JP2018132601A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can provide a good office environment.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 11 comprises: an image forming part 15; a body part 19; an intake port 24; fans 21 to 23; a duct 31; a filter 32; and a control part 12. The image forming part 15 forms an image. The body part 19 stores the image forming part 15. The intake port 24 is provided in a lower part of the body part 19 and is a passage for taking air into the image forming apparatus 11 from the outside. The fans 21 to 23 are rotated in a first direction to take air from the intake port 24. The duct 31 communicates the intake port 24 with the fans 21 to 23. The filter 32 removes dust contained in the air taken in from the intake port 24. The control part 12 controls to rotate the fans 21 to 23 when a cleaning tool 41 is inserted into the intake port 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus typified by a multifunction peripheral, light is applied to a photoconductor based on image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor. Thereafter, charged toner is supplied onto the formed electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, which is then transferred and fixed on paper, and output to the outside of the apparatus.

  A technique related to an image forming apparatus using a space below the main body of the image forming apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-30875 (Patent Document 1).

  An image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an image forming apparatus that includes an apparatus main body supported by a raising member, and is provided in a space between a lower surface of the raised apparatus main body and an installation surface of the image forming apparatus. A functional roll is provided which is provided in a protruding manner and is rotationally driven by a driving mechanism provided in the apparatus main body.

JP 2006-30875 A

  The image forming apparatus is generally provided in an office. Here, when the office is cleaned with a cleaning tool such as a broom or mop, it is necessary to finally remove the dust collected on the floor. At this time, if there is no instrument or member for removing dust such as so-called dust collector, the collected dust may be scattered. Such a situation is undesirable for the office environment. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is difficult to cope with.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of providing a favorable office environment.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention forms an image. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a main body unit, an air inlet, a fan, a duct, a filter, and a control unit. The image forming unit forms an image. The main body unit accommodates the image forming unit. The intake port is provided in the lower part of the main body and serves as a passage for sucking air from the outside into the image forming apparatus. The fan rotates in the first direction and sucks air from the intake port. The duct communicates the air inlet and the fan. The filter removes dust contained in the air sucked from the intake port. The control unit controls the fan to rotate when the cleaning tool is inserted into the air inlet.

  According to such an image forming apparatus, a favorable office environment can be provided.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an appearance of a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. It is the schematic which looked at the multifunctional machine shown in Drawing 1 from the side. It is the schematic which looked at the multifunctional machine shown in Drawing 1 from the back type. It is the schematic which shows the external appearance of the cleaning instrument. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a multifunction peripheral viewed from the side when an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a multifunction peripheral viewed from the side when an image forming apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a multifunction peripheral viewed from the side when an image forming apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of a filter provided in a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an external appearance of a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the side. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. In Figure 1, indicates the direction toward the device upward from the apparatus lower by arrow D _1, indicates the direction toward the device right from the left side of the apparatus by the arrow D _2, the orientation towards the front side of the apparatus from the apparatus rear side by arrow D ₃ Show. The same applies to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  1 to 3, the multifunction machine 11 includes a control unit 12, an operation unit 13, a reading unit 14, an image forming unit 15, and a paper feed cassette 16. 1 to 3, the control unit 12 is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and the image forming unit 15 is schematically indicated by a two-dot chain line. The multifunction machine 11 is installed so as to be in direct contact with the office floor.

  The control unit 12 controls the entire multifunction machine 11. The control unit 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and includes a main storage memory that temporarily stores data. The operation unit 13 includes a touch panel type display screen as a display unit that displays information transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 11 side and user input contents. The operation unit 13 accepts input from the user regarding image formation such as the number of copies to be printed and image forming conditions such as gradation. The reading unit 14 reads an image of a document set on the mounting table. A plurality of paper feed cassettes 16 are provided, each of which can store a plurality of sheets.

  The image forming unit 15 is accommodated in a main body 19 that constitutes a housing of the multifunction machine 11. The image forming unit 15 forms an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding cassette 16 or the like based on the image data of the document read by the reading unit 14 or the image data transmitted via the network.

The image forming unit 15 is provided with three fans 21, 22, and 23 that exhaust air around the image forming unit 15. The multifunction machine 11 includes three fans 21, 22, and 23 provided at different positions. Each of the fans 21 to 23 rotates in the direction opposite to the first direction and exhausts the air around the image forming unit 15. Each of the fans 21 to 23 is provided for exhausting the image forming unit 15. Specifically, the fan 21 is rotated in the direction of the first direction and opposite, sent to exhaust the air around the image forming unit 15 in the arrow D ₄ opposite directions in FIG. Further, the fan 22 is rotated in the direction of the first direction and opposite, sent to exhaust the air around the image forming unit 15 in the arrow D ₅ opposite directions in FIG. Further, the fan 23 is rotated in the direction of the first direction and opposite, sent to exhaust the air around the image forming unit 15 in the arrow D ₆ opposite directions in FIG. The controller 12 controls the fans 21 to 23 to rotate when the cleaning tool 41 is inserted into the air inlet 24.

  Here, the multifunction machine 11 is provided with an intake port 24 provided at a lower portion of the main body 19 and serving as a passage for sucking air from the outside into the multifunction machine 11. The intake port 24 is provided with two brushes 25 and 26 that can come into contact with the cleaning tool. Each of the brushes 25 and 26 is provided in the air inlet 24 as shown in FIG. The first brush 25 constitutes a part of the air inlet 24 on the back side of the air inlet 24, and is attached to a back wall portion 27 extending in a vertical direction. The second brush 26 is provided on the side closer to the outside than the first brush 25. The second brush 26 constitutes a part of the air inlet 24 and is attached to a bottom wall portion 28 that extends in the horizontal direction. The brushes 25 and 26 are rotatably provided by control by the control unit 12.

  Here, the configuration of the cleaning tool will be briefly described. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an appearance of an example of the cleaning tool. Referring to FIG. 5, the cleaning tool 41 includes a handle portion 42 that extends in a bar shape, and an ear portion 43 that is provided at one end of the handle portion 42 and has a brush shape. A user who sweeps and cleans the office in which the multifunction machine 11 is installed holds the handle 42 included in the cleaning tool 41 and performs sweeping and cleaning with the ear 43. In other words, garbage collected by the cleaning tool 41 is collected on a part of the floor of the office.

  The multi-function device 11 is provided with a duct 31 that allows the fans 21, 22, and 23 to communicate with the air inlet 24. Further, the multifunction machine 11 is provided with a filter 32 that removes dust contained in the air sucked from the air inlet 24. The filter 32 has, for example, a mesh-like member and is provided at a position close to the intake port 24.

  In addition, the multifunction machine 11 is provided with a detection sensor 33 as a detection unit that detects that a cleaning tool has been inserted into the air inlet 24. The detection sensor 33 constitutes a part of the air inlet 24 and is provided so as to be attached to a part of the upper wall portion 29 extending in the horizontal direction. The multifunction machine 11 is provided with a cooling mechanism 34 that feeds air, which is sucked from the air inlet 24 by the rotation of the fans 21, 22, and 23 and from which dust is removed by the filter 32, to the periphery of the image forming unit 15. The fans 21 to 23, the duct 31, and the filter 32 constitute a part of the cooling mechanism 34.

  According to such a multifunction machine 11, a good office environment can be provided. That is, according to such a multi-function machine 11, if the detection sensor 33 detects that the cleaning tool 41 is inserted into the intake port 24, the control unit 12 rotates the brushes 25 and 26. If it does so, the dust adhering to the ear | edge part 43 of the cleaning tool 41 at the time of cleaning can be dropped in the inlet port 24. FIG.

Here, if the detection part 33 detects that the cleaning tool 41 was inserted in the inlet port 24 by the detection sensor 33, the control part 12 will control to rotate the fans 21-23 in a 1st direction. More specifically, the control unit 12, the fan 21 is rotated in a first direction, and the intake to the direction of the arrow D ₄ in FIG. The control unit 12, the fan 22 is rotated in a first direction, and the intake to the direction of the arrow D ₅ in FIG. The control unit 12, the fan 23 is rotated in a first direction, and the intake to the direction of the arrow D ₆ in FIG.

  In this way, the air containing the dust attached to the head part 43 dropped into the intake port 24 and the air containing the dust collected by the cleaning tool 41 and arranged in the intake port 24 are supplied to the fans 21 to 21. By the rotation of 23, the air is sucked from the air inlet 24 and is sucked into the multifunction machine 11. The air containing the sucked dust is removed by the filter 32. Therefore, even if there is no tool or member for removing dust such as dust collector, the collected garbage can be collected, and the collected garbage is not scattered.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the fans 21 to 23 are configured to rotate in the direction opposite to the first direction and exhaust the air around the image forming unit 15. For this reason, the fans 21 to 23 provided for the purpose can be used effectively during intake when collecting dust.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 12 controls the brushes 25 and 26 to rotate when the detection sensor 33 detects that the cleaning tool 41 has been inserted into the intake port 24. The dust adhering to the cleaning tool 41 can be removed from the ear part 43 more efficiently.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the cooling mechanism 34 that feeds air, which is sucked from the suction port 24 by the fans 21 to 23 rotating in the first direction and from which dust is removed by the filter 32, to the periphery of the image forming unit 15. Therefore, the temperature rise of the image forming unit 15 can be effectively suppressed.

  Moreover, according to this Embodiment, since the detection sensor 33 which detects that the cleaning tool 41 was inserted in the inlet port 24 is provided, when collecting garbage, a user's convenience can be improved more. it can.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the brushes 25 and 26 that are provided at the air inlet 24 and can come into contact with the cleaning tool 41 are provided, so that the cleaning tool 41, particularly the ear part 43, is attached efficiently. Garbage can be removed.

  In addition, in said embodiment, it is good also as a structure further provided with the vibration mechanism which vibrates the cleaning implement 41 inserted in the inlet port 24. FIG. By doing so, it is possible to efficiently remove dust adhering to the cleaning tool 41. As the vibration mechanism, for example, the brushes 25 and 26 described above may be vibrated under the control of the control unit 12, or when the cleaning tool 41 is inserted into the intake port 24, the portion with which the cleaning tool 41 abuts The concrete body may be configured to vibrate any wall portion constituting the air inlet 24.

  In the above embodiment, the three fans 21, 22, and 23 provided in the image forming unit 15 are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a fan may be provided separately. The multifunction machine may further include a sterilization mechanism for sterilizing the cleaning tool 41 inserted into the intake port 24. Moreover, it is good also as a structure further equipped with the dust box which can be attached or detached with respect to the main-body part 19, and collects the dust removed by the filter 32. FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a multifunction machine viewed from the side when an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine. Referring to FIG. 5, a multi-function device 51 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the control unit 12, the image forming unit 15 and the like described above. Since these descriptions are the same as those of the multifunction machine 11 shown in FIG.

  A fan 52 is provided above the intake port 24 provided at the lower part of the main body 19. A filter 53 is provided above the fan 52. Further, a dust box 54 for collecting the dust removed by the filter 53 is provided above the filter 53. The dust box 54 is detachably provided on the main body 19. Further, a sterilization mechanism 55 is provided beside the fan 52, specifically, on the back side of the fan 52.

  Even with such a configuration, a good office environment can be provided.

  Moreover, according to this Embodiment, since the sterilization mechanism 55 of the above-mentioned structure is provided, the sterilization of the cleaning tool 41 inserted into the intake port 24 can be performed together.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the dust box 54 having the above-described configuration is provided, the collected dust can be easily removed from the multifunction machine 11.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sterilization mechanism 55 is provided for the alcohol injection mechanism that injects alcohol to the cleaning tool 41 inserted into the intake port 24 and the cleaning tool 41 inserted into the intake port 24. It is good also as a structure containing at least any one of the ultraviolet irradiation mechanisms which irradiate an ultraviolet-ray.

  In the above-described embodiment, the multifunction machine 11 includes the detection sensor 33 that detects that the cleaning tool 41 has been inserted into the intake port 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the detection sensor 33 is not included. It is good also as a structure. In this case, for example, the user who has inserted the cleaning tool 41 into the air inlet 24 causes the operation unit 13 to input that the cleaning tool 41 has been inserted. Control that recognizes that the cleaning tool 41 has been inserted into the air inlet 24 by input to the operation unit 13 and rotates the brushes 25 and 26 by the control unit 12 may be performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, a configuration may be provided that further includes a purification mechanism that purifies the air taken in by the fan and exhausts the air outside the multifunction peripheral. By doing so, the influence of the exhausted air can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the multifunction machine may be configured to include a cleaning tool attaching / detaching mechanism that can attach and detach the cleaning tool.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a multifunction machine viewed from the side when an image forming apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine. Referring to FIG. 6, a multi-function device 61 according to still another embodiment of the present invention includes the control unit 12, the image forming unit 15 and the like described above. Since these descriptions are the same as those of the multifunction machine 11 shown in FIG.

  Here, the main body 62 of the multi-function device 61 is fastened as a cleaning tool attaching / detaching mechanism for attaching the handle 42 when the ear 43 of the cleaning tool 41 is accommodated in the air inlet 24 provided with the fan 63. A tool 64 is provided. The fastener 64 has a shape that can be snap-fitted to a part of the handle portion 42, for example. The cleaning tool 41 can be attached to the main body 62 using the fastener 64. By comprising in this way, since it can accommodate appropriately in the main-body part 62 of the cleaning tool 41, the effective utilization of office space can be aimed at. In this case, it is possible to detect that the snap fit in the fastener 64 and detect that the ear 43 of the cleaning tool 41 has been inserted into the air inlet 24. Further, the fan 63 may be rotated in conjunction with this detection.

  In addition, the multifunction device is provided with a storage unit for storing the cleaning tool, and the storage unit includes a cleaning tool for sucking up dust collected by the cleaning tool when the cleaning tool is stored in the storage unit. You may comprise so that the joint part connected may be provided.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a multifunction machine viewed from the side when an image forming apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine. Referring to FIG. 7, a multi-function device 71 according to still another embodiment of the present invention includes the control unit 12, the image forming unit 15 and the like described above. Since these descriptions are the same as those of the multifunction machine 11 shown in FIG.

  Here, the cleaning device 76 is self-propelled and has a thin disk shape. In addition, a discharge part 77 for discharging the sucked dust is provided at the upper part. In contrast to such a cleaning tool 76, the air inlet 72 provided in the multi-function device 71 has a volume sufficient to accommodate the cleaning tool 76. That is, the air inlet 72 constitutes a housing portion that houses the cleaning tool 76.

  At the position where the fan 73 is provided, a joint portion 74 that protrudes toward the intake port 72 is provided. The joint portion 74 can be connected to the discharge portion 77 of the cleaning tool 76. And the joint part 74 and the discharge part 77 are connected and the fan 73 is rotated, whereby dust can be sent from the discharge part 77 side to the filter 75. By doing so, the dust collected by the self-propelled cleaning device 76 can be collected more efficiently. In addition, when the joint part is provided in the discharge part 77 of the cleaning tool 76, the structure which guide | induces so that this joint part and the joint part 74 which protrudes in the inlet 72 side may be connected is employ | adopted. It may be.

  Further, the above-described filter may be configured as follows. That is, the filter includes a first layer disposed on the main body side and a second layer disposed on the inlet side with a space from the first layer. And the density of a 1st layer is comprised so that it may become higher than the density of a 2nd layer. That is, in the case of a dense structure, the first layer becomes dense and the second layer becomes coarse.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a filter provided in a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. Referring to FIG. 8, a filter 81 provided in the multifunction machine includes a first layer 82 and a second layer 83. The first layer 82 is disposed on the main body portion 84 side. The second layer 83 is disposed on the intake port 85 side with a space from the first layer 82. That is, a so-called space 86 is provided between the first layer 82 and the second layer 83.

  Here, the density of the first layer 82 is configured to be higher than the density of the second layer 83. That is, the density of the fibrous member which comprises the 1st layer 82 of the mesh shaped filter 81 is high, and it is what is called a fine filter. On the other hand, the density of the fibrous member which comprises the 2nd layer 83 of the mesh shaped filter 81 is low, and it is what is called a rough filter. Most of the dust discharged from the main body 84 side is relatively small. On the other hand, the dust sucked up from the intake port 85 side includes relatively large waste. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to more efficiently collect dust discharged from the main body portion 84 side and dust sucked up from the intake port 85 side.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive in any aspect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is particularly effectively used when it is required to provide a good office environment.

  11, 51, 61, 71 MFP, 12 control unit, 13 operation unit, 14 reading unit, 15 image forming unit, 16 paper feed cassette, 19, 62, 84 main unit, 21, 22, 23, 52, 63, 73 Fan, 24, 72, 85 Air inlet, 25, 26 Brush, 27 Back wall, 28 Bottom wall, 29 Upper wall, 31 Duct, 32, 53, 75, 81 Filter, 33 Detection sensor, 34 Cooling mechanism , 41, 76 Cleaning device, 42 handle part, 43 ear part, 54 dust box, 55 sterilization mechanism, 64 fastener, 74 joint part, 77 discharge part, 82 first layer, 83 second layer, 86 space.

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image,
An image forming unit for forming an image;
A main body for accommodating the image forming unit;
An air inlet provided at a lower portion of the main body and serving as a passage for sucking air from outside into the image forming apparatus;
A fan that rotates in a first direction and sucks air from the air inlet;
A duct for communicating the inlet and the fan;
A filter that removes dust contained in the air sucked from the inlet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control the fan to rotate when a cleaning tool is inserted into the intake port. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fan rotates in a direction opposite to the first direction and exhausts air around the image forming unit. 2. The cooling mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling mechanism that sends the air, which is sucked from the suction port by the fan rotating in the first direction and from which the dust is removed by the filter, to the periphery of the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit that detects that a cleaning tool has been inserted into the intake port. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the fan to rotate in the first direction when the detection unit detects that the cleaning tool has been inserted into the intake port. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a brush that is provided at the air inlet and is capable of contacting the cleaning tool. The brush is rotatably provided,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit controls to rotate the brush when detecting that the cleaning tool is inserted into the intake port. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration mechanism that vibrates the cleaning tool inserted into the intake port. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sterilization mechanism for sterilizing the cleaning tool inserted into the intake port. The sterilization mechanism includes an alcohol injection mechanism that injects alcohol onto the cleaning tool inserted into the intake port, and an ultraviolet irradiation mechanism that irradiates the cleaning device inserted into the intake port with ultraviolet light. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, comprising at least one of the following. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a dust box that is detachable from the main body and collects the dust removed by the filter. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a purification mechanism that purifies air sucked by the fan and discharges the air outside the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning tool attaching / detaching mechanism capable of attaching / detaching the cleaning tool. An accommodating portion for accommodating the cleaning implement is provided,
The said accommodating part is provided with the joint part connected with the said cleaning instrument in order to suck up the dust collected by the said cleaning instrument when the said cleaning instrument is accommodated in the said accommodating part. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13. The filter includes a first layer disposed on the main body side, and a second layer disposed on the inlet side with a space from the first layer,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a density of the first layer is higher than a density of the second layer.

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