JP2011081059A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate maintenance, such as filter replacement for an ion generator, in an image forming apparatus in which the ion generator is externally attached above an image forming apparatus body. <P>SOLUTION: The ion generator 71, which has a filter for removing dust or the like in air, is supported by a support member 70 in a cantilever manner above the image forming apparatus body 100a. Then, the support member 70 is provided so as to freely rotate, and the ion generator 71 is configured to be movable to the operating position, where the ion generator 71 is operated, and the maintenance position, where maintenance for the ion generator 71 is carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine, and an image forming apparatus provided with an ion generator.

  Today, air purifiers that purify indoor air are becoming widespread in offices, homes, hospitals, and the like. The applicant of the present application has previously developed an ion generator that simultaneously generates positive ions and negative ions and effectively removes airborne bacteria in the air by using positive ions and negative ions, and provides them to the market (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, the applicant of the present application has created and announced an image forming apparatus in which the ion generator is externally attached above the image forming apparatus main body. According to this, the ion generator can be installed by effectively utilizing the space above the image forming apparatus main body. Further, since ions are released into the room from a relatively high position, tobacco odor and airborne bacteria can be effectively removed.

  On the other hand, from the image forming apparatus, VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), which is one of the causative substances of so-called sick house syndrome, causing allergies, headaches, dizziness, and other health hazards is released. It has been known. It is also known that odors such as longifolene, ozone, or toner odor are released.

  It has been found that the problem of exhaust gas containing volatile chemical substances such as VOC and odor emitted from such an image forming apparatus can be reduced by negative ions. A forming apparatus has been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).

  Accordingly, even in an image forming apparatus in which an ion generator is externally attached above the main body of the image forming apparatus announced by the applicant of the present application, discharge discharged from the image forming apparatus by generating negative ions from the ion generator. With respect to the gas, exhaust ions from the image forming apparatus can be effectively removed by discharging negative ions from above the image forming apparatus that is a generation source.

JP 2002-058931 A JP-A-2005-004144 JP 2005-055515 A JP 2007-107804 A JP 2003-161482 A

  By the way, such an ion generator usually has a filter for removing dust and the like in the air sent to the ion generator, and maintenance such as periodically replacing the filter is necessary. Patent Documents 4 and 5 disclose an air conditioner and an air purifier that open a front panel of a device body and replace a filter. There is also a device for exchanging the filter by opening the rear panel of the device body.

  However, a new problem has been found that the ion generator externally attached above the image forming apparatus main body cannot easily perform maintenance such as filter replacement.

  That is, in many image forming apparatuses, an operation panel for inputting instructions is arranged on the front (front) side of the image forming apparatus, and the document table cover is also opened and closed with the back side of the image forming apparatus as an axis. . Accordingly, when an ion generator is externally attached above the image forming apparatus main body, the ion generating apparatus must be disposed on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body.

  However, in that case, in the configuration in which the front panel of the ion generator is opened from the front side of the image forming apparatus and the internal filter is replaced, due to the depth of the image forming apparatus main body, from the front side of the image forming apparatus. There is a problem that it is necessary to work with both hands extended, and it is difficult to perform the work. Although it is not impossible to perform filter replacement or the like from the side of the image forming apparatus, a paper discharge tray, a manual feed tray, a document discharge tray, etc. protrude from the side of the image forming apparatus. Be prepared to do. Therefore, after all, it is necessary to work with both hands extending between these trays, which is also difficult to perform.

  Further, in the configuration in which the rear panel is opened and the filter is replaced from the back side of the image forming apparatus from the back side, the operator needs to move to the back side of the image forming apparatus, and thus the image forming apparatus has to be moved. There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above. In an image forming apparatus in which an ion generator is externally attached above an image forming apparatus main body, an image forming apparatus excellent in maintainability such as filter replacement is provided. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, the ion generating apparatus having a filter for removing dust in the air, and the ion generation A support member for supporting the apparatus on the upper rear side of the image forming apparatus main body, and the support member performs an operation position for operating the ion generation apparatus, and maintenance of the ion generation apparatus. It is characterized by being movably supported at a maintenance position to be performed.

  According to the above invention, the ion generator supported above the image forming apparatus main body is movably supported by the support member between the operation position for operating the ion generator and the maintenance position for maintaining the ion generator. Has been.

  For this reason, at the time of maintenance such as filter replacement, the depth of the image forming apparatus main body is not hindered by moving the ion generating device to a maintenance position that does not hinder the image forming apparatus main body. Even if the specifications are such that the filter is exchanged from the back side of the ion generator, which is also the back side of the filter, maintenance such as filter exchange can be easily performed without moving the image forming apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the ion generator is further cantilevered by the support member at a one-side corner portion on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body, and the operation position is the image forming position. The projection surface of the ion generator as viewed from above the apparatus is a position overlapping the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body, and the maintenance position is viewed from above the image forming apparatus. In addition, the projection surface of the ion generation device may be a side position of the image forming apparatus that does not overlap the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus except for one corner portion where the support member is provided. it can.

  By setting the maintenance position so as not to overlap the image forming apparatus main body as described above, it is possible to work near the ion generating apparatus without hindering the depth of the image forming apparatus.

  In this case, it is more preferable that the maintenance position is a side of the image forming apparatus that has a side wall that is opened for jam processing.

  In the image forming apparatus, the side wall on which the sheet conveyance path is provided is configured to be openable for so-called jam processing for removing a sheet jammed during conveyance, and the side having the opened side wall This space is usually an empty space.

  Accordingly, even when the position rotated by 180 degrees from the operation position is set as the maintenance position, the space for the image forming apparatus secured for the jam processing is used to reduce the installation space for the image forming apparatus. There is no increase.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the support member is fixed to a one-side corner portion on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body, and extends to the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body. A rotating member that rotates, and the ion generator may be attached to the rotating member.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the support member is fixed to a one-side corner portion on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body, and extends to the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that includes a slide member that is provided on the upper portion and supports the ion generating device at the upper portion of the support column so as to be slidable in the lateral direction when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front.

  With such a support member, the ion generator can be easily moved from the operating position to the maintenance position by a rotation operation or a sliding operation.

  In the case of a support member including a rotation member, it is preferable to include a fixing member that fixes the rotation member at a maintenance position. In the case of a support member including a slide member, a fixing member that fixes the slide member at a maintenance position may be provided. preferable.

  Since the ion generator can be fixed at the maintenance position, operations such as filter replacement can be easily performed.

  The support member including the rotation member is suitable for a combination with an ion generating device including a housing opening portion for replacing the filter on the back side, and the support member including the slide member is suitable for replacing the filter. A combination with an ion generator provided with a housing opening on the front side is suitable.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention may be configured such that the filter is attached to a part of a housing that is removed from the ion generator when the filter is replaced.

  According to the said structure, since the filter is integrally provided in a part of housing | casing to remove, replacement | exchange can be performed further easily.

  The present invention also includes a support member that movably supports the ion generator between the operation position and the maintenance position.

  The support member of the present invention is a support member of an ion generator that cantilever-supports the ion generator above the image forming apparatus main body, and one end side is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body, and is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body. And a column that extends upward from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a rotation member that is rotatably provided around the column at the other end of the column and can hold the ion generator. .

Another support member of the present invention is a support member of an ion generator that cantilever-supports the ion generator above the image forming apparatus main body, and one end side is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body, A column extending upward of the image forming apparatus main body in a fixed state;
On the other end side of the support column, there is provided a slide member that slidably supports the ion generation device in a lateral direction when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front.

  As described above, the present invention has a configuration in which the ion generating device can be moved from the operating position above the image forming apparatus main body to the maintenance position where maintenance is performed by the support member.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus in which the ion generating device is supported above the image forming apparatus main body, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having excellent maintainability such as filter replacement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and is a perspective view seen from the front side for explaining an operation position and a maintenance position of an ion generator mounted on the image forming apparatus. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the ion generator in the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a top view which illustrates the ion generating element in the ion generator of FIG. Fig.5 (a) is a perspective view which shows the front side of the ion generator shown in FIG. 3, FIG.5 (b) is a perspective view which shows the back side. It is a perspective view which shows the state which open | released the suction opening cover with which the ion generator shown in FIG. 3 is provided. It is GG sectional drawing of the suction opening cover with which the ion generator shown in FIG. 3 is provided. FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the front surface side of the filter member provided in the ion generator shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing the back surface side of the filter member. It is the perspective view seen from the front side which shows the state which the ion generator mounted in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2 is operate | moving. FIG. 3 is a side view of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 2. It is the top view seen from the upper surface side explaining the operation position and maintenance position of the ion generator mounted in the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the supporting member which supports the ion generator mounted in the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the principal part of the supporting member shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the thrust ball bearing used for the support member of FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a stopper that is formed on the support column of FIG. 12 and that fixes the position by restricting the rotation of the rotating member and a fitting hole into which the stopper is fitted. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the modification of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment, as viewed from the front side, illustrating a state in which the ion generator is operating. FIG. 17 is a perspective view seen from the front side showing a state where the ion generator is in a maintenance position in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 16. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cover member with a filter, which can be employed in the ion generating apparatus of FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, as seen from the front side, showing a state in which an ion generator mounted on the image forming apparatus is operating. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the supporting member which supports the ion generator mounted in the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is an enlarged view which shows the inside of a broken-line circle frame shown in FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the front side explaining the operation position and maintenance position of the ion generator mounted in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

[Embodiment 1]
One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus in which an ion generator is externally attached above a main body of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording sheet (sheet), and the ion generator operates the ion generator. The structure provided so that it can move to the operation position to perform and the maintenance position which performs the maintenance of an ion generator is demonstrated.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with various peripheral devices as options with a printer device 101 having a printer function as a single unit. In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a document conveying device 42, a document reading device 102, and an ion generating device 71 are attached to the printer device 101. In the following description, a block in which the document reading device 102 and the document conveying device 42 are attached to the printer device 101 is defined as an image forming apparatus main body 100a.

  Hereinafter, as the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment, first, the printer apparatus 101, the document conveying apparatus 42, and the document reading apparatus 102 will be described, and then the ion generator 71 supported above the image forming apparatus main body 100a. The support member 70 that supports this will be described.

<Description of Image Forming Apparatus, Document Conveying Apparatus, and Document Reading Apparatus>
First, the printer device 101, the document conveying device 42, and the document reading device 102 will be described. The printer apparatus 101 is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording sheet. The printer device 101 includes a document reading device 102 at the top of the printer device 101, and further includes a document transport device 42 at the top thereof.

  The printer device 101 records an image of a document read by the document reading device 102 or an image received from the outside on a recording sheet in color or single color.

  The document reading device 102 reads a document image conveyed by the document conveying device 42. In the document transport device 42, when a document is set on the document set tray 41, the document pickup roller 44 is pressed against the surface of the document to rotate, and the document is pulled out from the document set tray 41. The drawn document passes between the suction roller 45 and the separation pad 46, is separated one by one, and is conveyed to the conveyance path 47.

  In the conveyance path 47, the leading edge of the document contacts the document registration roller 49 and is aligned in parallel with the document registration roller 49. Thereafter, the original is conveyed by the original registration roller 49 and passes between the reading guide 51 and the reading glass 52. Further, the document is conveyed by the conveyance roller 57 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 59 via the paper discharge roller 58.

  In the document reading device 102, when the document passes between the reading guide 51 and the reading glass 52, the light from the light source of the first scanning unit 53 is irradiated on the surface of the document through the reading glass 52. Then, the reflected light of the light irradiated on the document surface enters the first scanning unit 53 through the reading glass 52 and is further reflected by the mirrors of the first scanning unit 53 and the second scanning unit 54 to form an image. The image is guided to the lens 55, and an image of the original is formed on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 56 by the imaging lens 55. The CCD 56 reads a document image and outputs image data indicating the document image.

  The document reading apparatus 102 can read a document placed on the document table glass 61. The document conveying device 42 is pivotally supported on the back side of the document reading device 102 so that it can be opened and closed. When the document conveying device 42 is opened, the document table glass 61 is exposed, and a document is placed on the document table glass 61. Can be placed. When the document is placed on the document table glass 61, the document conveying device 42 is closed and the start key is pressed, the first scanning unit 53 and the second scanning unit 54 move in the sub-scanning direction, The first scanning unit 53 exposes the document surface on the document table glass 61.

  Reflected light from the document surface is guided to the imaging lens 55 by the first scanning unit 53 and the second scanning unit 54, and an image of the document is formed on the CCD 56 by the imaging lens 55. At this time, the first scanning unit 53 and the second scanning unit 54 move while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship with each other, and the document surface → the first scanning unit 53 and the second scanning unit 54 → the imaging lens. The positional relationship between the first scanning unit 53 and the second scanning unit 54 is always maintained so that the length of the optical path of the reflected light of 55 → CCD 56 does not change, and thereby the focus of the original image on the CCD 56 is always accurate. Maintained.

  The entire image of the original read in this way is transmitted and received as image data to the laser exposure apparatus 1 of the printer apparatus 101, and the printer apparatus 101 records the image on a recording sheet.

  The printer device 101 includes a laser exposure device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a charger 5, a cleaner device 4, an intermediate transfer belt device 8, a fixing device 12, a paper transport path S, and a paper feed tray. 10 and a paper discharge tray 15 or the like.

  The image data handled in the printer apparatus 101 uses data corresponding to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), or a single color (for example, black). This corresponds to a monochrome image. Accordingly, the developing device 2, the photosensitive drum 3, the charger 5, and the cleaner device 4 are provided in four each so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors. , Magenta, and yellow correspond to four image forming stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd.

  In each of the image forming stations Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, the photosensitive drum 3 is disposed substantially at the center. The charger 5 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. In addition to a contact type roller type or brush type charger, a charger type charger is used. .

  The laser exposure apparatus 1 is a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser diode and a reflection mirror, and exposes the surface of a charged photosensitive drum 3 according to image data and corresponds to the image data on the surface. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The developing device 2 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 with (K, C, M, Y) toner. The cleaner device 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt device 8 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 7, a driving roller 21, a driven roller 22, an intermediate transfer roller 6, and a belt cleaning device 9. The driving roller 21, the intermediate transfer roller 6, the driven roller 22, and the like stretch and support the intermediate transfer belt 7 and move the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the direction of arrow C.

  The intermediate transfer roller 6 is rotatably supported in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 7, is pressed against the photosensitive drum 3 via the intermediate transfer belt 7, and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7. The transfer bias is applied.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 is provided so as to be in contact with each photosensitive drum 3, and a color toner image (each color is transferred by sequentially superimposing and transferring the toner image on the surface of each photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 7. Toner image). This transfer belt is formed in an endless belt shape using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm.

  The transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7 is performed by the intermediate transfer roller 6 that is in pressure contact with the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7. A high voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 6 in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 6 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the recording paper.

  As described above, the toner images on the surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums 3 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 7 and become a color toner image indicated by the image data. The toner images of the respective colors stacked in this way are transported together with the intermediate transfer belt 7 and transferred onto the recording paper by the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 are pressed against each other to form a nip region. Further, the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 has a voltage for transferring the toner image of each color on the intermediate transfer belt 7 onto a recording sheet (high polarity (+) opposite to the toner charge polarity (-)). Voltage) is applied. Further, in order to constantly obtain the nip region, either the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 or the drive roller 21 is made of a hard material (metal or the like), and the other is made of a soft material (elasticity such as an elastic roller). Rubber roller or foaming resin roller).

  In addition, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 may not be completely transferred onto the recording paper by the secondary transfer device 11, and the toner may remain on the intermediate transfer belt 7. Causes color mixing. For this reason, the residual toner is removed and collected by the belt cleaning device 9. The belt cleaning device 9 is provided with, for example, a cleaning blade that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 7 and removes residual toner as a cleaning member, and the intermediate transfer belt 7 is driven by the driven roller 22 at a portion where the cleaning blade contacts. The back side is supported.

  The paper feed tray 10 is a tray for storing recording paper, and is provided below the image forming unit of the printer apparatus 101 to supply the recording paper in the tray.

  The printer apparatus 101 is provided with an S-shaped sheet conveyance path S for sending the recording sheet supplied from the sheet feeding tray 10 to the sheet discharge tray 15 via the secondary transfer apparatus 11 and the fixing apparatus 12. It has been. Along the paper conveyance path S, a paper pickup roller 16, a paper registration roller 14, a fixing device 12, and a conveyance roller for conveying the recording paper are arranged.

  The paper pick-up roller 16 is a calling roller that is provided at the end of the paper feed tray 10 and supplies recording paper from the paper feed tray 10 to the paper transport path S one by one. The conveyance rollers are small rollers for promoting and assisting conveyance of the recording paper, and a plurality of conveyance rollers are provided.

  The paper registration roller 14 temporarily stops the recording paper that has been conveyed, aligns the leading edge of the recording paper, and in the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11, the intermediate transfer belt. The recording paper is conveyed in a timely manner in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3 and the intermediate transfer belt 7 so that the color toner image on the paper 7 is transferred onto the recording paper.

  For example, the sheet registration roller 14 is a color on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 based on a detection output of a pre-registration detection switch (not shown). The recording paper is conveyed so that the leading edge of the toner image is aligned with the leading edge of the image forming area of the recording paper.

  The fixing device 12 includes a heating roller 31, a pressure roller 32, and the like. The heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 sandwich and convey the recording paper that has passed through the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11.

  The heating roller 31 is controlled so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature based on a detection output of a temperature detector (not shown), and the toner transferred to the recording sheet by thermocompression bonding the recording sheet together with the pressure roller 32. It has a function of fusing, mixing, and pressing an image to thermally fix the image on a recording sheet.

  The recording paper after the fixing of the toner images of the respective colors is discharged face down onto the paper discharge tray 15 by the transport roller.

  As described above, according to the printer apparatus 101, an image of a document read by the document reading apparatus 102 or an image received from the outside can be recorded on a recording sheet in color or single color.

<Description of ion generator>
Next, the ion generator 71 will be described. In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the ion generator 71 is cantilevered by the support member 70 above the image forming apparatus main body 100a.

  The ion generator 71 generates positive ions and negative ions, or negative ions, and discharges them to the outside. A plasma cluster ion generator, a negative ion generator, or the like can be used. The plasma cluster ion generator can be suitably used mainly for the purpose of deodorizing tobacco odors or removing airborne bacteria in the air. On the other hand, the negative ion generator can be suitably used mainly for the purpose of purifying exhaust gas containing volatile chemical substances such as VOC and odor emitted from the printer apparatus 101.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an ion generator 71 composed of a plasma cluster ion generator. The ion generator 71 has a main body casing 73, a fan unit 92 disposed inside the main body casing 73, and a plurality of suction holes 74 b covering a suction opening 73 a formed on the back side wall of the main body casing 73. A filter member 99 and a suction duct 93 disposed between the suction opening cover 74 and the suction port 92 a of the fan unit 92, and a blowout port 75 formed in the upper part of the main body housing 73 and a blowout port 92 b of the fan unit 92. A blowout duct 94 disposed between them and a plurality of ion generating elements 95 disposed around the fan unit 92 are provided.

  The ion generator 71 is long in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100 (the width direction when viewed from the front) (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the main body housing 73, the fan unit 92, the suction opening 73a, each suction hole 74b, the suction duct 93, the blowout port 92b, the blowout duct 94, and the blowout port 75 are also long in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100, and a plurality of ions The generating elements 95 are arranged in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100.

  When the fan 92c of the fan unit 92 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), an air flow as shown by an arrow G is generated, and the air flows into the fan unit 92 from each suction hole 74b through the suction duct 93. After inhaling and flowing air in the vicinity of each ion generating element 95, the air is discharged from the outlet 75 through the outlet duct 94.

  The motor of the fan 92 c is connected to a control unit 68 built in the printer apparatus 101 and is driven and controlled by the control unit 68. The control unit 68 controls not only the printer apparatus 101 but also the entire image forming apparatus 100. When the power switch is turned on, the printer apparatus 101, the document reading apparatus 102, and the document conveying apparatus are set in a preset procedure. 42 is driven to control the image forming apparatus 100 to a standby state.

  Each ion generating element 95 is a plasma cluster ion (registered trademark) generating element (PCI). Looking at each ion generating element 95 from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, two ion generating elements 95 are arranged in the width direction of the printer apparatus 101 as shown in FIG. A pair of positive ion generators 95a that generate and a pair of negative ions generator 95b that generate negative ions are arranged. These ion generating elements 95 are also connected to a control unit 68 built in the printer apparatus 101, and the drive is controlled by the control unit 68 to control the generation amount of negative ions and positive ions. Such an ion generating element 95 is disclosed in detail in Patent Document 1 previously filed by the applicant of the present invention.

  Positive ions and negative ions generated by the ion generating element 95 are discharged from the outlet 75 through the outlet duct 94 together with the air flow generated by the fan 92c of the fan unit 92.

  5A and 5B are perspective views of the ion generator 71. FIG. Among these, Fig.5 (a) is the perspective view seen from the front side. As shown in FIG. 5A, the ion generator 71 is provided with an operation display lamp 76 on the front side. The operation display lamp 76 displays the operating state of the ion generator 71 with a light emitter such as an LED.

  On the other hand, FIG.5 (b) is the perspective view seen from the back side. As shown in FIG. 5B, a rectangular suction opening 73a is provided at the center of the rear side wall of the main body casing 73, and the suction opening 73a has the plurality of suction holes 74b described above. An opening cover 74 is attached. The suction opening cover 74 is a rectangular plate-like member that is made of resin or the like and is long in the width direction, like the main body casing 73.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the suction opening cover 74 is pivotally supported at one end side in the longitudinal direction by the opening end face of the main body casing 73 forming the suction opening 73a, and can be opened and closed in the horizontal direction. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the suction opening cover 74 provided in the ion generating device 71 is opened.

  When the suction opening cover 74 is opened, the suction opening 73a of the main body housing 73 is exposed. A filter member 99, which will be described later, is set in the suction opening 73a.

  A knob 74 a having a lock claw 74 c is formed on the other end side of the suction opening cover 74 that is not pivotally supported by the opening end face of the main body housing 73. Here, the knob 74a having the lock claw 74c is bent by the elasticity of the resin.

  On the other hand, a recess 71b into which a lock claw 74c formed on the knob 74a can be fitted is formed on the end face of the opening of the main body housing 73 where the knob 74a contacts with the suction opening cover 74 closed. By fitting the lock claw 74c into the recess 71b, the suction opening cover 74 can be locked to the main body casing 73 and the closed state can be maintained.

  A plurality of the suction holes 74b extending in the horizontal direction are provided in parallel in a portion excluding the outer edge portion of the suction opening cover 74 so that external air can be taken in.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG shown in FIG. 5B in the suction opening cover 74. As shown in FIG. 7, the portion except the outer edge of the suction opening cover 74 has a louver structure, and a plurality of wing plates 74d are arranged in parallel. The wing plate 74d is disposed at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the surface of the suction opening cover 74, and the angle θ can be appropriately changed.

  8A and 8B are perspective views of the filter member 99. FIG. 8A is a perspective view seen from the front side, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view seen from the back side. As shown in FIG. 8A, the filter member 99 has a filter 77 attached to a holder 78 made of a frame. Here, the filter 77 is attached to the holder 78. The filter 77 collects and removes dust and the like in the air taken in from the suction hole 74b.

  The holder 78 is made of resin or the like, and holds the filter 77 by holding the outer edge portion and the back surface portion of the filter 77. A concave portion 78a for facilitating removal of the filter member 99 from the suction opening 73a is formed on one end side in the longitudinal direction on the front side of the holder 78. The recess 78a is formed at a position that fits in the recess 71b formed on the end surface of the opening in the main body housing 73 when the filter member 99 is set in the suction opening 73a. (See FIG. 6).

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.8 (b), the part holding the back surface of the filter 77 of the holder 78 becomes a grid structure, and the several opening part is formed. The air from which dust and the like have been removed by the filter 77 passes through the opening and is sent to an ion generation unit (not shown).

  According to the ion generator 71 configured as described above, first, external air is taken in from the plurality of suction holes 74b formed in the suction opening cover 74 and is filtered by the filter 77 when passing through the suction opening 73a. Dust and the like in the air are removed. The air from which dust or the like has been removed is sucked into the fan unit 92 through the suction duct 93, passes through the vicinity of each ion generating element 95, and together with the positive ions and negative ions generated by each ion generating element 95, the air outlet. 75 is released.

<Description of Image Forming Apparatus>
Next, the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, an ion generator 71 is provided above the image forming apparatus main body 100a, and positive ions and negative ions are generated by the ion generator 71. Thereby, the space above the image forming apparatus main body 100a can be effectively used, and the floating bacteria in the indoor air can be effectively removed.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in the image forming apparatus 100, a support having a column 72 attached to a one-side corner portion 100b (shaded portion) on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body 100a and extending upward of the image forming apparatus main body 100a. The ion generator 71 is cantilevered by the member 70.

  The support member 70 includes the support 72 and a rotating member 79 (see FIG. 11) that rotates around the support 72. The ion generator 71 is attached to the rotating member 79. Details of the support member 70 will be described later.

  As described above, the ion generator 71 emits positive ions and negative ions from the outlet 75 in the direction of the arrow D. As a result, positive ions and negative ions are mainly released from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 100a, that is, from above toward the room where the image forming apparatus 100 is installed. Can be effectively removed.

  FIG. 10 is a side view of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the support member 70 is fixed to the back side of the image forming apparatus main body 100a by a bolt (not shown) or the like. The document conveying device 42 is pivotally supported so as to be opened and closed on the back side of the document reading device 102, that is, on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body 100 a. Accordingly, when the ion generator 71 is disposed above the image forming apparatus main body 100a, if the ion generating apparatus 71 is carelessly disposed on the upper front side or the upper side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100a, the opening and closing of the document conveying device 42 is hindered. Come on.

  For this reason, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the ion generating device 71 is attached to the upper rear surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100a by the support member 70 protruding in the vicinity of the one-side corner portion 100b on the rear surface side of the image forming apparatus main body 100a. Supports horizontally on the side. As a result, the ion generating device 71 does not hinder the opening and closing of the document conveying device 42, and the operability of the image forming apparatus 100 can be maintained.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 100 is arranged with the back side facing the wall surface of the room, the image forming apparatus 100 is usually arranged at a slight distance from the wall surface for reasons such as wiring. For this reason, the problem that the installation space of the image forming apparatus 100 increases by attaching the ion generating device 71 does not occur.

  According to the image forming apparatus 100 as described above, floating bacteria in the indoor air can be effectively removed by effectively using the space above the image forming apparatus main body 100a.

  In addition, in the printer apparatus 101 provided in the image forming apparatus 100, as described in [Background Art], when recording paper is printed by the electrophotographic method, harmful emissions including volatile chemical substances such as VOC and odor are emitted. Gas may be generated. If such harmful exhaust gas is left unattended, the user of the image forming apparatus 100 is uncomfortable and is not preferable.

  Here, as described above, the driving of the ion generator 71 is controlled by the control unit 68 (see FIG. 2), and the generation amount of negative ions and positive ions can be controlled. Therefore, by controlling the ion generator 71 so as to increase the amount of negative ions emitted, the exhaust gas emitted from the printer device 101 can be reduced.

  For example, the control unit 68 included in the printer apparatus 101 changes the generation amount and generation ratio of positive ions and negative ions in the ion generation apparatus 71 according to the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, when the fixing device 12 is operated, the generation amount and generation ratio of positive ions and negative ions are changed from those in the normal state, and the amount of negative ions released from the ion generation device 71 is increased. . That is, exhaust gas containing VOC and odor is released from the fixing device 12 along with the fixing operation. Negative ions are more effective for erasing and removing these VOC and odor. Therefore, in a state where the exhaust gas is discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100a, the amount of ions generated from the ion generator 71 is increased, and further, the negative ion generation rate is switched to increase so that more negative values are generated. An air flow containing ions is discharged toward the image forming apparatus main body 100a. At this time, since negative ions mainly cover the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 100a like an air curtain, it can be removed by volatile chemical substances such as VOC and odor contained in the exhaust gas.

  Thus, even when a plasma cluster ion generator is used as the ion generator 71, by increasing the amount of negative ions released from the ion generator 71, the VOC and odor contained in the exhaust gas are increased. Can be removed to volatile chemicals such as.

  In addition, the structure which reduces effectively the exhaust gas discharge | released from the printer apparatus 101 by using a negative ion generator as the ion generator 71 may be sufficient.

  By the way, as explained in <Description of Ion Generator>, the ion generator 71 includes a filter member 99 for removing dust and the like in the air sent to each ion generator 95 (see FIG. 4). . The filter member 99 needs to be periodically replaced in order to operate the ion generator 71 normally. When the filter member 99 of the ion generating device 71 is replaced (hereinafter referred to as filter replacement), the suction opening cover 74 on the back side of the ion generating device 71 is opened, and the filter member 99 attached inside the suction opening cover 74 is removed. It needs to be replaced.

  However, as described above, the image forming apparatus 100 is arranged so that the back surface faces the wall surface of the room. Therefore, when replacing the filter of the ion generator 71, there is a work space between the image forming apparatus 100 and the wall surface of the room. In order to ensure, it is necessary to move the image forming apparatus 100.

  Here, by setting the side surface side of the image forming apparatus 100 as a working space, it is not possible to replace the filter of the ion generating apparatus 71 without moving the image forming apparatus 100. Deteriorate. Moreover, since it is necessary to open the suction opening cover 74 when replacing the filter, a space is secured between the rear surface of the ion generator 71 and the wall surface of the room so as not to prevent the opening and closing of the suction opening cover 74. Need arises. In order to avoid an increase in the installation space of the image forming apparatus 100 due to the attachment of the ion generator 71, a space between the back surface of the ion generator 71 and the wall surface of the room is from a suction hole 74 b provided in the suction opening cover 74. It is preferable that the air can be taken in.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the ion generation device 71 is rotatably supported by a support member 70, an operation position for operating the ion generation device 71, and ion generation. The apparatus 71 can be moved to a maintenance position for performing maintenance of the apparatus 71.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the operation position refers to the projection surface of the ion generator 71 viewed from above the image forming apparatus 100, the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100a, and the back side of the image forming apparatus main body 100a. Is a position to be superimposed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, the maintenance position refers to the projection surface of the ion generator 71 viewed from above the image forming apparatus 100, the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100a, and the support member 70. This is a side position of the image forming apparatus 100 that does not overlap except for the provided one-side corner portion 100b. In FIG. 11B, the maintenance position is a position rotated about 180 degrees around the support member 70 from the operating position.

  Accordingly, it is necessary to replace the filter of the ion generator 71 from the wall surface of the room so that the filter can be replaced without moving the image forming apparatus 100 or without moving the image forming apparatus 100. It can be easily carried out without being set apart.

  Here, the one-side corner portion 100b on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body 100a to which the support member 70 is attached is selected, but the corner portion on the side having a side wall opened for the jam processing in the image forming apparatus main body 100a is selected. It is preferable to do.

  In the printer apparatus 101 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100a, the side wall on the side where the recording paper conveyance path is provided is configured to be openable for so-called jam processing for removing the recording paper jammed during conveyance. The space on the side having the side wall to be opened is usually an empty space.

  Therefore, even if the position rotated 180 degrees as shown in FIG. 1 is set as the maintenance position, the space on the side of the image forming apparatus 100 secured for the jam processing is used to There is no problem of increasing the installation space.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the support member 70 that supports the ion generator 71 will be described.
<Description of support member>
FIG. 12 is a perspective view for explaining the support member 70 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the support member 70 is attached to the one-side corner portion 100b on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body 100a, and extends around the image forming apparatus main body 100a. And a rotating member 79. The support column 72 is a cylindrical rod-shaped member. The rotating member 79 is a hollow cylindrical member attached to the tip of the column 72 and is provided coaxially with the column 72. Here, in the ion generator 71, one end portion of the bottom surface is supported by the support column 72 via the rotating member 79.

  FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the support member 70 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, an opening 79 a for inserting the tip of the support column 72 is formed on the bottom surface of the rotating member 79. A thrust ball bearing 80 is provided inside the rotating member 79 on a surface that comes into contact with the upper surface 72a of the support column 72 inserted from the opening 79a. The upper surface 72a of the support column 72 and the thrust ball bearing 80 are bonded to each other. It is fixed with agents.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the thrust ball bearing 80 has a configuration in which a plurality of balls 80c are provided between the shaft raceway plate 80a and the housing raceway plate 80b. The housing raceway plate 80b and the shaft raceway plate 80a are mutually connected. It rotates smoothly. By attaching to the support 72 through such a thrust ball bearing 80, the rotating member 79 can rotate around the axis of the support 72.

  The ion generator 71 has a concave portion 73b for joining the rotating member 79 to the bottom surface portion of the main body casing 73, and the upper portion of the rotating member 79 is fitted and fixed to the concave portion 73b. Thereby, the ion generator 71 is supported by the support column 72 via the rotating member 79 and can rotate around the axis of the support column 72.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a through hole 79 b into which a stopper (angle fixing member) 81 that restricts the rotation of the ion generator 71 is fitted is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 79. A fitting hole 72b into which the tip of the stopper 81 is fitted is formed.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the main part of the column 72. As shown in FIG. 15, an insertion hole 72 b into which the distal end portion of the stopper 81 is inserted is formed at the distal end portion of the column 72 inserted into the rotating member 79.

  By providing a plurality of insertion holes 72b or by providing a plurality of through holes 79b on the rotating member 79 side, the position of the rotating member 79 around the support column 72, that is, the position of the ion generator 71 can be fixed at a plurality of locations. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, two insertion holes 72b or two insertion holes 72b are provided so that the ion generator 71 can be fixed at the above-described operation position and the maintenance position rotated 180 degrees from the operation position. A through hole 79b is provided. Further, a third insertion hole 72b or a third through hole 79b may be provided so that the ion generator 71 can be fixed at a position rotated 90 degrees in the direction D in FIG. 1 from the operating position.

  Further, a drop-off preventing projection 81 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the stopper 81. On the other hand, an engagement hole 72c that engages with the protrusion 81a is provided on the inner wall of the insertion hole 72b in which the protrusion 81a is positioned in a state where the stopper 81 is inserted. This prevents the stopper 81 from falling off.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the ion generator 71 is supported by the support column 72 via the rotating member 79. Thereby, the ion generator 71 can be easily moved from the operating position to the maintenance position.

<Summary>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state when the filter of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is replaced. As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming apparatus 100, the ion generator 71 in the operating position can be rotated 180 degrees in the front direction of the image forming apparatus 100 and moved to the maintenance position.

  Accordingly, it is possible to easily replace the filter of the ion generator 71 without moving the image forming apparatus 100 and without installing the image forming apparatus 100 more than necessary from the wall surface of the room. it can.

<Modification of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a modification of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the ion generator 171 in the image forming apparatus 100 ′ is a type in which the suction opening 73 a is provided on the front side having the operation display lamp 76 and the suction opening cover 74 is provided. .

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state of the image forming apparatus 100 ′ when the filter is replaced. As shown in FIG. 17, in the image forming apparatus 100 ′, the ion generator 171 in the operating position can be rotated 90 degrees in the front direction of the image forming apparatus 100 and moved to the maintenance position.

  In the case of the present image forming apparatus 100 ′ that supports the ion generator 171 of the type having the suction opening 73a on the front side by the support member 70 described above, the position rotated about 90 degrees around the support 72 from the operation position to the front side. Maintenance position.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the ion generating device 71 is rotated from the operating position to the maintenance position by rotating the rotating member 79 provided at the tip of the support column 72 has been described. For example, the support 72 and the ion generator 71 may be fixed, and the support 72 may rotate with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100a.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the ion generating device 71 is rotated 90 degrees or 180 degrees is exemplified as the maintenance position, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the installation conditions of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 100 ′ The rotation angle may be appropriately changed according to the above.

<Variation of suction opening cover and filter in ion generator>
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a filter-covered cover member 199 that can be used in the ion generators 71 and 171 and in which the filter 77 shown in FIG. 6 is integrated with the suction opening cover 74.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the filter-equipped cover member 199 has a configuration in which a filter 77 is attached to the back surface of the suction opening cover 174, and the suction opening cover 174 also has the function of the holder 78.

  On one end side in the longitudinal direction of the suction opening cover 174, a knob 74a having a lock claw 74c is formed as in the suction opening cover 74 shown in FIG. A projection 174a for fixing the cover member 199 with a filter to the suction opening 73a is fitted to the other end of the suction opening 73a by fitting into a locking hole (not shown) formed in the end face of the suction opening 73a. Two are formed.

  According to this, since it is not necessary to open and close like the suction opening cover 74, the filter can be replaced more easily.

  In particular, in the case of the ion generator 171 of the type having the suction opening 73a on the front side having the operation display lamp 76 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the configuration disclosed in Patent Documents 4 and 5 is used. As described above, when the main body casing is divided into the front panel and the filter is replaced by removing the front panel, it is necessary to remove or attach the harness of the operation display lamp 76 as well.

  However, as described above, the configuration of providing the opening / closing type suction opening cover 74 covering the suction opening 73a in the main body casing or the structure of the cover member 199 with a filter makes the troublesome work on the harness of the operation display lamp 76. Is no longer necessary.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the ion generators 71 and 171 are rotated and moved to the maintenance position has been described. However, in the present embodiment, the ion generator 171 is laterally viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus. A configuration for sliding and moving will be described. This configuration is suitable for the combination with the ion generation device 171 having the suction opening 73a on the front side, and the combination with the ion generation device 71 having the suction opening 73a on the back side is inappropriate.

For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those in the drawings described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
<Description of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 300 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, in the image forming apparatus 300, similarly to the image forming apparatus 100 described in the first embodiment, a support member 270 that protrudes in the vicinity of the corner portion 300b on one side of the back surface of the image forming apparatus main body 300a. An ion generator 171 is cantilevered.

  The difference between the image forming apparatus 100 ′ and the image forming apparatus 300 is the configuration of the support member 270. Hereinafter, the configuration of the support member 270 in the image forming apparatus 300 will be described.

<Description of Support Member 270>
FIG. 20 is a perspective view for explaining the support member 270 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, the support member 270 is provided on the support 72 and the upper part of the support 72, and the ion generator 171 is slid in the upper part of the support 72 in the horizontal direction when the image forming apparatus 300 is viewed from the front. The slide member 273 is freely supported.

  Further, the slide member 273 includes a holding table 274 and a mounting table 275. The holding table 274 is a rectangular plate-like member, and one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the lower surface is fixed to the support column 72 and is fixed to the operating position of the ion generator 171. And on the upper surface of the holding table 274, two continuous convex-shaped guides 274a are formed in parallel along the longitudinal direction.

  On the other hand, the mounting table 275 is a plate-like member having substantially the same size as the holding table 274 and is disposed so as to contact and overlap the upper surface of the holding table 274. A continuous recess (not shown) that engages with two guides 274 a formed on the upper surface of the holding table 274 is formed on the lower surface of the mounting table 275. Thereby, the mounting table 275 can slide the upper surface of the holding table 274 along the guide 274a. The ion generator 171 is fixed to the upper surface of the mounting table 275.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the ion generator 171 is supported by the support column 72 via the slide member 273. Thereby, the ion generator 171 can be easily moved from the operating position to the maintenance position.

  The shapes and dimensions of the holding table 274 and the mounting table 275 are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately changed depending on the shape of the ion generator 171 used.

  FIG. 21 is an enlarged view showing the inside of a broken-line circle frame shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, in the vicinity of the end portion of the upper surface of the holding table 274 that is fixed by the support column 72, a convex-shaped regulating portion 274b that is continuous in the short direction is formed. In addition, a convex-shaped regulating portion 275b that is continuous in the lateral direction is also formed at the end of the lower surface of the mounting table 275 opposite to the side where the regulating portion 274b is formed in the holding table 274. ing.

  Thereby, when the ion generator 171 is slid to the side of the image forming apparatus 300 and moved, the slide of the ion generator 171 is stopped at a position where it engages with the restricting portion 274b and the restricting portion 275b. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the mounting table 275 from dropping from the holding table 274 and eventually the ion generator 171 from dropping off.

  Further, at the position where the restricting portion 274b and the restricting portion 275b are engaged and the holding table 274 and the mounting table 275 are stopped in a state where the end portions overlap each other, the holding table 274 and the mounting table 275 As shown in FIG. 21, the holding base 274 is formed with a through hole 274c into which the stopper 81 for restricting the slide movement is inserted, and the mounting base 275 has a tip portion of the stopper 81 so that the positional relationship can be fixed. A fitting hole 275c to be fitted is formed.

  Accordingly, the ion generator 171 can be fixed at the maintenance position by fitting the stopper 281 through the through hole 274c on the holding table 274 side and fitting the tip end into the fitting hole 275c on the mounting table 275 side. .

  Here, the stopper 281 is attached to the lower surface of the holding table 274 by a tension spring 282 provided on the shaft of the stopper 281 and is biased upward (in the direction of the holding table 274) as indicated by an arrow b. Therefore, when the ion generator 171 is slid, the lower surface of the mounting table 275 moves so as to rub the tip of the stopper 281 so that the ion generator 171 is engaged with the restricting portion 274b and the restricting portion 275b. When the insertion hole 275c reaches the position of the through hole 274c, the tip of the stopper 281 is fitted into the insertion hole 275c, and the ion generator 171 is automatically fixed.

  The release of the fixation can be released by pulling the stopper 281 downward against the force of the tension spring 282 and pulling the tip out from the insertion hole 275c, and the mounting table 275 can be returned to the operating position.

<Summary>
FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state of the image forming apparatus 300 in the present embodiment when the filter is replaced. As shown in FIG. 22, the image forming apparatus 300 can slide the ion generating device 171 to the side where the column 72 of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided. Accordingly, the depth of the image forming apparatus 300 is not hindered when the filter is replaced, so that the filter replacement operation can be easily performed.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood. Moreover, it cannot be overemphasized that the modification etc. of the filter member described in Embodiment 1 can be combined with Embodiment 2. FIG.

  Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where the type which discharge | releases a positive ion and a negative ion from an upper surface was used for the ion generator, this invention is not limited to this. For example, you may use the type of ion generator which discharge | releases positive ion and negative ion from a bottom face or a side surface.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the discharge | release direction of positive ion and negative ion is set to the arrow D, this invention is not limited to this. If positive ions and negative ions are released around the image forming apparatus main body, the emission direction of positive ions and negative ions may be changed.

  The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

68 Control Unit 70 Support Member 71 Ion Generator (Ion Generator)
72 Prop (support member)
77 Filter 79 Rotating member 80 Thrust ball bearing 81 Stopper (Angle fixing member)
100 Image forming apparatus 100a Image forming apparatus main body
100 'Image forming apparatus 171 Ion generator (ion generator)
273 Slide member 281 Stopper (position fixing member)
300 Image forming apparatus

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet,
An ion generator having a filter for removing dust and the like in the air;
A support member for supporting the ion generation device on the upper back side of the image forming apparatus main body,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the support member movably supports the ion generation apparatus between an operation position where the ion generation apparatus is operated and a maintenance position where maintenance of the ion generation apparatus is performed. The ion generator is cantilevered by the support member at one side corner on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body,
The operation position is a position where the projection surface of the ion generation device viewed from above the image forming apparatus overlaps the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body,
In the maintenance position, the projection surface of the ion generator as viewed from above the image forming apparatus does not overlap the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus except for one corner portion where the support member is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is located on a side of the apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the maintenance position is a side of the image forming apparatus having a side wall opened for jamming. The support member is
A column that is fixed to a one-side corner on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body and extends upward of the image forming apparatus main body;
A rotating member that rotates about the support column;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ion generator is attached to the rotating member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the support member further includes a fixing member for fixing the rotating member at a maintenance position.   6. The ion generator according to claim 2, further comprising: a housing opening for replacing the filter on the back side of the image forming apparatus in the operating position. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The support member is
A column that is fixed to a one-side corner on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body and extends upward of the image forming apparatus main body;
2. A slide member provided on an upper portion of the support column and slidably supported in a lateral direction when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front. The image forming apparatus according to 2 or 3.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the support member further includes a fixing member that fixes the slide member at a maintenance position.   9. The ion generator according to claim 2, further comprising a housing opening for replacing the filter on the front side of the image forming apparatus in the operating position. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter is attached to a part of a casing that is removed from the ion generator when the filter is replaced. A support member for an ion generator that cantilever-supports the ion generator above the image forming apparatus main body,
One end side is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body, and a column extending upward of the image forming apparatus main body in a state of being fixed to the image forming apparatus main body,
A support member for an ion generator, comprising: a rotary member provided rotatably on the other end side of the support column with the support column as an axis and capable of holding the ion generator device. A support member for an ion generator that cantilever-supports the ion generator above the image forming apparatus main body,
One end side is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body, and a column extending upward of the image forming apparatus main body in a state of being fixed to the image forming apparatus main body,
A support member for an ion generator, comprising: a slide member that slidably supports the ion generation device in a lateral direction when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front, on the other end side of the support column.

Images