JP2018173494A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus having an exhauster that can reduce the amount of ultra fine particles (UFP) emitted to the outside.SOLUTION: An exhauster 10 comprises: a duct body 80; and a duct attachment member 90. The duct body 80 and duct attachment member 90 are integrated to form a first airway and a second airway that communicate the periphery of a fixing unit and an exhaust port of an apparatus body. A first fan 110 and a filter 114 for a first airway are provided in the first airway. A second fan 112 and a filter for a second airway are provided in the second airway. The first fan 110 and second fan 112 are centrifugal fans. The filter 114 for a first airway and filter for a second airway include at least filters for collecting ultra fine particles (UFP).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having an air passage for discharging air around a fixing unit to the outside of the apparatus main body.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a background art image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus of the background art includes a conveyance guide in which an exhaust air passage that communicates the periphery of the fixing unit and the outside of the apparatus main body is formed. The exhaust air passage is provided with a fan for sucking air around the fixing unit and discharging it to the outside of the apparatus main body and a filter disposed downstream in the ventilation direction of the fan.

JP 2007-316418 A

  In recent years, regulations on the amount of fine particles having a particle size of 0.1 μm or less, which are generated at the fixing unit of an image forming apparatus, to the outside of the image forming apparatus have been strengthened. Is required. In order to reduce the amount of UFP released to the outside of the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to provide a high-density dedicated collection filter for collecting UFP in the exhaust duct.

  In order to cope with a filter having a high density, it is conceivable to provide a centrifugal fan in the exhaust duct. However, there is a problem that the structure of the exhaust duct becomes complicated as compared with the axial fan.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a novel image forming apparatus.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily manufacturing an exhaust duct having a complicated structure.

  A first invention is an image forming apparatus including an apparatus main body, a fixing unit, an exhaust duct, a first air passage filter, and a first centrifugal fan. The fixing unit is provided inside the apparatus main body and heats and fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium. The exhaust duct is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom surface and a top surface, has a first air inlet provided on the bottom surface for allowing air from the fixing unit to pass therethrough, and has a first air passage that guides air to the outside of the apparatus main body. Form. The exhaust duct is composed of a plurality of members that can be separated from each other. The first air passage filter is provided in the first air passage. This first air passage filter includes at least a UFP filter for collecting ultra fine particles (UFP). The first centrifugal fan is provided on the first air inlet side of the first air passage with respect to the first air passage filter, sucks air through the first air inlet, and draws air into the first air passage filter. Pump. The first centrifugal fan is, for example, a sirocco fan or a turbo fan.

  According to the first invention, an exhaust duct having a complicated structure can be easily manufactured.

  A second invention is an image forming apparatus according to the first invention, wherein at least one of the plurality of members is a first filter holding member for holding a first air passage filter.

  According to the second invention, the replacement work of the first air passage filter is simple.

  A third invention is an image forming apparatus according to the second invention, wherein the first air passage filter is a first type filter or a second type filter having a filter performance different from that of the first type filter. The filter holding member is a first filter holding member that holds the first type filter or a second filter holding member that holds the second type filter, the first filter holding member and the second filter holding member Can be replaced.

  According to the third invention, the filter performance can be easily changed.

  A fourth invention is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the first ventilation path is a first intake space provided between the first centrifugal fan and the first intake port. And at least one of the plurality of members is a first air passage forming member that forms at least a first intake space.

  According to the fourth invention, the exhaust duct having a complicated structure can be more easily manufactured.

  A fifth invention is an image forming apparatus according to the fourth invention, wherein the first centrifugal fan is provided in the first air passage forming member.

  According to the fifth aspect, the replacement work of the first fan is simple.

  A sixth invention is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, and is provided between the first centrifugal fan and the first air passage filter in the first air passage. The apparatus further includes a first axial fan that sends the air pumped by the centrifugal fan to the first air passage filter, and at least one of the plurality of members is a fan holding member that holds the first centrifugal fan.

  According to the sixth invention, an exhaust duct having a complicated structure can be easily manufactured.

  A seventh invention is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, wherein the image forming apparatus is formed in parallel with the first air passage in the exhaust duct, provided on the bottom surface, and air from the fixing unit. A second air passage having a second air inlet through which the air passes and guiding air to the outside of the apparatus main body, a second air passage filter provided in the second air passage, and a second air passage filter in the second air passage Is further provided with a second centrifugal fan that is provided on the second air inlet side, sucks air through the second air inlet port, and pumps the air to the second air passage filter, and the second air passage includes the second centrifugal fan. And a second air intake space provided between the second air intake ports, and at least one of the plurality of members is a second air passage forming member that forms at least the second air intake space.

  According to the seventh invention, an exhaust duct having a complicated structure can be easily manufactured.

  An eighth invention is an image forming apparatus according to the seventh invention, wherein the second centrifugal fan is provided in the second air passage forming member.

  According to the eighth aspect, the replacement work of the second fan is simple.

  According to the present invention, an exhaust duct having a complicated structure can be easily manufactured.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exhaust device provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exhaust device with the duct attachment member attached as seen from the lower back. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exhaust device with the duct attachment member removed as viewed from the lower back. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first air passage of the exhaust device. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second ventilation path of the exhaust device. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the exhaust device as viewed from the right side surface of the image forming apparatus. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exhaust device with the second unit removed as viewed from the upper front. FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the second unit for VOC. FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the second unit for UFP. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the exhaust device including the first unit and the second unit. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the exhaust device of the second embodiment as viewed from the lower back. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the exhaust device with the third unit removed as viewed from the upper front. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the exhaust device of the third embodiment as viewed from the lower back. FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of the first unit of the third embodiment.

[First embodiment]
Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and is subjected to a process of charging, exposure, development, transfer, and heat fixing, thereby forming a sheet. A multicolor or single color image is formed (printed) on the front and back surfaces of the (recording medium).

  In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and the like. However, the image forming apparatus 100 need not be limited to a multifunction peripheral, and may be any one of a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile. The image forming apparatus 100 may be a color machine or a monochrome machine.

  First, the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be schematically described. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 12 including an image reading unit 14, an image forming unit 30, and the like.

  The image reading unit 14 is disposed above the image forming unit 30. The image reading unit 14 includes a document placing table 16 formed of a transparent material. A document pressing cover 18 is attached above the document placing table 16 through a hinge or the like so as to be freely opened and closed. The document pressing cover 18 is provided with an ADF (automatic document feeder) 24 that automatically feeds the documents placed on the document placing tray 20 one by one to the image reading position 22. Although not shown, an operation unit including a touch panel for receiving an input operation such as a print start instruction by the user and an operation button is provided on the front side of the document placing table 16.

  The image reading unit 14 includes an image reading unit 26 including a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an imaging lens, a line sensor, and the like. The image reading unit 26 exposes the document surface with a light source, and guides reflected light reflected from the document surface to the imaging lens by a plurality of mirrors. Then, the reflected light is imaged on the light receiving element of the line sensor by the imaging lens. The line sensor detects the luminance and chromaticity of the reflected light imaged on the light receiving element, and generates image data based on the image on the document surface. As the line sensor, a charge coupled device (CCD), a contact image sensor (CIS), or the like is used.

  The image forming unit 30 includes an exposure device 32, a developing device 34, a photoconductor drum 36, a photoconductor cleaner unit 38, a charger 40, a transfer unit 42, a fixing unit (fixing unit) 44, and the like, and a paper feed tray 48 or a manual feed. An image is formed on a sheet conveyed from the sheet feed tray 50, and the image-formed sheet is discharged to a sheet discharge tray 52. As image data for forming an image on a sheet, image data read by the image reading unit 14 or image data transmitted from an external computer is used.

  Note that image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to four color images of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). For this reason, each of the developing device 34, the photoconductor drum 36, the photoconductor cleaner unit 38, and the charger 40 is provided in four units so as to form four types of electrostatic latent images corresponding to the respective colors. One image station is configured.

  The photosensitive drum 36 is an image carrier in which a photosensitive layer is formed on the surface of a conductive cylindrical substrate. The charger 40 is a member that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 36 to a predetermined potential. is there. The exposure device 32 is configured as a laser scanning unit including a laser diode (LD) and a polygon mirror, and is disposed below the photosensitive drum 36. The exposure device 32 exposes the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 36 to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface of the photosensitive drum 36. The developing device 34 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductive drum 36 with toner of four colors (YMCK). The photoreceptor cleaner unit 38 removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 36 after development and image transfer.

  The transfer unit 42 includes an intermediate transfer belt 54, a driving roller 56, a driven roller 58, four intermediate transfer rollers 60 and a secondary transfer roller 62, and is disposed above the photosensitive drum 36. Note that the transfer unit 42 does not necessarily include the intermediate transfer belt 54, and a configuration in which the toner image on the photosensitive drum 36 is directly transferred to a sheet may be employed.

  The intermediate transfer belt 54 is an endless belt having flexibility, and is formed of a synthetic resin or rubber appropriately blended with a conductive material such as carbon black. The intermediate transfer belt 54 is suspended by a driving roller 56 and a driven roller 58, and is arranged so that the outer peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 36. The intermediate transfer belt 54 rotates in a predetermined direction as the driving roller 56 rotates.

  The drive roller 56 is provided so as to be rotatable around its axis by a drive unit (not shown). The driven roller 58 rotates as the intermediate transfer belt 54 rotates and applies a constant tension to the intermediate transfer belt 54 to prevent the intermediate transfer belt 54 from loosening.

  The intermediate transfer roller 60 is disposed at a position facing each photosensitive drum 36 with the intermediate transfer belt 54 interposed therebetween. During image formation, a predetermined voltage (primary transfer voltage) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 60, whereby a transfer electric field is formed between the photosensitive drum 36 and the intermediate transfer belt 54. The toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 36 is transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 54 by the action of the transfer electric field.

  The secondary transfer roller 62 is provided so as to press the intermediate transfer belt 54 with the driving roller 56. During image formation, a predetermined voltage (secondary transfer voltage) is applied to the secondary transfer roller 62, whereby a transfer electric field is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 54 and the secondary transfer roller 62. Due to the action of this transfer electric field, the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 54 is applied to the sheet while the sheet passes through the transfer nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 54 and the secondary transfer roller 62. Transfer (secondary transfer) is performed.

  The fixing unit 44 includes a heat roller 64 and a pressure roller 66 and is disposed above the secondary transfer roller 62. The heat roller 64 is set to have a predetermined fixing temperature. When the paper passes through the nip region between the heat roller 64 and the pressure roller 66, the toner image transferred to the paper is melted. The toner image is heat-fixed on the sheet by mixing and pressing.

  In such an apparatus main body 12, paper from the paper feed tray 48 or the manual paper feed tray 50 is sent to the paper discharge tray 52 via the registration roller 68, the secondary transfer roller 62 and the fixing unit 44. A first paper transport path L1 is formed. However, the registration roller 68, the secondary transfer roller 62, and the fixing unit 44 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Therefore, the first paper transport path L1 of the first embodiment is a vertical transport path for transporting paper in the vertical direction. Further, when performing duplex printing on a sheet, the sheet after printing on the front side and passing through the fixing unit 44 is transferred to the first sheet conveyance path on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the secondary transfer roller 62. A second paper transport path L2 for returning to L1 is formed. In the first paper transport path L1 and the second paper transport path L2, a plurality of transport rollers 70 are provided as appropriate to supplementarily apply a driving force to the paper.

  When single-sided printing is performed in the apparatus main body 12, the sheets are guided one by one from the sheet feeding tray 48 or the manual sheet feeding tray 50 to the first sheet conveying path L <b> 1 and conveyed to the registration rollers 68 by the conveying rollers 70. . Then, the registration roller 68 conveys the sheet to the secondary transfer roller 62 (transfer nip portion) at a timing when the leading edge of the sheet and the leading edge of the image information on the intermediate transfer belt 54 are aligned, and the toner image is transferred onto the sheet. Is done. Thereafter, when the toner passes through the fixing unit 44 (fixing nip portion), the unfixed toner on the paper is melted and fixed by heat, and the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 52.

  On the other hand, when performing double-sided printing, when the rear end portion of the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 44 after the front side printing is finished reaches the conveyance roller 70 near the paper discharge tray 52, the conveyance roller 70 is reversed. By rotating, the sheet runs backward and is guided to the second sheet conveyance path L2. The paper guided to the second paper transport path L2 is transported through the second paper transport path L2 by the transport roller 70, and is guided to the first paper transport path L1 on the upstream side of the registration roller 68 in the paper transport direction. At this time, the front and back sides of the sheet are reversed, so that the sheet passes through the registration roller 68 and then passes through the secondary transfer roller 62 and the fixing unit 44, whereby printing is performed on the back side of the sheet.

  Further, an exhaust device 10 is provided inside the device body 12. The exhaust device 10 is disposed above the fixing unit 44.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exhaust device 10 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exhaust device 10 with the duct attachment member 90 attached as viewed from the lower back. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exhaust device 10 with the duct attachment member 90 removed, as viewed from the lower back. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the first air passage 130 of the exhaust device 10. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the second ventilation path 140 of the exhaust device 10. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the exhaust device 10 as viewed from the right side surface of the image forming apparatus 100. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7VIII-VIII. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exhaust device with the second unit removed as viewed from the upper front. In addition, in FIG. 2, it is sectional drawing which abbreviate | omitted the ceiling wall of the duct main body 80. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the exhaust device 10 includes a duct body 80, a duct mounting member 90.
A first fan 110, a second fan 112, a first air passage filter 114, a second air passage filter 116, a third fan 118, and a fourth fan 120 are included.

  The duct body 80 and the duct mounting member 90 are integrated to form an exhaust duct, and the first air path 130 and the second air path 140 parallel to the first air path 130 are formed in the exhaust duct. The first air passage 130 and the second air passage 140 are formed in a cylindrical shape, have a first air inlet 92 a and a second air inlet 94 a through which air from the fixing unit 44 passes, and air is supplied to the outside of the apparatus main body 12. Lead.

  The first air passage 130 is provided with a first fan 110, and the second air passage 140 is provided with a second fan 112. Air around the fixing unit 44 is sucked into the first air passage 130 and the second air passage 140 by the first fan 110 and the second fan 112, and passes through the first air passage 130 and the second air passage 140. 12 (image forming apparatus 100). For this reason, in the exhaust device 10, the fixing unit 44 side is the upstream side of the air flow (air flow), and the exhaust port side of the device body 12 is the downstream side of the air flow.

  The first air passage 130 and the second air passage 140 are divided into a plurality of spaces in the direction of air flow. In the first embodiment, the first air passage 130 and the second air passage 140 include intake spaces 808 and 810, compression spaces 848 and 850, a connection space, and an exhaust space in order from the upstream side of the air flow.

  Although details will be described later, the intake spaces 808 and 810 are formed by the duct mounting member 90 and the duct body 80, and the compression spaces 848 and 850, the connection space, and the exhaust space are formed inside the duct body 80.

  Duct mounting member 90 is, for example, a metal plate (sheet metal). The duct attachment member 90 is attached to the apparatus main body 12, and the duct main body 80 is attached to the upper side of the duct attachment member 90 with a fixing member such as a screw.

  The duct attachment member 90 is provided with a first opening end 92 and a second opening end 94. The 1st opening end 92 and the 2nd opening end 94 are arrange | positioned in the position (different position) mutually separated. Specifically, the first opening end 92 and the second opening end 94 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction (the axial direction of the heat roller 64 and the pressure roller 66). The first opening end 92 is disposed at a predetermined position on the front side of the second opening end 94. A first air inlet 92 a is formed by the first opening end 92. The second opening end 94 is disposed at a position away from the first position where the first opening end 92 is disposed. A second air inlet 94 a is formed by the second opening end 94. Therefore, the second air inlet 94a is disposed at a position away from the first air inlet 92a. The first air inlet 92a is disposed on the front side of the center portion of the fixing unit 44 in the front-rear direction. The second air inlet 94a is disposed on the back side of the center portion of the fixing unit 44 in the front-rear direction.

  The first air inlet 92 a (first opening end 92) and the second air inlet 94 a (second opening end 94) are arranged around the fixing unit 44. For example, the first air inlet 92 a and the second air inlet 94 a are positioned substantially directly above the fixing unit 44. Specifically, the first air inlet 92 a and the second air inlet 94 a are located substantially directly above the fixing nip portion of the fixing unit 44. Alternatively, it is substantially directly above the paper conveyance path extending in the substantially vertical direction after the fixing nip.

  The duct body 80 is a member made of, for example, a synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 9, the duct main body 80 is composed of a plurality of members (units) separable from each other. Specifically, the duct body 80 is configured by a first unit 180 and a second unit 190. The first unit 180 is attached to the duct attachment member 90 by a fixing member such as a screw. The second unit 190 is attached to the back side of the first unit 180.

  The second unit 190 is detachably held on the first unit 180 by an engagement mechanism that engages the second unit 190 with the first unit 180 by elastic deformation. The engagement mechanism includes, for example, an engagement claw that is elastically deformed to one of the first unit 180 or the second unit 190, and an engagement portion that engages the engagement claw to the other of the first unit 180 or the second unit 190. including. The second unit 190 is held by the first unit 180 by engaging the engaging claw and the engaging portion. In the first embodiment, the first unit 180 is provided with an engaging claw 182, and the second unit 190 is provided with an engaging portion 192. Specifically, an engagement claw 182R is provided at the right end of the first unit 180, and an engagement claw 182L is provided at the left end of the first unit 180. Further, an engaging portion 192R is provided at the right end portion of the second unit 190, and an engaging portion 192L is provided at the left end portion of the second unit 190. The engaging claws 182R and the engaging portions 192R are provided at positions corresponding to each other. Further, the engaging claws 182L and the engaging portions 192L are provided at positions corresponding to each other.

  The duct body 80 is composed of a plurality of parts. Specifically, the duct body 80 includes an intake portion 800, a compression portion 840, a fan holding portion 910, and a filter holding portion 880 in order from the upstream side of the air flow. In the first embodiment, the intake unit 800, the compression unit 840 and the fan holding unit 910 are formed in the first unit 180. The filter holding part 880 is formed in the second unit 190.

  The intake section 800 forms intake spaces 808 and 810 together with the duct mounting member 90. The compression unit 840 forms compression spaces 848 and 850, and the fan holding unit 910 forms a connection space. Furthermore, the filter holding part 880 forms an exhaust space. Hereinafter, the detailed structure of each part will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the air intake 800 is formed on the forefront side of the first unit 180. The intake part 800 includes a flow path space forming part 802 and a boundary wall 804. The channel space forming part 802 includes a top wall 802a and a side wall 802b. The top wall 802a is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear substantially horizontal direction. The top wall 802a seals the upper side of the intake portion 800. Further, a part of the top wall 802 a constitutes the top wall on the front side of the duct body 80. The side wall 802b has an upper end (upper edge) connected to the top wall 802a and extends downward. The lower end (lower end edge) of the side wall 802b abuts (adheres) to the duct attachment member 90 when the duct attachment member 90 is attached to the duct body 80.

  Therefore, a space 806 that is partitioned by the top wall 802a of the air intake portion 800, the side wall 802b of the air intake portion 800, and the duct attachment member 90 and extends in the vertical direction is formed. As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 7, the space 806 is partitioned into a front side and a back side by a boundary wall 804. A space on the front side of the boundary wall 804 is a first intake space 808 that is a part of the first air passage 130, and a second air intake is a space on the back side of the boundary wall 804 that is a part of the second air passage 140. A space 810 is formed.

  However, the boundary wall 804 is disposed between the first opening end 92 and the second opening end 94 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the first intake space 808 communicates with the periphery of the fixing unit 44 through the first intake port 92a, and the second intake space 810 communicates with the periphery of the fixing unit 44 through the second intake port 94a. Communicated.

  Further, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the first intake space 808 (the size of the first intake space 808 in the front-rear and left-right directions defined by the side wall 802b and the boundary wall 804) is set larger than the opening area of the first intake port 92a. Is done. Further, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the second intake space 810 (the size of the second intake space 810 in the front-rear and left-right directions defined by the side wall 802b and the boundary wall 804) is set larger than the opening area of the second intake port 94a. Is done.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the intake section 800 is provided with a first fan 110 and a second fan 112.

  The first fan 110 is provided in the first intake space 808. However, the first fan 110 is disposed at the uppermost part (the top surface side) of the first intake space 808. That is, the first fan 110 is disposed at a distance from the tip end portion of the first intake space 808 (the contact portion with the duct mounting member 90). Specifically, the first fan 110 is attached to the top wall 802a of the flow path space forming part 802 on the front side of the boundary wall 804. Further, the first fan 110 is disposed on the back side of the first intake space 808 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the first fan 110 is disposed on the left side of the first intake space 808 in the left-right direction.

  The second fan 112 is provided in the second intake space 810. However, the second fan 112 is disposed at the uppermost part (the top surface side) of the second intake space 810. That is, the second fan 112 is disposed at a distance from the tip of the second intake space 810 (the contact portion with the duct attachment member 90). Specifically, the second fan 112 is attached to the top wall 802 a of the flow path space forming part 802 on the back side of the boundary wall 804. The second fan 112 is disposed on the back side of the second intake space 810 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the second fan 112 is disposed on the opposite side of the first fan 110 (on the right side of the second intake space 810) in the left-right direction.

  The first fan 110 and the second fan 112 are centrifugal fans having a plurality of blades (blades), for example, a sirocco fan (multi-blade fan) or a turbo fan. As for the 1st fan 110 and the 2nd fan 112, the rotating shaft direction of a some braid | blade is set to the up-down direction. Therefore, the first fan 110 and the second fan 112 suck (intake) air from the lower space and pump (discharge) the air in the horizontal direction by centrifugal force.

  However, the first fan 110 provided on the front side (first intake space 808) is a larger fan than the second fan 112 provided on the back side (second intake space 810). Since the first air passage is longer than the second air passage and has a higher airflow resistance, the same exhaust flow rate as that of the second air passage can be secured by making the first fan larger than the second fan in this way.

  Further, a fifth opening end 820 and a sixth opening end 852 are formed in the top wall 802a of the flow path space forming portion 802 of the intake portion 800. The fifth opening end 820 is formed at a position corresponding to (abuts with) the first fan 110. The sixth opening end 852 is formed at a position corresponding to (abuts with) the second fan 112. The fifth opening end 820 is formed around the rotation axis of the first fan 110 and is formed slightly smaller than the outer shape of the first fan 110. Similarly, the sixth opening end 852 is formed around the rotation axis of the second fan 112 and is formed slightly smaller than the outer shape of the second fan 112.

  If it does in this way, since the heat of the motor part which drives the 1st fan 110 is radiated from the 4th communicating port 820a formed of the 5th opening end 820, the drive motor of the 1st fan 110 accumulates heat and burns out. Can be prevented. Similarly, the heat generated by the motor unit that drives the second fan 112 can be radiated from the fifth communication port 852a formed by the sixth opening end 852.

  Although not shown, the ceiling 802 a of the flow path space forming portion 802 of the intake portion 800 and the first fan 110 are sealed so as to surround the fifth opening end 820 and the sixth opening end 852. A member is clamped so that air does not leak.

  Further, the exhaust direction of the first fan 110 and the exhaust direction of the second fan 112 are set to the back side. Therefore, the direction of airflow in the first intake space 808 and the second intake space 810 is bent vertically by the first fan 110 and the second fan 112.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a third opening end 816 is formed on the side wall on the back side of the flow path space forming portion 802 so as to correspond to the exhaust port of the first fan 110. A first communication port 816 a is formed by the third opening end 816. The first intake space 808 is communicated with a first compression space 848 described later by the first communication port 816a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a fourth opening end 818 is formed on the side wall on the back side of the flow path space forming portion 802 so as to correspond to the exhaust port of the second fan 112. A second communication port 818 a is formed by the fourth opening end 818. The second intake space 810 communicates with a second compression space 850 described later by the second communication port 818a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the compression unit 840 is formed on the downstream side (back side) of the intake unit 800 of the first unit 180. The compression unit 840 includes a flow path space forming unit 842 and a boundary wall 844. The channel space forming portion 842 includes a top wall 842a, a bottom wall 842b, a first side wall 842c, and a second side wall 842d. Each of the top wall 842a, the bottom wall 842b, the first side wall 842c, and the second side wall 842d is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction. The top wall 842a seals the upper side of the compression unit 840. The bottom wall 842b is provided to face the top wall 842a and seals the lower side of the compression unit 840. The first side wall 842c connects the right peripheral edge of the top wall 842a and the right peripheral edge of the bottom wall 842b. The second side wall 842d connects the left peripheral edge of the top wall 842a and the left peripheral edge of the bottom wall 842b.

  Therefore, a cylindrical space that is partitioned by the top wall 842a, the bottom wall 842b, the first side wall 842c, and the second side wall 842d and extends in the front-rear direction is formed. This space is divided into a left side and a right side by a boundary wall 844. The space on the left side of the boundary wall 844 is a first compression space 848 that is a part of the first ventilation path 130, and the space on the right side of the boundary wall 844 is a part of the second ventilation path 140. It becomes.

  However, as described above, the first intake space 808 is disposed on the upstream side (front side) of the second intake space 810. For this reason, the first compression space 848 is longer than the second compression space 850.

  The flow passage cross-sectional areas of the first compression space 848 and the second compression space 850 are larger than the opening areas of the exhaust ports of the first fan 110 and the second fan 112. Further, the size (length) of the second compression space 850 in the front-rear direction is larger than the size of the second fan 112 in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the second compression space 850 has a sufficient volume (capacity) for receiving the air pumped from the second fan 112. The first compression space 848 is longer than the second compression space 850 and thus has a larger volume (capacity).

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, a part of the front side of the first compression space 848 overlaps with the upper left of the second intake space 810. For this reason, in the part which the 1st compression space 848 and the 2nd intake space 810 overlap in the up-down direction, the width | variety above the 2nd intake space 810 becomes narrow. However, since the lower part of the second intake space 810 does not overlap the first compression space 848 vertically, the width in the left-right direction is not reduced. For this reason, the second intake space 810 can use the entire left and right direction as the intake space in the lower portion. That is, the second intake space 810 can be set as large as possible.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the first compression space 848 and the second compression space 850 are arranged such that the flow path is cut off as they go to the downstream side of the air flow (from the front side to the back side). Increases area. That is, the first compression space 848 and the second compression space 850 function as a diffuser section that widens the air flow path and rectifies and boosts the air discharged from the first fan 110 and the second fan 112.

  The top wall 842a of the flow path space forming portion 842 is provided in a substantially horizontal direction. On the other hand, the bottom wall 842b of the flow path space forming portion 842 includes an inclined portion that becomes a downward gradient as it goes from the front side to the back side. Therefore, the first compression space 848 and the second compression space 850 increase in the vertical width as they go from the front side to the back side.

  Each of the first side wall 842c and the second side wall 842d includes an inclined portion that is inclined so as to be separated from the boundary wall 844 in the left-right direction as it goes from the front surface side to the back surface side. Accordingly, the first compression space 848 and the second compression space 850 increase in width in the left-right direction as going from the front side to the back side.

  As described above, the first compression space 848 and the second compression space 850 have widths in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction that increase from the front surface side to the rear surface side, so that the flow path cross-sectional area increases.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 7, the fan holding part 910 is formed on the downstream side (back side) of the compression part 840 of the first unit 180. Further, the fan holding part 910 is formed on the most back side of the first unit 180. The fan holding part 910 includes a flow path space forming part 912 and a boundary wall 914. The channel space forming part 912 is a cylindrical member extending in the front-rear direction, and is provided continuously to the channel space forming part 842. A space (connection space) having a substantially rectangular cross section is formed in the flow path space forming portion 912.

  The connection space is divided into a left side and a right side by a boundary wall 914. The space on the left side of the boundary wall 914 is a first connection space that is a part of the first ventilation path 130, and the space on the right side of the boundary wall 914 is a second connection space that is a part of the second ventilation path 140. .

  The front end edge of the boundary wall 914 abuts (closely contacts) the rear end edge of the boundary wall 844 of the compression unit 840. For this reason, the front end of the first connection space communicates with the first compression space 848, and the front end of the second connection space communicates with the second compression space 850.

  However, the channel cross-sectional area of the first connection space and the channel cross-sectional area of the second connection space are substantially the same. Further, the channel cross-sectional area of the first connection space is substantially the same as the channel cross-sectional area at the end portion on the back side of the first compression space 848. Furthermore, the channel cross-sectional area of the second connection space is substantially the same as the channel cross-sectional area at the end portion on the back surface side of the second compression space 850.

  The fan holding unit 910 holds the third fan 118 and the fourth fan 120. That is, the third fan 118 and the fourth fan 120 are held by the first unit 180. The third fan 118 is provided in the first connection space (first air passage 130). The fourth fan 120 is provided in the second connection space (second air passage 140). That is, the third fan 118 is provided on the downstream side of the first compression space 848, and the fourth fan 120 is provided on the downstream side of the second compression space 850.

  The third fan 118 and the fourth fan 120 are axial fans, for example, propeller fans. In the third fan 118 and the fourth fan 120, the rotation axis direction of the fan is set to the front-rear direction. The third fan 118 and the fourth fan 120 suck air from the front side and discharge it to the back side. That is, the third fan 118 and the fourth fan 120 send the air sent from the first fan 110 and the second fan 112 to the first air passage filter 114 and the second air passage filter 116.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, and 7, the filter holding unit 880 is formed on the downstream side (back side) of the compression unit 840. In addition, the filter holding unit 880 is formed in the second unit 190. Filter holding portion 880 includes flow path space forming portion 882 and boundary wall 884. The channel space forming part 882 is a cylindrical member extending in the front-rear direction, and is provided continuously to the channel space forming part 912. A space (exhaust space) having a substantially rectangular cross section is formed inside the flow path space forming portion 882.

  The exhaust space is divided into a left side and a right side by a boundary wall 884. The space on the left side of the boundary wall 884 is a first exhaust space that is a part of the first ventilation path 130, and the space on the right side of the boundary wall 884 is a second exhaust space that is a part of the second ventilation path 140. .

  The front end edge of the boundary wall 884 is in contact (contact) with the rear end edge of the boundary wall 914 of the fan holding portion 910. For this reason, the front end portion of the first exhaust space communicates with the first connection space, and the front end portion of the second exhaust space communicates with the second connection space. The rear end portions of the first exhaust space and the second exhaust space are connected to an exhaust port on the back side of the apparatus main body 12. For this reason, the first exhaust space and the second exhaust space are communicated with the outside of the apparatus main body 12 through the exhaust port of the apparatus main body 12.

  However, the cross-sectional area of the first exhaust space and the cross-sectional area of the second exhaust space are substantially the same. The flow passage cross-sectional area of the first exhaust space is substantially the same as the flow passage cross-sectional area at the end portion on the back side of the first connection space. Furthermore, the flow path cross-sectional area of the second exhaust space is substantially the same as the flow path cross-sectional area at the end on the back side of the second connection space.

  As described above, the first air passage 130 and the second air passage 140 are formed. As shown in FIG. 5, in the first air passage 130, the first air inlet 92 a serves as an air inlet (first air inlet), and the rear end of the first exhaust space serves as an air outlet (first air outlet). Become. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the second air passage 140, the second air inlet 94a serves as an air inlet (second air inlet), and the rear end of the second exhaust space serves as an air outlet (second air outlet). )

  However, the 1st inlet 92a is arrange | positioned at the front side, and the 2nd inlet 94a is arrange | positioned at the back side. Therefore, the first air passage 130 guides the air on the front side around the fixing unit 44 to the outside of the apparatus main body 12. Further, the second air passage 140 guides the air on the back side around the fixing unit 44 to the outside of the apparatus main body 12.

  Further, the first unit 180 and the second unit 190 function as an air passage forming member that forms the first air passage 130 and the second air passage 140.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the filter holding unit 880 includes a first filter (first air passage filter) 114 provided in the first exhaust space (first air passage 130), and a second exhaust space ( A second filter (second air passage filter) 116 provided in the second air passage 140 is held. Therefore, the second unit 190 forming the filter holding portion 880 also functions as a filter holding member that holds the first air passage filter 114 and the second air passage filter 116.

  In addition, the filter holding unit 880 includes a louver 892 provided across the first exhaust space and the second exhaust space. Louver 892 is arranged so as to come into contact with third fan 118 and fourth fan 120 from the back side. That is, each of the third fan 118 and the fourth fan 120 is disposed immediately before the first air passage filter 114 and the second air passage filter 116.

  The first air passage filter 114 and the second air passage filter 116 are disposed in contact with the back side of the louver 892. That is, the louver 892 also functions as a positioning member in the front-rear direction of the first air passage filter 114 and the second air passage filter 116.

  However, in each of the first air passage filter 114 and the second air passage filter 116, the position of the end portion on the back surface is the same as the end edge on the back surface side of the flow path space forming portion 882 of the filter holding portion 880. Or it is arranged so that it is located slightly on the front side. Therefore, each of the first air passage filter 114 and the second air passage filter 116 is housed in the filter holding portion 880 in its entirety.

  The first air passage filter 114 includes a first type filter 1140 or a second type filter 1142.

  Further, the second air passage filter 116 includes a first type filter 1160 or a second type filter 1162.

  The first type of filters 1140 and 1160 are VOC collection filters for collecting volatile organic compounds (VOC) or ozone.

  The second type of filters 1142 and 1162 are UFP collection filters for collecting ultrafine particles (UFP).

  The second type filters (UFP filters) 1142 and 1162 are set to have a higher density than the first type filters (VOC filters) 1140 and 1160 in order to collect ultrafine particles having a particle size of 0.1 μm or less. Is done. That is, the UFP filters 1142 and 1162 have higher filter performance than the VOC filters 1140 and 1160. Therefore, the UFP filters 1142 and 1162 have a larger ventilation resistance than the VOC filters 1140 and 1160. The size (thickness) of the UFP filters 1142 and 1162 in the front-rear direction is set to be larger than the size (thickness) of the VOC filters 1140 and 1160 in the front-rear direction.

  FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the second unit 190A for VOC. FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the second unit 190B for UFP. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the exhaust device 10 including the first unit 180 and the second unit 190.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the second unit 190 is a second unit 190A for VOC that holds the VOC filters 1140 and 1160 or a second unit 190B for UFP that holds the UFP filters 1142 and 1162. is there.

  The external shapes of the second unit 190A for VOC and the second unit 190B for UFP are the same. For this reason, the second unit 190A for VOC and the second unit 190B for UFP can be exchanged and installed.

  A rib 194 extending in the front-rear direction is formed inside the second unit 190A for VOC. The rib 194 is formed integrally with the louver 892 and extends from the louver 892 to the back side. For example, the end of the rib 194 on the back side is located at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the second unit 190A for VOC. In the VOC second unit 190 </ b> A, the VOC filters 1140 and 1160 are disposed so as to be in contact with the rear side end of the rib 194. That is, the position in the front-rear direction of the VOC filters 1140 and 1160 is regulated by the rib 194. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the UFP filters 1142 and 1162 from being erroneously attached to the VOC second unit 190A.

  Further, the second unit 190B may hold not only the UFP filters 1142 and 1162, but also the UFP filters 1142 and 1162 and the VOC filters 1140 and 1160.

  The air flow in the exhaust device 10 of the first embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 5 by taking the first air passage 130 as an example. In addition, since the 1st ventilation path 130 and the 2nd ventilation path 140 are the same about the flow of air, what is demonstrated below is also the 2nd ventilation path 140.

  In the first air passage 130, when the first fan 110 is operated, air is sucked into the first fan 110 from the first intake space 808 below the first fan 110. At this time, the first intake space 808 becomes negative pressure. For this reason, the air around the fixing unit 44 is sucked into the first air intake space 808 (first air passage 130) through the first air inlet 92 a and further sucked into the first fan 110.

  Further, the air sucked into the first fan 110 is discharged to the first compression space 848 through the first communication port 816a. Then, the air discharged into the first compression space 848 flows into the first connection space 918 and is sucked into the third fan 118. The air sucked into the third fan 118 is sent to the first air passage filter 114, passes through the first air passage filter 114, and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 12.

  When the UFP second unit 190B is used, when the air that has flowed into the first exhaust space passes through the UFP filter 1142, the flow velocity of the air flow decreases, and the UFP filter 1142 passes through the device. The flow rate of air discharged to the outside of the main body 12 (exhaust flow rate) will decrease. In other words, the exhaust flow rate is reduced on the downstream side (exhaust side) of the air flow from the first fan 110.

  However, in the first embodiment, a centrifugal fan having a high static pressure (power to send out air) is used as the first fan 110, so that air can be further compressed and sent. As a result, the air on the inlet side of the first air passage filter 114 is compressed, and the air pressure on the inlet side of the first air passage filter 114 is increased (a pressure difference is created between the inlet and the outlet). It can pass through the filter 114 for one air passage. That is, even if the UFP filters 1142 and 1162 having high ventilation resistance are provided, a large amount of air can be passed, and thus a reduction in the intake air flow rate sucked from the periphery of the fixing unit 44 can be prevented. .

  Further, in the first embodiment, by providing the first compression space 848 between the first fan 110 and the first air passage filter 114, a large amount of air is effective in the upstream space of the first air passage filter 114. Therefore, the air immediately before the first air passage filter 114 can be effectively compressed to a higher pressure (than the outside air). For this reason, sufficient air can be passed through the first air passage filter 114 more stably, and as a result, a reduction in the intake air flow sucked from the periphery of the fixing unit 44 can be prevented.

  Further, since the third fan 118 is provided immediately before the first air passage filter 114, the air compressed in the first compression space 848 and the second compression space 850 is uniformly supplied to the first air passage filter 114. Can be sent. Therefore, the exhaust flow rate that passes through the first air passage filter 114 and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 12 can be increased, and the reduction of the intake flow rate sucked from the periphery of the fixing unit 44 can be prevented.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, it is possible to efficiently collect UFP generated around the fixing unit 44 and prevent the UFP from leaking and being released to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the structure of the exhaust duct becomes complicated.

  However, according to the first embodiment, the duct body 80 is configured by the combination of the first unit 180 and the second unit 190 that are separable from each other, so that the exhaust duct having the complicated structure as described above can be easily manufactured. can do.

  In the first embodiment, the second unit 190 that holds the first air passage filter 114 and the second air passage filter 116 is detachably provided on the first unit 180. Therefore, the first air passage filter 114 and the second air passage filter 116 can be attached to the exhaust device 10 together with the second unit 190 or removed from the exhaust device 10 together with the second unit 190. The replacement work of the first air passage filter 114 and the second air passage filter 116 is simple. In addition, the first air passage filter 114 and the second air passage filter 116 can be exchanged without dirtying hands.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the second unit 190A for VOC and the second unit 190B for UFP can be exchanged and installed. For this reason, when changing the filter specifications of the image forming apparatus 100, it is only necessary to replace the second unit 190A for VOC or the second unit 190B for UFP, so that the replacement work is simple.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the rib 194 extending from the louver 892 to the back side is formed inside the second unit 190A for VOC, the VOC filters 1140 and 1160 can be easily attached.

  In the first embodiment, the two air passages, the first air passage 130 and the second air passage 140, are formed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a third air passage is provided. Alternatively, only the air passage of the first air passage 130 may be provided.

  In the first embodiment, the third fan 118 and the fourth fan 120 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If only the first fan 110 and the second fan 112 can secure the intake air flow sucked from the periphery of the fixing unit 44, the third fan 118 and the fourth fan 120 can be omitted. In this way, the configuration of the exhaust device 10 can be simplified, the number of parts can be reduced, and thus the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, when the second VOC unit 190A is used, the first fan 110 and the second fan 112 can be omitted because only the VOC filters 1140 and 1160 having low ventilation resistance are used. In this way, the configuration of the exhaust device 10 can be simplified, the number of parts can be reduced, and thus the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the second unit 190 is held by the first unit 180 by the engagement mechanism, but it is not necessary to be limited to this. Instead of or in addition to the engagement mechanism, the second unit 190 may be held by the first unit 180 by a fixing member such as a screw. In this way, it is possible to prevent the second unit 190 from being detached from the first unit 180 due to the pressure of the air flow in the exhaust device 10.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a main body side air passage 150 is formed outside the duct main body 80 and the duct mounting member 90 (exhaust duct). Although not shown, for example, the main body side air passage 150 is formed on the back side of the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, the main body side air passage 150 is formed between a support frame for supporting a plurality of components included in the image forming unit 30 and the side wall of the apparatus main body 12.

  The main body side air passage 150 is a cooling air passage for sucking air in the back side space of the fixing unit 44, for example. Although not shown, the main body side air passage 150 is formed to extend upward from the back side of the fixing unit 44. The main body side air passage 150 is provided with a fan that sucks air from the back side of the fixing unit 44 and exhausts it upward.

  The upper end portion of the main body side air passage 150 is connected to the first air passage 130 and the second air passage 140. Specifically, the upper end portion of the main body side air passage 150 is formed by the bottom wall 842 b of the second air passage 140. More specifically, the upper end portion of the main body side air passage 150 is connected to a third communication port 912 a formed on the bottom surface of the flow path space forming portion 912 of the fan holding portion 910.

  In this way, the main body side air passage 150 is connected to the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the fourth fan 120, so that the fourth fan 120 can function as an exhaust fan in the main body side air passage 150. . Further, another main body side air passage similar to the main body side air passage 150 may be provided on the upstream side of the third fan 118.

Further, since the main body side air passage 150 is connected to the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the second air passage filter 116, the air sucked into the main body side air passage 150 includes VOC, ozone, or UFP. Even if it exists, VOC, ozone, or UFP can be collected with the filter 116 for 2nd ventilation paths. The main body side air passage 150 may be connected to the upstream side of the first air passage filter 114.
[Second Embodiment]
The image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is the same as the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment except that a part of the duct body 80 is configured by the third unit 200. Different contents will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the exhaust device 10 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the lower rear side. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the exhaust device 10 with the third unit 200 removed, as viewed from the upper front.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the second embodiment, a part of the front side of the first unit 180 is divided as a third unit 200. For this reason, the duct main body 80 is configured by the first unit 180 (corresponding to the second air passage forming member), the second unit 190, and the third unit 200 (corresponding to the first air passage forming member).

  The third unit 200 is attached to the duct attachment member 90 by a fixing member such as a screw, separately from the first unit 180.

  In the second embodiment, a part of the front side of the intake section 800 is formed in the third unit 200. In addition, a part of the back side of the intake unit 800, the compression unit 840 and the fan holding unit 910 are formed in the first unit 180. That is, the intake section 800 is formed by the third unit 200 and the first unit 180.

  Specifically, the third unit 200 includes a part on the front side of the air intake portion 800 and a boundary wall 804. That is, the boundary between the third unit 200 and the first unit 180 is on the back side with respect to the boundary wall 804. For this reason, the first intake space 808 arranged on the front side of the boundary wall 804 is formed by the third unit 200 and the duct attachment member 90.

  The second intake space 810 disposed on the back side of the boundary wall 804 is formed by a part on the back side of the third unit 200, a part on the front side of the first unit 180, and the duct attachment member 90.

  In the second embodiment, the third opening end 816 is formed at the end of the third unit 200 on the back side. For this reason, the 1st communicating port 816a is formed in the edge part of the back side of the 3rd unit 200. FIG.

  Further, a seventh opening end 184 corresponding to the third opening end 816 is formed at the front end of the first unit 180. Although it is difficult to understand from FIGS. 12 and 13, the seventh opening end 184 forms a communication port communicating with the first compression space 848. The first intake space 808 and the first compression space 848 communicate with each other through this communication port.

  As described above, the third unit 200 forms a part of the first ventilation path 130 (first intake space 808). The first unit 180 forms another part of the second air passage 140 and the first air passage 130 (a part other than the first intake space 808).

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the first fan 110 is provided in the third unit 200. The second fan 112 is provided in the first unit 180.

  According to the second embodiment, a part of the front side of the first unit 180 is divided as the third unit 200, so that the mold structure can be simplified. That is, the member in which a complicated ventilation path is formed can be manufactured easily.

Further, according to the second embodiment, since the first fan 110 is provided in the third unit 200, when replacing the first fan 110, only the third unit 200 is removed from the duct mounting member 90, and the first fan 110 is removed. The replacement work of the fan 110 can be performed. Similarly, since the second fan 112 is provided in the first unit 180, when replacing the second fan 112, only the first unit 180 is removed from the duct mounting member 90, and the replacement work of the second fan 112 is performed. It can be carried out. Therefore, the replacement work of the first fan 110 and the second fan 112 is simple.
[Third embodiment]
The image forming apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment is the same as the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment except that a part of the duct body 80 is configured by the fourth unit 210. Different contents will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the exhaust device 10 according to the third embodiment as viewed from the lower rear side. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the first unit 180 of the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the third embodiment, a part on the back side of the first unit 180 is divided as a fourth unit 210. Therefore, the duct body 80 includes a first unit 180 (corresponding to a second air passage forming member), a second unit 190, a third unit 200 (corresponding to a first air passage forming member), and a fourth unit (fan holding member). Equivalent to 210).

  The fourth unit 210 is detachably held on the first unit 180 by an engaging mechanism or a fixing member such as a screw.

  In the third embodiment, the second unit 190 is detachably held on the fourth unit 210 by an engaging mechanism or a fixing member such as a screw. In the third embodiment, the second unit 190 is held (connected) to the fourth unit 210 by the engagement mechanism. For this reason, engaging claws 212R and 212L corresponding to the engaging claws 182R and 182L of the first embodiment are formed at both ends in the left-right direction of the fourth unit 210, respectively. Therefore, in the third embodiment, only the second unit 190 can be removed from the duct body 80, or the second unit 190 and the fourth unit 210 can be removed from the duct body 80 together.

  In the third embodiment, a part on the back side of the compression unit 840 and the fan holding unit 910 are formed in the fourth unit 210. That is, the fourth unit 210 constitutes a part of the first ventilation path 130 and the second ventilation path 140.

  The boundary between the fourth unit 210 and the first unit 180 is at least the back side of the second intake space 810. That is, the boundary between the fourth unit 210 and the first unit 180 is set in the middle of the compression unit 840.

  In addition, an eighth opening end 186 and a ninth opening end 188 are formed at the end of the first unit 180 on the back side. A tenth opening end (not shown) and an eleventh opening end 214 are formed at the front end of the fourth unit 210. The eighth opening end 186 and the tenth opening end are formed at positions corresponding to the first compression space 848 and corresponding to each other. The ninth opening end 188 and the eleventh opening end 214 are formed at positions corresponding to the second compression space 850 and corresponding to each other.

  The first compression space 848 on the fourth unit 210 side and the first compression space 848 on the first unit 180 side are communicated with each other through a communication port formed by the eighth opening end 186 and the ninth opening end 188, and the fourth The second compression space 850 on the unit 210 side communicates with the second compression space 850 on the first unit 180 side.

  According to the third embodiment, a part on the back side of the first unit 180 is divided as the fourth unit 210, so that a member in which a complicated air passage is formed can be manufactured more easily.

  Further, according to the third embodiment, the fourth unit 210 constitutes a portion of the first air passage 130 and the second air passage 140 that is upstream of the third fan 118 and the fourth fan 120 in the air flow. Therefore, the third communication port 912a for joining the main body side air passage 150 to the first air passage 130 and the second air passage 140 can be easily formed.

  Note that the specific numerical values, configurations, and the like given in the above-described embodiments are examples, and can be appropriately changed according to the actual product.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image forming apparatus 10 ... Exhaust device 44 ... Fixing unit 80 ... Duct main body 90 ... Duct attachment member 110 ... 1st fan 112 ... 2nd fan 114 ... 1st filter 116 ... 2nd filter 130 ... 1st ventilation path 140 ... Second air passage 180 ... first unit 190 ... second unit 800 ... intake section 808 ... first intake space 810 ... second intake space 840 ... compression section 848 ... first compression space 850 ... second compression space 880 ... filter holding Part

Claims (8)

Device body,
A fixing unit provided inside the apparatus main body and configured to heat and fix a toner image transferred to a recording medium;
A first air passage that is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom surface and a top surface, has a first air intake port that is provided on the bottom surface and allows air from the fixing unit to pass through, and guides the air to the outside of the apparatus main body. Exhaust duct to form,
A first air passage filter provided in the first air passage, and a first air inlet side of the first air passage filter in the first air passage, and the air is passed through the first air inlet. A first centrifugal fan that sucks and pumps the first air passage filter;
The exhaust duct is an image forming apparatus including a plurality of members that are separable from each other.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of members is a filter holding member that holds the first air passage filter. The first air passage filter includes a first type filter or a second type filter having a filter performance different from that of the first type filter,
The filter holding member is the second filter holding member that holds the first type filter or the second type filter that holds the first type filter,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first filter holding member and the second filter holding member are replaceable. The first ventilation path includes a first intake space provided between the first centrifugal fan and the first intake port,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of members is a first air passage forming member that forms at least the first intake space. 5.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first centrifugal fan is provided in the first air passage forming member. A first shaft that is provided between the first centrifugal fan and the first air passage filter in the first air passage and sends the air pressure-fed by the first centrifugal fan to the first air passage filter. With a fan
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of members is a fan holding member that holds the first centrifugal fan. A second intake port formed in the exhaust duct in parallel with the first air passage and provided on the bottom surface for allowing air from the fixing unit to pass therethrough, and leading the air to the outside of the apparatus main body. Airway,
A second air passage filter provided in the second air passage; and the second air inlet side of the second air passage in the second air passage, the air passing through the second air inlet. A second centrifugal fan that sucks and pumps the second air passage filter;
The second ventilation path includes a second intake space provided between the second centrifugal fan and the second intake port,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of members is a second ventilation path forming member that forms at least the second intake space.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second centrifugal fan is provided in the second air passage forming member.

Images