JP2016052941A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inhibit disorder of mediums during loading while preventing the mediums from sticking to each other, compared to a case where a suction member does not suction a gas at the upstream side of a spray member.SOLUTION: An image formation device (U) includes: a loading part (TRh) on which mediums (S) with images recorded thereon are loaded; a spray member (16) which is disposed above the loading part (TRh) and sprays a cooling gas to the mediums (S) discharged to the loading part (TRh); and a suction member (4) which is disposed at the upstream side of the spray member (16) with respect to a transportation direction of the mediums (S) discharged to the loading part (TRh) and suctions a gas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus, techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below are known as techniques for cooling a medium on which an image is recorded.
In Japanese Patent No. 4072672 as Patent Document 1, a blower fan (90) disposed above a discharge tray (35) is operated according to sheet type conditions and job conditions, and the discharge tray (35) is operated. A technique for cooling the discharged sheet (S1) is described.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-30891 as Patent Document 2, a suction port (4) and an exhaust port (5) are formed in a cover (7) of an image forming apparatus main body, and a cooling fan ( 1), a configuration is described in which the sheet (2a) conveyed toward the sheet discharge stack unit (6) is cooled inside the image forming apparatus.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-34321 as Patent Document 3, a part of the exhaust heat fan (30) of the fixing device (20) is blown on the upper side of the sheet material (S), and the intake fan (31) is used. A technique for blowing inspired outside air from the lower side of the sheet material (S) is described.

Japanese Patent No. 4072672 ("0024", "0026", FIGS. 1 and 3) JP-A-11-30891 ("0007" to "0008", FIG. 1) JP-A-9-34321 ("0022" to "0026", FIG. 1)

  An object of the present invention is to suppress disturbance during loading while preventing sticking of media to each other as compared with a case where the suction member does not suck gas upstream of the spray member.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
A loading section on which a medium on which an image is recorded is loaded;
A blowing member that is disposed above the stacking unit and that blows a cooling gas against a medium discharged to the stacking unit;
A suction member that is disposed upstream of the spraying member with respect to the conveyance direction of the medium discharged to the stacking unit, and sucks gas;
It is provided with.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
The stacking unit having a base end supported on the outer wall of the main body of the image forming apparatus;
The spray member supported on the outside of the outer wall;
The suction member disposed inside the outer wall;
An intake portion that is disposed corresponding to the suction member and formed through the outer wall, and is capable of inhaling external gas;
It is provided with.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect,
An attachment member for attaching the blowing member to the outer wall, wherein the attachment member is formed with a flow path of gas flowing from the blowing member to the suction member;
It is provided with.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect,
The suction member that blows the sucked gas against the medium transported inside the outer wall;
It is provided with.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
With respect to the width direction crossing the medium discharge direction, a plurality of the spray members arranged at intervals, and
A plurality of suction members arranged at intervals with respect to the width direction, and arranged at positions between the spray members; and
It is provided with.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as compared with a case where the suction member does not suck the gas on the upstream side of the spraying member, it is possible to suppress the turbulence during loading while preventing the media from sticking to each other.
According to invention of Claim 2, gas can be attracted | sucked with the suction member arrange | positioned inside the outer wall.
According to invention of Claim 3, when a blowing member is attached, a flow path is securable.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, gas can be sprayed on the medium not only by the spraying member but also by the suction member.
According to invention of Claim 5, compared with the case where a suction member is not arrange | positioned between spraying members, the flow of gas can be made smooth.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a portion from which the recording sheet of Example 1 is discharged. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating the positional relationship between the spray member and the suction member. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional configuration in which the gas blown by the blowing member is not sucked by the suction member. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a gas flow between the cooling fan and the suction fan, FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram in the case of the first embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a diagram where positions of the cooling fan and the suction fan overlap in the width direction. It is explanatory drawing in the case.

Next, examples as specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

(Description of Overall Configuration of Printer U of First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a printer U as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a printer main body U1, a feeder unit U2 as an example of a supply device that supplies a medium to the printer main body U1, and a user. Has an operation unit UI for performing an operation.

(Description of Marking Configuration of Example 1)
In FIG. 1, the printer body U1 includes a control unit C that controls the printer U and a print image server COM as an example of an information transmission device connected to the outside of the printer U via a dedicated cable (not shown). A communication unit (not shown) that receives image information transmitted from the camera, a marking unit U1a as an example of an image recording unit that records an image on a medium, and the like. Connected to the print image server COM is a personal computer PC as an example of an image transmission device that is connected through a cable or a line such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and that transmits image information to be printed by the printer U. Yes.
The marking unit U1a is an example of an image holding body for printing photoconductors Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk for Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, K: black, and photographic images. A photoconductor Po for glossing the image. The photoreceptors Py to Po are composed of a photosensitive dielectric on the surface.

In FIG. 1, an example of a charger CCk, an exposure device ROSk as an example of a latent image forming device, a developing device Gk, and an example of a primary transfer device are arranged around a black photosensitive member Pk along the rotation direction of the photosensitive member Pk. As a primary transfer roll T1k, and a photoreceptor cleaner CLk as an example of an image carrier cleaner.
Similarly, around the other photoreceptors Py, Pm, Pc, Po, chargers CCy, CCm, CCc, CCo, exposure units ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, ROSo, developing units Gy, Gm, Gc, Go, primary transfer Rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, T1o, and photoconductor cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, CLo are disposed.
A toner cartridge Ky, Km, Kc, Kk, Ko containing a developer supplied to the developing devices Gy to Go is detachably supported on the upper portion of the marking portion U1a as an example of a storage container.

Below each of the photoconductors Py to Po, an intermediate transfer belt B, which is an example of an intermediate transfer member and an example of an image carrier, is disposed. The intermediate transfer belt B is primary with the photoconductors Py to Po. It is sandwiched between the transfer rolls T1y to T1o. The back surface of the intermediate transfer belt B includes a drive roll Rd as an example of a drive member, a tension roll Rt as an example of a tension applying member, a walking roll Rw as an example of a meandering prevention member, and a plurality of examples of a driven member. The idler roll Rf, a backup roll T2a as an example of an opposing member for secondary transfer, a plurality of retract rolls R1 as an example of a movable member, and the primary transfer rolls T1y to T1o.
On the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt cleaner CLB as an example of an intermediate transfer member cleaner is disposed in the vicinity of the drive roll Rd.

A secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member is disposed opposite to the backup roll T2a with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween. Further, a contact roll T2c as an example of a contact member is in contact with the backup roll T2a in order to apply a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the developer to the backup roll T2a.
The backup roll T2a, the secondary transfer roll T2b, and the contact roll T2c constitute the secondary transfer device T2 of Example 1. The primary transfer rolls T1y to T1o, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer device T2, and the like. The transfer devices T1, B, and T2 of Example 1 are configured.

Below the secondary transfer device T2, a paper feed tray TR1 is provided as an example of a storage unit that stores a recording sheet S as an example of a medium. A pickup roll Rp as an example of a take-out member and a separating roll Rs as an example of a separating member are arranged obliquely above and to the right of the sheet feeding tray TR1. A conveyance path SH that conveys the recording sheet S extends from the separation roll Rs, and a plurality of conveyance rolls Ra as an example of a conveyance member that conveys the recording sheet S to the downstream side are arranged along the conveyance path SH. Yes.
As an example of an unnecessary portion removing device, the recording sheet S is sandwiched with a preset pressure on the downstream side of the separating roll Rs, and is conveyed downstream to remove unnecessary portions at the edge of the recording sheet S. A deburring device Bt for performing deburring is disposed.

On the downstream side of the deburring device Bt, a detection device Jk for measuring the thickness of the recording sheet S passing therethrough and detecting a state in which a plurality of recording sheets S overlap, that is, so-called double feeding is disposed. A correction roll Rc that corrects an inclination with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S, that is, a so-called skew, is disposed on the downstream side of the double-feed detection device Jk as an example of a posture correction device. On the downstream side of the correction roll Rc, a registration roll Rr as an example of an adjustment member that adjusts the conveyance timing of the recording sheet S to the secondary transfer device T2 is disposed. Further, a sheet guide SG1 as an example of a medium guide member is disposed on the downstream side of the registration roll Rr.
The feeder unit U2 is also provided with paper feed trays TR2, TR3 and the like configured similarly to the paper feed tray TR1, the pickup roll Rp, the separating roll Rs, and the transport roll Ra. The transport path SH joins the transport path SH of the printer main body U1 on the upstream side of the double feed detection device Jk.

A plurality of conveying belts HB as an example of a medium conveying device are arranged on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the recording sheet S with respect to the secondary transfer roll T2b.
A fixing device F is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S with respect to the conveyance belt HB.
On the downstream side of the fixing device F, a decurler Hd that applies pressure to the recording sheet S to correct the curvature of the recording sheet S, that is, a so-called curl, is disposed.
On the downstream side of the decurler Hd, a transport path SH extends toward a discharge tray TRh as an example of a stacking unit. A discharge roll Rh as an example of a discharge member is disposed at the downstream end of the transport path SH.

On the downstream side of the decurler Hd, a reversing path SH2 is formed as an example of a transport path branched from the transport path SH. A first gate GT1 as an example of a transport direction switching member is disposed at a branch portion between the transport path SH and the reversal path SH2.
In the reversing path SH2, a plurality of switchback rolls Rb as an example of a conveying member capable of rotating forward and reverse are arranged. On the upstream side of the switchback roll Rb, a connection path SH3 is formed as an example of a transport path that branches off from the upstream portion of the reversing path SH2 and joins the downstream side of the branch section of the transport path SH with the reversing path SH2. Has been. A second gate GT2 as an example of a transfer direction switching member is disposed at a branch portion between the reversing path SH2 and the connection path SH3.

On the downstream side of the reversing path SH2, a folding path SH4 for reversing the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S, that is, for switching back, is disposed below the fixing device F. In the return path SH4, a switchback roll Rb as an example of a conveying member capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions is disposed. In addition, a third gate GT3 as an example of a conveyance direction switching member is disposed at the entrance of the return path SH4.
The transport path SH on the downstream side of the return path SH4 joins the transport path SH of the paper feed tray TR1.

(Marking operation)
In the printer U, when image information transmitted from the personal computer PC is received via the print image server COM, a job which is an image forming operation is started. When the job is started, the photoreceptors Py to Po, the intermediate transfer belt B, and the like rotate.
The photoreceptors Py to Po are rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown).
The chargers CCy to CCo are applied with a preset voltage to charge the surfaces of the photoreceptors Py to Po.
The exposure machines ROSy to ROSo output laser light Ly, Lm, Lc, Lk, Lo as an example of light for writing a latent image in accordance with a control signal from the control unit C, and charge the photoconductors Py to Po. An electrostatic latent image is written on the surface.
The developing units Gy to Go develop the electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photoreceptors Py to Po into visible images.
The toner cartridges Ky to Ko replenish the developer consumed with the development in the developing units Gy to Go.

The primary transfer rolls T <b> 1 y to T <b> 1 o are applied with a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the developer, and transfer the visible images on the surfaces of the photoreceptors Py to Po onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B.
The photoreceptor cleaners CLy to CLo remove and clean the developer remaining on the surfaces of the photoreceptors Py to Po after the primary transfer.
When the intermediate transfer belt B passes through the primary transfer region facing the photoconductors Py to Po, the images are transferred and stacked in the order of O, Y, M, C, and K, and face the secondary transfer unit T2. Passes through the secondary transfer region Q4. In the case of a single color image, an image of only one color is transferred and sent to the secondary transfer area Q4.

The pick-up roll Rp records from the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 to which the recording sheet S is supplied in accordance with the size of the received image information, the designation of the recording sheet S, the size and type of the stored recording sheet S, and the like. The sheet S is sent out.
The separating roll Rs separates and separates the recording sheets S sent out from the pickup roll Rp one by one.
The deburring device Bt applies a preset pressure to the passing recording sheet S to remove burrs.
The double feed detection device Jk detects the double feed of the recording sheet S by detecting the thickness of the recording sheet S passing therethrough.
The correction roll Rc corrects the skew by bringing the recording sheet S passing therethrough into contact with a wall surface (not shown).

The registration roll Rr sends out the recording sheet S in accordance with the timing when the image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B is sent to the secondary transfer region Q4.
The sheet guide SG1 guides the recording sheet S fed by the registration roll Rr to the secondary transfer area Q4.
The secondary transfer device T2 records the image of the intermediate transfer belt B on the recording sheet S by applying a secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the developer charging polarity set in advance to the backup roll T2a via the contact roll T2c. Transfer to sheet S.
The belt cleaner CLB removes the developer remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B after the image is transferred in the secondary transfer region Q4 and cleans it.
The conveyance belt HB holds the recording sheet S on which the image has been transferred by the secondary transfer unit T2 on the surface and conveys the recording sheet S to the downstream side.

The fixing device F includes a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating member and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure member. A heater h as an example of a heat source is accommodated inside the heating roll Fh. The fixing device F heats the recording sheet S passing through the fixing region Q5 where the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp are in contact with each other to fix the unfixed image on the surface of the recording sheet S. The heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp constitute fixing members Fp and Fh of Example 1.
The decurler Hd applies pressure to the recording sheet S that has passed through the fixing device F to remove the curvature of the recording sheet S, so-called curl.

When double-sided printing is performed, the recording sheet S that has passed through the decurler Hd is transported to the reversing path SH2 by being actuated by the first gate GT1, switched back by the folding path SH4, and then passed through the transport path SH. The image is retransmitted to the registration roll Rr and printing on the second side is performed.
When the recording sheet S discharged to the discharge tray TRh is discharged in a state where the surface on which the image is recorded is the upper surface, in the case of so-called face-up discharge, the recording sheet S is transported through the transport path SH and discharged by the discharge roll Rh. It is discharged to the tray TRh.

On the other hand, in the case of discharging so that the surface on which the image is recorded becomes the lower surface, in the case of so-called face-down discharge, the image is once carried from the conveyance path SH to the reversing path SH2. Then, after the rear end of the recording sheet S in the conveyance direction passes through the second gate GT2, the forward rotation of the switchback roll Rb is stopped. Then, the second gate GT2 is switched, the switchback roll Rb rotates in the reverse direction, and the recording sheet S is conveyed through the connection path SH3 and conveyed to the discharge tray TRh.
The discharged recording sheets S are stacked on the discharge tray TRh.

(Description of cooling system)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a portion from which the recording sheet of Example 1 is discharged.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating the positional relationship between the spray member and the suction member.
1 to 3, a discharge port 2 through which the recording sheet S discharged to the discharge tray TRh passes is formed in the right side wall 1 as an example of the outer wall of the printer main body U1. A plurality of intake ports 3 as an example of an intake unit are formed above the discharge port 2. A plurality of louvers 3 a are formed in the air inlet 3.

A suction fan 4 as an example of a suction member is disposed inside the air inlet 3. The suction fan 4 according to the first embodiment is configured as a so-called centrifugal fan, and is configured to be able to suck gas from the suction port 4a in the center and exhaust gas from the exhaust port 4b on the outer side in the radial direction. In the suction fan 4 according to the first embodiment, the position and orientation of the exhaust port 4b are set so that the gas from the exhaust port 4b is blown toward the transport path SH inside the discharge port 2.
In FIG. 3, two suction fans 4 according to the first embodiment are arranged with a predetermined interval with respect to the front-rear direction corresponding to the width direction of the recording sheet S.

  2 and 3, a cooling unit 11 as an example of a spraying device is supported on the outside of the air inlet 3 corresponding to a position corresponding to the upper side of the discharge tray TRh. The cooling unit 11 according to the first embodiment includes a bracket 12 as an example of an attachment member. The bracket 12 extends in the width direction of the recording sheet S. The bracket 12 has a plate-like plate portion 12a extending in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. Side wall portions 12b, 12c, and 12d are formed in a shape bent to the left at both the front and rear end portions and the upper end portion of the plate portion 12a. Moreover, the screwing part 12e as an example of an attaching part is formed in the front-and-rear both ends of the plate part 12a. The bracket 12 is configured to be screwed to the right side wall 1 via the screwing portion 12e. Therefore, the duct part 13 as an example of the flow path is configured by the space surrounded by the right side wall 1, the plate part 12a, and the side wall parts 12b to 12d.

  A fixing member 15 is supported on the right surface of the plate portion 12 a of the bracket 12. On the right side surface of the fixing member 15, a casing 14 is supported as an example of a container for a blowing member. The casing 14 has a plate-like bottom wall portion 14a extending in the front-rear direction. A left wall portion 14b extending upward is formed at the left end of the bottom wall portion 14a. The left wall portion 14b is fixedly supported on the right surface of the fixing member 13 by a projection and a hole (not shown). A right wall portion 14c extending upward is formed at the right end of the bottom wall portion 14a. In the casing 14 of the first embodiment, the height of the right wall portion 14c is formed to be lower than the height of the left wall portion 14b.

A cooling fan 16 as an example of a blowing member is supported on the bottom wall portion 14 a of the casing 14. In FIG. 2, an outlet 17 as an example of an opening is formed in the bottom wall portion 14 a at a position corresponding to the cooling fan 16.
In FIG. 3, three cooling fans 16 according to the first embodiment are arranged with a predetermined interval with respect to the front-rear direction which is the width direction of the recording sheet S. In the first exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the cooling fans 16 and the suction fans 4 are arranged so that the suction fans 4 are located between the cooling fans 16 in the width direction of the recording sheet S. Yes. That is, the cooling fan 16 and the suction fan 4 are arranged so as to alternate with each other.
The cooling fan 16 according to the first embodiment is supplied with power through a cable (not shown).

A front wall member 21 and a rear wall member 22 are supported at both ends of the casing 14. Further, a cover 23 as an example of an upper wall member is disposed above the casing 14. The cover 23 is supported such that the left end is hooked on the bracket 12. The cover 23 is formed in a curved shape so as to cover the upper and right sides of the cooling fan 16. In FIG. 2, a vent 23 a through which outside air can pass is formed as an example of an opening above the right portion of the cover 23.
Therefore, when the cooling fan 16 is activated, outside air is sucked into the space surrounded by the casing 14, the front and rear wall members 21, 22 and the cover 23 through the vent 23 a, and gas is blown downward from the outlet 17. It is done.

(Description of the control part of Example 1)
In FIG. 2, the control unit C of the printer U has an input / output interface I / O for inputting / outputting signals to / from the outside. In addition, the control unit C includes a ROM (read only memory) in which a program for performing necessary processing, information, and the like are stored. In addition, the control unit C includes a random access memory (RAM) for temporarily storing necessary data. The control unit C includes a central processing unit (CPU) that performs processing according to a program stored in a ROM or the like. Therefore, the control part C of Example 1 is comprised by the small information processing apparatus, what is called a microcomputer. Therefore, the control part C can implement | achieve various functions by running the program memorize | stored in ROM etc.

(Function of control unit C)
C1: Paper type determination unit The paper type determination unit C1 determines the type of the recording sheet S used in image formation. The paper type discriminating means C1 according to the first embodiment discriminates the type of the recording sheet S by reading information on the paper type preset for the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3. In the first embodiment, “plain paper”, “thick paper”, and “thin paper” are determined as paper types.
C2: Cooling Fan Control Unit The cooling fan control unit C2 controls the operation of the cooling fan 16. The cooling fan control unit C2 according to the first exemplary embodiment stops the cooling fan 16 when the paper type of the recording sheet S is “thin paper”, and the recording sheet S at the discharge port 2 when the paper type is other than “thin paper”. The cooling fan 16 is operated in accordance with the timing of passing the position. When the cooling fan 16 is operated, the cooling fan control unit C2 stops the cooling fan 16 when the image forming operation is completed.

C3: Suction fan control means The suction fan control means C3 controls the operation of the suction fan 4. The suction fan control unit C3 according to the first embodiment operates the suction fan 4 when the image forming operation is started, and stops the suction fan 4 when the image forming operation is completed. That is, in the first embodiment, the suction fan 4 is operated during the image forming operation regardless of the paper type of the recording sheet S.

(Cooling system action)
In the printer U of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the image formation is started, the suction fan 4 is operated, and when the recording sheet S to be used is other than “thin paper”, the cooling fan 16 is also operated. When the recording sheet S on which an image has been recorded passes through the conveyance path SH and is discharged to the discharge tray TRh, the recording sheet S is cooled by blowing air from the suction fan 4 and the cooling fan 16. .
When the recording sheet S is not cooled, the toner once melted by the fixing device F may be stacked on the discharge tray TRh in a state where the toner is not sufficiently hardened. In this state, when the next recording sheet S is stacked, the recording sheets S may stick to each other. When the attached recording sheets S are peeled off, the toner moves from the original recording sheet S. There is a problem that the image quality deteriorates.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the recording sheet S is cooled by the suction fan 4 and the cooling fan 16. Therefore, the sticking between the recording sheets S is reduced as compared with the case where the cooling system is not provided.
In the case of thin paper, the heat capacity of the paper itself is small and the temperature tends to decrease. Therefore, even if the cooling fan 16 is not operated, the suction fan 4 alone can be sufficiently cooled. Therefore, compared with the case where both the fans 4 and 16 are always operated, power consumption is suppressed.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional configuration in which the gas blown by the blowing member is not sucked by the suction member.
In FIG. 4, in the conventional configuration, when gas is blown onto the recording sheet 02 by the blowing member 01, the gas blown from the blowing member 01 may have a spiral 03 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet 02. there were. That is, on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet 02, the blown gas flows toward the open space, and vortices are unlikely to be generated, but on the upstream side, the right side wall 04 is disposed, and spatially Not open. Therefore, there are few gas escape places, and vortex 03 may occur. When the vortex 03 is generated, the recording sheet 02 falling toward the discharge tray may be moved by the vortex 03, and when the recording sheet 02 is stacked on the discharge tray, the recording sheet 02 is disturbed, and there is a problem in alignment and accommodation. It was.
In contrast, in the first embodiment, the gas blown by the cooling fan 16 is sucked by the suction fan 4 through the intake port 3. Therefore, the gas flows in a rectified state toward the suction fan 4 as compared with the conventional configuration in which there is no escape space for the gas. Therefore, the alignment and accommodation of the recording sheet S are improved as compared with the conventional configuration in which the vortex 03 is easily generated.

  In the first embodiment, the gas blown onto the recording sheet S is guided by the duct portion 13 between the bracket 12 and the right side wall 1 and is sucked into the intake fan 4. Therefore, compared to the case where the duct portion 13 is not provided, the gas blown to the recording sheet S and directed upstream in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S is smoothly sucked into the intake fan 4. In particular, the duct portion 13 is formed inside a bracket 12 that attaches the cooling device 11 to the right side wall 1. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the duct portion 13 is automatically formed by simply mounting the cooling device 11 to the printer U. Therefore, compared with the case where a separate member and parts are used in order to constitute the duct part 13, the duct part 13 can be formed easily and reliably.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a gas flow between the cooling fan and the suction fan, FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram in the case of the first embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a diagram where positions of the cooling fan and the suction fan overlap in the width direction. It is explanatory drawing in the case.
Further, in the first exemplary embodiment, the cooling fans 16 and the suction fans 4 are arranged so that the suction fans 4 are located between the cooling fans 16 in the width direction of the recording sheet S. As shown in FIG. 5B, in the configuration in which the cooling fan 16 and the suction fan 4 are arranged at positions where they overlap in the width direction of the recording sheet S, the gas blown onto the recording sheet S is the recording sheet S. , The flow may be disturbed by interfering with the air flow from the adjacent cooling fan 16 when flowing toward the suction fan 4. When the flow is disturbed, the gas flow in the duct portion 13 is stagnated, the gas flow is not smooth, vortices that disturb the recording sheet S are generated, and the suction by the suction fan 4 is stabilized. There is also a risk of disappearing. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, each cooling fan 16 and the suction fan 4 are located between the cooling fans 16 in the width direction of the recording sheet S. Are arranged as follows. Therefore, the gas from the two adjacent cooling fans 16 is sucked by the suction fan 4 disposed therebetween. Therefore, as compared with the configuration shown in FIG. 5B, the turbulence of the flow is reduced, and the vortex generation and the suction by the suction fan 4 are easily stabilized.

  Further, in Example 1, the gas once blown to the recording sheet S by the cooling fan 16 is sucked again by the suction fan 4 and blown to the recording sheet S in the conveyance path SH. That is, the gas sucked by the suction fan 4 is once blown to the recording sheet S, and the temperature rises. When the cooling device 11 is not attached and the medium has a large heat capacity, such as plain paper or cardboard, and the temperature has not dropped sufficiently before reaching the transport path SH, the suction fan 4 is connected to the intake port 3. When the cold outside air sucked from the air is directly blown, the surface on which the image of the recording sheet S is recorded is abruptly contracted, and the recording sheet S may be bent, that is, curled. If the recording sheet S is curved, a conveyance failure may occur or the stackability and storage performance of the discharge tray TRh may be deteriorated. On the other hand, in the embodiment, the gas whose temperature has once increased by the blowing by the cooling fan 16 is blown by the suction fan 4, and the shrinkage of the recording sheet S can be reduced.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H08) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, the printer U as an example of the image forming apparatus is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer U is configured by a copying machine, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality or all of these functions. It is also possible to do.

(H02) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the developer of five colors is used as the printer U is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a single-color image forming apparatus, four colors or less, or six colors or more The present invention can also be applied to a multicolor image forming apparatus.
(H03) In the above-described embodiment, the endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer belt B is illustrated as an example of the image carrier, but is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can be applied to a cylindrical intermediate transfer drum, a photosensitive drum, and a photosensitive belt.

(H04) In the above embodiment, it is desirable to provide the cooling device 11 with the duct portion 13, but the invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to secure the flow path by using a separate member.
(H05) In the embodiment described above, the numbers and positions of the suction fan 4 and the cooling fan 16 are not limited to the configurations exemplified in the embodiment. The number can be appropriately changed according to the image forming speed and the maximum usable recording sheet S. Further, the positional relationship between the suction fan 4 and the cooling fan 16 is desirably arranged alternately as shown in FIG. 5A, but may be arranged as shown in FIG. 5B.

(H06) In the above embodiment, the suction fan 4 is configured to suck the gas once blown from the cooling fan 16 onto the recording sheet S, but is not limited thereto. For example, in addition to the intake port 3 that sucks in the gas from the cooling fan 16, an intake port that directly sucks in outside air may be provided, and the air may be sucked from both.
(H07) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the cooling fan 16 is operated or the suction fan 4 is always operated according to the paper type is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. The cooling fan 16 can also be configured to always operate. The suction fan 4 can also be stopped according to the paper type. In addition to the control according to the paper type, the control is performed according to the size of the recording sheet S, the control according to the temperature in the image forming apparatus, and the number of sheets set in advance during continuous printing. It is also possible to make it the structure operated when exceeding. Further, for example, only the fans 4 and 16 corresponding to the portion where the image density is high can be operated according to the distribution of the image to be printed.

(H08) In the above-described embodiment, the suction fan 4 exemplifies the configuration in which the gas is blown toward the recording sheet S in the conveyance path SH, but is not limited thereto. For example, not for cooling the recording sheet S but for sucking the cooling gas for the fixing device F, for cooling the chargers CCy to CCo, or for generating ozone or discharge generated by the chargers CCy to CCo. It is also possible to use it as a gas suction member for conveying the floating developer generated in the product or the developing devices Gy to Go by an air current. The gas sucked by the suction fan 4 is preferably used for cooling the recording sheet S or the like, but may be configured to be exhausted to the outside as it is. Therefore, the suction fan 4 does not necessarily have to be installed inside the printer U, and can be installed outside, and can be configured to be incorporated in the cooling device 11.

1 ... Outer wall,
3 ... Intake part,
4 ... suction member,
12 ... Mounting member,
13 ... channel,
16 ... spraying member,
S ... medium,
TRh ... Loading section,
U: Image forming apparatus,
U1... Main body of the image forming apparatus.

Claims (5)

A loading section on which a medium on which an image is recorded is loaded;
A blowing member that is disposed above the stacking unit and that blows a cooling gas against a medium discharged to the stacking unit;
A suction member that is disposed upstream of the spraying member with respect to the conveyance direction of the medium discharged to the stacking unit, and sucks gas;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The stacking unit having a base end supported on the outer wall of the main body of the image forming apparatus;
The spray member supported on the outside of the outer wall;
The suction member disposed inside the outer wall;
An intake portion that is disposed corresponding to the suction member and formed through the outer wall, and is capable of inhaling external gas;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An attachment member for attaching the spray member to the outer wall, wherein the attachment member is formed with a flow path of gas flowing from the spray member to the suction member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: The suction member that blows the sucked gas against the medium transported inside the outer wall;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: With respect to the width direction crossing the medium discharge direction, a plurality of the spray members arranged at intervals, and
A plurality of suction members arranged at intervals with respect to the width direction, and arranged at positions between the spray members; and
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

Images