JP4280467B2 - Electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimiles using an electrophotographic system, a drum-shaped photoconductor is provided in the image forming apparatus main body, and the surface of the photoconductor is uniformly charged with a charger. An electrostatic latent image is formed by forming an image on the surface of the charged photoreceptor using an optical system, which is visualized as a toner image by a developing device, and the visualized toner image is directly or via an intermediate transfer member. Is transferred to the paper.
[0003]
As a charger for charging a positive or negative charge on the surface of the photosensitive member, a charger using a discharge phenomenon such as a charging charger or a charging roller is most frequently used. From such a charger, discharge products such as ozone and NOx are generated along with the discharge, and if this discharge product stays around the charger, the discharge from the charger becomes unstable and charging unevenness occurs. As a result, blur of the toner image (image blur) formed on the surface of the photoreceptor is generated. In addition, nitric acid is generated when NOx, which is a staying discharge product, reacts with moisture, and when the nitric acid adheres to the surface of the photoconductor, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor is broken, causing image blurring or photosensitivity. The lifespan of the body is reduced.
[0004]
Such a phenomenon tends to become prominent when condensation occurs in the image forming apparatus due to a rapid change in the temperature of the room in which the image forming apparatus is installed. In addition, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the performance of development, transfer, separation, cleaning, and the like as well as charging varies depending on humidity, so it is desirable that the humidity be constant.
[0005]
From such a viewpoint, it is necessary to adjust the humidity around the photoconductor by controlling the temperature of the photoconductor or dehumidifying the periphery of the photoconductor, and as an invention for adjusting the humidity around the photoconductor, JP-A-8-16073, JP-A-9-114321, JP-A-11-112709, JP-A-9-81018, JP-A-10-232591, JP-A-10-254330, etc. Is known.
[0006]
In addition, various inventions shown below have been proposed as an invention in which the discharge products such as ozone and NOx generated from the charger are prevented from adversely affecting image formation. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-282318 proposes an invention for decomposing ozone in an image forming apparatus using the decomposition action of a discharge product by a photocatalytic substance. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-303244 proposes an invention that uses exhaust heat of the fixing portion to prevent NOx from becoming nitrate. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-167857 proposes an invention for decomposing ozone using exhaust heat of a fixing unit. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-317974 proposes an invention that suppresses the generation of ozone by disposing a catalyst in the vicinity of where discharge occurs. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-134473 proposes an invention that uses a catalyst and heat to suppress the generation of ozone. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-114191 proposes an invention in which creeping glow discharge is caused on the surface of the charger separately from charging of the photoreceptor to decompose NOx. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-138619 proposes an invention in which ozone in a duct for sucking ozone is decomposed by irradiating light, and the lifetime of the ozone decomposition filter is extended by improving decomposition efficiency. Yes. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-301364 proposes an invention for preventing the generation of ozone by flowing a non-ozone generating gas through a discharge portion. Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-23715 proposes an invention in which NOx is neutralized to prevent deterioration of the photosensitive member by coating a catalyst on the inside of a charger.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
NOx of the discharge products generated by the discharge in the charger reacts with moisture in the air to generate nitric acid, which adheres to the surface of the photoconductor and generates image blur due to poor charging, or photosensitivity. Reducing the lifespan of the body. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of nitric acid by dehumidifying the inside of the image forming apparatus and reducing the amount of water in the image forming apparatus. However, if air is introduced from the outside of the image forming apparatus to perform dehumidification, it is included in the outside air. A large amount of water must be dehumidified, and large dehumidifying means must be used. However, since the large dehumidifying means cannot be built in the image forming apparatus, in order to incorporate the small dehumidifying means in the image forming apparatus, only the air in the closed space is dehumidified in order to incorporate the small dehumidifying means in the image forming apparatus. There is a need. However, if the inside of the image forming apparatus is closed, discharge products such as ozone and NOx generated from the charger are not discharged to the outside but are accumulated in the image forming apparatus, so that the concentration of the discharge products increases and charging unevenness occurs. And image blur due to charging unevenness occurs.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it possible to perform dehumidification from the periphery of a photoconductor with a small dehumidifying means, and to prevent discharge products from accumulating in the dehumidifying space. Is to provide a device.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Claim1The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the invention includes at least a photosensitive member and a charger for charging the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member, and the inside thereof is a closed space, and the closed space is formed by the charger. Along the rotation direction of the photoconductorLocated upstream of the chargerWith the first spaceLocated downstream of the charger along the rotational direction of the photoreceptor.A main body case partitioned into a second space; a pair of ducts connected to the main body case so that one end communicates with the first space and the other end communicates with the second space; and one of the ducts A first air blowing means for blowing air in the first space through the inside into the second space, and a second air blowing means for blowing air in the second space through the other duct into the first space. When,Air is blown from the first space to the second space.Dehumidifying means disposed in the duct to remove moisture in the air;Air is blown from the second space to the first space.A discharge product removing means disposed in the duct for removing discharge products in the air.
[0016]
Here, the “closed space” does not mean that it is completely sealed, but means that air can enter and exit from the gap portion of the main body case.
[0017]
In addition, “partitioning into the first space and the second space” does not mean that the partitioning is performed so as to completely block the movement of air, but between the first space and the second space. It means that the existence of a gap through which air enters and exits is allowed.
[0018]
  Therefore, the air in the first space is blown into the second space through one duct by driving the first blowing means, and the second space is sent through the other duct by driving the second blowing means. The air inside is blown into the first space, whereby the air inside the main body case is circulated between the first space and the second space. In this circulation process, moisture in the air is removed by the dehumidifying means provided in one duct, and discharge products in the air are removed by the discharge product removing means provided in the other duct. The air dehumidified by the dehumidifying means is not the air introduced from outside the main body case but the air circulating in the main body case and is repeatedly dehumidified by the dehumidifying means. Can be done. Further, since the discharge product is removed from the circulating air by the discharge product dehumidifying means, the discharge product is prevented from accumulating in the main body case. For this reason, the occurrence of image blur due to the discharge product reacting with moisture to generate nitric acid, and the occurrence of charging unevenness and image blur caused by the accumulation of the discharge product in the main body case are prevented. A good image can be obtained.
In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the first space is located upstream of the charger along the rotation direction of the photoconductor, and the second space is the photoconductor. The dehumidifying means is disposed in the duct that is located downstream of the charger along the rotation direction and blows air from the first space to the second space, and from the second space to the first space. Discharge product removing means is disposed in the duct through which air is blown.
Therefore, in the second space located on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor, a large amount of discharge products generated by the discharge of the charger are carried by the air flow generated along with the rotation of the photoconductor. By disposing the discharge product removing means in the duct through which air is blown from the space to the first space, the discharge product is quickly removed. Furthermore, the dehumidifying means is arranged in a duct where air is blown to the second space where there are many discharge products, so that the discharge product and moisture in the second space react to generate nitric acid. Is suppressed more effectively.
[0019]
  Claim2The described invention is claimed.1In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus described above, the pair of ducts are disposed one by one on both ends of the main body case in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the photoconductor.
[0020]
Therefore, by circulating the air in the main body case through the duct arranged in this way, the air can be circulated smoothly in the main body case, and the dehumidifying performance and the discharge product removal performance are high. Become.
[0023]
  Claim3The described invention is claimed.1 or 2In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus described above, a dust filter is provided in the duct.
[0024]
Therefore, while air is circulated in the main body case through the duct, dust such as toner contained in the air is removed by the dustproof filter, and the image quality is improved.
[0025]
  Claim4The invention described in claim 1 to claim 13In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of the above, the main body case houses the photosensitive member, the charger, and other image forming means, and is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. ing.
[0026]
Here, examples of “other image forming means” include a developing device and a cleaning unit.
[0027]
Accordingly, dehumidification and removal of discharge products are not performed in the entire image forming apparatus, but in the main body case containing the photosensitive member, the charger, and other image forming means, so that the volume is reduced. At the same time, the amount of air to be dehumidified is reduced, and the dehumidifying means can be further downsized.
[0028]
  Claim5The described invention is claimed.4In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus described above, the main body case is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus using a special screw that can be attached and detached with a special tool.
[0029]
Here, the photoreceptor accommodated in the main body case suppresses the adhesion of nitric acid generated by the discharge product reacting with moisture and the occurrence of image blur due to the presence of the discharge product in the surroundings. As a result, the life of the photosensitive member is extended and the replacement frequency is also reduced. For this reason, the service person may be made to exchange image forming means such as a photoconductor.
[0030]
Therefore, by replacing the main body case containing the image forming means such as the photosensitive member by a service person using a special tool, the manufacturer side collects the main body case and the image forming means stored therein. Can be reliably performed, disposal can be reliably performed, and recyclability can be improved.
[0031]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an essential part of the present invention in an electrophotographic printer, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an image forming part which is the essential part, and FIG. 3 is an image forming part, dehumidifying means, and discharge product removal. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the dehumidifying means.
[0032]
In the printer main body 1 of the printer, a recording medium conveyance path 3 extending from a paper feeding unit (not shown) to the paper discharge unit 2 is formed. On the recording medium conveyance path 3, a registration roller 4 and an image forming unit 5 are formed. A transfer unit 6, a conveyor belt 7, a fixing unit 8 and the like are arranged. Further, the printer main body 1 is provided with an optical writing device (not shown) for writing an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image data on the surface of the photosensitive member constituting the image forming unit 5 by irradiating the laser beam. ing.
[0033]
The image forming unit 5 includes a photoconductor 9, a charger 10, a developing device 11, a cleaning device 12, and a main body case 13 for storing these, which are image forming means. The main body case 13 is formed in a substantially hexahedron shape having a pair of side plates 13a, 13b, a pair of end plates 13c, 13d, a top plate 13e, and a bottom plate 13f, and the inside thereof is a closed space. Has been. Further, the closed space in the main body case 13 is, by the charger 10, a first space 14 located on the upstream side along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 9 (the direction of arrow a shown in FIG. 2) and a first space located on the downstream side. It is partitioned into two spaces 15. The top plate 13e is formed with an exposure slit 16 for exposing the laser light emitted from the optical writing device to the surface of the photosensitive member 9, and the exposure slit 16 is a transparent plate 17 through which the laser light is transmitted. It is closed. In the bottom plate 13f, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 9 is exposed, and a transfer opening 18 is formed to transfer the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface to the recording medium conveyed on the recording medium conveying path 3. ing.
[0034]
A duct 19 that communicates the first space 14 and the second space 15 is connected to one end face plate 13 c constituting the main body case 13. A duct 20 that communicates the first space 14 and the second space 15 is also connected to the other end face plate 13d. An inlet 19a and a discharge port 19b are formed at the connection portion of the duct 19 to the end face plate 13c. The air in the first space 14 is supplied to the duct 19 at a position between the inlet 19a and the discharge port 19b. Air blowing means for blowing air into the second space 15 and first fans 21a and 21b serving as the first air blowing means are provided. An inlet 20a and an outlet 20b are formed at a connection portion of the duct 20 to the end face plate 13d. Air in the second space 15 is routed to the duct 20 at locations of the inlet 20a and the outlet 20b. Blowing means for blowing air into the first space 14 and second fans 22a and 22b as second blowing means are provided. In the vicinity of the discharge port 19b in the duct 19, a dustproof filter 23 for removing dust such as toner from the air is provided. In the vicinity of the discharge port 20b in the duct 20, a dustproof filter 24 for removing dust such as toner from the air is provided.
[0035]
In one duct 19, a dehumidifying means 25 for removing moisture in the air is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the dehumidifying means 25 uses a Peltier element 26 of an electronic cooling element. The Peltier element 26 applies a Peltier effect in which Joule heat is generated or absorbed by collision of electrons and lattice vibration when an electric current is passed through a device in which two kinds of different metals or semiconductors are connected. The cooling surface of the Peltier element 26 is inside the duct 19 and is provided with condensation fins 27. When the surface of the dew condensation fin 27 is cooled to a dew point or lower, moisture in the air dew condensation and dehumidification. The heat radiating surface of the Peltier element 26 is outside the duct 19, and heat radiating fins 28 are provided. The heat of the radiating fin 28 is radiated to the outside air by the radiating fan 29. Moisture condensed on the dew condensation fins 27 flows out of the duct 19 from the drain 30 below the duct 19.
[0036]
In place of such a dehumidifying means 25, a hygroscopic filter 31 as shown in FIG. 5 may be used as the dehumidifying means. As a hygroscopic agent for the hygroscopic filter 31, silica gel, zeolite, calcium chloride, activated alumina, or the like can be used.
[0037]
In the other duct 20 is provided discharge product removing means 32 for removing discharge products in the air. As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge product removing means 32 includes a photocatalytic filter 33 containing a substance having a photocatalytic function and an excitation light source 34 located in the vicinity of the photocatalytic filter 33. The power supply 36 is connected via the lighting circuit 35. The excitation light source 34 emits excitation light that excites a substance having a photocatalytic function, whereby the photocatalytic function of the substance having the photocatalytic function in the photocatalytic filter 33 is expressed, and generated ozone and NOx are efficiently decomposed. .
[0038]
The photocatalytic filter 33 efficiently decomposes the discharge product by using titanium oxide as a substance having a photocatalytic function. Titanium oxide containing an anatase structure in the crystal structure has the highest effect as a photocatalyst. In addition, a substance having a photocatalytic function is activated rapidly when irradiated with light of a certain energy or more, and the reaction proceeds. The threshold size of titanium oxide is 380 nm at the wavelength of light. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the wavelength of the ultraviolet light to be irradiated and creating a state in which the substance having a photocatalyst function is more easily activated, the decomposition efficiency can be greatly increased. The photocatalytic filter 33 of the present embodiment is a corrugated honeycomb-shaped filter using a photocatalytic titanium oxide ST series manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd. as a substance having a photocatalytic function (P-ST series manufactured by Cage Pack Co., Ltd.). Is used. Since it has a honeycomb shape, it has excellent durability and is lightweight and has a small pressure loss, so that it can be built in the duct 20.
[0039]
Since a substance having a photocatalytic function is usually excited by ultraviolet light and exhibits a photocatalytic function, a light source containing ultraviolet light having a wavelength of about 400 nm or less is desirable as an excitation light source. As a light source suitable for developing a photocatalytic function without attenuating the surface potential of the photoreceptor 9, a low-pressure mercury lamp (wavelength 253.7 nm), a black light (wavelength 350 to 360 nm), and a wavelength of 400 nm or less are used. There are gas lasers and solid-state lasers that emit light. If these are used, the photocatalytic function can be effectively expressed without adversely affecting the surface potential of the photoreceptor 9. In the present embodiment, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (manufactured by Harrison Toshiba Lighting Co., Ltd., main wavelength 368 nm) is used as the black light. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp is a lamp that emits light having a spectral distribution (black light) by converting ultraviolet rays in a positive column of glow discharge with a phosphor. Since glow discharge is used, a filament is not required and the size can be reduced. Further, since it has a long life and generates little heat, it can be used by being incorporated in the duct 20.
[0040]
In the image forming unit 5 of the present embodiment, as will be described later, the discharge product generated by the discharge in the charger 10 is quickly decomposed and removed by the discharge product removing means 32, and the discharge product is generated. Dry air is blown into the area to be used. For this reason, deterioration due to exposure of the photoconductor 9 and other image forming means (charging device 10, developing device 11 and cleaning device 12) to the discharge product, and nitric acid due to reaction of the discharge product with moisture. And the adhesion of nitric acid to the photoreceptor 9 is suppressed. For this reason, the replacement frequency of the photosensitive member 9 and other image forming means is reduced, and the image forming unit 5 does not need to be in the form of a process cartridge that can be easily replaced by the user. Therefore, the image forming unit 5 is screwed to the printer main body 1 using a special screw 37 that can be attached and detached with a special tool (not shown), and only the service person who owns the special tool can create the image forming unit 5. I am trying to attach and detach. As the special screw 37, for example, an S-shaped groove is formed on the head of the screw, and as the special tool, a special driver having an S-shaped projection that engages with the S-shaped groove. The image forming unit 5 using the special screw 37 is attached to the printer main body 1 by forming the special screw 37 inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) of the printer main body 1 on the end plates 13c and 13d using a special tool. The screw holes 38 are screwed together.
[0041]
In such a configuration, when the printer is driven, the surface of the photoconductor 9 is uniformly charged by the charger 10, and the surface of the charged photoconductor 9 is electrostatically charged according to image data obtained by laser light exposure. When the image is written and the toner from the developing device 11 is supplied, the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to the recording medium conveyed on the recording medium conveyance path 3. Transferred at the position of the portion 6. The recording medium onto which the toner image has been transferred is discharged onto the paper discharge unit 2 after the toner image is fixed at the fixing unit 8.
[0042]
In the image forming unit 5, the first fans 21a and 21b and the second fans 22a and 22b are driven, so that the second fan passes through the duct 19 from the first space 14 as shown by arrows in FIG. An air flow is generated that reaches the space 15 and further passes from the second space 15 to the first space 14 through the duct 20.
[0043]
In the course of this air flow, moisture in the air is removed by the dehumidifying means 25 provided in the duct 19, and the discharge product removing means 32 provided in the duct 20 is discharged by the charger 10. The generated discharge products such as ozone and NOx are decomposed and removed. Further, dust such as toner carried by the air flow and entering the ducts 19 and 20 is captured and removed by the dustproof filters 23 and 24.
[0044]
Here, since the two ducts 19 and 20 are provided to be connected to the end face plates 13c and 13d that are orthogonal to the rotation direction of the photoconductor 9 in the main body case 13, these ducts 19 and 20 are used. Thus, the air can be smoothly circulated in the first space 14 and the second space 15, and the dehumidifying performance and the discharge product removal performance for the circulated air can be enhanced.
[0045]
A large amount of discharge products generated along with the charging by the charger 10 are carried in the second space 15 by the air flow generated as the photoconductor 9 rotates. For this reason, by providing the discharge product removing means 32 in the duct 20 through which the air in the second space 15 is blown, the discharge product is quickly sent into the duct 20 and provided in the duct 20. It can be quickly decomposed and removed by the discharge product removing means 32. For this reason, the time during which the discharge product stays around the photosensitive member 9 and other developing means can be shortened, the occurrence of charging unevenness caused by the discharge product staying around the photosensitive member 9, and the developing means Can be prevented from being exposed to the discharge product. Furthermore, the air immediately after being dehumidified by the dehumidifying means 25 is blown into the second space 15 where more discharge products are present, thereby more effectively suppressing the generation of nitric acid due to the reaction between the discharge products and moisture. The generation of image blur caused by the generated nitric acid adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor 9 can be suppressed.
[0046]
The image forming unit 5 can be attached to and detached from the printer main body 1 only by using a special tool that can attach and detach the special screw 37, and only the service person who owns the special tool can attach and detach the image forming unit 5. Become. Accordingly, the manufacturer can reliably perform disposal and recycling of the image forming unit 5 without entrusting each user to the disposal or recycling. As a result, the manufacturer can reliably perform the work to reuse the image forming unit 5 as a used product or put it in the recycling process, and steadily promote the reduction of environmental burdens. be able to.
[0047]
In addition, by collecting the image forming unit 5 that is no longer used by the manufacturer, it is possible to prevent contamination and damage to each image forming unit and user caused by an unfamiliar user accidentally touching each image forming unit such as the photoconductor 9. It is possible to reduce the burden on the user as well as quality assurance.
[0048]
Furthermore, it is also meaningful in terms of quality assurance to make the image forming unit 5 detachable only on the manufacturer side. That is, in the form based on attachment / detachment by the user, there is a high possibility that a subtle installation error will occur each time the image forming unit 5 is attached, but this error can be reduced or eliminated if it is attached by a manufacturer's expert. Is possible. In particular, the more firmly the image forming unit 5 is fixed to the printer body 1, the more the mounting error can be reduced. For example, the positioning accuracy between the optical writing device and the photosensitive member 9 is becoming more severe as the resolution increases in the future, and it is difficult to obtain sufficient mounting accuracy by user maintenance.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
  Claim1According to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the invention described above, the air in the first space is blown into the second space through one duct and the air in the second space is sent through the other duct. By blowing air into one space, the air in the main body case can be circulated between the first space and the second space. In this circulation process, dehumidification by the dehumidifying means provided in one duct is performed. The discharge product can be removed by the discharge product removing means provided in the other duct, and the air dehumidified by the dehumidifying means is not the air introduced from the outside of the main body case but inside the main body case. Since the air is repeatedly dehumidified by the dehumidifying means, sufficient dehumidification can be performed even by a small dehumidifying means, and the discharge product removing means can be used from the circulating air. Discharge Since the product is removed, the discharge product can be prevented from accumulating in the main body case. For this reason, the generation of image blur due to the reaction of the discharge product with moisture and the generation of nitric acid, It is possible to prevent the occurrence of charging unevenness and image blur caused by accumulation of discharge products.
Further, the first space is positioned on the upstream side of the charger along the rotation direction of the photoconductor, and the second space is positioned on the downstream side of the charger along the rotation direction of the photoconductor, The dehumidifying means is disposed in the duct through which air is blown from the first space to the second space, and discharge product removing means is provided in the duct through which air is blown from the second space to the first space. As a result, there are many discharge products generated by the discharge of the charger carried by the air flow generated by the rotation of the photoconductor in the second space located downstream in the rotation direction of the photoconductor. The discharge product removal means is arranged in the duct through which air is blown from the second space to the first space, so that the discharge product can be removed quickly, and a lot of discharge products. Air is sent to the second space where there is That by dehumidifying means is disposed in the duct, it can be effectively suppressed the production of nitric acid by reaction with discharge products and water in the second space.
[0051]
  Claim2According to the described invention, the claims1In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus described above, the pair of ducts are arranged one by one on both ends of the main body case in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the photoconductor, and thus arranged in this manner. By circulating the air in the main body case through the duct, the air can be circulated smoothly in the main body case, and the dehumidification performance and the discharge product removal performance can be enhanced.
[0053]
  Claim3According to the described invention, the claims1 or 2In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus described above, since the dustproof filter is provided in the duct, the toner contained in the air is circulated in the main body case through the duct. Therefore, the image quality can be improved.
[0054]
  Claim4According to the described invention, claims 1 to3In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of the above, the main body case houses the photosensitive member, the charger, and other image forming means, and is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, dehumidification and removal of discharge products are not performed in the entire image forming apparatus, but in the main body case containing the photoconductor, charger, and other image forming means. As the air volume becomes smaller, the amount of air to be dehumidified decreases, and the dehumidifying means can be further downsized.
[0055]
  Claim5According to the described invention, the claims4In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus described above, the main body case is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus using a special screw that can be attached and detached with a special tool. By replacing the main body case containing the means by a serviceman using a special tool, the manufacturer can reliably collect the main body case and the image forming means stored in the interior, It is possible to improve the reliability and recyclability of the disposal process.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of the present invention in an electrophotographic printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an image forming unit.
FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view showing an arrangement structure of an image forming unit, a dehumidifying unit, and a discharge product removing unit.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the structure of dehumidifying means.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the structure of another dehumidifying means.
[Explanation of symbols]
9 Photoconductor
10 Charger
11, 12 Other imaging means
13 Body case
14 1st space
15 Second space
19, 20 Duct
19a, 20a Inlet
19b, 20b outlet
21a, 21b Air blowing means, first air blowing means
22a, 22b Air blowing means, second air blowing means
23, 24 Dustproof filter
25 Dehumidifying means
31 Dehumidifying means
32 Discharge product removal means
37 Special screw

Claims (5)

Is even no least the photosensitive member inside houses a charger for charging the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member and the closed space, the charger along the rotational direction of the photosensitive member between the closed space by the charger a main body case which is partitioned into a second space located downstream the first space located on the upstream side along the rotating direction of the photosensitive member of the charging device,
A pair of ducts connected to the body case such that one end communicates with the first space and the other end communicates with the second space;
First air blowing means for blowing air in the first space into the second space through one of the ducts;
Second air blowing means for blowing air in the second space into the first space through the other duct;
Dehumidifying means disposed in the duct through which air is blown from the first space to the second space to remove moisture in the air;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: discharge product removing means disposed in the duct through which air is blown from the second space to the first space to remove discharge products in the air. 3. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pair of ducts are arranged one by one on both end sides of the main body case in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the photoconductor . An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dust filter is provided in front Symbol duct. The main body case, the photosensitive member and said charging device and other imaging means are housed, electrophotographic of any one described in claims 1 and detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body 3 Type image forming apparatus. 5. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the main body case is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus using a special screw that can be attached and detached with a special tool.

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