JP2015018052A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an additional cover member that reduces the amount of noise and odor leaking from an image forming apparatus body to the outside of the apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes a base member 300, and a cover member 200 that is composed of vertical wall members 400, 500, and 600 provided separately from the exterior surfaces of an image forming apparatus body 110. The base member includes a plurality of positioning rib members 330 that set the arrangement position of the image forming apparatus body, and the vertical wall members 400, 500, and 600 include: exhaust passage rib members 421..., 521..., and 621... that form, between the vertical wall members and the exterior walls of the apparatus body, exhaust passages 710, 720, 730, and 740 guiding the exhaust from exhaust louver 121, 122, and 123 of the image forming apparatus body; an exhaust duct 750; an exhaust fan installation unit 760 that installs a fan to release the exhaust from the exhaust louver 123 through an exhaust unit; and intake air passage rib members 624 and 625 that form an intake air passage 820 guiding the outside air from an intake air duct 810 to intake air louvers 124 and 125.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a cover member that prevents noise, odor, and dust from leaking out of the apparatus can be disposed.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an internal mechanism is covered with an exterior cover so as not to leak noise or odor generated inside the apparatus to the outside. Above all, desktop machines are installed near users, so the need for noise and odor reduction is much higher than that of high-speed machines on the floor. Therefore, some desktop machines have an exhaust port arranged on the back of the apparatus, and others can change the exhaust direction.

  Patent Document 1 includes an exhaust port provided in an exterior cover for changing the exhaust direction and an exhaust fan for exhausting air in the machine, and a plurality of exhaust ports and an exhaust air provided in the machine. A plurality of exhaust ducts that branch out from the introduction section to each exhaust outlet, a fan disposed in the exhaust introduction section, and an exhaust duct that allows only an arbitrary exhaust duct to communicate with the interior of the machine via the exhaust introduction section And a road selection means.

  However, the conventional technology for preventing noise and odor from leaking outside the apparatus has a problem that the effect is insufficient and noise and odor leak outside the apparatus. Further, since noise and odor are not leaked outside the apparatus, it is possible to cover the gaps of the outer cover with a sponge, or to install a thick filter or the like at the airflow outlet of the exhaust fan. However, such a procedure results in insufficient exhaust heat. For example, by limiting the number of sheets that can be used continuously, or by reducing productivity, the temperature inside the machine can be suppressed and an image caused by toner melting can be suppressed. It is necessary to prevent deterioration of quality. Such a state is an object of dissatisfaction for some users, and lowers satisfaction.

  In addition to the main body exterior cover, an exterior for soundproof deodorization can be attached as an additional member. However, in this case, since an attachment portion is installed on the image forming apparatus main body side or a screw hole for fastening is opened, there is a problem that the appearance quality is not good when the exterior as an additional member is removed.

  In addition, the device described in Patent Document 1 has a complicated switching mechanism and mounting of the fan rectifying plate, and requires a mounting shape, and noise and odor leak from the gaps in the device body. This will cause discomfort to the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and reduces the amount of noise and odor generated in the image forming apparatus main body from leaking out of the apparatus, while ensuring the cooling performance of the image forming apparatus, and the apparatus main body. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which an additional cover member can be installed without requiring any processing.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a base member having an installation surface on which the image forming apparatus main body can be installed, and the outer surface of the installed apparatus main body on the outside of the outer surface of the installed apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus capable of mounting a cover member provided with a vertical wall member spaced apart from the exterior surface by a predetermined distance, wherein the base member is disposed on a peripheral portion of the installation surface. A plurality of positioning rib members that set the arrangement position of the image forming apparatus main body in contact with the image forming apparatus main body, and the vertical wall member faces the outer surface of the apparatus main body toward the image forming apparatus main body. An exhaust passage rib member that forms an exhaust passage that guides exhaust from the exhaust port of the forming apparatus main body, an exhaust portion that exhausts the exhaust that has passed through the exhaust passage to the outside of the cover member, and the exhaust A fan installation section for installing a fan that discharges exhaust from the mouth from the exhaust section; an intake section for introducing outside air into the intake flow path from outside the cover member; and an intake flow path for guiding outside air to the intake section And an intake channel rib member that forms

  According to the present invention, a cover member composed of a base member and a vertical wall member can be attached to the image forming apparatus main body as necessary, while preventing noise and odor from being discharged outside by the attached cover member, The temperature rise of the image forming apparatus main body can be prevented.

1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the direction different from FIG. 1 showing the image forming apparatus. It is a see-through | perspective perspective view which shows the cover member used for the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the image forming apparatus main body is installed on the base member of the cover member. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the base member of the cover member. The base member of the cover member is shown, (a) is a plan view showing an arrangement state of positioning rib members, and (b) is a plan view showing an installation state of the image forming apparatus main body. It is a perspective view which shows the base member of the same cover member, a back side vertical wall member, and a right side vertical wall member. It is a perspective view which shows the left side vertical wall member of the cover member. It is an end view which shows the connection state of the vertical walls of the cover member. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cross section of the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described. An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic desktop printer. The image forming apparatus forms and outputs a toner image on a recording sheet as a recording medium based on the input data.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus from a direction different from FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cover member used in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the main body of the image forming apparatus is installed on the base member of the cover member. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the interiors of the back side vertical wall member 400, the right side vertical wall member 500, and the left side vertical wall member 600 can be seen through. In the drawing, the back side is indicated by an arrow y, the right side is indicated by an arrow x, and the upper side is indicated by an arrow z.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can be equipped with an optional cover member 200 without processing the image forming apparatus main body 110. In addition, without the cover member 200 attached, the image forming apparatus main body 110 alone can perform image formation and can be used alone as an image forming apparatus. By attaching the cover member 200 to the image forming apparatus main body 110, it is possible to reduce noise and emission odor. Even if the cover member 200 is attached, the cooling performance of the image forming apparatus main body 110 is not reduced.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the cover member 200 is detachably disposed with a base member 300 on which the image forming apparatus main body 110 is installed, and in a state of rising from the outer peripheral portion of the base member 300. And a plurality of vertical wall members. In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, the vertical wall member is provided corresponding to each exterior surface at a predetermined distance from the exterior surface of the image forming apparatus main body 110. That is, the rear vertical wall member 400 disposed on the back side (y direction) opposite to the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 110, and the right vertical wall member 500 disposed on the right side (x direction) when viewed from the front side. The left vertical wall member 600 is also arranged on the left side (the direction opposite to the x direction).

  When the cover member 200 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body 110, the image forming apparatus main body 110 is placed on the base member 300, and the back vertical wall member 400, the right vertical wall member 500, The left vertical wall member 600 is disposed. Therefore, a fixing portion 340 is formed at the periphery of the base member 300, and a fixing protrusion as a connecting portion to be attached to the fixing portion 340 is provided at the lower end portion of the rear vertical wall member 400, the right vertical wall member 500, and the left vertical wall member 600. 410, 510, and 610 are formed.

  The fixing portion 340 of the base member 300 and the fixing protrusions 410, 510, and 610 are fixed by a screw member or a snap fit. In addition, the vertical wall portions arranged adjacent to each other, that is, the back side vertical wall member 400 and the right side vertical wall member 500, and the back side vertical wall member 400 and the left side vertical wall member 600 are formed at the respective side end portions. It joins by the vertical wall junction part 411,511,611 which is a connection part. The vertical wall joint portions 411, 511, and 611 are fixed to each other with a screw member or a snap fit. These fixings may be known ones such as being elastically coupled.

  In addition, an opening / closing door 550 is arranged on the right vertical wall member 500 according to the opening / closing door 140 formed in the image forming apparatus main body 110. On the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 110, an operation section such as a paper tray drawer 120 and an operation panel 130 are arranged, and the front side is arranged on the front side where no vertical wall member is provided (FIG. 4). reference).

  Exhaust louvers 121 and 122 are formed on the right side panel 112 of the exterior panel 111 of the image forming apparatus main body 110 as exhaust parts for sending exhaust from the interior of the image forming apparatus main body 110. The left panel 113 of the image forming apparatus main body 110 is formed with an exhaust louver 123 that sends exhaust from the inside of the apparatus and intake louvers 124 and 125 that are intake portions for introducing outside air into the apparatus.

  The back vertical wall member 400 of the cover member 200 is formed with an exhaust duct 750 that is an exhaust port through which exhaust from the image forming apparatus main body 110 is finally discharged, and an exhaust fan installation portion 760 for attaching the exhaust fan. . Further, an intake duct 810 that is an intake port for introducing outside air into the image forming apparatus main body 110 is formed in the back side vertical wall member 400. The exhaust fan installation unit 760 can be provided with a large-diameter and quiet fan. In the cover member 200, a filter 770 that removes odors, dust, and the like discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 110 is disposed in the exhaust duct 750. Even when the filter is not disposed, the exhaust duct 750 is disposed on the rear vertical wall member 400, so that the exhaust can be discharged to a place away from the user's operation position, so that discomfort due to odor and dust can be avoided. Can be reduced. Further, the filter can be disposed in at least one of the exhaust passage and the intake passage. If a filter is disposed in the intake path, dust can be prevented from entering the image forming apparatus main body 110.

  When the cover member 200 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 110, exhaust flow paths 710, 720, and 730 that guide air from the exhaust louvers 121, 122, and 123 to the exhaust duct 750 between the image forming apparatus main body 110 and the cover member 200. , 740 are formed. Similarly, an intake passage 820 that guides air from the intake duct 810 to the intake louvers 124 and 125 is formed between the image forming apparatus main body 110 and the cover member 200. Here, the exhaust flow paths 710 and 720 are provided from the right vertical wall member 500 to the back vertical wall member 400. The exhaust flow path 730 is provided from the left vertical wall member 600 to the back vertical wall member 400, and the exhaust flow path 740 is provided in the back vertical wall member 400.

  Further, the intake flow path 820 is provided from the back side vertical wall member 400 to the left side vertical wall member 600. Note that the paths of the exhaust passages 710, 720, 730, 740 and the intake passage 820 can be appropriately changed according to the positions of the exhaust louvers and the intake louvers arranged in the image forming apparatus main body 110.

  Next, the base member 300, the back side vertical wall member 400, and the right side vertical wall member 500 which comprise the cover member 200 are demonstrated. First, the base member 300 will be described. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the base member of the cover member, FIG. 6 shows the base member of the cover member, (a) is a plan view showing an arrangement state of positioning rib members, and (b) is an image. It is a top view which shows the installation state of a forming apparatus main body. The base member 300 is formed of a synthetic resin and includes an installation surface 310 on which the image forming apparatus main body 110 can be installed. On the periphery of the installation surface 310, an upright portion 320 is disposed. In addition, the rising part is not formed in the location where the opening-and-closing door 700 of the right side vertical wall member 500 is arrange | positioned.

  In addition, the base member 300 is formed with a plurality of positioning rib members 330 that are in contact with the image forming apparatus main body and set the arrangement position of the image forming apparatus at the periphery of the installation surface 310. The positioning rib member 330 is formed at three places on the left side of the installation surface 310, three places on the back side, and one place on the right side. The positioning rib member 330 is formed to be connected to the installation surface 310 and the upright portion 320. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the image forming apparatus main body 110 is installed on the installation surface 310 of the base member 300, the positioning rib member 330 comes into contact with the lower peripheral surface of the image forming apparatus main body 110 and moves on the base member 300. The position of the image forming apparatus main body 110 is determined. A state in which the image forming apparatus main body 110 is installed on the cover member 200 is shown in FIG.

  In addition, a fixing portion 340 for attaching and fixing the back vertical wall member 400, the right vertical wall member 500, and the left vertical wall member 600 is formed on the upright portion 320 of the base member 300. The fixing portion 340 is combined with fixing protrusions 410, 510, and 610 formed on the lower edge of the rear vertical wall member 400, the right vertical wall member 500, and the left vertical wall member 600, and is screwed and snapped. The Thereby, the back side vertical wall member 400, the right side vertical wall member 500, and the left side vertical wall member 600 are fixed to the upright part 320 of the base member 300.

  Next, the back side vertical wall member 400 will be described. The back side vertical wall member 400 is formed of synthetic resin, and the above-described fixing protrusion 410, the exhaust duct 750, and the exhaust fan installation portion 760 are formed. Further, exhaust channel rib members 421, 422, 423, 434, 425, 426, 427 and 428 forming exhaust channels 710, 720, 730, and 740 are formed on the back side vertical wall member 400. It is formed toward the side.

  The exhaust passage rib members 421 and 422 form an exhaust passage 710, and the exhaust passage rib members 423 and 424 form an exhaust passage 720. Further, the exhaust passage rib members 425 and 426 form an exhaust passage 740, and the exhaust passage rib members 427 and 428 form an exhaust passage 730. The exhaust passage rib member 428 serves as an intake passage rib member that forms the intake passage 820. Furthermore, the vertical wall member connection part 430 for connecting with the right side vertical wall member 500 and the left side vertical wall member 600 is formed in the both ends of the back side vertical wall member 400.

  Next, the right vertical wall member 500 will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a base member, a back side vertical wall member, and a right side vertical wall member of the cover member. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the right vertical wall member 500 includes an opening / closing door 550 as an opening / closing member that forms an opening. The open / close door 550 is connected to the right vertical wall member 500 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge portion 560 arranged along the vertical direction. The opening / closing door 550 is provided with reinforcing ribs 551 in order to maintain the rigidity of the opening / closing door 550. When opening the opening / closing door 140, the opening / closing door 550 may be opened first. For this reason, the maintainability of the image forming apparatus main body 110 is not deteriorated.

  The right vertical wall member 500 is formed with exhaust flow channel rib members 521, 522, and 523 that form the exhaust flow channel 710, and exhaust flow channel rib members 524, 525, and 526 that form the exhaust flow channel 720. . The exhaust passage rib members 521, 522, and 523 guide the exhaust from the exhaust louver 121 and guide it to the back side vertical wall member 400 side. Further, the exhaust passage rib members 524, 525, and 526 guide the exhaust from the exhaust louver 122 to the back side vertical wall member 400 side. Here, in a state where the back vertical wall member 400 and the right vertical wall member 500 are assembled, the exhaust flow channel rib members 522 and 523 are connected to the exhaust flow channel rib members 421 and 422 of the back vertical wall member 400 and the exhaust gas. The channel rib members 525 and 526 are connected to the exhaust channel rib members 423 and 424 in the same manner.

  With such a configuration, the exhaust from the exhaust louvers 121 and 122 is exhausted from the exhaust passages 710 and 720 by the fan disposed in the exhaust fan installation portion 760 and exhausted from the exhaust duct 750. At this time, the exhaust gas passes through the filter 770.

  Next, the left vertical wall member 600 will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a left vertical wall member of the cover member. The left vertical wall member 600 is provided with reinforcing ribs 631 for ensuring the rigidity of the left vertical wall member 600. Exhaust flow path rib members 621, 622, and 623 that form the exhaust flow path 730 are formed. The exhaust passage rib members 621, 622, and 623 guide the exhaust from the exhaust louver 123 and guide it to the back side vertical wall member 400 side. In addition, in the back side vertical wall member 400, intake flow channel rib members 624 and 625 that form the intake flow channel 820 are formed. The intake flow channel rib members 624 and 625 form an intake flow channel 820 together with the exhaust flow channel rib member 623. Here, the exhaust passage rib member 623 plays a role as an intake passage rib member. In a state where the back side vertical wall member 400 and the left side vertical wall member 600 are assembled, the exhaust flow path rib members 622 and 623 are connected to the exhaust flow path rib member 428 formed on the back side vertical wall member 400.

  With such a configuration, the exhaust from the exhaust louver 123 is exhausted from the exhaust passage 730 by the fan disposed in the exhaust fan installation portion 760 and exhausted from the exhaust duct 750. At this time, the exhaust gas passes through the filter 770. In addition, outside air from the intake duct 810 is sucked into the intake louvers 124 and 125 through the intake passage 820. With the configuration described above, in the image forming apparatus 100, the exhaust flow paths 710, 720, 730, and 740 and the intake flow path 820 are formed in a completely separated state. Thereby, exhaust and intake can be performed with high efficiency.

  Next, connection of the back side vertical wall member 400, the right side vertical wall member 500, and the left side vertical wall member 600 will be described. FIG. 9 is an end view showing a connection state of the vertical walls of the cover member. As described above, the vertical wall joints 411, 511, and 611 are formed at the longitudinal ends of the back vertical wall member 400, the right vertical wall member 500, and the left vertical wall member 600. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the vertical wall joint portion 411 of the back vertical wall member 400 is fitted into the vertical wall joint portion 511 of the right vertical wall member 500 and screwed. This joining is not limited to screwing, but a snap fit or other joining means can be used, or the vertical wall joining portions 411 and 511 can be structured to be elastically fixed.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has the following effects. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a cross section of the image forming apparatus. According to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, the vertical wall member 201 of the cover member 200 is disposed outside the exterior 151 of the image forming apparatus main body 110 with an air layer therebetween. Therefore, the noise of the image forming apparatus main body 110 can be absorbed by the air layer.

  Further, when the exhaust in the image forming apparatus main body 110 is exhausted by the fan 152, it passes through the exhaust flow path formed in the air layer and reaches the outside of the cover member 200. In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, the exhaust flow path is configured between the image forming apparatus main body 110 and the cover member 200. Therefore, it is efficient to dispose a quiet large-diameter fan on the cover member 200. Exhaust heat becomes possible. Also, odor can be reduced by securing an exhaust passage to a large-diameter fan arranged in the cover member 200 and installing a filter.

  Further, since the cover member 200 can be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus main body 110, it is possible to select whether or not to use the cover member 200 as necessary, and to expand the options for the user.

100: Image forming apparatus 110: Image forming apparatus main body 111: Exterior panel 112: Right side panel 113: Left side panel 120: Drawers 121, 122, 123: Exhaust louvers 124, 125: Intake louvers 130: Operation panel 140: Opening / closing door 151: Exterior 152: Fan 200: Cover member 201: Vertical wall member 300: Base member 310: Installation surface 320: Upright part 330: Positioning rib member 340: Fixing part 400: Back side vertical wall members 410, 510, 610: Fixing protrusion 411 511, 611: Vertical wall joints 421, 422, 423, 434, 425, 426, 427, 428: Exhaust flow channel rib member 500: Right vertical wall member 511: Vertical wall joints 521, 522, 523: Exhaust flow Road rib members 524, 525, 526: Exhaust flow path rib member 550: Opening / closing door 551: Reinforcing rib 5 0: Hinge portion 600: Left vertical wall members 621, 622, 623: Exhaust flow path rib members 624, 625: Intake flow path rib member 631: Reinforcement rib 700: Opening / closing doors 710, 720, 730, 740: Exhaust flow path 750 : Exhaust duct 760: Exhaust fan installation part 770: Filter 810: Intake duct 820: Intake flow path

JP 2003-280494 A

Claims (5)

A base member provided with an installation surface on which the image forming apparatus main body can be installed, and a base member arranged in a state of rising from the outer peripheral portion of the base member, and spaced apart from the outer surface by a predetermined distance outside the outer surface of the installed apparatus main body An image forming apparatus capable of mounting a cover member provided with a vertical wall member,
The base member is
A plurality of positioning rib members for setting the arrangement position of the image forming apparatus main body in contact with the image forming apparatus main body at a peripheral portion of the installation surface;
The vertical wall member is
An exhaust passage rib member that forms an exhaust passage for guiding exhaust from an exhaust port of the image forming apparatus main body between the image forming apparatus main body and the exterior surface of the apparatus main body;
An exhaust part that exhausts the exhaust gas that has passed through the exhaust channel to the outside of the cover member;
A fan installation unit for installing a fan for discharging exhaust from the exhaust port from the exhaust unit;
An intake portion for introducing outside air into the intake passage from outside the cover member;
An intake passage rib member that forms an intake passage for guiding outside air to the intake portion;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A plurality of the vertical wall members are disposed corresponding to the plurality of exterior surfaces of the image forming apparatus main body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein adjacent vertical wall portions of the base member, the vertical wall member, and the plurality of vertical wall members are connected by a detachable connecting portion.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a filter is disposed in at least one of the exhaust passage and the intake passage.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust passage and the intake passage are formed to be completely separated.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vertical wall member includes an opening / closing member capable of forming an opening.