JP2015158580A - Exhaust treatment unit and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an exhaust treatment unit configured to improve the performance of removing a component included in a gas, in an exhaust passage unit which includes a discharge passage for discharging a gas including a component generated in an image forming device to the outside of the device, and a plurality of detachable filters, and is configured to mount/dismount the filters integrally on/from the image forming device.SOLUTION: An exhaust passage unit 50 includes an exhaust passage; and a plurality of detachable filters 63, 73, 83. The filters are mounted/dismounted integrally on/from an image forming device. The exhaust passage unit 50 includes independent exhaust passages A, B, C, and discharge sections 64, 74, 84 for discharging a gas from the exhaust passages to the outside of the exhaust passage unit. The exhaust passages are formed by partitioning the exhaust passage unit with a part of the exhaust passage unit or partitions. The exhaust passages and filters can be mounted/dismounted on/from a copier integrally.

Description

  The present invention relates to an exhaust processing unit including an exhaust passage for collecting and exhausting dust, ozone, and the like generated inside an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and an image forming apparatus including the exhaust processing unit.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer has an exhaust processing device for generating a gas containing components such as heat, dust and ozone inside the device and discharging the gas to the outside of the device. . This exhaust treatment device has a blowing means for discharging gas to the outside of the device, a plurality of exhaust passages for transporting gas from the source of each component to the outside of the device, and a component for removing components contained in the gas. And a filter adapted to the characteristics of each component.
This filter is provided at the exhaust port of the exhaust flow path, and clogging occurs due to dust etc. with the operation of the image forming apparatus and the removal efficiency of each component decreases, so periodic maintenance such as replacement and cleaning is required. Necessary.
In order to facilitate this maintenance, an exhaust treatment device as in Patent Document 1 is known.

This exhaust treatment device is a plurality of exhaust passages for exhausting gas containing components such as heat, dust and ozone generated in the image forming apparatus, and air blowing means for exhausting the gas to the outside of the apparatus. A suction fan and an exhaust passage unit connected to the exhaust side of the plurality of exhaust passages are provided.
This exhaust flow path unit forms a part of the ventilation path of the exhaust treatment device, and the gases carried from the plurality of exhaust flow paths merge inside the exhaust flow path unit. In order to remove a plurality of components contained in the combined gas, the exhaust flow path unit includes a plurality of filters provided in series. Further, a suction fan is provided on the exhaust side of the exhaust processing unit, and by operating the suction fan, a gas containing a plurality of components passes through a plurality of filters, and the image forming apparatus passes through the suction fan. The gas is discharged outside.

  In addition, the plurality of filters provided in series inside the exhaust flow path unit are held in a holding portion which is a part of the cover of the exhaust flow path unit via a frame body for arranging the intervals between the filters in parallel. Has been. This holding part is provided so as to be detachable from the exhaust flow path unit, and by removing the holding part from the exhaust flow path unit, a plurality of filters held by the holding part can be taken out in a lump, and a plurality of filters can be easily obtained. Can be maintained.

  However, the exhaust treatment unit used in the exhaust treatment apparatus of Patent Document 1 is provided with a plurality of filters in series in order to exhaust gas containing a plurality of components through one exhaust passage. For this reason, it is necessary to control a plurality of exhaust passages with one fan, and it is possible to set an appropriate flow velocity and air volume for removing components contained in the gas by a filter in each of the plurality of exhaust passages. There is a problem that the performance of removing components contained in the gas is not good.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust passage for exhausting a gas containing heat generated inside the image forming apparatus and a generated component to the outside of the apparatus. In the exhaust flow path unit comprising a plurality of detachable filters, and the plurality of filters can be detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, an exhaust process capable of improving performance of removing components contained in the gas Is to provide a unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an exhaust passage for exhausting a gas containing heat generated inside an image forming apparatus and a generated component to the outside of the apparatus, and a plurality of removable filters. In the exhaust flow path unit in which the plurality of filters are integrated and removable with respect to the image forming apparatus,
A plurality of independent exhaust passages, and one or a plurality of discharge portions for discharging gas from the plurality of exhaust passages to the outside of the exhaust passage unit, wherein the plurality of exhaust passages are the exhaust passage unit. Is divided by a part of the exhaust flow path unit or a partition plate, a plurality of filters are provided inside the plurality of exhaust flow paths, and the plurality of exhaust flow paths and the plurality of filters are integrated. It is possible to detach from the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the apparatus includes an exhaust passage for exhausting a gas containing heat generated inside the image forming apparatus and a generated component to the outside of the apparatus, and a plurality of detachable filters. In the exhaust flow path unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus integrally with the filter, the performance of removing components contained in the gas can be improved.

1 is a configuration diagram viewed from the front of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exhaust flow path unit of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the right rear side of the image forming apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the same exhaust flow path unit. It is sectional drawing which looked at the exhaust flow path unit from the top. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification in the exhaust flow path of the same exhaust flow path unit. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification in the exhaust flow path of the same exhaust flow path unit, and a louver. It is a schematic diagram of the exhaust flow path unit which shows other embodiment by this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the exhaust flow path unit which shows other embodiment by this invention.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a copying machine as an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a first embodiment) will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine 500 according to the first embodiment viewed from the front.
The copier 500 according to the first embodiment includes a printer unit 100, a paper feeding unit 200, and a scanner unit 300 attached on the printer unit 100.

  The printer unit 100 includes process cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K as four process units, and an intermediate transfer belt 7 as an intermediate transfer member that is stretched by a plurality of stretching rollers and moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG. The image forming apparatus includes an exposure device 6 as an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a fixing device 12 as a fixing unit, and the like. Subscripts Y, M, C, and K attached to the reference numerals indicate members for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. The four process cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K have substantially the same configuration except that the colors of the toners to be used are different from each other. Therefore, the subscripts Y, M, C, and K are appropriately omitted below. To do.

The process cartridge 1 has a unit configuration in which a photosensitive member 2 as a latent image carrier, a charging member 3 as a charging unit, a developing device 4 as a developing unit, and a photosensitive member cleaning device 5 as a cleaning unit are integrally supported. It has become. Each process cartridge 1 can be attached to and detached from the copying machine 500 main body by releasing a stopper (not shown).
The photoconductor 2 rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure as indicated by the arrow in the figure. The charging member 3 is a roller-shaped charging roller, is in pressure contact with the surface of the photoconductor 2, and is rotated by the rotation of the photoconductor 2. At the time of image formation, a predetermined bias is applied to the charging member 3 by a high voltage power source (not shown), and the surface of the photoreceptor 2 is uniformly charged.

The exposure device 6 exposes the surface of the photoconductor 2 based on the image information of the original image read by the scanner unit 300 or the image information input from an external device such as a personal computer, and the electrostatic latent image is exposed on the surface of the photoconductor 2. Form an image.
The four process cartridges 1 form yellow, cyan, magenta, and black color toner images on the respective photoreceptors 2. The four process cartridges 1 are arranged in parallel in the surface movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 7, and transfer the toner images formed on the respective photoreceptors 2 in order to be superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in order. A visible image is formed on the belt 7.

  In FIG. 1, a primary transfer roller 8 serving as a primary transfer unit is disposed at a position facing each photoconductor 2 across the intermediate transfer belt 7. A primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 8 by a high voltage power source (not shown) to form a primary transfer electric field with the photosensitive member 2. By forming a primary transfer electric field between the photosensitive member 2 and the primary transfer roller 8, the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 2 is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7. One of a plurality of stretching rollers that stretch the intermediate transfer belt 7 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown), so that the intermediate transfer belt 7 moves in the direction of arrow A in the figure. A full color image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 by sequentially transferring the toner images of the respective colors on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 moving on the surface.

  With respect to the position where the four process cartridges 1 are opposed to the intermediate transfer belt 7, the intermediate transfer belt 7 is located on the downstream side of the surface movement direction with respect to the secondary transfer counter roller 9a which is one of the stretching rollers. A secondary transfer roller 9 is disposed at a position opposed to the belt 7 and forms a secondary transfer nip with the intermediate transfer belt 7. A predetermined voltage is applied between the secondary transfer roller 9 and the secondary transfer counter roller 9a to form a secondary transfer electric field. A full color formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 when the transfer paper P, which is a recording material fed from the paper feed unit 200 and conveyed in the direction of arrow S in FIG. 1, passes through the secondary transfer nip. The image is transferred onto the transfer paper P by a secondary transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roller 9 and the secondary transfer counter roller 9a.

  A fixing device 12 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer nip in the conveyance direction of the transfer paper P. The transfer paper P that has passed through the secondary transfer nip reaches the fixing device 12, the full color image transferred onto the transfer paper P is fixed by heating and pressurization in the fixing device 12, and the transfer paper P on which the image is fixed is The data is output outside the copying machine 500.

In the apparatus of the copying machine 500, ozone is generated from a process in which the charging member 3 is uniformly charged on the surface of the photoreceptor 2. In addition, heat is generated from an electrical device (not shown) such as a power supply device that supplies power to a motor that drives each photoconductor 2 or belt device, the fixing device 12, and the like as the image forming apparatus is operated.
An exhaust duct (not shown) is provided for each generation source as an exhaust passage for exhausting the gas containing ozone and heat to the outside of the apparatus. This exhaust duct has a blower drive means (not shown) such as a blower fan, and is connected to an exhaust port provided in the outer cover of the copying machine 500, and gas is supplied to an exhaust passage unit 50 described later through this exhaust port. Transport.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the copying machine 500 and the exhaust flow path unit 50 in a state detached from the copying machine 500 as viewed from the right rear side of the copying machine 500 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the exterior cover of the copying machine 500 is formed in a concave shape, and the exhaust flow path unit 50 is installed at a position where it is engaged with the concave portion.
The copier 500 in the first embodiment has three exhaust ports 561, 571, 581. Among the three exhaust ports 561, 571, and 581, the exhaust port 561 provided at the upper right in FIG. 2 is connected to one end of an exhaust duct that conveys a gas containing ozone generated from the charging member 3. Exhaust the gas from. In addition, an exhaust port 571 provided below the exhaust port 561 from the charging member 3 is connected to an exhaust duct that conveys heat-generated gas generated from the fixing device 12, and discharges the gas from the fixing device 12. . Further, an exhaust port 581 provided in the concave portion of the copying machine 500 and facing upward in the vertical direction of the installation surface of the copying machine 500 is connected to one end of an exhaust duct that conveys heat-generated gas generated from the electrical equipment. The gas from the electrical equipment is discharged.

The exhaust passage unit 50 will be described in detail.
The exhaust flow path unit 50 in the first embodiment includes three receiving ports 61, 71, 81 on two surfaces in contact with three exhaust ports 561, 571, 581 provided in the copying machine 500. The three receiving ports 61, 71, 81 respectively receive the gas discharged from the three exhaust ports 561, 571, 581 of the copying machine 500 in the exhaust flow path unit 50.
Further, the exhaust flow path unit 50 is detachably provided in the direction indicated by an arrow X (hereinafter referred to as an attaching / detaching direction) in the drawing with respect to the copying machine 500. Three exchange ports 62, 72, 82 for taking out the filter are provided.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the exhaust flow path unit 50 cut along a plane orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction X.
As shown in FIG. 3, the exhaust passage unit 50 has three independent exhaust passages A, B, and C.
In the upper right of the exhaust flow path unit 50 in the figure, an exhaust flow path for discharging the gas conveyed from the charging member 3 through the exhaust duct to the outside of the exhaust flow path unit (hereinafter referred to as an exhaust flow path from the charging member). A) is provided. The exhaust passage A from the charging member 3 includes a receiving port 61 for receiving the gas conveyed from the charging member 3 into the exhaust passage unit 50, an ozone filter 63 for removing ozone generated from the charging member 3. , And a discharge unit 64. Further, the exhaust passage A from the charging member 3 includes a partition plate 53, a partition 54 formed integrally with the exterior cover of the exhaust passage unit 50, and the inner surface of the exterior cover of the exhaust passage unit 50. Is formed by. The partition plate 53 is a common partition that divides an exhaust passage B from the fixing device 12 described later and an exhaust passage A from the charging member 3.

  The gas taken into the exhaust flow path unit from the receiving port 61 passes through the exhaust flow path A, passes through the ozone filter 63, and flows through the louver 51 (described later) provided outside the discharge portion 64 in the discharge direction. It is discharged outside the road unit 50.

Below the exhaust passage A from the charging member 3, an exhaust passage (hereinafter referred to as h from the fixing device) for discharging the gas conveyed from the fixing device 12 through the exhaust duct to the outside of the exhaust passage unit. B) (referred to as an exhaust passage) is provided. The exhaust passage B from the fixing device 12 includes a receiving port 71 for receiving the gas conveyed from the fixing device 12 into the exhaust passage unit 50, and a dustproof filter or VOC for removing dust generated from the fixing device 12. A filter 83 and a discharge unit 74 are provided. Further, the flow path of the exhaust flow path B from the fixing device 12 is formed by the partition plate 53, the partition portion 54, and the inner surface of the exterior cover of the exhaust flow path unit 50.
The gas taken into the exhaust flow path unit from the receiving port 71 passes through the exhaust flow path B, passes through the dustproof filter or the VOC filter 83, and exhausts through the louver 51 provided on the outer side in the discharge direction of the discharge portion 74. It is discharged to the outside of the flow path unit 50.

Further, on the left side of the drawing, an exhaust passage (hereinafter referred to as an exhaust passage from the electrical equipment) C for exhausting the gas conveyed from the electrical equipment through the exhaust duct to the outside of the exhaust passage unit is provided. It has been. The exhaust passage C from the electrical equipment includes a receiving port 81 that receives the gas conveyed from the electrical equipment into the exhaust flow path unit 50, and a dustproof filter or VOC filter 83 for removing dust generated from the electrical equipment. , And a discharge unit 84. Further, the flow path of the exhaust flow path C from the electrical equipment is formed by the partition portion 54 and the inner surface of the exterior cover of the exhaust flow path unit 50.
The gas taken into the exhaust flow path unit from the receiving port 81 passes through the exhaust flow path C, passes through the dust-proof filter or the VOC filter 83, and passes through a louver 52 (described later) provided outside the discharge portion 84 in the discharge direction. And discharged to the outside of the exhaust flow path unit 50.

  The exhaust flow path unit 50 includes two louvers 51 and 52 in a part of the exterior cover of the exhaust flow path unit 50. Of the two louvers, one louver 51 is provided on a surface in the direction of the rear surface 501 of the copying machine 500 shown in FIG. It is installed so as to block the discharge portions 64 and 74 between the exhaust passage A and the exhaust passage B from the fixing device. The other louver 52 is provided on a part of the upper wall surface in the vertical direction of the copier 500 installation surface among the wall surfaces constituting the exhaust flow path unit 50, and the discharge portion 84 of the exhaust flow path C from the electrical equipment. It is provided so as to block.

The replacement of the plurality of filters 63, 73, 83 in the exhaust flow path unit 50 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a horizontal plane with respect to the attaching / detaching direction X so that the gas receiving port 61 from the charging member 3 of the exhaust flow path unit 50 is cut.
The exhaust passage unit 50 is provided with three exchange ports 62, 72, and 82 (partially not shown) for exchanging each filter on the surface in contact with the copier 500 in the attaching / detaching direction X with respect to the copier 500. Yes. The two filters 63 and 83 provided respectively in the two exhaust flow paths A and C shown in the figure have the outer edges of the two filters 63 and 83 with respect to the two exchange ports 62 and 82 shown in the figure. It is installed to touch. The two filters 63 and 83 can be attached / detached in the direction of the arrow Y in the drawing through the replacement ports 62 and 82 in a state where the exhaust flow path unit 50 is removed from the copying machine 500. Further, when the exhaust flow path unit 50 is mounted on the copying machine 500, the replacement ports 62 and 82 are in a state where the opening is closed by the cover of the copying machine 500.

  Further, the exhaust passage B from the fixing device 12 (not shown) has an exchange port 72 in the same arrangement as the exhaust passage A from the charging member 3. Further, the dustproof filter or VOC filter 73 provided in the exhaust flow path B from the fixing device 12 is also installed under the same conditions as described above, and can be detached by the same method.

As described above, inside the exhaust passage unit detachable from the copying machine 500, the independent exhaust passages A, B, C and the discharges provided in the independent exhaust passages A, B, C are provided. By providing the units 64, 74, and 84 and the plurality of filters 63, 73, and 83, the gas including heat and ozone generated from the copying machine 500 can be discharged to the outside of the unit device. Therefore, it is possible to replace a plurality of filters in one unit, and to set up an exhaust flow rate suitable for the characteristics of the components contained in the gas and to set the exhaust flow rate appropriate for the filter removal capability. This can be performed for each flow path, and the component removal performance can be improved. The exhaust flow rate can be set by, for example, the air volume of the blower fan provided in the exhaust duct of the copying machine 500 main body or the cross-sectional area of the exhaust flow path of the exhaust flow path unit 50.
Further, since a plurality of exchange ports 62, 72, 82 for exchanging the plurality of filters 63, 73, 83 are provided on one surface of the exhaust flow path unit, all the filters are exchanged from one surface. And maintainability can be improved.

<Modification 1>
A modified example (hereinafter referred to as modified example 1) of the exhaust flow path B from the electrical equipment of the exhaust flow path unit and the exhaust flow path C from the fixing device 12 in the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the exhaust flow path unit 50 according to the present invention cut along a plane orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction X.
FIG. 5A shows a normal operation state, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the exhaust heat temperature from the electrical equipment has reached a predetermined temperature or less.
The copying machine 500 according to the first modification includes a drive source (not shown) for operating an opening / closing member 55 described later, and a temperature sensor (not shown) provided near the electrical device. Further, the exhaust flow path unit 50 includes an opening / closing member 55 in a part of the partition portion 54 that divides the flow path between the exhaust flow path B from the electrical device and the exhaust flow path C from the fixing device 12.

During normal operation, as shown in FIG. 5A, the opening / closing member 55 is in a closed state, and the gas conveyed from the electrical device and the gas conveyed from the fixing device 12 are respectively It passes through the exhaust passage and is discharged outside the exhaust passage unit.
When the exhaust heat temperature from the electrical equipment reaches a predetermined temperature or lower from the state of FIG. 5A, the temperature sensor detects this and sends a signal to the control unit 600. The control unit 600 receives a signal from the temperature sensor, transmits a signal to the drive source, and drives the drive source. When the drive source starts driving, as shown in FIG. 5B, the opening / closing member 55 opens in the arrow direction b in the figure, and the exhaust flow path B from the electrical device and the exhaust flow path C from the fixing device 12 merge. Then, exhaust is performed from the discharge portions 74 and 84 in the two directions of the side surface direction and the upper surface direction.

Attention is paid to the flow of gas conveyed through the two exhaust flow paths B and C that have joined together.
Generally, the exhaust heat temperature from the fixing device in the image forming apparatus is higher than the exhaust heat temperature from the electrical device. In general, when hot air has a lower density than cold air, a natural convection chimney effect is generated in which buoyancy occurs in the hot air.
Since the exhaust heat temperature from the fixing device 12 is higher than the exhaust heat temperature from the electrical device, the exhaust flow path B from the fixing device and the exhaust flow from the electrical device as shown in FIG. When the path C merges, buoyancy is generated in the high-temperature gas passing through the exhaust flow path B from the fixing device 12.
In the first embodiment, the exhaust direction of the exhaust flow path B from the fixing device 12 is provided in a direction parallel to the vertical direction of the copier 500 installation surface, and the exhaust direction of the exhaust flow path C from the electrical equipment is set to the copier 500 installation surface. It is provided upward in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the high-temperature gas generated from the fixing device 12 passes through the exhaust passage C from the electrical device and is discharged to the outside.

Further, since the exhaust heat temperature from the fixing device in the image forming apparatus becomes a high temperature of 180 ° C. to 200 ° C., there is a concern about the influence on other units mounted in the image forming apparatus. However, exhaust heat from the fixing device 12 can be efficiently performed by joining the exhaust passages of the electrical device and the fixing device 12 using the opening / closing member 55 as in Modification 1.
In the first modification, the temperature at which exhaust heat sufficient to satisfy the function of the electrical device is almost finished is set as a predetermined temperature of the exhaust heat temperature from the electrical device.

<Modification 2>
In the first embodiment, the arrangement of the exhaust passage A from the charging member 3 and the exhaust passage B from the fixing device 12 of the exhaust passage unit 50 and a modified example of the louver 51 (hereinafter referred to as modified example 2). Will be described.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the exhaust flow path unit 50 according to the present invention cut along a plane orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction X.
In the second modification, an exhaust passage B from the fixing device 12 is provided at the upper right in the figure, and an exhaust passage A from the charging device is provided below the exhaust passage from the fixing device 12.
Further, the louver 51 installed on the outer side in the exhaust direction of the discharge portions 64 and 74 of the two exhaust passages is arranged so that the ejection direction of the exhaust passage B from the fixing device 12 is upward as shown in FIG. The ejection direction of the exhaust passage A from the charging member 3 is configured to face downward. Specifically, the wing of the louver 51 in the portion facing the exhaust part 74 of the exhaust flow path B from the fixing device 12 is inclined so as to be higher toward the outside in the discharge direction. Further, the wing of the louver 51 in the part facing the exhaust part 64 of the exhaust flow path A from the charging member 3 is configured to be inclined downward toward the outside in the discharge direction.

  Since the discharge direction of the exhaust from the fixing device 12 is upward, the exhaust from the inside of the exhaust passage unit to the outside is utilized by utilizing the chimney effect generated when the high temperature gas contacts the outside air outside the unit. It is possible to create an air flow that is easy to be removed. Moreover, the gas containing ozone has a higher specific gravity than air due to the nature of ozone. For this reason, by making the discharge direction of the exhaust gas from the charging member 3 downward, it is possible to create an air current flow in which the gas containing ozone is easily exhausted from the inside of the exhaust flow path unit to the outside. Furthermore, since the louver 51 is configured in a direction in which the airflows discharged from the two discharge portions 64 and 74 are separated from each other, it is possible to prevent the airflows from being batted and to prevent the airflow from directly hitting the user. Can do.

Second Embodiment
Another embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a second embodiment) of the exhaust passage unit 50 in the present invention will be described.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the exhaust flow path unit in the present invention.
In the first embodiment, the copier 500 is provided with three exhaust ports, and the exhaust channel unit 50 is provided with three independent exhaust channels A, B, and C so as to engage with the exhaust port. The present invention can be applied even when the number of exhaust ports of the machine 500 is two.
The copying machine 500 according to the second embodiment includes two exhaust ports (not shown) in a recess provided on the outer wall of the copying machine 500. One of the two exhaust ports is connected to an exhaust duct through which a gas containing heat generated from the fixing device 12 is transported, and discharges the transported gas from the fixing device 12 to the outside of the copying machine. The other exhaust port is connected to one end of an exhaust duct through which a gas containing ozone generated from the charging member 3 is transported, and discharges the transported gas from the charging member 3 to the outside of the copying machine.

As shown in FIG. 7, the exhaust flow path unit 50 in the second embodiment includes an exhaust flow path B that discharges gas from the fixing device, and a charging member 3 below the exhaust flow path B from the fixing device. And an exhaust passage A for discharging the gas. Further, the exhaust flow path unit 50 has two receiving ports 71 and 61 and replacement ports 72 and 62 for the filters 73 and 63 on the surface in contact with the copying machine 500 in the detaching direction with respect to the copying machine 500.
About the installation conditions and replacement | exchange of each filter 73 and 63, since it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As described above, the exhaust passage unit 50 is provided with the plurality of independent exhaust passages A and B, the exchange ports 72 and 62 for exchanging the filters, and the respective discharge portions 74 and 64 in the first implementation. A plurality of filters can be exchanged in the same procedure as the embodiment, and maintainability can be improved. Furthermore, since gas can be discharged from the independent exhaust passages A and B through the respective filters 73 and 63, the removal performance can be improved as in the first embodiment.

<Third Embodiment>
Still another embodiment of the exhaust passage unit 50 in the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a third embodiment) will be described.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a third embodiment of the exhaust passage unit in the present invention.
In the second embodiment, the receiving port provided in the exhaust flow path unit is provided on the same wall surface, but may be provided on different wall surfaces as shown in FIG.
The copier 500 according to the third embodiment includes two exhaust ports for discharging gas generated from the main body device. One exhaust port is provided on a surface of the exhaust flow path unit 50 that is in contact with the attaching / detaching direction with respect to the copying machine 500, and is connected to an exhaust duct that conveys ozone generated from the charging member 3, and discharges gas containing ozone. The other is provided on the upper surface of the concave portion provided in the outer cover of the copying machine 500 in the vertical direction of the copying machine 500, and the gas containing heat generated from the fixing device 12 and the electrical device is conveyed. Connected to one end of the exhaust duct, the gas of the fixing device 12 and the gas of the electrical equipment are discharged.

Two exhaust flow paths A and D are provided inside the exhaust flow path unit 50 in the third embodiment.
One exhaust flow path A is provided in the upper direction of the exhaust flow path unit 50 in the drawing, and has a receiving port 61 for receiving the gas conveyed from the charging member 3 through the exhaust duct into the exhaust flow path unit 50, and ozone. A filter 63 and a discharge unit 64 are provided. The receiving port 61 is provided on a surface that comes into contact with the copying machine 500 in the attaching / detaching direction.
The other exhaust flow path D is provided below the exhaust flow path A from the charging member 3 in the figure, and the gas conveyed from the electrical equipment and the fixing device 12 via the exhaust duct is supplied into the exhaust flow path unit 50. A receiving port 91 for receiving, a dustproof filter or VOC filter 93, and a discharge unit 94 are provided. The receiving port 91 is provided on the surface of the exhaust passage unit 50 that faces downward in the vertical direction of the copying machine 500.
Further, filter replacement ports 62 and 92 are provided on the surface in contact with the copying direction of the copying machine 500. About the installation conditions and replacement | exchange of each filter 63 and 93, since it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

As described above, the exhaust passage unit 50 is provided with the plurality of independent exhaust passages A and D, the exchange ports 62 and 92 for exchanging the filters, and the discharge portions 64 and 94 in the first embodiment. A plurality of filters can be exchanged in the same procedure as the embodiment, and maintainability can be improved. Furthermore, since the gas can be discharged through the respective filters 63 and 93 from the plurality of independent exhaust passages A and D, the removal performance can be improved as in the first embodiment.
Further, the exhaust flow path unit 50 of the third embodiment is also applied to a copying machine in which the exhaust heat of the electrical equipment and the fixing device is integrated into one flow path and the ozone exhaust flow path is a single flow path. be able to.

In the first to third embodiments of the present invention, a wall is provided on all surfaces of the exhaust flow path unit 50 that form the exterior cover. This wall is attached to the copier 500 by the exhaust flow path unit 50. It may be configured only by a surface that does not come into contact with the copying machine 500 in a state where it is formed. When the exhaust flow path unit 50 is attached to the copier 500 and an opening is made without providing a wall on the surface in contact with the copier 500, the copy is made in the state where the exhaust flow path unit 50 is attached to the copier 500. Since the wall surface of the machine 500 forms a plurality of exhaust passages as a part of the exterior cover of the exhaust passage unit 50, the members constituting the exhaust passage unit 50 can be reduced.
Further, among the wall surfaces forming the exhaust channel unit 50, at least the surface in contact with the copying machine 500 in the attaching / detaching direction X is not provided with an opening so that the exhaust channel unit 50 can be integrally molded with resin or the like. Thus, the number of parts constituting the exhaust flow path unit 50 can be reduced and a simple structure can be achieved.

  In the first to third embodiments of the present invention, a part of the exterior cover constituting the exhaust flow path unit 50 also serves as a part of the exterior cover of the copying machine 500. Therefore, the exhaust passage unit 50 can be removed without removing the outer cover of the copier 500, and can be easily attached and detached as compared with the case where the exhaust passage unit 50 is provided inside the outer cover of the copier 500. It is possible to improve the maintainability of the plurality of filters provided inside the exhaust flow path unit.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
(Aspect A)
An exhaust passage for exhausting a gas containing heat generated in the image forming apparatus such as the copying machine 500 and a generated component to the outside of the apparatus, a detachable ozone filter 63, a dustproof filter or a VOC filter 73, And an exhaust passage unit such as an exhaust passage unit 50 that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus.
In this exhaust passage unit, a plurality of exhaust passages such as independent exhaust passages A, B, C, and D, and a discharge portion 64 that discharges gas from the plurality of exhaust passages to the outside of the exhaust passage unit, 74, 84, 94, etc., and the plurality of exhaust passages are configured by dividing the exhaust passage unit by a part of the exhaust passage unit or a partition, The plurality of exhaust flow paths and the plurality of filters can be integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus.

In this embodiment, inside the exhaust passage unit that can be attached to and detached from the copying machine 500, the independent exhaust passages A, B, and C, and the independent exhaust passages A, B, and C are each provided with a discharge portion 64. , 74, and 84, the heat and ozone-containing gas generated from the copying machine 500 can be discharged to the outside of each unit device.
As a result, a plurality of filters can be exchanged in one unit, and the exhaust flow rate suitable for the installation of the filter according to the characteristics of the components contained in the gas, the characteristics of the components, and the filter removal ability Each can be set, and the component removal performance can be improved.

(Aspect B)
In the aspect A, the plurality of exhaust passages include a gas containing ozone generated from the photosensitive unit, a gas with heat generated from the fixing device, and a gas with heat generated from the electrical device. It is characterized by comprising exhaust passages for discharging each.
According to this, a plurality of filters can be replaced by one unit, and each filter can be installed in accordance with the characteristics of ozone and dust contained in the gas, and it is suitable for the removal of components. Each exhaust flow rate can be set. Therefore, the component removal performance can be improved.

(Aspect C)
In the aspect B, among the plurality of discharge portions, a discharge portion of the exhaust passage from the electrical device is provided upward in the vertical direction of the installation surface of the image forming device, and heat generated from the electrical device is below a predetermined temperature. When this happens, a part of the same wall surface that forms the exhaust flow path from the electrical device such as the opening / closing member 55 and the exhaust flow path from the fixing device exchanges, and the exhaust flow path from the electrical device And the exhaust flow path from the fixing device merge, and the heat-generated gas generated from the fixing device is discharged into the exhaust flow path from the electrical device and the exhaust flow path from the fixing device It discharges from two places with the discharge part prepared for.
In this embodiment, by using the opening / closing member 55 to join the exhaust passages of the electrical device and the fixing device 12, a gas having a heat generated from the fixing device 12 using the natural convection chimney effect is used. Priority can be given to exhaust. Therefore, exhaust heat from the fixing device can be efficiently performed.

(Aspect D)
In any one of the aspects A to C, two of the plurality of ejection portions are provided in the same surface direction of the exhaust passage unit, and an exhaust passage directly connected to the two ejection portions is generated from the fixing device. The exhaust flow path for discharging the heat-generating gas and the exhaust flow path for discharging the gas containing ozone generated from the photosensitive unit, and the ejection direction of the ejection section of the exhaust flow path from the fixing device The exhaust flow path is provided in such a manner that the ejection direction of the ejection path of the exhaust flow path from the photoconductor unit is directed downward in the vertical direction of the installation surface of the image forming apparatus. unit.
According to this, using the chimney effect generated when the high-temperature gas touches the outside air outside the unit, the heated gas generated from the fixing device 12 is exhausted from the inside to the outside. Easy airflow can be made. Moreover, since the gas containing ozone has a specific gravity heavier than that of air due to the nature of ozone, the gas containing ozone can be moved from the inside of the exhaust passage unit to the outside by setting the direction of the discharge of the exhaust from the charging member 3 downward. It is possible to create an air flow that is easy to exhaust.
Furthermore, since the louver 51 is configured in a direction in which the airflows discharged from the two discharge portions 64 and 74 are separated from each other, it is possible to prevent the airflows from being batted and to prevent the airflow from directly hitting the user. Can do.

(Aspect E)
In any one of the aspects A to D, a part of the wall surface forming the exhaust flow path unit forms a part of an exterior cover of the image forming apparatus, and the exhaust flow path unit is connected to the image forming apparatus. The exhaust flow path unit, wherein the filter installation location in the flow path unit is exposed by being removed.
According to this, the exhaust passage unit 50 can be removed without removing the outer cover of the copier 500, and it is easier to attach and detach than when the exhaust passage unit 50 is provided inside the outer cover of the copier 500. It is possible to improve the maintainability of the plurality of filters provided in the exhaust flow path unit.

(Aspect F)
An exhaust passage for discharging a gas containing heat generated in the image forming apparatus and a generated component to the outside of the apparatus, and a plurality of removable filters, and the plurality of filters are integrated. The image forming apparatus includes an exhaust passage unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus. In this image forming apparatus, the exhaust flow path unit according to any one of aspects A to E is provided as the exhaust flow path unit.
In this aspect, it is possible to improve the maintainability of the filter of the exhaust passage unit provided in the image forming apparatus and the removal performance with respect to the components contained in the gas.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Process cartridge 2 Photoconductor 3 Charging member 12 Fixing device 50 Exhaust flow path unit 51,52 Louver 53 Partition plate 54 Partition part 55 Opening / closing member 61,71,81,91 Reception port 62,72,82,92 Replacement port 63, 73, 83, 93 Filters 64, 74, 84, 94 Discharge unit 100 Printer unit 200 Feed unit 300 Scanner unit 500 Copiers 561, 571, 581 Exhaust ports A, B, C, D Exhaust channel X Exhaust channel unit Attachment / detachment direction Y Filter attachment / detachment direction Z Opening member movable direction P Transfer paper

JP 2000-330435 A

Claims (6)

An exhaust passage for discharging a gas containing heat generated in the image forming apparatus and a generated component to the outside of the apparatus, and a plurality of removable filters, and the plurality of filters are integrated. In the exhaust flow path unit detachable from the image forming apparatus,
A plurality of independent exhaust passages, and one or a plurality of discharge portions for discharging gas from the plurality of exhaust passages to the outside of the exhaust passage unit, wherein the plurality of exhaust passages are the exhaust passage unit. In which the plurality of exhaust flow paths and the plurality of filters are integrated and detachable from the image forming apparatus. Exhaust flow path unit. 2. The exhaust flow path unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of exhaust flow paths generate a gas containing ozone generated from the photosensitive unit, a heat-generated gas generated from the fixing device, and a heat generated from the electrical device. An exhaust passage unit comprising exhaust passages for discharging each gas. The exhaust flow path unit according to claim 2,
Among the plurality of discharge portions, the discharge portion of the exhaust passage from the electrical device is provided upward in the vertical direction of the installation surface of the image forming device, and when the heat generated from the electrical device becomes a predetermined temperature or less, A part of the same wall surface forming the exhaust flow path from the electrical device and the exhaust flow path from the fixing device exchanges, and the exhaust flow path from the electrical device and the exhaust flow path from the fixing device And the heat-generated gas generated from the fixing device comes from two places: a discharge portion provided in the exhaust passage from the electrical device and a discharge portion provided in the exhaust passage from the fixing device. An exhaust passage unit characterized by being discharged. The exhaust flow path unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Two of the plurality of ejection portions are provided in the same plane direction of the exhaust flow path unit, and an exhaust flow path that is directly connected to the two ejection portions is an exhaust that discharges heat-generated gas generated from the fixing device. A flow path and an exhaust flow path for discharging gas containing ozone generated from the photoconductor unit;
The ejection direction of the ejection part of the exhaust flow path from the fixing device is directed upward in the vertical direction of the installation surface of the image forming apparatus, and the ejection direction of the ejection part of the exhaust flow path from the photoreceptor unit is set as the installation direction of the image forming apparatus. An exhaust flow path unit characterized by being provided downward in the surface vertical direction. The exhaust passage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A part of the wall surface forming the exhaust flow path unit forms a part of an exterior cover of the image forming apparatus, and the exhaust flow path unit is removed from the image forming apparatus, thereby An exhaust passage unit in which a filter installation location is exposed. An exhaust passage for discharging a gas containing heat generated in the image forming apparatus and a generated component to the outside of the apparatus, and a plurality of removable filters, and the plurality of filters are integrated. In the image forming apparatus provided with an exhaust passage unit detachable from the image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus comprising the exhaust flow path unit according to claim 1 as the exhaust flow path unit.

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