b of the heater 10 becomes the same temperature as the temperature T5a during normal image formation. For this reason, a part Q5b of the amount of heat generated at the temperature T3b during the refresh operation is also assumed to be the same as a part Q5a of the amount of heat during normal image formation. In this embodiment, the rotation speed n5b of the exhaust fan 15 is a rotation speed that raises the temperature S5b of the filter 16 to a temperature T2 that is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and is lower than the rotation speed S5a during the normal image forming operation. Has been.

  In this embodiment, the control device 23 controls the rotational speed n5b of the exhaust fan 15 so that the temperature S5b detected by the temperature sensor 20 is equal to or higher than the temperature T2 at which the adsorbed material diverges from the filter 16. Table 2 shows the relationship between the heater temperatures T5a and T5b, the heat amounts Q5a and Q5b, the air flow rates V5a and V5b, and the temperatures S5a and S5b of the filter 16 detected by the temperature sensor 20 when such control is performed.

  As described above, when the rotation speed n5b of the exhaust fan 15 during the refresh operation (refresh mode) is set to be lower than the rotation speed n5a during the normal image forming operation, the air flow velocity V5b is the air during the normal image forming operation. It becomes slower than the flow velocity V5a (FIG. 5a), and the passage time through which the air passes through the ventilation path 18 becomes longer than that in the case of the air flow velocity V5a. For this reason, the amount of heat received by the passing air increases, the temperature of the air flowing into the filter 16 increases, the temperature S5b of the filter 16 rises, reaches a temperature T2 or higher at which the adsorbed volatile material diverges, and the filter 16 Refreshed.

Further, if the filter 16 is simply refreshed, the rotation speed n5b of the exhaust fan 15 during the refresh operation is set to a rotation speed that is sufficiently low so as to be equal to or higher than the temperature T2 at which the filter 16 emits the adsorbed material. The air flow velocity V5b is decelerated, and the filter 16 can be refreshed without using the temperature sensor 20 and the control device 23 as shown in FIG.
(Fourth embodiment)
This embodiment relates to the timing of the refresh operation of the filter 16. In the above embodiment, the point that the filter 16 is refreshed by setting the heater temperature and the exhaust fan speed different from those during normal image formation during the refresh operation has been described, but the timing is not mentioned. I will explain it.

  The time when the filter 16 is refreshed is preferably when the adsorption performance (function) is lowered. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the operating frequency of the fixing unit 6 that is a source of volatile substances is used as a parameter. In FIG. 7, the volatile substances to the filter 16 are used. The operating frequency of the exhaust fan 15 that correlates with the amount of exhaust gas is used as a parameter. Specifically, in FIG. 6, the total number of rotations of the fixing roller 8 is used as a criterion, and in FIG. 7, the total number of rotations of the exhaust fan 15 is used as a criterion. For this reason, in this embodiment, in FIG. 6, the total rotational speed measuring means 24 serving as the total rotational speed measuring means for measuring the total rotational speed of the fixing roller 8 of the fixing means 6 is shown in FIG. The fan total rotational speed measuring means 25 serving as the total momentum measuring means for measuring the total rotational speed and the control means 26A, 26B are provided. The control means 26A shown in FIG. 6 is connected to the heater 10 and the exhaust fan 15 as well as to the roller total rotation number determination means 24 as in the above embodiment. As in the above embodiment, the heater 10 and the exhaust fan 15 are connected to the control unit 26B shown in FIG.

  The roller total rotation number determination unit 24 is a counter that measures the total rotation number (number of rotations) of the fixing roller 8 and inputs the number of rotations (count information) to the control unit 26A. The total fan speed determination means 25 is a counter that measures the total speed (number of rotations) of the exhaust fan 15, and inputs the number of rotations (count information) to the control means 26B. The control means 26A stores in advance a predetermined rotation speed R1 for determining the input total rotation speed R of the roller, and the control means 26B stores in advance a predetermined rotation speed FR1 for determining the input total fan rotation speed FR. Yes.

  According to such a configuration, when the image forming apparatus 100 is activated and the fixing roller 8 and the exhaust fan 15 rotate, the rotation information is counted by the roller total rotation amount measuring unit 24 and the fan total rotation amount measuring unit 25, Input to the control means 26A and 26B, respectively. The control means 26A determines the refresh time of the filter 16 by comparing the inputted total roller rotation speed R with a predetermined rotation speed R1. The control means 26B determines the refresh time of the filter 16 by comparing the inputted fan total rotational speed FR with a predetermined rotational speed FR1.

  When the total number of rotations input from the total roller rotation amount measuring unit 24 or the total fan rotation amount measuring unit 25 reaches the predetermined rotation number R1 or the predetermined rotation number FR1, the control units 26A and 26B are performing an image forming operation. If there is, the image forming operation is temporarily stopped and the refresh operation is executed. For this reason, the filter 16 can be refreshed without bothering the user of the image forming apparatus 100 or the maintenance worker, and the adsorption performance of the filter 16 can be maintained for a long time.

  Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the refreshing operation of the filter 16 can be performed at an optimum time corresponding to the operating state of the fixing unit 6 that is a volatile substance generation source, so that the refreshing operation can be prevented from being forgotten. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the refreshing operation of the filter 16 can be performed at an optimal time in accordance with the operating state of the exhaust fan 15 related to the adsorption amount of the volatile substance, and the forgetting of the refreshing operation can be prevented.

  In the form shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, since the refresh operation is executed when the predetermined rotation speed R1 or FR1 is set, the user of the apparatus or the maintenance worker is not bothered. On the other hand, the image forming operation is interrupted, which may cause a delay in printing.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be provided with timers 27A and 27B and display means 28A and 28B as measurement means. When the display means 28A and 28B are provided, the control means 26A and 26B immediately perform a refresh operation when the total rotation amount of the fixing roller 8 and the exhaust fan 15 reaches a predetermined rotation speed R1 or FR1. Instead, the display device 28 is once displayed to notify the device user that the refresh time has come, and the filter 16 is refreshed. At this time, a message for cautioning ventilation may be displayed together during refresh. In this way, by providing the display means 28A and 28B with the content that prompts the user to perform the refresh operation, the function degradation of the filter can be notified to the apparatus user.

  When the timers 27A and 27B are provided, a predetermined time T1 is set in advance in the control means 26A and 26B, and the total rotation amount of the fixing roller 8 and the exhaust fan 15 is set to a predetermined rotation speed R1 or FR1. In this case, instead of immediately executing the refresh operation, the timer 27A, 27B is operated, and the display means 28A, 28B indicates that the refresh time has been reached each time the measurement time reaches a predetermined time T1. It is also possible to display a message prompting the user to make a recommendation for refreshing the filter 16 or to display a message prompting attention to ventilation during refreshing.

  When the automatic refresh operation by the control means 26A and 26B is not executed and the apparatus user is prompted to perform the refresh operation, as shown in FIG. 10, a switch serving as an operation unit for executing the refresh operation 30A and 30B are provided in connection with the control means 26A and 26B, and the display means 28A and 28B display the recommended refresh contents of the filter 16, respectively. Then, the switches 30A and 30B are operated by the device user or the maintenance operator. Here, it is preferable that the refresh operation is arbitrarily executed.

  As described above, when the device user operates the switches 30A and 30B at an arbitrary timing, the refresh operation is performed. Therefore, even when the refresh operation cannot be performed automatically, the refresh operation can be performed by the operation of the device user. It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the filter performance due to the non-operation of the operation, and it is possible to extend the usage period of the filter 16. In addition, when the refresh mode is executed, the contents for prompting the user of the apparatus to be ventilated are displayed on the display means 28A and 28B, so that it is possible to prevent forgetting ventilation when the adsorbed substance diverges.

16 Filter 6 Fixing means 8 Fixing member 9 Pressure member 10 Heating means 15 Exhaust means 18 Ventilation path 18B Exhaust side of ventilation path 18A Aspiration side of ventilation path 20 Temperature detection means 21, 23 Control means 24 Total rotation amount measurement means 25 Total Operation amount measuring means 26A, 26B Control means 27A, 27B Timer 28A, 28B Display means 30 Operation unit 100 Image forming apparatus 100A In the apparatus main body P Recording paper R Total rotation amount R1 Predetermined total rotation amount FR Total operation amount FR1 Predetermined total Operating amount S3a, S3b Filter temperature S5a, S5b Filter temperature T1 Less than predetermined temperature T2 Temperature above predetermined T3a, T3b Heating amount of heating means T5aT5b Heating amount of heating means V3a, V3b Air flow rate V5a, V5b Air flow rate

JP 2004-240270 A JP-A-2005-70264 JP 2007-79184 A JP 2000-140082 A

Claims (14)

A filter provided inside the apparatus, which adsorbs volatile substances generated inside the apparatus at a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature and releases the adsorbed volatile substances at a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, and raises the temperature of the filter to a predetermined temperature or higher. Having a refresh operation for releasing the adsorbed volatile material,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the temperature of the filter is raised to a predetermined temperature or more using heat generated in the apparatus. A fixing means for fixing the toner image on the recording paper by heat and / or pressure in the apparatus main body;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the refresh operation mode, the temperature of the filter is raised to a predetermined temperature or higher using heat generated from the fixing unit. The fixing unit is a heating unit that heats at least one of a rotatable fixing member or a rotatable pressing member that is disposed to face the fixing member and forms a nip that sandwiches the recording paper with the fixing member. With
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the refresh operation mode, the temperature of the filter is raised to a predetermined temperature or higher by increasing the amount of heat generated by the heating unit. A ventilation path that communicates with the outside of the apparatus main body, at least a part of which is adjacent to the fixing means, and is disposed on the ventilation path, and the air in the apparatus main body heated by the heat generated by the fixing means, An exhaust means for discharging to the outside of the apparatus body through the ventilation path,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the filter is disposed on an exhaust side of the ventilation path.   5. The exhaust means is arranged on either the suction side of the ventilation path or the exhaust side of the ventilation path, either upstream of the filter or downstream of the filter. Image forming apparatus.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the mode in which the refresh operation is performed, the temperature of the filter is raised to a predetermined temperature or higher by decelerating a flow velocity of air flowing in the ventilation path. Temperature detection means for detecting temperature information that approximates the temperature of the filter or the temperature of the filter, and the amount of heat generated by the heating means or the flow rate of air flowing through the ventilation path is controlled based on the detection result of the temperature detection means. With control means,
7. The mode of performing the refresh operation, wherein the heating means or the air flow rate of the heating means is controlled by the control means to raise the temperature of the filter to a predetermined temperature or higher. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays contents for prompting the refresh operation.   Total rotation amount measuring means for measuring the total rotation amount of either the fixing member or the pressure member, and when the total rotation amount measured by the total rotation amount measurement means reaches a preset total rotation amount The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a control unit that executes the refresh operation.   The total operation amount measuring means for measuring the total operation amount of the exhaust means, and the refresh operation is executed when the total operation amount measured by the total operation amount measuring means reaches a preset total operation amount. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a control unit.   When the total rotation amount measured by the total rotation amount measuring means reaches a predetermined total rotation amount set in advance, or the total operation amount measured by the total operation amount measuring means becomes a predetermined total operation amount set in advance. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising display means for displaying contents prompting execution of the refresh mode. A timer for measuring time and a display means are provided.
12. In the mode for performing the refresh operation, when the time measured by the timer reaches a preset time, the content for prompting the apparatus user to execute the refresh operation is displayed on the display means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. A device user has an operation unit operated at an arbitrary timing,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the refresh operation is executed by operating the operation unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays contents for prompting the apparatus user to ventilate when executing the refresh mode.

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