JP2011180340A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus configured to catch fine particles generated from a fixing member, to prevent the fine particles from being burst, and to suppress thermal influence on a filter member, thereby, prolonging the service life of the filter member. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a housing 320A wherein a heat roller 132 is stored, and having an inlet 351 and an outlet 352 for conveying a sheet; a duct 400, having a take-in port 403 for taking in the fine particles generated from the heat roller 132; the filter member 420, capable of catching the fine particles; an air discharge fan 430 configured to generate the air flow advancing toward the duct outlet 409; shutters 331 and 332, configured to switch open/closed states of the outlet 352 and the inlet 351, and communicating/non-communicating states of the duct 400 and the inner part of the housing 320A; and a control part configured to control the shutters 331 and 332, according to the initial burst condition of bursting the fine particles. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine.

  In this type of electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is known that several types of chemical substances are released during image formation. Typical examples of chemical substances (chemical emission) to be released include ozone generated when the photosensitive member is charged, toner dust generated when developing or fixing, and the like. Conventionally, countermeasures have been taken such as taking measures against these chemical emission generation sources to reduce the generation amount itself, or providing a filter so as not to release the generated ones outside the apparatus. For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-140514), the filter is disposed in the vicinity of the fixing roller of the fixing device, so that heat from the fixing roller is transmitted to the filter and ozone in the filter is removed. The ability to do.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-140514, FIG.

  However, recently, with the increasing awareness of environmental protection around the world, fine particles different from ozone and toner dust, particularly ultra fine particles (ultra fine particles; particle size of 100 nm or less), from electrophotographic image forming apparatuses. ) Has been seen as a problem. Until now, since it was unclear where such ultrafine particles originated in the image forming apparatus, no effective countermeasures have been taken. For this reason, it is considered that the fine particles have been released so far.

  As a result of investigation by the inventor of the present application, it has been found that in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the ultrafine particles are mainly generated in the fixing device. Further, a filter member such as an electrostatic filter used to capture the ultrafine particles is vulnerable to heat.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to capture the fine particles generated from the fixing member to prevent the release of the fine particles, and to extend the life of the filter member by suppressing the influence of heat on the filter member. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus.

  Here, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, a general fixing member 300 covers a base material 301 made of a cylindrical metal core or an annular endless belt, and an outer peripheral surface of the base material 301. The rubber layer 302 includes a rubber layer 302 and a surface layer 303 provided so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the rubber layer 302. In this example, a heater 305 (corresponding to the heater 133 in FIG. 1) for heating the fixing member 300 to a predetermined target temperature (a fixing temperature within a range of 180 ° C. to 200 ° C.) in the internal space of the base material 301. Is provided. The rubber layer 302 is made of a silicone rubber material, and has heat resistance against the fixing temperature and elasticity for ensuring a nip width. The surface layer 303 is made of, for example, PFA (tetrafluoroethylene perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer), and assists in peeling of a sheet (recording material such as paper) that has passed through the nip portion. With respect to the direction along the central axis C of the base material 301, the end portion 302 e of the rubber layer 302 and the end portion 303 e of the surface layer 303 are positioned inside the end portion 301 e of the base material 301, respectively.

  In the investigation by the present inventor, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the base material 301, the rubber layer 302, and the like are heated by the heater 305 (the heat ray is indicated by a symbol H), the silicone rubber material forming the rubber layer 302 Thus, siloxane (indicated by symbol G) is generated as ultrafine particles. Usually, the surface layer 303 made of PFA or the like has a property (gas barrier property) that hardly transmits ultrafine particles, so that the siloxane G is ejected from the end portion 302 e of the rubber layer 302.

The siloxane, hexamethyldisiloxane (abbreviation L2, molecular formula _{C 6 H 18 O 1 Si 2} ), hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (abbreviation D3, molecular formula _{C 6 H 18 O 3 Si 3} ), octamethyltrisiloxane (abbreviation L3 molecular formula _{C 8 H 24 O 2 Si 3} ), octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (abbreviation D4, molecular formula _{C 8 H 24 O 4 Si 4} ), decamethyltetrasiloxane (abbreviation L4, molecular formula _{C 10 H 30 O 3 Si 4} ) , decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (abbreviation D5, molecular formula _{C 10 H 30 O 5 Si 5} ), dodecamethyl pentasiloxane (abbreviation L5, molecular formula _{C 12 H 36 O 4 Si 5} ), dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (abbreviation D6, molecular formula C ₁₂ H ₃₆ O ₆ Si ₆ ) and the like.

  Further, in the experiment by the inventor of the present application, it was found that the ejection of the siloxane G suddenly increased from the time when the temperature of the fixing member 300 became around 180 ° C., and the ejection was stopped after about 2 minutes. Such a condition under which ultrafine particles are released from the fixing member 300 (particularly the rubber layer 302) is referred to as an “initial burst condition”.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:
An image having a cylindrical or annular fixing member and a heating source for heating the fixing member to a fixing temperature, and fixing the image on the sheet by pressing the conveyed sheet against the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member A forming device,
A housing containing at least the fixing member and having an inlet for conveying the sheet to the fixing member and an outlet for discharging the sheet from the fixing member;
A duct having an inlet for taking in the fine particles generated from the fixing member at a position facing the outlet of the housing;
A filter member provided in the duct and capable of capturing the fine particles flowing through the duct;
An exhaust fan provided in the duct or at the outlet of the duct upstream or downstream of the filter member and capable of generating an air flow from the intake port toward the duct outlet;
A shutter mechanism that can be formed by switching between an open state in which the outlet or the outlet and the inlet are opened and a closed state in which the outlet or the outlet and the inlet are closed with respect to the housing;
A communication mechanism that can be formed by switching between a communication state in which the intake port of the duct communicates with the interior of the housing and a non-communication state in which the duct is separated from the interior of the housing;
The shutter mechanism and a control unit that controls the communication mechanism are provided according to an initial burst condition in which the fine particles are discharged from the fixing member.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the fixing member is heated to a predetermined target temperature (fixing temperature) by the heating source. The conveyed sheet is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member, and the image is fixed on the sheet. When the fixing member is heated to near the fixing temperature, ultrafine particles (having a particle diameter of 100 nm or less) such as siloxane are rapidly generated from, for example, the rubber layer of the fixing member. Generally, since the outer peripheral surface of the rubber layer is covered with a surface layer, the fine particles tend to be ejected from the end of the rubber layer. Here, in this image forming apparatus, the ultrafine particles to be ejected from the end portion of the rubber layer are taken into the duct from an intake port provided at a position facing the outlet of the housing. The ultrafine particles taken into the duct ride on the flow of air generated by the exhaust fan provided in the duct or at the outlet of the duct, and pass from the intake to the outlet of the duct through the duct. It flows toward. The ultrafine particles flowing through the duct are captured by a filter member provided in the duct. As a result, according to this image forming apparatus, the release of the fine particles can be prevented.

  The ejection of the ultrafine particles occurs only when a limited temperature or time is satisfied, that is, when the initial burst condition is satisfied. Here, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the control unit controls the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism in accordance with the initial burst condition. That is, only when a limited temperature or time is satisfied, the flow of air containing a large amount of the ultrafine particles can be controlled to pass through the filter member through the duct. Therefore, the particulates can be efficiently recovered to prevent the particulates from being released, and the life of the filter member can be extended by suppressing the influence of heat on the filter member due to the air flow.

  In the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, when the control unit forms the open state related to the housing, the control unit forms the non-communication state between the duct and the inside of the housing. When the closed state is formed, the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism are controlled in conjunction with each other so as to form the communication state between the duct and the inside of the housing.

  In this image forming apparatus, the control unit controls the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism in conjunction with each other as described above according to the initial burst condition. That is, only when the limited temperature and time are satisfied, the air flow containing a large amount of the ultrafine particles passes through the filter member through the duct. Therefore, it is possible to capture the ultrafine particles more efficiently to prevent the ultrafine particles from being released, and to further suppress the influence of heat on the filter member, thereby extending the life of the filter member.

  In an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism include one plate-like member as a common component, and the plate-like member forms the open state with respect to the housing and the duct. A first position for forming the non-communication state between the housing and a second position for forming the closed state for the housing and the communication state between the duct and the housing; It is characterized in that it can be moved between the two.

  In this image forming apparatus, the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism have the plate member as a common component. For this reason, the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism can be easily interlocked. The plate-like member can move between the first position and the second position. Therefore, only by moving the plate-like member from the first position to the second position, the closed state with respect to the housing is formed, and the communication state between the duct and the inside of the housing is established. It is formed. That is, only when the limited temperature and time are satisfied, the air flow containing a large amount of the ultrafine particles passes through the filter member through the duct. Therefore, the ultrafine particles can be captured more efficiently and easily to prevent the release of the ultrafine particles, and the life of the filter member can be extended by further suppressing the influence of heat on the filter member. Can do.

  In an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism include a single plate-like member as a common component, the plate-like member has an opening or a notch, and the duct includes the take-up member. The movable part is divided into a movable part including a slot and a stationary part other than the movable part, and the movable part is configured such that the intake port of the duct corresponds to the opening or notch of the plate-like member. The plate-like member is formed integrally with the plate-like member, and the plate-like member forms the open state with respect to the housing, and the first position where the movable part separates from the stationary part and forms the non-communication state. The movable portion is provided so as to be movable between a second position where the movable portion is in communication with the inside of the housing and the stationary portion. It is characterized.

  In this image forming apparatus, the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism have the plate member as a common component. For this reason, the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism can be easily interlocked. The duct is divided into a movable part including the intake port and a stationary part other than the movable part, and the movable part is formed integrally with the plate member. In addition, the intake port of the duct and the opening or notch of the plate member correspond to each other. The plate-like member can move between the first position and the second position. Therefore, only by moving the plate-like member from the first position to the second position, the closed state with respect to the housing is formed, and the movable part communicates with the inside of the housing and the stationary part, respectively. The communication state is formed. That is, only when the limited temperature and time are satisfied, the air flow containing a large amount of the ultrafine particles passes through the filter member through the duct. Therefore, the ultrafine particles can be captured more efficiently and easily to prevent the release of the ultrafine particles, and the life of the filter member can be extended by further suppressing the influence of heat on the filter member. Can do.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment, with respect to the housing, the inlet is located below the fixing member, the outlet is located above the fixing member, and the shutter mechanism is disposed on the housing. With regard to the above, it is characterized in that it is formed by switching between an open state in which the outlet is opened and a closed state in which the outlet is closed while keeping the inlet open.

  In the image forming apparatus, with respect to the housing, the inlet is positioned below the fixing member, and the outlet is positioned above the fixing member. Therefore, the ultrafine particles ejected from the fixing member ride on the rising airflow generated by the fixing member heated by the heating source in addition to the airflow generated by the exhaust fan and exit from the outlet of the housing. And Therefore, it is considered that the ultrafine particles are not ejected from the entrance of the housing to the outside. Here, with respect to the housing, the shutter mechanism is formed by switching between an open state in which the outlet is opened and a closed state in which the outlet is closed while keeping the inlet open. Therefore, the ultrafine particles can be collected with a simple configuration as compared with the case where the housing is switched between an open state in which the outlet and the inlet are opened and a closed state in which the outlet and the inlet are closed. can do.

  In the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, the control according to the initial burst condition by the control unit is performed by turning on the power to the image forming apparatus body or returning the image forming apparatus body from a standby state. It is characterized in that it is performed depending on whether or not a preset standby time has elapsed since the start of heating.

  In this image forming apparatus, for example, the control unit controls the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism until the preset standby time elapses after the heating of the fixing member is started. The open state related to the housing can be formed, and the non-communication state between the duct and the inside of the housing can be formed. Therefore, it is possible to control so that the air flow heated by the fixing member does not pass through the filter member. Further, since the control is performed with time, the control can be performed with a simple configuration as compared with the case of using a sensor or the like. Therefore, the influence of heat on the filter member due to the air flow can be suppressed with a simple configuration.

  In the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, the control unit forms the closed state with respect to the housing for the first operation time set in advance after the standby time has elapsed, and the duct, the interior of the housing, Control for forming the communication state between the two is performed.

  In this image forming apparatus, the control unit forms the closed state with respect to the housing for a first operation time set in advance after the standby time has elapsed, and between the duct and the inside of the housing. The shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism are controlled so as to form the communication state. Therefore, only during the first operation time, the air flow containing a large amount of the ultrafine particles passes through the duct through the filter member. For this reason, while being able to collect | recover the said ultrafine particles more efficiently, the influence of the heat to the said filter member can be suppressed more.

  In an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the fixing member is provided, and the control according to the initial burst condition by the control unit is such that the temperature of the fixing member measured by the temperature sensor is It is characterized in that it is performed depending on whether or not a preset threshold temperature has been reached.

  In the image forming apparatus, for example, the control unit controls the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism until the temperature of the fixing member measured by the temperature sensor reaches a preset threshold temperature. Thus, the open state related to the housing can be formed, and the non-communication state between the duct and the inside of the housing can be formed. Further, since the temperature is controlled, the heat can be controlled more accurately than when the time is controlled. Therefore, the influence of heat on the filter member due to the air flow can be reliably suppressed.

  In the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, the control unit relates to the housing only for a second operation time set in advance after the temperature of the fixing member measured by the temperature sensor reaches the threshold temperature. Control is performed to form the closed state and to form the communication state between the duct and the inside of the housing.

  In this image forming apparatus, the control unit is in the closed state with respect to the housing for a preset second operation time after the temperature of the fixing member measured by the temperature sensor reaches the threshold temperature. And the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism are controlled so as to form the communication state between the duct and the inside of the housing. Therefore, only during the second operation time, the air flow containing a large amount of the ultrafine particles passes through the duct and through the filter member. For this reason, while being able to collect | recover the said ultrafine particles more efficiently, the influence of the heat to the said filter member can be suppressed reliably.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment is characterized in that the filter member is an electrostatic filter.

  In this image forming apparatus, the filter member is an electrostatic filter. Therefore, the ultrafine particles can be captured more efficiently by the Coulomb force.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the ultrafine particles generated from the fixing member can be captured to prevent the release of the fine particles, and the life of the filter member is extended by suppressing the influence of heat on the filter member. be able to.

1 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a control block diagram about the principal part of the said image forming apparatus. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the configuration and operation in the vicinity of the fixing device of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the image forming apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) and (B) are diagrams showing a configuration and operation in the vicinity of a fixing device of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the image forming apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) and (B) are flowcharts of control of the exit shutter and the entrance shutter of the fixing device by the control unit of the image forming apparatus. (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a general configuration of a fixing member, and (B) is a view showing a mode in which siloxane as ultrafine particles is ejected from the end of a rubber layer of the fixing member.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a color tandem type image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction peripheral having functions such as a scanner, a copy, and a printer, and is called an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral).

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes an intermediate transfer belt 108 as an annular intermediate transfer member that moves in a circumferential direction and is wound around two rollers 102 and 106 at a substantially central position in a main body casing 101. Of the two rollers 102 and 106, one roller 102 is disposed on the left side in the figure, and the other roller 106 is disposed on the right side in the figure. The intermediate transfer belt 108 is supported by these rollers 102 and 106 and is driven to rotate in the arrow X direction.

  Below the intermediate transfer belt 108, in order from the left in the figure, image forming units 110Y and 110M as printing units corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners. 110C and 110K are arranged side by side.

  The image forming units 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K are configured in exactly the same manner except for the difference in the toner colors that they handle. Specifically, for example, the yellow image forming unit 110Y includes a photosensitive drum 190, a charging device 191, an exposure device 192, a developing device 193 that performs development using toner, and a cleaner device 195. It is configured. A primary transfer roller 194 is provided at a position facing the photosensitive drum 190 with the intermediate transfer belt 108 interposed therebetween.

  At the time of image formation, the surface of the photosensitive drum 190 is first uniformly charged by the charging device 191. Subsequently, the surface of the photosensitive drum 190 is changed by the exposure device 192 in accordance with an image signal input from an external device (not shown). When exposed, a latent image is formed there. Next, the latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 190 is developed by the developing device 193 to become a toner image. This toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 108 by applying a voltage between the photosensitive drum 190 and the primary transfer roller 194. The transfer residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 190 is cleaned by a cleaner device 195.

  As the intermediate transfer belt 108 moves in the arrow X direction, four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 108 as output images by the image forming units 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K.

  On the left side of the intermediate transfer belt 108, a cleaning device 125 that removes residual toner from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 108 and a toner collection box 126 that collects toner removed by the cleaning device 125 are provided. On the right side of the intermediate transfer belt 108, a secondary transfer roller 112 as a secondary transfer member is provided with a conveyance path 124 for paper interposed therebetween. A transport roller 120 is provided in a position corresponding to the upstream side of the secondary transfer roller 112 in the transport path 124. Further, an optical density sensor 115 is provided as a toner density sensor for detecting a toner pattern on the intermediate transfer belt 108.

  A fixing device 130 serving as a fixing unit that fixes toner on a sheet is provided in the upper right portion of the main body casing 101. The fixing device 130 includes a heating roller 132 as a fixing member that extends perpendicularly to the paper surface in FIG. 1 and a pressure roller 131 as a pressing member. The heating roller 132 is heated to a predetermined target temperature (a fixing temperature in the range of 180 ° C. to 200 ° C. in this example) by a heater 133 as a heating source. The pressure roller 131 is urged toward the heating roller 132 by a spring (not shown). Thereby, the pressure roller 131 and the heating roller 132 form a nip portion for fixing. The sheet 90 on which the toner image has been transferred passes through the nip portion, whereby the toner image is fixed on the sheet 90.

  Further, at the lower part of the main body casing 101, paper feed cassettes 116A and 116B are provided in two stages as paper feed ports accommodating paper 90 as a print medium on which an output image is to be formed. Each of the paper feed cassettes 116A and 116B is provided with a paper feed roller 118 for feeding the paper and a paper feed sensor 117 for detecting the fed paper. For simplicity, a state in which the sheet 90 is stored only in the sheet feeding cassette 116A is shown.

  A control unit 200 that controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus is provided in the main body casing 101.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201. In this example, the image forming units 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K, the intermediate transfer belt 108, the paper feed roller 118, and the primary are illustrated. The transfer roller 194, secondary transfer roller 112, transport roller 120, pressure roller 131, heating roller 132, and paper discharge roller 121 are controlled. The controller 200 controls the outlet shutters 331 and 333, the inlet shutter 332, and the exhaust fan 430 based on the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 135 and 136, the time after power-on described later or the time after start of standby return, and the operating time. Also controls. Hereinafter, the temperature sensor 136 is used.

  At the time of image formation, the sheet 90 shown in FIG. 1 is sent out one sheet at a time from the sheet feeding cassette 116A to the conveyance path 124 by the sheet feeding roller 118 under the control of the control unit 200. The sheet 90 sent to the transport path 124 is sent to the toner transfer position between the intermediate transfer belt 108 and the secondary transfer roller 112 by the transport roller 120 at a timing by the registration sensor 114. On the other hand, as described above, four color toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 108 by the image forming units 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K. The four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 108 are transferred by the secondary transfer roller 112 to the sheet 90 sent to the toner transfer position described above. The sheet 90 on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed through a nip formed by the pressure roller 131 and the heating roller 132 of the fixing device 130, and is heated and pressurized. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the sheet 90. Then, the paper sheet 90 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged by a paper discharge roller 121 to a paper discharge tray section 122 provided on the upper surface of the main body casing 101 through a paper discharge path 127. In this example, a switchback conveyance path 128 is provided for feeding the paper sheet 90 to the toner transfer position again in the case of duplex printing.

(First embodiment)
3A and 3B show the vicinity of the fixing device 130 included in the image forming apparatus 100 as viewed obliquely.

  In the configuration example of the fixing device 130, the heating roller 132 and the pressure roller 131 of the fixing device 130 are the same as the fixing member 300 shown in FIG. 8A, and are a base material (core metal), a rubber layer, and a surface layer. It consists of three layers. The heating roller 132 is supported on the main body casing 101 via a frame (not shown), and is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B) by a drive motor (not shown) around its central axis. It has become so. Accordingly, the pressure roller 131 is driven to rotate clockwise in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B).

  In this embodiment, a duct 400 that is supported and fixed to the main body casing 101 via a frame (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the fixing device 130. The duct 400 may be made of any of a resin material having heat resistance with respect to the fixing temperature or a metal material such as aluminum or iron.

  The duct 400 is a pair of positions provided at positions corresponding to both ends of the heating roller 132 (more specifically, end portions on both sides of the rubber layer constituting the heating roller 132) with respect to the axial direction (Y direction) of the heating roller 132. Rectangular intakes 403 and 403 are provided. Further, the duct 400 is bent horizontally from a pair of vertical portions 402A and 402A extending in the vertical direction (Z direction) upward from the intake ports 403 and 403, respectively, and the upper portions of the vertical portions 402A and 402A. A pair of first horizontal portions 402B and 402B extending in the direction (X direction), a second horizontal portion 401A extending in the Y direction by joining the first horizontal portions 402B and 402B, and the second The extended portion 401B is connected to the downstream side of the horizontal portion 401A and has a larger cross section than the cross section of the second horizontal portion 401A. A downstream end portion of the extended portion 401B is a duct outlet 409 that is an outlet of the duct 400. The duct outlet 409 is open toward the outside or the inside of the main body casing 101.

  An exhaust fan 430 is provided in the vicinity of the duct outlet 409 in the extended portion 401B. The exhaust fan 430 generates an air flow from the pair of intake ports 403 and 403 of the duct 400 toward the duct outlet 409. In addition, a first filter member 420 is provided in the expansion portion 401B on the upstream side of the exhaust fan 430 with respect to the air flow.

  As the first filter member 420, for example, ERITRON (registered trademark of Toyobo Co., Ltd.), an electrostatic filter manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., or Freudenberg, Germany, can be used to capture ultrafine particles generated from the rubber layer, particularly siloxane. Commercially available products such as manufactured microAir (registered trademark of Freudenberg) are used. Moreover, you may use the filter medium which has carbon or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) as a main component from a viewpoint of ensuring the heat resistance of a filter member.

  The fixing device 130 includes a housing 320 </ b> A that is supported and fixed to the main body casing 101 via a frame (not shown). The housing 320 </ b> A has a first casing 321 that covers the pressure roller 131 and a second casing 322 that covers the heating roller 132. Each of the first casing 321 and the second casing 322 has a U-shaped cross section, and each opening has a housing outlet 351 and a housing inlet 352 as a gap, and is opposed to each other. The sheet 90 is conveyed to the nip portion through a housing inlet 352 positioned below the pressure roller 131 and the heating roller 132. Further, the sheet 90 is discharged from the nip portion and passes through the housing outlet 351 located above the pressure roller 131 and the heating roller 132. An outlet shutter 331 and an inlet shutter 332 are provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the housing 320A, respectively. The exit shutter 331 and the entrance shutter 332 are provided to be slidable in a direction (X direction) perpendicular to the axial direction (Y direction) of the heating roller 132 with respect to the housing 320A.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the exit shutter 331 includes a plate-like member 331A provided along the upper surface of the housing 320A, and slides the plate-like member 331A in the X direction along the upper surface of the housing 320A. And a moving mechanism that does not. The plate-like member 331A has a main portion 331D having a substantially rectangular shape substantially corresponding to the housing outlet 351, and the Y direction both ends of the main portion 331D are cut out into a rectangular shape so as to correspond to the inlets 403 and 403. A pair of formed cutouts 331B and 331B and expansions provided in positions adjacent to the cutouts 331B and 331B in the −X direction and having substantially rectangular shapes substantially corresponding to the intake ports 403 and 403, respectively. Parts 331C and 331C. The entrance shutter 332 includes a plate-shaped member 332A having a rectangular shape provided along the lower surface of the housing 320A and a moving mechanism (not shown) that slides the plate-shaped member 332A in the X direction along the lower surface of the housing 320A. Prepare.

  In FIG. 3A, the plate-like member 331A of the exit shutter 331 forms a non-communication state in which the expanded portions 331C and 331C cover the intake ports 403 and 403, and the inside of the housing 320A and the duct 400 are separated. At the same time, the main portion 331D does not cover the housing outlet 351 and takes the position where the housing outlet 351 is open (this position is referred to as the “first position” of the plate-like member 331A). Further, the plate-like member 332A of the entrance shutter 332 takes a position where the housing entrance 352 forms an open state (this position is referred to as a “first position” of the plate-like member 332A). On the other hand, in FIG. 3B, the plate-like member 331A of the exit shutter 331 is moved in the −X direction from the first position by the moving mechanism. The plate-like member 331A forms a communication state in which the notches 331B and 331B correspond to the intake ports 403 and 403 so that the inside of the housing 320A communicates with the duct 400, and the main portion 331D is the housing. A position is formed so as to cover the outlet 351 and form a closed state in which the housing outlet 351 is closed (this position is referred to as a “second position” of the plate-like member 331A). Further, the plate-like member 332A of the entrance shutter 332 takes a position where the housing entrance 352 forms a closed state (this position is referred to as a “second position” of the plate-like member 332A).

  The plate-like members 331A and 332A are moved synchronously between the first position and the second position by the moving mechanism in accordance with control by the control unit 200. That is, the state shown in FIG. 3A and the state shown in FIG. 3B can be switched by the synchronized movement of the plate-like members 331A and 332A. In the state shown in FIG. 3A, the outlet shutter 331 and the inlet shutter 332 form the open state with respect to the housing 320A, and form the non-communication state between the duct 400 and the inside of the housing 320A. In the state shown in FIG. 3B, the closed state related to the housing 320A is formed by the outlet shutter 331 and the inlet shutter 332, and the communication state between the duct 400 and the inside of the housing 320A is formed. . In this way, the exit shutter 331 and the entrance shutter 332 function as a shutter mechanism. Further, the exit shutter 331 functions as a communication mechanism. The shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism are interlocked.

  In the state shown in FIG. 3A, the non-communication state between the duct 400 and the housing 320A is formed as described above, so that the air in the housing 320A does not pass through the duct 400. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 3B, the ultrafine particles are taken into the duct 400 from the housing 320A through the inlets 403 and 403. The ultrafine particles taken into the duct 400 ride on the air flow generated by the exhaust fan 430 and flow from the intake ports 403 and 403 through the duct 400 toward the duct outlet 409. The ultrafine particles flowing through the duct 400 are captured by the filter member 420 in the duct 400.

  FIG. 7A shows a flowchart of control of the exit shutter 331 and the entrance shutter 332 by the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 100. Next, operations of the exit shutter 331 and the entrance shutter 332 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (A), 3 (B), and 7 (A).

  (I) In this example, first, after the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on or returned from the standby state (step S1 in FIG. 7A), the heating roller 132 is heated by the heater 133 (FIG. Step S2) in 7 (A). And the control part 200 controls the exit shutter 331 and the entrance shutter 332, and takes the state of FIG. 3 (A) (step S3 in FIG. 7 (A)). That is, the open state related to the housing 320A is formed, and the non-communication state between the duct 400 and the inside of the housing 320A is formed. Next, the control unit 200 determines whether or not a predetermined time set as a time until the ejection of the ultrafine particles has started (step S4 in FIG. 7A). Specifically, whether or not 30 seconds, which is a preset standby time, has elapsed since the heating of the heating roller 132 was started when the power to the image forming apparatus 100 was turned on, or whether the image forming apparatus 100 It is determined whether or not a preset standby time of 20 seconds has elapsed since the heating of the heating roller 132 was started along with the return from the standby state. When determining that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S4 in FIG. 7A), control unit 200 determines again whether the predetermined time has elapsed (in FIG. 7A). Step S4). For this reason, the flow of air heated by the heating roller 132 does not pass through the filter member 420 until the predetermined time has elapsed since the heating of the heating roller 132 was started. Further, since the control is performed with time, the control can be performed with a simple configuration as compared with the case of using a sensor or the like. Therefore, the influence of heat on the filter member due to the air flow can be suppressed with a simple configuration.

  (Ii) On the other hand, when the control unit 200 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S4 in FIG. 7A), it next controls the exit shutter 331 and the entrance shutter 332, and FIG. The state of FIG. 3A is switched to the state of FIG. 3B (step S6 in FIG. 7A). That is, the closed state related to the housing 320A is formed, and the communication state between the duct 400 and the inside of the housing 320A is formed. Further, the exhaust fan 430 is controlled to start the rotation of the exhaust fan 430 (step S7 in FIG. 7A).

  (Iii) Next, the control unit 200 passes 2 minutes, which is a first operation time set in advance as a time from when the ejection of the ultrafine particles suddenly increases after the waiting time has elapsed until it stops. It is determined whether or not (step S8 in FIG. 7A). When control unit 200 determines that 2 minutes have not elapsed (NO in step S8 in FIG. 7A), it determines again whether 2 minutes have elapsed (step in FIG. 7A). S8). This time of “2 minutes” is one of the initial burst conditions described above. On the other hand, if control unit 200 determines that two minutes have passed (YES in step S8 in FIG. 7A), then it controls exhaust fan 430 to stop rotation of exhaust fan 430 (FIG. 7). Step S9 in 7 (A). Further, the exit shutter 331 and the entrance shutter 332 are controlled to switch from the state of FIG. 3B to the state of FIG. 3A (step S10 in FIG. 7A). For this reason, only in the above-mentioned 2 minutes, which is one of the initial burst conditions, the flow of air containing a large amount of the ultrafine particles passes through the filter member 420 more than in other than the above 2 minutes. Further, the flow of air heated by the heating roller 132 does not pass through the filter member 420 except for the above two minutes which is one of the initial burst conditions. Therefore, the ultra fine particles can be collected more efficiently, and the influence of heat on the filter member 420 due to the air flow can be reliably suppressed.

  As described in (i) to (iii), the control unit 200 determines whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed, that is, whether or not the initial burst condition is satisfied, and the exit shutter 331 and the entrance shutter 332. To switch between the state of FIG. 3A and the state of FIG. Accordingly, the ultrafine particles can be efficiently recovered to prevent the ultrafine particles from being released, and the life of the filter member 420 can be extended by suppressing the influence of heat on the filter member 420 due to the air flow. it can.

  Further, instead of FIG. 7A, the control unit 200 may control the exit shutter 331 and the entrance shutter 332 by the control shown in the control flowchart of FIG. 7B. In the flowchart of FIG. 7B, the same steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. 7A are denoted by the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  (I ′) As shown in FIG. 7B, instead of step S4 in FIG. 7A, the initial burst condition is determined based on the fixing temperature. Here, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the fixing temperature of the heating roller 132 measured by the temperature sensor 136 (see FIG. 1) has reached a threshold temperature of 180 ° C. (in FIG. 7B). Step S5). This temperature of “180 ° C.” is a temperature at which the ejection of ultrafine particles can be considered to increase rapidly, and is one of the initial burst conditions described above. When the control unit 200 determines that the fixing temperature has not reached 180 ° C. (NO in step S5 in FIG. 7B), it determines again whether the fixing temperature has reached 180 ° C. Judgment is made (step S5 in FIG. 7B). Therefore, the flow of air heated by the heating roller 132 is filtered until the temperature of the heating roller 132 measured by the temperature sensor 136 (see FIG. 1) reaches 180 ° C., which is one of the initial burst conditions. The member 420 is not passed. Moreover, since the control part 200 controls by temperature, compared with the case where it controls by time, more exact control is possible with respect to the temperature which is one of initial burst conditions. Therefore, the ultra fine particles can be collected more efficiently and the influence of heat on the filter member 420 due to the air flow can be reliably suppressed as compared with the case where the air flow always passes through the filter member 420. it can. Furthermore, since the filter member 420 is an electrostatic filter, the ultrafine particles can be captured more efficiently by Coulomb force.

  (Ii ′) On the other hand, if the control unit 200 determines that the fixing temperature has reached 180 ° C. (YES in step S5 in FIG. 7B), then it controls the exit shutter 331 and the entrance shutter 332. Then, the state shown in FIG. 3A is switched to the state shown in FIG. 3B (step S6 in FIG. 7B). Further, the exhaust fan 430 is controlled to start the rotation of the exhaust fan 430 (step S7 in FIG. 7B).

  (Iii ′) Next, the control unit 200 is a second operation time set in advance as a time from when the ejection of the ultrafine particles suddenly increases after the fixing temperature reaches 180 ° C. until it stops. It is determined whether two minutes have passed (step S8 in FIG. 7B). After that, since it is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 7A, detailed description is omitted.

  As described in (i ′) to (iii ′), the control unit 200 determines whether or not the fixing temperature of the heating roller 132 measured by the temperature sensor 136 (see FIG. 1) has reached 180 ° C., that is, It is determined whether or not the initial burst condition is satisfied, and the exit shutter 331 and the entrance shutter 332 are controlled to switch between the state of FIG. 3A and the state of FIG. Accordingly, the ultrafine particles can be efficiently recovered to prevent the ultrafine particles from being released, and the life of the filter member 420 can be extended by suppressing the influence of heat on the filter member 420 due to the air flow. it can.

  FIG. 4 shows a housing 320B as a modification of the housing 320A. The housing inlet 352 is located below the heating roller 132, and the housing outlet 351 is located above the heating roller 132. Therefore, the ultrafine particles ejected from the heating roller 132 try to get out of the housing outlet 351 on the rising airflow generated by the heating roller 132 in addition to the airflow generated by the exhaust fan 430. Therefore, it is considered that the ultrafine particles are not ejected from the housing inlet 352 to the outside.

  In the housing 320B of this modification, the entrance shutter 332 is not provided, and the housing exit 351 is opened by the exit shutter 331, while the housing entrance 352 is kept open. The non-communication state between the two, the closed state in which the housing outlet 351 is closed, and the communication state between the duct 400 and the inside of the housing 320A are switched. For this reason, with respect to the housing 320B, the ultrafine particles can be collected with a simple configuration as compared with the case of FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B).

(Second Embodiment)
5A and 5B show the vicinity of the fixing device 130 included in the image forming apparatus 100 as viewed obliquely. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the duct 400, the vertical portions 402A and 402A as movable portions including the intake ports 403 and 403, and the other stationary portions 402B, 402B, 401A and 401B, It is divided. Further, an outlet shutter 333 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 320C so as to be slidable in a direction (X direction) orthogonal to the axial direction (Y direction) of the heating roller 132 with respect to the housing 320C. The exit shutter 333 includes a plate-like member 333A provided along the upper surface of the housing 320C, and a moving mechanism (not shown) that slides the plate-like member 333A in the X direction along the upper surface of the housing 320C. The plate-like member 333A is cut out into a rectangular shape so that the main portion 333C having a substantially rectangular shape substantially corresponding to the housing outlet 351 and the both ends of the main portion 333C in the Y direction correspond to the inlets 403 and 403. It has a pair of notches 333B and 333B formed. The vertical portions 402A and 402A of the duct 400 are formed integrally with the plate-like member 333A in such a manner that the intake ports 403 and 403 and the notches 333B and 333B correspond to each other. The first horizontal portions 402B and 402B have inlets 404 and 404 corresponding to the vertical portions 402A and 402A, respectively.

  In FIG. 5A, the plate-like member 333A of the exit shutter 333 forms a non-communication state in which the vertical portions 402A and 402A are separated from the duct 400, and the inside of the housing 320C and the duct 400 are separated. The portion 333C does not cover the housing outlet 351, and takes a position where the housing outlet 351 forms an open state (this position is referred to as a “first position” of the plate-like member 333A). On the other hand, in FIG. 5B, the plate-like member 333A of the exit shutter 333 is moved in the −X direction from the first position by the moving mechanism. The plate-like member 333A forms a communication state in which the vertical portions 402A and 402A communicate with the inside of the housing 320C and the first horizontal portions 402B and 402B of the duct 400, respectively, and the inside of the housing 320C and the duct 400 communicate with each other. At the same time, the main portion 333C covers the housing outlet 351, and the housing outlet 351 forms a closed state (this position is referred to as a “second position” of the plate-like member 333A). Specifically, in the communication state, the lower portions of the vertical portions 402A and 402A communicate with the intake ports 403 and 403, respectively, and the upper portions of the vertical portions 402A and 402A communicate with the inlets 404 and 404, respectively.

  The plate-like member 333 </ b> A is moved in synchronization between the first position and the second position by the moving mechanism in accordance with control by the control unit 200. That is, the state shown in FIG. 5 (A) and the state shown in FIG. 5 (B) can be switched by the synchronized movement of the plate-like members 333A and 332A. In the state shown in FIG. 5A, the outlet shutter 333 and the inlet shutter 332 form the open state with respect to the housing 320C and form the non-communication state between the duct 400 and the inside of the housing 320C. In the state shown in FIG. 5B, the closed state related to the housing 320C is formed by the outlet shutter 333 and the inlet shutter 332, and the communication state between the duct 400 and the inside of the housing 320C is formed. . Thus, in this example, the exit shutter 333 functions as a shutter mechanism and a communication mechanism. The shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism are interlocked.

  In the state shown in FIG. 5A, as described above, the non-communication state between the duct 400 and the inside of the housing 320C is formed, so that the air in the housing 320C does not pass through the duct 400. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 5B, the ultrafine particles are taken into the duct 400 from the housing 320C through the intake ports 403 and 403. The ultrafine particles taken into the duct 400 ride on the air flow generated by the exhaust fan 430 and flow from the intake ports 403 and 403 through the duct 400 toward the duct outlet 409. The ultrafine particles flowing through the duct 400 are captured by the filter member 420 in the duct 400.

  FIG. 7A shows a flowchart of control of the exit shutter 333 and the entrance shutter 332 by the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 100. Next, operations of the exit shutter 333 and the entrance shutter 332 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (A), 5 (B), and 7 (A).

  In this example, after the processing of steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 7A, the control unit 200 controls the exit shutter 333 and the entrance shutter 332 to take the state of FIG. Step S3) in A). That is, the open state related to the housing 320C is formed, and the non-communication state between the duct 400 and the inside of the housing 320C is formed. Next, after the process of step S4 in FIG. 7A, the control unit 200 controls the exit shutter 333 and the entrance shutter 332 to change from the state of FIG. 5A to the state of FIG. 5B. Switching (step S6 in FIG. 7A). That is, the closed state related to the housing 320C is formed, and the communication state between the duct 400 and the inside of the housing 320C is formed. Then, after the processing of steps S7 to S9 in FIG. 7A, the control unit 200 controls the exit shutter 333 and the entrance shutter 332 to change from the state of FIG. 5B to the state of FIG. (Step S10 in FIG. 7A).

  Note that the control unit 200 may control the exit shutter 333 and the entrance shutter 332 by the control shown in the control flowchart of FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus provided with the exit shutter 333, the control unit 200 determines whether the predetermined time has elapsed or the fixing temperature of the heating roller 132 measured by the temperature sensor 136 (see FIG. 1) is 180 ° C. It is determined whether or not, that is, whether or not the initial burst condition is satisfied, and the exit shutter 333 and the entrance shutter 332 are controlled so that the state of FIG. 5A and the state of FIG. Switch. Accordingly, the ultrafine particles can be efficiently recovered to prevent the ultrafine particles from being released, and the life of the filter member can be extended by suppressing the influence of heat on the filter member 420 due to the air flow. .

  FIG. 6 shows a housing 320D as a modification of the housing 320C. The housing inlet 352 is located below the heating roller 132, and the housing outlet 351 is located above the heating roller 132. Therefore, the ultrafine particles ejected from the heating roller 132 try to get out of the housing outlet 351 on the rising airflow generated by the heating roller 132 in addition to the airflow generated by the exhaust fan 430. Therefore, it is considered that the ultrafine particles are not ejected from the housing inlet 352 to the outside.

  In the housing 320D of this modification, the entrance shutter 332 is not provided, and the housing exit 351 is opened by the exit shutter 333 while the housing entrance 352 is kept open, and the duct 400 and the housing 320C are not opened. The non-communication state between them, the closed state in which the housing outlet 351 is closed, and the communication state between the duct 400 and the inside of the housing 320C are switched. For this reason, with respect to the housing 320D, the ultrafine particles can be collected with a simple configuration as compared with the case of FIGS.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the temperature sensor 136 (see FIG. 1) is provided so as to contact the heating roller 132. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be provided so as not to contact the heating roller 132.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the exit shutters 331 and 333 and the entrance shutter 332 slide in the X direction along the upper surface and the lower surface of the housing 320, respectively. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is preferably applied to a case where door members are provided at the housing outlet, the housing inlet, and the intake port.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the exhaust fan 430 is disposed inside the expansion portion 401B. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is preferably applied to the case where the exhaust fan 430 is installed outside the duct 400 as long as the exhaust fan 430 is installed near the end of the duct 400.

  In each of the above embodiments, the fixing member is a cylindrical fixing roller. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is preferably applied to a case where the fixing member is an annular fixing belt.

  The pressure roller in each of the above embodiments can also be considered as a fixing member. A heater may be incorporated not only in the fixing roller but also in the pressure roller.

  In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tandem type color image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The configurations and arrangements of the photoconductor, charging unit, exposure unit, developing unit, transfer unit, and fixing unit are not limited to the present embodiment, and other configurations and arrangements may be used. The present invention can be widely applied to other types of image forming apparatuses such as a rotary arrangement type and a direct transfer type.

  In each of the above embodiments, the filter member is provided on the upstream side of the exhaust fan. However, the filter member may be disposed on the downstream side of the exhaust fan.

  The present invention can also be applied to a printer, a copier, a FAX, and their combined machines, and a hard copy system that processes and edits and prints data.

90 Paper 131 Pressure roller 132 Heating roller 136 Temperature sensor 200 Controller 320A, 320B, 320C, 320D Housing 331, 333 Exit shutter 332 Entrance shutter 331A, 332A, 333A Plate member 331B, 333B Notch 351 Housing exit 352 Housing entrance 400 Duct 402A Vertical portion 403 Intake port 409 Duct outlet 420 Filter member 430 Exhaust fan

Claims (10)

An image having a cylindrical or annular fixing member and a heating source for heating the fixing member to a fixing temperature, and fixing the image on the sheet by pressing the conveyed sheet against the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member A forming device,
A housing containing at least the fixing member and having an inlet for conveying the sheet to the fixing member and an outlet for discharging the sheet from the fixing member;
A duct having an inlet for taking in the fine particles generated from the fixing member at a position facing the outlet of the housing;
A filter member provided in the duct and capable of capturing the fine particles flowing through the duct;
An exhaust fan provided in the duct or at the outlet of the duct upstream or downstream of the filter member and capable of generating an air flow from the intake port toward the duct outlet;
A shutter mechanism that can be formed by switching between an open state in which the outlet or the outlet and the inlet are opened and a closed state in which the outlet or the outlet and the inlet are closed with respect to the housing;
A communication mechanism that can be formed by switching between a communication state in which the intake port of the duct communicates with the interior of the housing and a non-communication state in which the duct is separated from the interior of the housing;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism according to an initial burst condition in which the fine particles are discharged from the fixing member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The control unit forms the non-communication state between the duct and the inside of the housing when the open state related to the housing is formed, and when the closed state related to the housing is formed, An image forming apparatus, wherein the shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism are controlled in conjunction with each other so as to form the communication state between the duct and the inside of the housing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism include a single plate member as a common component,
The plate-like member forms the open state with respect to the housing and forms the non-communication state between the duct and the inside of the housing, and forms the closed state with respect to the housing and the closed position. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided so as to be movable between a duct and a second position that forms the communication state between the inside of the housing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The shutter mechanism and the communication mechanism include one plate member as a common component, and the plate member has an opening or a notch,
The duct is divided into a movable part including the intake and a stationary part other than the movable part,
In a mode in which the intake port of the duct corresponds to the opening or notch of the plate member, the movable part is formed integrally with the plate member,
The plate-like member forms the open state with respect to the housing, and forms a first position where the movable part separates from the stationary part and forms the non-communication state, and the closed state with respect to the housing. In addition, the movable portion is provided so as to be movable between a second position that forms the communication state in the housing and the stationary portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
With respect to the housing, the inlet is located below the fixing member, and the outlet is located above the fixing member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shutter mechanism is formed with respect to the housing by switching between an open state in which the outlet is opened and a closed state in which the outlet is closed while keeping the inlet open. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control according to the initial burst condition by the control unit is performed in advance from the time when heating of the fixing member is started when the image forming apparatus main body is turned on or the image forming apparatus main body is returned from the standby state. An image forming apparatus, which is performed according to whether or not a set standby time has elapsed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
The control unit forms the closed state with respect to the housing and the communication state between the duct and the inside of the housing for a preset first operation time after the standby time has elapsed. An image forming apparatus that performs control. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the fixing member;
The control according to the initial burst condition by the control unit is performed according to whether or not the temperature of the fixing member measured by the temperature sensor has reached a preset threshold temperature. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
The control unit forms the closed state with respect to the housing for a preset second operating time after the temperature of the fixing member measured by the temperature sensor reaches the threshold temperature. An image forming apparatus that performs control to form the communication state between a duct and the inside of the housing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the filter member is an electrostatic filter.

Images