JP2018084762A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents
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- JP2018084762A JP2018084762A JP2016229193A JP2016229193A JP2018084762A JP 2018084762 A JP2018084762 A JP 2018084762A JP 2016229193 A JP2016229193 A JP 2016229193A JP 2016229193 A JP2016229193 A JP 2016229193A JP 2018084762 A JP2018084762 A JP 2018084762A
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- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 85
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000011882 ultra-fine particle Substances 0.000 description 19
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Chemical compound O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 description 1
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Abstract
Description
本発明は、画像形成装置に関し、特に、定着部周辺で発生する異物を捕集する技術に関する。 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for collecting foreign matter generated around a fixing unit.
画像形成装置においては、従来から、装置内部で発生するオゾンやトナー粉塵等の異物の装置外部への流出を防ぐための技術が種々提案されている。また、近年では、定着部を記録媒体が通過する際に発生する、超微小粒子（Ultra-Fine Particle：ＵＦＰ）の装置外部への流出が問題視され、当該流出を防ぐための提案もされている。 In the image forming apparatus, conventionally, various techniques for preventing the outflow of foreign matters such as ozone and toner dust generated inside the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus have been proposed. In recent years, the outflow of ultra-fine particles (UFP) that occurs when a recording medium passes through a fixing unit to the outside of the apparatus is regarded as a problem, and a proposal for preventing the outflow is also made. ing.
例えば、下記の特許文献１には、空気排出口（排風口）の開口率を変更するルーバーを設け、定着ローラー近傍の温度が１７０℃（ＵＦＰ等が発生すると考えられる温度）を超えると、ルーバーを閉じるようにして、ＵＦＰ、オゾン、トナー粉塵等の異物が装置外部へ排出されるのを抑制することが記載されている。 For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a louver that changes the aperture ratio of an air discharge port (exhaust port) is provided, and when the temperature near the fixing roller exceeds 170 ° C. (temperature at which UFP or the like is generated), Is closed to prevent foreign matter such as UFP, ozone, and toner dust from being discharged outside the apparatus.
また、画像形成装置においては、画像形成時、水分を多く含んだ記録媒体が定着部によって加熱されると、水蒸気が発生する。発生した水蒸気が湯気となって装置外部へ流出すると、ユーザーが発煙と見誤ってしまうおそれがある。 In the image forming apparatus, water vapor is generated when a recording medium containing a large amount of moisture is heated by the fixing unit during image formation. If the generated water vapor becomes steam and flows out of the apparatus, the user may misunderstand it as smoke.
そのため、発生した水蒸気を、ファンを使って強制的に装置外部へ排出するという処置が一般的に採られているが、上記の特許文献１に記載された技術では、定着ローラー近傍の高温時にルーバーが閉じられるので、水蒸気の排出が妨げられるという問題がある。また、定着ローラーの温度が高い時に、ルーバーを閉じると、装置の内部温度が高くなり過ぎてしまい、画像不良などの不具合が発生する可能性がある。 For this reason, a measure of forcibly discharging the generated water vapor to the outside of the apparatus using a fan is generally employed. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the louver is used at a high temperature near the fixing roller. Since this is closed, there is a problem that the discharge of water vapor is hindered. Further, if the louver is closed when the temperature of the fixing roller is high, the internal temperature of the apparatus becomes excessively high, which may cause problems such as image defects.
本発明は、上記の事情に鑑みなされたものであり、ルーバーの開口具合を変化させる必要なく、ＵＦＰの装置外部への流出を従来よりも抑制することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to suppress the outflow of UFP to the outside of the apparatus more than before without changing the louver opening.
定着部を記録媒体が通過する際に発生するＵＦＰは、定着部で温められた空気に含まれており、ガス状態にある。ガス状態にあるＵＦＰについては、通常のフィルターでは捕集することができないため、当該ＵＦＰを粒子化させる必要がある。なお、ＵＦＰを粒子化させるには、ＵＦＰを冷やして凝集させれば良い。 UFP generated when the recording medium passes through the fixing unit is contained in the air warmed by the fixing unit and is in a gas state. Since UFP in a gas state cannot be collected by a normal filter, it is necessary to make the UFP particulate. In order to make UFP particles, UFP may be cooled and aggregated.
本発明は上記知見に基づきなされた発明であり、本発明の一局面に係る画像形成装置は、トナー像を加熱して記録媒体に定着させる定着部と、前記定着部の上方に前記定着部の長手方向に延びて配置され、空気を冷やすための冷却流路と、前記冷却流路の長さ方向端部に配置され、装置本体の外壁カバーに設けられた空気排出口と、前記冷却流路内及び当該冷却流路周辺の空気を、前記空気排出口へと導くファンと、前記冷却流路と前記空気排出口との間に設けられ、空気中の異物を捕集するフィルターと、を備え、前記冷却流路は、前記定着部の上方に配設された平板状のベースプレートと、当該ベースプレートの下面に前記冷却流路の長さ方向に延びて互いに平行に離間して並列される複数の平板状の突出部とを有する。 The present invention has been made based on the above knowledge, and an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a fixing unit that heats and fixes a toner image on a recording medium, and a fixing unit that is disposed above the fixing unit. A cooling channel that extends in the longitudinal direction and cools the air, an air discharge port that is disposed at an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the cooling channel and is provided in an outer wall cover of the apparatus main body, and the cooling channel A fan that guides the air inside and around the cooling channel to the air outlet, and a filter that is provided between the cooling channel and the air outlet and collects foreign matter in the air. The cooling flow path includes a flat base plate disposed above the fixing unit, and a plurality of parallelly spaced apart parallel to each other extending in the length direction of the cooling flow path on the lower surface of the base plate. And a flat projection.
本発明によれば、定着部で温められて上昇して冷却流路に到達した空気が、ファンに導かれ、フィルターを介して、空気排出口から装置外部へと排出される。冷却流路に触れた空気は冷やされ、当該空気に含まれるＵＦＰが粒子化されるので、当該ＵＦＰをフィルターで捕集することができる。また、冷却流路は、複数の平板状の突出部を有するので、冷却流路全体の表面積が大きく、冷却効果が増している。従って、当該構成を有しない画像形成装置よりも、ＵＦＰの装置外部への流出を抑制することができる。 According to the present invention, the air that has been warmed up by the fixing unit and has reached the cooling flow path is guided to the fan, and is discharged from the air discharge port to the outside of the apparatus via the filter. The air that has touched the cooling flow path is cooled and the UFP contained in the air is granulated, so that the UFP can be collected by a filter. Moreover, since the cooling flow path has a plurality of flat plate-like protrusions, the surface area of the entire cooling flow path is large, and the cooling effect is increased. Therefore, the outflow of UFP to the outside of the apparatus can be suppressed as compared with an image forming apparatus having no such configuration.
以下、本発明の一実施形態に係る画像形成装置について図面を参照して説明する。図１は、本発明の第１実施形態に係る画像形成装置の外観を示した正面側斜視図である。図２は、右側面カバーを取り外した、画像形成装置の外観を示した正面側斜視図である。 Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus with the right side cover removed.
画像形成装置１は、例えば、コピー機能、プリンター機能、スキャナー機能、及びファクシミリ機能のような複数の機能を兼ね備えた複合機であり、装置本体１１に、原稿読取部５、画像形成部１２、給紙部１４、定着部１３、排出トレイ１５１、及び操作部４７を含んで構成されている。 The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, for example, and includes a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a paper supply unit in the apparatus main body 11. The paper unit 14 includes a fixing unit 13, a discharge tray 151, and an operation unit 47.
原稿読取部５は、プラテンガラス（図略）に載置された原稿の画像を読み取る。画像形成部１２は、原稿読取部５による読み取りで得られた画像データに基づいて、記録媒体（記録紙）にトナー像を形成する。給紙部１４は、給紙カセットに収容された記録紙をピックアップして搬送する。 The document reading unit 5 reads an image of a document placed on a platen glass (not shown). The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on a recording medium (recording paper) based on the image data obtained by reading by the document reading unit 5. The paper supply unit 14 picks up and conveys the recording paper stored in the paper supply cassette.
定着部１３は、右側面カバー２１の内側に配置され、記録媒体上のトナー像を加熱して、熱圧着によりトナー像を記録媒体に定着させる。また、定着部１３は、その長手方向（記録媒体の搬送方向と直交する方向）が装置本体１１の正面から背面に向かう方向となるように、装置本体１１に配置されている。排出トレイ１５１は、装置本体１１の胴部に配置され、装置本体１１から排出された記録媒体を積載する。 The fixing unit 13 is disposed inside the right side cover 21 and heats the toner image on the recording medium to fix the toner image on the recording medium by thermocompression bonding. The fixing unit 13 is disposed in the apparatus main body 11 such that the longitudinal direction (the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium) is the direction from the front of the apparatus main body 11 to the back. The discharge tray 151 is disposed in the body portion of the apparatus main body 11 and stacks the recording medium discharged from the apparatus main body 11.
操作部４７は、画像形成装置１が実行可能な各種動作及び処理について操作者から画像形成動作実行指示や原稿読取動作実行指示等の指示を受け付ける。操作部４７は、操作者への操作案内等を表示する表示部４７３を備えている。表示部４７３はタッチパネルになっており、操作者は画面表示されるボタンやキーに触れて画像形成装置１を操作することができる。 The operation unit 47 receives instructions such as an image forming operation execution instruction and a document reading operation execution instruction from the operator regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance to the operator. The display unit 473 is a touch panel, and the operator can operate the image forming apparatus 1 by touching buttons and keys displayed on the screen.
図３は、画像形成装置１の右側内部の上方部分を下から見た斜視図である。画像形成装置１の装置本体１１内における定着部１３の上方となる位置には、冷却流路５１が設けられている。冷却流路５１は、定着部１３で温められて上昇した空気を冷やすための流路である。冷却流路５１は、定着部１３の長手方向に延びて配置されている。 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upper part inside the right side of the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed from below. A cooling channel 51 is provided at a position above the fixing unit 13 in the apparatus main body 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. The cooling flow path 51 is a flow path for cooling the air that has been warmed and raised by the fixing unit 13. The cooling flow path 51 is arranged extending in the longitudinal direction of the fixing unit 13.
図４（Ａ）は、冷却流路５１を示した斜視図であり、図４（Ｂ）は、冷却流路５１を示した断面図である。冷却流路５１は、ベースプレート５２と、突出部５３とを有している。ベースプレート５２は、冷却流路５１の長さ方向に延びる平板状に形成されている。突出部５３は、平板状とされ、ベースプレート５２の下面に冷却流路５１の長さ方向に延びて互いに平行に離間して複数並列されている。但し、突出部５３については、ベースプレート５２の上面にも、ベースプレート５２の下面と同様に、冷却流路５１の長さ方向に延びて互いに平行に離間して複数並列させても良い。 FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the cooling flow path 51, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing the cooling flow path 51. The cooling flow path 51 includes a base plate 52 and a protrusion 53. The base plate 52 is formed in a flat plate shape that extends in the length direction of the cooling flow path 51. The protrusions 53 are formed in a flat plate shape, and extend in the length direction of the cooling flow path 51 on the lower surface of the base plate 52, and a plurality of the protrusions 53 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other. However, a plurality of protruding portions 53 may be arranged on the upper surface of the base plate 52 in parallel with each other so as to extend in the length direction of the cooling flow channel 51 and be spaced apart from each other in the same manner as the lower surface of the base plate 52.
図４（Ａ）に示すように、突出部５３は、ベースプレート５２の幅方向における中央部に配置された突出部５３よりも、当該方向における端部に配置された突出部５３の方が、高さを高くして形成されている。但し、全ての突出部５３の当該高さを同じとすることも可能である。また、突出部５３は、装置本体１１の正面から背面に向かう方向に（すなわち、定着部１３の長手方向と平行に）延びている。 As shown in FIG. 4A, the protrusion 53 is higher in the protrusion 53 arranged at the end in the direction than the protrusion 53 arranged in the center in the width direction of the base plate 52. It is formed with a height. However, the heights of all the protrusions 53 can be the same. Further, the protruding portion 53 extends in a direction from the front surface to the back surface of the apparatus main body 11 (that is, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the fixing portion 13).
冷却流路５１は、複数の平板状の突出部５３を有するので、冷却流路５１全体の表面積が大きく、冷却効果が増している。また、定着部１３で温められて上昇した空気に含まれるＵＦＰが冷却流路５１に接触する確率についても高めることができる。なお、冷却流路５１の素材としては、熱伝導率の良い樹脂やアルミニウムなどの金属が好ましい。 Since the cooling flow path 51 has a plurality of flat projections 53, the entire cooling flow path 51 has a large surface area, and the cooling effect is increased. Further, it is possible to increase the probability that the UFP contained in the air heated by the fixing unit 13 comes into contact with the cooling flow path 51. In addition, as a raw material of the cooling flow path 51, metals, such as resin with good heat conductivity, and aluminum, are preferable.
ベースプレート５２と隣同士の突出部５３とから形成される凹部には、水分吸収部材６１が配設されている。水分吸収部材６１は、突出部５３の先端５３Ａまでは嵌合されていないので、突出部５３の表面が露出する露出部分５３Ｂが存在する。すなわち、水分吸収部材６１は、突出部５３の先端までは配設されていない。突出部５３は、水分吸収部材６１に覆われずに露出する部分を有する。これは、突出部５３と当該空気とが直に接触する部分を残すためである。なお、水分吸収部材６１の素材としては、例えば、スポンジ又は不織布等を用いる。 A moisture absorbing member 61 is disposed in a recess formed by the base plate 52 and the adjacent protrusions 53. Since the moisture absorbing member 61 is not fitted up to the tip 53A of the protrusion 53, there is an exposed portion 53B where the surface of the protrusion 53 is exposed. That is, the moisture absorbing member 61 is not arranged up to the tip of the protruding portion 53. The protruding portion 53 has a portion that is exposed without being covered with the moisture absorbing member 61. This is to leave a portion where the protrusion 53 and the air are in direct contact. In addition, as a raw material of the moisture absorption member 61, sponge or a nonwoven fabric is used, for example.
図５は、画像形成装置の外観を示した背面側斜視図である。図６は、背面カバーを取り外した、画像形成装置の外観を示した背面側斜視図である。背面カバー２２の左側上部には、空気排出口８１が形成され、空気排出口８１にルーバー２３が配置されている。空気排出口８１は、冷却流路５１の長さ方向端部に配置されている。 FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus with the rear cover removed. An air discharge port 81 is formed in the upper left portion of the back cover 22, and the louver 23 is disposed in the air discharge port 81. The air discharge port 81 is disposed at the end of the cooling channel 51 in the length direction.
冷却ファン８２は、背面カバー２２の内側に、空気排出口８１（ルーバー２３）と対向する場所に配置され、冷却流路５１（図３）内部及び冷却流路５１周辺の空気を空気排出口８１へと導く。破線で示した矢印Ａ１は、冷却ファン８２が引き込む空気の流れを示している。 The cooling fan 82 is disposed inside the back cover 22 at a location facing the air discharge port 81 (louver 23), and the air inside the cooling channel 51 (FIG. 3) and around the cooling channel 51 is sent to the air discharge port 81. Lead to. An arrow A1 indicated by a broken line indicates the flow of air drawn in by the cooling fan 82.
空気排出口８１（ルーバー２３）と、冷却ファン８２との間に、空気中の異物を捕集するためのフィルターＦ（図６）が配置され、冷却流路５１及び冷却流路５１周辺の空気は、冷却ファン８２によって引き込まれて、当該フィルターＦを通過して装置本体１１から外部に排出される。 Between the air discharge port 81 (louver 23) and the cooling fan 82, a filter F (FIG. 6) for collecting foreign substances in the air is disposed, and the cooling channel 51 and the air around the cooling channel 51 Is drawn in by the cooling fan 82, passes through the filter F, and is discharged from the apparatus main body 11 to the outside.
なお、冷却ファン８２については、背面側ではなく、正面側に配置したり、正面、背面の両側に配置したりするようにしても良い。なお、正面側に配置した冷却ファンの風向は、画像形成装置１の正面側から外気を装置内に引き込んで、装置背面方向に空気を送って排出するように構成される。 The cooling fan 82 may be arranged on the front side instead of the back side, or may be arranged on both the front and back sides. Note that the air direction of the cooling fan disposed on the front side is configured to draw outside air into the apparatus from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 and send the air in the rear direction of the apparatus to be discharged.
図７は、定着部１３及びその周辺部を示した断面図である。定着部１３は加熱ローラー１３１及び加圧ローラー１３２を含んで構成され、加熱ローラー１３１と加圧ローラー１３２との間を通過する記録媒体は、定着部１３の上方に配置されている排出ガイド１５３にガイドされて、記録媒体排出口１５２から排出トレイ１５１へ排出される。破線で示した矩形領域Ｅ１は、冷却ファン８２の配置場所を示し、破線で示した矢印Ａ２は、定着部１３で温められて上昇する空気の流れを示している。排出ガイド１５３及び排出ガイド１５３を補強するための補強部材（例えば、排出ガイド１５３を上方から支持するための支持部材１５４）には、空気を通過させるための第２の貫通孔（図略）を設けて、定着部１３で温められて上昇する空気が冷却通路５１へ到達しやすくするようにしても良い。 FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the fixing portion 13 and its peripheral portion. The fixing unit 13 includes a heating roller 131 and a pressure roller 132, and a recording medium passing between the heating roller 131 and the pressure roller 132 is placed on a discharge guide 153 disposed above the fixing unit 13. It is guided and discharged from the recording medium discharge port 152 to the discharge tray 151. A rectangular area E1 indicated by a broken line indicates an arrangement place of the cooling fan 82, and an arrow A2 indicated by a broken line indicates a flow of air that is heated by the fixing unit 13 and rises. The reinforcing member for reinforcing the discharge guide 153 and the discharge guide 153 (for example, the support member 154 for supporting the discharge guide 153 from above) has a second through hole (not shown) for allowing air to pass therethrough. It is also possible to make it easier for the air that is warmed and raised by the fixing unit 13 to reach the cooling passage 51.
上記第１実施形態によれば、定着部１３で温められて上昇して冷却流路５１に到達した空気が、冷却ファン８２に引き込まれ、冷却流路５１の突出部５３に接触しながら、フィルターＦを通過して、空気排出口８１から装置本体１１外部へと排出される。冷却流路５１に触れた空気は冷やされ、当該空気に含まれるＵＦＰが粒子化されるので、当該ＵＦＰをフィルターで的確に捕集することができる。また、冷却流路５１は、複数の平板状の突出部５３を有するので、冷却流路５１全体の表面積が大きく、冷却効果が増している。従って、ＵＦＰの装置本体１１外部への排出を当該構成を有しない画像形成装置よりも抑制することができる。 According to the first embodiment, the air heated by the fixing unit 13 and rising and reaching the cooling flow path 51 is drawn into the cooling fan 82 and is in contact with the protrusion 53 of the cooling flow path 51, while the filter Passing through F, the air is discharged from the air discharge port 81 to the outside of the apparatus main body 11. The air that has touched the cooling channel 51 is cooled and the UFP contained in the air is granulated, so that the UFP can be accurately collected by a filter. Moreover, since the cooling flow path 51 has the several flat projection part 53, the surface area of the whole cooling flow path 51 is large, and the cooling effect is increasing. Accordingly, discharge of UFP to the outside of the apparatus main body 11 can be suppressed as compared with an image forming apparatus that does not have the configuration.
また、定着部１３で加熱されることによって、記録媒体から発生した水蒸気については、冷却流路５１で冷やされて液化するので、水分吸収部材６１で吸収させることができる。水蒸気を含んだ湿った空気がフィルターを通過すると、当該フィルターが濡れてしまい、フィルターの捕集効果や冷却ファン８２の吸引力が低下するという問題が発生するが、上記第１実施形態では、水分吸収部材６１が冷却流路５１を通過する空気の水分を吸収可能なので、当該問題が発生するのを阻止することができる。また、ＵＦＰの一部は、水分を含む水分吸収部材６１により捕集されるので、水分吸収部材６１は、水分の吸収だけでなく、ＵＦＰの捕集効果も有する。 Further, since the water vapor generated from the recording medium by being heated by the fixing unit 13 is cooled and liquefied by the cooling channel 51, it can be absorbed by the moisture absorbing member 61. When moist air containing water vapor passes through the filter, the filter gets wet, and there is a problem that the filter collection effect and the suction force of the cooling fan 82 are reduced. Since the absorption member 61 can absorb the moisture of the air passing through the cooling flow path 51, it is possible to prevent the problem from occurring. Moreover, since a part of UFP is collected by the moisture absorption member 61 containing moisture, the moisture absorption member 61 has not only the absorption of moisture but also the UFP collection effect.
また、別の実施形態では、図８（Ａ）、（Ｂ）に示すように、冷却流路５１のベースプレート５２には、冷却流路５１の長さ方向に、空気を通過させる貫通孔５４Ａ，５４Ｂが複数並設され、更に、冷却流路５１の幅方向（冷却流路５１の長さ方向に直交する方向）における複数の位置で当該並設がされているものとしてもよい。更には、当該幅方向において隣り合う貫通孔５４Ａ，５４Ｂは、上記長さ方向における互いに異なる位置に配設されるものとしてもよい。このようにして、水分吸収部材６１を通過し、貫通孔５４Ａ，５４Ｂから冷却流路５１の上方に抜けた空気を冷却ファン８２で引き込み、空気排出口８１に導くようにしてもよい。さらに、ベースプレート５２の上方に、ファン８２とは異なる、冷却流路５１の上方に空気を引き込む第２のファンを配置するようにしてもよい。このように第２のファンを設ける場合、少なくとも、当該第２のファンが設けられているベースプレート５２上面部分に、貫通孔５４Ａ，５４Ｂが設けられていれば足りる。 In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the base plate 52 of the cooling flow channel 51 has through holes 54A that allow air to pass through in the length direction of the cooling flow channel 51. A plurality of 54Bs may be arranged side by side, and the plurality of positions may be arranged in parallel at a plurality of positions in the width direction of the cooling flow path 51 (a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the cooling flow path 51). Furthermore, the through holes 54A and 54B adjacent in the width direction may be arranged at different positions in the length direction. In this manner, the air passing through the moisture absorbing member 61 and passing through the through holes 54A and 54B and above the cooling flow path 51 may be drawn by the cooling fan 82 and guided to the air discharge port 81. Furthermore, a second fan that draws air above the cooling flow path 51, which is different from the fan 82, may be disposed above the base plate 52. When the second fan is provided in this way, it is sufficient that the through holes 54A and 54B are provided at least on the upper surface portion of the base plate 52 where the second fan is provided.
また、上記第１実施形態では、ベースプレート５２と隣同士の突出部５３とから形成される凹部に、水分吸収部材６１が配設されている冷却流路５１を用いる場合について説明しているが、図９に示すように、ベースプレート５２の下面及び突出部５３の表面に、水分吸収部材６１を貼り付けて設けるようにしてもよい。すなわち、ベースプレート５２の下面及び突出部５３の表面が、水分吸収部材６１が貼り付けられて覆われている。 Moreover, although the said 1st Embodiment has demonstrated the case where the cooling flow path 51 by which the water | moisture-content absorption member 61 is arrange | positioned is used for the recessed part formed from the baseplate 52 and the adjacent protrusion part 53, As shown in FIG. 9, a moisture absorbing member 61 may be provided on the lower surface of the base plate 52 and the surface of the protruding portion 53. That is, the lower surface of the base plate 52 and the surface of the protruding portion 53 are covered with the moisture absorbing member 61 attached.
図１０は、冷却流路５１、定着部１３、及び定着部１３を通過する記録紙（記録媒体の一例）の位置関係を説明するための説明図であり、（Ａ）は側方から見た模式図であり、（Ｂ）は冷却流路５１を下から見た模式図である。記録媒体である記録紙Ｐ１は予め定められた大きさ（例えば、ビジネスシーンで使用頻度の最も高いＡ４サイズ）の記録紙である。 FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the cooling flow path 51, the fixing unit 13, and the recording paper (an example of a recording medium) passing through the fixing unit 13, and (A) is viewed from the side. It is a schematic diagram, (B) is the schematic diagram which looked at the cooling flow path 51 from the bottom. The recording paper P1 that is a recording medium is a recording paper having a predetermined size (for example, A4 size that is most frequently used in a business scene).
記録紙Ｐ１が定着部１３を通過するのは領域Ｅ２であるので、定着部１３によって加熱されて記録紙Ｐ１から発生した水蒸気が、冷却流路５１に比較的多く到達するのは、領域Ｅ２に対向する領域Ｅ３となる。そのため、更なる別の実施形態では、領域Ｅ３に配置された水分吸収部材６１の厚み（水分吸収部材６１の上下方向の幅）を、領域Ｅ３以外に配置された水分吸収部材６１の厚みよりも厚くする、又は領域Ｅ３にのみ水分吸収部材６１を設ける。これにより、記録紙Ｐ１から発生した水蒸気をより効果的に水分吸収部材６１により回収可能にする。更に、領域Ｅ３以外に配設されている水分吸収部材６１の厚みを比較的薄くできる、又は領域Ｅ３以外には水分吸収部材６１を設けないので、この領域Ｅ３においては、突出部５３の表面の露出部分５３Ｂ（図４）を大きくすることができる。 Since the recording paper P1 passes through the fixing unit 13 in the region E2, the relatively large amount of water vapor generated from the recording paper P1 heated by the fixing unit 13 reaches the cooling channel 51 in the region E2. It becomes the area | region E3 which opposes. Therefore, in still another embodiment, the thickness of the moisture absorbing member 61 arranged in the region E3 (the vertical width of the moisture absorbing member 61) is made larger than the thickness of the moisture absorbing member 61 arranged outside the region E3. The moisture absorbing member 61 is provided only in the region E3. As a result, the water vapor generated from the recording paper P1 can be more effectively collected by the moisture absorbing member 61. Furthermore, the thickness of the moisture absorbing member 61 disposed outside the region E3 can be made relatively thin, or the moisture absorbing member 61 is not provided outside the region E3. The exposed portion 53B (FIG. 4) can be enlarged.
また、上記実施形態では、図１乃至図１０を用いて上記実施形態により示した構成及び処理は、本発明の一実施形態に過ぎず、本発明を当該構成及び処理に限定する趣旨ではない。 Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure and process which were shown by the said embodiment using FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 10 are only one Embodiment of this invention, and are not the meaning which limits this invention to the said structure and process.
１ 画像形成装置
１３ 定着部
５１ 冷却流路
５２ ベースプレート
５３ 突出部
５４Ａ，５４Ｂ 貫通孔
６１ 水分吸収部材
８１ 空気排出口
８２ 冷却ファン
Ｆ フィルター
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 13 Fixing part 51 Cooling flow path 52 Base plate 53 Protrusion part 54A, 54B Through-hole 61 Water absorption member 81 Air discharge port 82 Cooling fan F Filter
Claims (12)
前記定着部の上方に前記定着部の長手方向に延びて配置され、空気を冷やすための冷却流路と、
前記冷却流路の長さ方向端部に配置され、装置本体の外壁カバーに設けられた空気排出口と、
前記冷却流路内及び当該冷却流路周辺の空気を、前記空気排出口へと導くファンと、
前記冷却流路と前記空気排出口との間に設けられ、空気中の異物を捕集するフィルターと、を備え、
前記冷却流路は、前記定着部の上方に配設された平板状のベースプレートと、当該ベースプレートの下面に前記冷却流路の長さ方向に延びて互いに平行に離間して並列される複数の平板状の突出部とを有する画像形成装置。 A fixing unit that heats and fixes the toner image to a recording medium;
A cooling channel that extends in the longitudinal direction of the fixing unit above the fixing unit and cools the air;
An air outlet provided at the outer wall cover of the apparatus main body, disposed at the end in the longitudinal direction of the cooling flow path;
A fan that guides the air in and around the cooling channel to the air outlet;
A filter that is provided between the cooling flow path and the air outlet and collects foreign matter in the air;
The cooling channel includes a flat base plate disposed above the fixing unit, and a plurality of flat plates extending in the length direction of the cooling channel on the lower surface of the base plate and spaced apart in parallel to each other. Forming apparatus having a protruding portion in a shape.
前記突出部は、前記水分吸収部材に覆われずに露出する部分を有する請求項４に記載の画像形成装置。 The moisture absorbing member is not arranged up to the tip of the protrusion,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the protrusion has a portion exposed without being covered with the moisture absorbing member.
前記水分吸収部材の厚みは、予め定められた大きさの前記記録媒体が前記定着部を通過する領域と対向する領域に配置された部分が、当該領域以外に配置された部分よりも、厚みが厚い請求項５に記載の画像形成装置。 The longitudinal direction of the fixing unit in which the protruding portion extends is a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium,
The thickness of the moisture absorbing member is such that the portion disposed in the region facing the region where the recording medium having a predetermined size passes through the fixing unit is thicker than the portion disposed outside the region. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is thick.
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