JP4628214B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a fixing mechanism for fixing an image formed with toner by heating, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a function of purifying odor generated in the image forming apparatus. .

  Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are generally classified into a dry type using a powder toner as a developer and a wet type using a liquid toner as a developer, depending on the developing method. In both of these methods, toner is supplied to a photosensitive medium such as a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed to form a predetermined image, and then the transfer medium rotates while contacting the photosensitive medium. By passing a sheet as an image carrier, an image formed on the photosensitive medium is printed on the sheet. Since the dry type electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses powder toner, there is a problem that harmful dust is generated around the apparatus as toner dust. On the other hand, wet electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are not damaged by toner dust and have better printing quality than dry electrophotographic image forming apparatuses. Forming devices are mainstream. Such a wet type electrophotographic image forming apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

In addition, since the wet image forming apparatus employs a printing method in which a toner image on a sheet is heated and fixed, odor is generated from the toner image due to heat applied in the fixing process. This odor is greatly influenced by the components of the printing paper and toner image. These odors generated in the fixing process are filtered by removing organic compounds in the gases that cause the odors using a deodorizing filter or catalytic filter provided inside the device, and the gases passing through these filters are imaged by an exhaust fan or the like. It was discharged out of the forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-20752 JP 2004-102290 A

However, in the configuration of the conventional image forming apparatus described above, the filtered gas is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus. However, the odor cannot be completely removed, and the environment around the apparatus and the human body are adversely affected. Had the problem of affecting. Further, since the deodorizing filter used in the conventional image forming apparatus is an adsorption method, there is a problem that the deodorizing filter needs to be replaced, and maintenance management is complicated.
Therefore, in the field of image forming apparatuses, it has been a problem to provide an image forming apparatus that is easy to maintain and maintain without discharging odors generated in the fixing process to the outside of the apparatus.

  The present invention solves the above-described problem, and efficiently utilizes heat generated from an image forming apparatus to purify a gas containing an odor component inside the image forming apparatus using a catalyst device, thereby forming the image forming apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a highly safe image forming apparatus in which no odor is discharged outside.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention provides:
An optical unit for forming an electronic latent image on the photosensitive drum;
A developing device for developing the electronic latent image to form a toner image and transferring the toner image to an image carrier;
A fixing device having a fixing roller for fixing the toner image on an image carrier onto which the toner image has been transferred;
An image forming apparatus in which a circulating catalyst device that sucks, purifies, and exhausts gas containing an odor component is disposed in an internal space,
The circulating catalyst device includes:
A heating-type catalyst that is provided in an odor flow path through which a gas containing an odor component generated inside the image forming apparatus is sucked, and that purifies the odor component in contact with the sucked gas;
Heating means for heating the heating catalyst;
A first heat exchanging part that is disposed on the suction side with respect to the heating type catalyst in the odor flow path and heats the gas in the odor flow path;
A second heat exchanging unit that is disposed on the exhaust side of the heating type catalyst in the odor passage and cools the gas in the odor passage.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention configured as described above efficiently utilizes heat generated from the image forming apparatus, purifies gas containing odor components inside the image forming apparatus using a catalyst device, and forms an image. Odor is not discharged outside the device.

The image forming apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, first the in terms first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanging portion of the is perpendicular to the odor flow path, said first A circulation passage that circulates heat between the heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section;
In the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit, heat exchange may be performed between the gas in the odor flow path and the circulation passage .

The image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention may be configured such that the heating means in the first and second aspects is constituted by a heating element, and a heating type catalyst is supported on the surface of the heating element.

In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the heating means in the first and second aspects is constituted by a heating element, and has a predetermined space around the heating element. A cylindrical heated body may be disposed so as to surround the heating element, and a heating type catalyst may be formed on the surface of the heated body.

An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect described above, wherein a heated object having a cylindrical shape or a plate shape provided with a heating type catalyst is a honeycomb shape or a bellows shape having a large number of through holes. Alternatively, a configuration having at least one shape selected from a lattice shape (including a mesh shape, a lath shape, or the like) may be used.

An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the porous ceramic body, the foamed ceramic body having a large surface area, the heated body having a heating catalyst in the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect . You may form from the braided body of a heat resistant fiber, the nonwoven fabric of a heat resistant fiber, a heat resistant fiber, and a metal porous body (a metal lath is included) from the at least 1 raw material selected.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth to sixth aspects, the carrier for supporting the heating-type catalyst is a partially sintered high-aluminum alumina granular material or aluminum hydroxide. The mixture of the heating catalyst and the carrier may be disposed on the surface of the object to be heated as a carrier for the high specific surface area porous coating layer.

An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect , wherein the heat generating element includes a heat generating portion to which power is supplied, and a tubular exterior body (insulator) in which the heat generating portion is disposed. A high specific surface area porous coating layer in which a heating type catalyst is supported on a support formed by either partial sintering of high specific surface area alumina particles or dehydration of aluminum hydroxide on the surface of the outer package. May be provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect and the eighth aspect, the high specific surface area alumina powder has a barium content of 0.2 wt% to 9 wt%. And may be fired at a temperature of 950 ° C. or higher.

In the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the third to sixth aspects, the heating catalyst is a noble metal such as Pt, Pd, Rh, or Ru, Cu, Cr, Ce. , Mn, Fe, Ni, Sn, Zn, Al, Zr, W, V, and the like may be included.

An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the above-described first aspect to tenth aspect , in which the circulation type catalyst device is arranged in the vicinity of the fixing device in the image forming apparatus, particularly the upper part. It is preferable to arrange in the vicinity so that the exhaust heat from the fixing device is preheated by being conducted to the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit .

An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the circulating catalyst device sucks in a gas containing an odor component generated in the image forming apparatus and A forced circulation means for exhausting the gas whose component has been purified into the image forming apparatus, for example, a fan, and an air circulation flow path through which the gas exhausted into the image forming apparatus sucks into the circulation type catalyst device. It is good also as a structure to produce.

In the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first to twelfth aspects, the circulating catalyst device may be substantially covered with a heat insulating material or a heat shielding material.

14th image forming apparatus aspect of the present invention, in terms of the first aspect to the thirteenth of the first heat exchanging portion and the second heat exchange unit, the heat medium and the heat is a gas or liquid You may comprise so that it may heat-circulate with a pipe.
An image forming apparatus according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects , wherein another heat exchange unit for cooling the inside of the image forming apparatus is provided in the vicinity of the exhaust port of the circulation type catalyst device. It may be arranged.
The features of the present invention are none other than those described in the scope of claims, but the present invention, in terms of both structure and content, together with other objects and features, is described in the following detailed description column of the present invention together with the drawings. The description will be better understood and appreciated.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, volatile organic compounds (Volatile Organic Compounds) generated not only in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum and the fixing roller in which gas containing the most odorous components is generated in the image forming apparatus but also in various parts of the apparatus. VOC), ozone and other harmful gases and air containing odor components are internally circulated, and can be purified using a catalytic device without discharging odor outside the image forming apparatus. The problem of adverse effects can be solved.

  Further, the problem that the deodorizing filter needs to be replaced as in the conventional image forming apparatus can be used semipermanently by providing a deodorizing means for supporting the heating type catalyst in the present invention, and replacement loss can be saved. .

  Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the odor components inside the image forming apparatus are purified by the catalyst device, and at the same time, the exhaust heat generated from the image forming apparatus, particularly the exhaust heat generated at the time of print fixing is effectively reduced. By using this, an energy-saving image forming apparatus with a deodorizing function capable of efficiently changing the energy to the catalytic action temperature is obtained.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the exhaust heat temperature of the purified air is lowered by providing another heat exchanging part at a portion where the air purified by the catalytic action is discharged into the image forming apparatus. As a result, it is possible to prevent the temperature inside the image forming apparatus from rising and to suppress the generation of harmful gases such as VOC and ozone due to the temperature rise.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1

Embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a copying apparatus that forms a toner image on an image carrier such as paper 21 using liquid toner, powder toner, or ink by an electrophotographic method. A simple configuration will be described.

  A window having a transparent glass plate 33 is provided on the upper surface of the casing 32 of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and a document to be copied is placed on the glass plate 33 with the copy surface facing downward. . An optical unit 34 having a light source for illuminating the document is provided below the glass plate 33. The optical unit 34 is driven by a moving device to scan the copy surface of the document. An image forming unit 35 is provided below the optical unit 34. In the image forming unit 35, there are provided a rotating photosensitive drum 2, a charger 36 for charging the photosensitive drum 2, a slow charger 37 for excluding charging of the photosensitive drum 2, and a transfer charger 38. Further, a developing device 39 having a toner supply device is provided on the supply side (right end side in FIG. 1) of the paper 21 in the image forming unit 35. On the other hand, a cleaning unit 40 for cleaning the photosensitive drum 2 is provided on the discharge side (left end side in FIG. 1) of the paper 21 in the image forming unit 35.

  A paper tray 41 loaded with a plurality of sheets 21 as image carriers is provided at the right end and the lower part of the housing 32. A plurality of paper stockers 42 are provided on the lower side (bottom side) in the housing. Further, a paper transfer unit 43 is provided for sending the paper 21 from the paper tray 41 between the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer charger 38. The sheet transfer unit 43 is configured to have a plurality of rollers. The paper 21 sent to the photosensitive drum 2 sent by the paper transport unit 43 is received by the paper guide 44 and sent to the fixing device 3. The paper guide 44 is disposed in the vicinity of the center portion of the housing 32, and is provided on the left side of the paper transport unit 43.

  Inside the housing 32, a fixing device 3 having a fixing roller is provided on the paper discharge side (left side of the middle stage portion in FIG. 1) at the center thereof. On the paper discharge side of the fixing device 3, a paper feed roller 45 is provided to face the paper discharge hole 46. A plurality of stages of sheet receivers 47 are provided below the sheet discharge side of the sheet discharge hole 46.

The operation when copying using the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below.
When the original is placed on the glass plate 33 and the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment which is a copying apparatus is started, the optical unit 34 scans the copying surface and forms the image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 as an electronic latent image. . The formed electronic latent image is developed with liquid toner or the like supplied from the developing device 39 via the developing roller 48, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 2. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred to the surface of the paper 21 sent from the paper tray 41 or the paper stocker 42 by the paper transport unit 43. The sheet 21 on which the toner image has been transferred is transferred to the fixing device 3 through the sheet guide 44. The sheet 21 on which the toner image is transferred is heated in the fixing device 3 and the toner image is fixed on the sheet surface. The paper 21 on which the toner image has been fixed is driven by the fixing roller and the paper feed roller 45 of the fixing device 3 to be discharged from the paper discharge hole 46 and placed on the paper receiver 47.

The image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a circulating catalyst device 1 in its internal space.
The circulating catalyst device 1 purifies odor components generated in the image forming apparatus to generate purified air 11 and circulates the purified air inside the image forming apparatus. In the fixing device 3, liquid toner (toner) or the like is crushed and fixed on the paper 21, thereby generating a gas 7 containing an odor component. Since the gas 7 containing an odor component occupies about 80% of the total odor generated in the image forming apparatus, the circulating catalyst device 1 is positioned as a position where the gas 7 containing the odor component can be effectively sucked and purified. Is provided. The circulating catalyst device 1 is provided behind the photosensitive drum 2 in the paper feeding direction and in the vicinity of the upper portion of the fixing device 3.

The configuration of the circulating catalyst device 1 used in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the circulating catalyst device 1 in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a view showing the operation of the heat exchanging unit 5 in the circulating catalyst device 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the circulation type catalyst device 1 disposed in the image forming apparatus and its operation. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the heating element 12 used in the circulating catalyst device 1.

In the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a heating device 4 that is a heating unit of the circulating catalyst device 1 is provided in the vicinity of the upper portion of the fixing device 3. The heating device 4 has a heating element 12 and a heating catalyst 10 supported on the surface thereof. Further, in the circulation type catalyst device 1, a fan 9, which is a forced circulation means interlocked by a drive unit 8, is provided in the air passage 14 connected to the suction port 6.
As shown in FIG. 2, the circulation type catalyst device 1 has a suction port in the first heat exchange unit 5 a and the second heat exchange unit 5 b disposed before and after the heating device 4 in the flow direction of the air passage 14. The gas 7 (air) containing an odor component is sent from 6 and exhausted from the exhaust port 22. A series of air passages that are driven by the fan 9 as described above, pass through the air blowing path 14 from the suction port 6, and flow through the first heat exchange unit 5 a, the heating device 4, and the second heat exchange unit 5 b, In the following description, it is referred to as an odor channel 49.

  Further, the exterior surface of the odor passage 49 where the heating device 4 and the heat exchange unit 5 are provided is covered with a heat insulating material 16, and the heat generated in the heating device 4 and the heat exchange unit 5 is inside the image forming apparatus. The structure does not leak into the space. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper part of the fixing device 3 constitutes a part of the wall surface forming the odor channel 49, and the heat from the fixing device 3 is conducted to the odor channel 49. Yes.

Heat exchange in the heat exchange unit 5 having the first heat exchange unit 5a and the second heat exchange unit 5b is performed as follows.
A circulation passage 17 is formed in each of the first heat exchange unit 5 a and the second heat exchange unit 5 b so as to go straight to the odor channel 49. The air in the circulation passage 17 is moved in one direction by a heat exchange drive unit 15 that is a fan. The air passing through the circulation passage 17 is air inside the image forming apparatus and is air at a low temperature (about 30 to 50 ° C.). As a result, heat exchange is performed between the gas passing through the odor channel 49 and the air passing through the circulation passage 17 inside the heat exchange unit 5.

  In addition, the fixing device 3 includes an upper fixing roller 3a and a lower fixing roller 3b. Inside the upper fixing roller 3a, a contact portion temperature between the upper fixing roller 3a and the lower fixing roller 3b is set as a toner. A fixing heating element 13, which is a fixing infrared light bulb that quickly raises and maintains the temperature up to the fixing temperature (about 170 ° C. to 200 ° C.), is provided.

Next, the heat exchange unit 5 provided in the circulating catalyst device 1 in the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the heat exchange unit 5 in an enlarged manner, and is a diagram illustrating a heat exchange mechanism of the heat exchange unit 5. The heat exchange unit 5 is a heat exchanger having a multilayer structure in which a high-temperature fluid and a low-temperature fluid are arranged so as to flow substantially orthogonally through a wall surface. In the heat exchanging unit 5, each layer includes a large number of flow paths, and the flow paths of layers adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are arranged so as to be substantially perpendicular. As shown in FIG. 3, in each layer of the heat exchange unit 5, a plurality of flow paths are formed by wave-shaped partition walls. FIG. 3 shows the hot fluid inlet temperature distribution and the hot fluid outlet temperature distribution of the hot fluid flow path. FIG. 3 also shows the cold fluid inlet temperature distribution and the cold fluid outlet temperature distribution of the low temperature fluid flow path.

The heat exchanging mechanism of the heat exchanging unit 5 is configured such that the high temperature fluid flows in the flow paths of every other layer, and the low temperature fluid flows in the flow paths of the layers adjacent to the upper and lower layers. That is, the high-temperature fluid flow path and the low-temperature fluid flow path are in contact with each other through the wall surface, and are disposed substantially at right angles.
Therefore, in the heat exchanging unit 5, the heat of the high-temperature fluid flowing in the high-temperature fluid flow path is conducted to the low-temperature fluid flowing in the low-temperature fluid flow path through the upper and lower wall surfaces. Temperature rises.

  In the heat exchanging unit 5 of the circulating catalyst device 1 in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, the high-temperature fluid flow path is the odor flow path 49 and the low-temperature fluid flow path is the circulation path 17. That is, the odor flow path 49 through which the high-temperature gas 7 flows is formed substantially perpendicular to the flow path direction via the upper and lower wall surfaces with respect to the circulation path 17 through which the low-temperature air circulates. When the purified air 11 heated and purified in the heating device 4 passes through the second heat exchanging portion 5b, the purified air 11 passes through the circulation passage 17 formed in the upper and lower adjacent layers inside the second heat exchanging portion 5b. Therefore, heat is taken by the low-temperature air and cooled by heat exchange. As a result, the purified low-temperature air is exhausted from the exhaust port 22 of the circulating catalyst device 1 into the image forming apparatus.

On the other hand, the air (warm air) in the circulation passage 17 warmed in the second heat exchange section 5b is forcibly blown and circulated by the fan linked to the heat exchange drive section 15 in the circulation passage 17 to generate the first heat. It is led to the circulation passage 17 of the exchange part 5a.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the circulating catalyst device 1 and shows the flow direction of the gas 7 containing odor components and the air in the first heat exchange unit 5a and the second heat exchange unit 5b. In FIG. 4, the arrow indicated by the symbol A indicates the flow direction of the gas 7 in the odor passage 49, and the arrow indicated by the symbol B indicates the direction of air flow in the circulation passage 17. Therefore, the gas 7 in the odor passage 49 is cooled in the second heat exchange section 5b, and the air in the circulation path 17 is heated in the first heat exchange section 5a.

  As described above, in the first heat exchanging unit 5 a, the air (warm air) in the circulation passage 17 warms the gas 7 containing the odor component sucked from the suction port 6. Thereby, in the stage before heating with the heat generating body 12, since the gas 7 containing an odor component can be warmed, time to reach | attain the decomposition purification temperature of an odor component is shortened.

By comprising as mentioned above, even if the input electric power with respect to the heat generating body 12 is made small, it becomes possible to achieve the gas 7 containing an odor component to catalyst activation temperature. Therefore, compared with the case where the 1st heat exchange part 5a is not provided, it becomes possible to perform a catalytic action with little power consumption.
Further, by circulating the purified air 11 cooled to an appropriate temperature in the second heat exchange unit 5b inside the image forming apparatus, the paper 21 in the image forming apparatus can be dried at the same time, and troubles such as paper jams occur. Can be suppressed.
In the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, the heat exchange of the heat exchanging unit 5 is performed by air. However, the same applies to heat exchange by water cooling, formed products such as aluminum, or heat exchange by a heat pipe. Needless to say, an effect can be obtained.

Next, the heating element 12 provided in the circulating catalyst device 1 in the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the heating element 12 in the circulating catalyst device 1.
As shown in FIG. 5, the heating element 12 includes a heating part 18 that is a heating means, an insulator 19, and the heating catalyst 10. The heat generating part 18 uses a coil-shaped tungsten wire that can be quickly heated up to 250 ° C. to 300 ° C., which is the activation temperature of the heating catalyst 10. The insulator 19 uses a tubular quartz tube having high heat resistance and low thermal expansion, and both ends thereof are welded, and an inert gas such as argon gas is sealed inside to form a sealing portion 20.

  The heating catalyst 10 is a film body that covers the outer periphery of the insulator 19. The heating type catalyst 10 is a heating type catalyst such as a precious metal Pt, Pd, Rh or the like in a porous coating layer having a high specific surface area formed by partial sintering of an alumina powder fluid having a high specific surface area or dehydration reaction of aluminum hydroxide. It is formed by supporting any one of noble metals such as. Moreover, as a catalyst, even if it uses any one or more of transition metals such as Ru, Cu, Ce, Mn, Fe, Ni, Sn, Zn, Al, Zr, W, and V, it has a purification action.

  Further, with respect to the mounting position of the heating element 12, the sealing portion 20 is located at an external position led out from the circulating catalyst device 1 in order to avoid the influence of heat generated from a wiring portion such as a molybdenum foil wire in the sealing portion 20. is there.

The heating part 18 that is a heating means of the heating element 12 is made of tungsten wire. However, a metal wire such as nichrome wire, iron-chromium wire, molybdenum wire, plate shape, rod shape, fiber shape, felt shape, etc. The carbon-based heating element can also be used. Any heating element 12 may be used as long as it can quickly raise the temperature of the heating catalyst 10 to the activation temperature.
Furthermore, the insulator 3 can be selected according to the characteristics of the heating element 12 from a glass tube, a ceramic tube, such as a cordierite tube, a mullite tube, an alumina tube, a zirconia tube, a magnesia tube, a calcia tube, or the like.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, the fixing heating element 13 heats the fixing device 3 that is the object to be heated and raises the temperature to the toner fixing temperature. Each time the toner is crushed at the time of printing and fixing, a gas 7 containing a harmful gas or an odor component is generated. Further, ozone was generated when an image was exposed from the photosensitive drum 2. The gas 7 and ozone flow into the circulating catalyst device 1 in the image forming apparatus, and the odor component is purified by the catalytic action of the heating catalyst 10 to become purified air 11 and is exhausted into the image forming apparatus.

Hereinafter, the purification operation of the circulating catalyst device 1 in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
By operating the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, the fixing heating element 13, which is an infrared light bulb disposed in the upper fixing roller 3 a of the fixing device 3, generates heat. Due to the heat generated by the fixing heat generating member 13, the upper fixing roller 3a, which is an object to be heated, is heated to fix the toner image on the surface of the paper 21, and the heat is radiated from the surface of the upper fixing roller 3a. The heat radiated from the upper fixing roller 3a rises and is transferred to the first heat exchanging unit 5a and the second heat exchanging unit 5b of the circulating catalyst device 1 disposed above the fixing roller 3. As a result, the first heat exchange unit 5a and the second heat exchange unit 5b are preheated.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, the heating catalyst 10 of the heating element 12 provided in the heating device 4 is activated by using the heat of the fixing heating element 13 of the fixing device 3. Can be reached quickly. Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the heating element 12 in the heating device 4 by using the heat from the fixing heating element 13.

  As the heating-type catalyst 10 of the heating element 12 of the circulating catalyst device 1, a low-temperature catalyst material mainly composed of a transition metal such as an Mn-based material that becomes a catalyst activation temperature at a low temperature may be used. In this case, the heating device 4 does not require the heating element 12, and by providing only the heating catalyst 10, the heating catalyst 10 can be achieved at the catalyst activation temperature by the conduction heat of the fixing heating element 13. It becomes.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, the heating type catalyst 10 is obtained by highly dispersing and supporting a noble metal catalyst such as Pt or Pd on alumina having a high specific surface area. The heating type catalyst 10 oxidizes and decomposes the gas 7 containing a flammable harmful gas and odorous components generated in the image forming apparatus at an activation temperature of about 250 ° C. or higher to produce odorless components such as carbon dioxide and water. Has catalytic action to convert.

  In addition, the gas 7 containing the odor component generated in the image forming apparatus is sucked from the suction port 6 of the circulation type catalyst device 1, flows into the circulation type catalyst device 1, passes through the air passage 14, and passes through the first air passage 14. Is preheated in the heat exchanger 5a. Then, the heated catalyst 10 heated to about 250 ° C. to 300 ° C. by the heating element 12 and reaching the activation temperature purifies the odor component of the gas 7 by the catalytic action, and generates purified air 11. The generated purified air 11 is exhausted from the exhaust port 22 of the circulating catalyst device 1. Further, the gas 7 containing the odorous component that has passed without contacting the catalyst layer of the heating type catalyst 10 and has not been oxidatively decomposed is discharged from the exhaust port 22 and then circulated through the inside of the image forming apparatus to again return to the suction port. 6 enters the recycle type catalyst device 1 and is oxidatively decomposed again.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above, the heating element 12 of the heating device 4 disposed in the circulating catalyst device 1 is led out of the sealing portion 20 to the outside of the circulating catalyst device 1. Therefore, the sealing part 20 is separated from the heating region, and the temperature rise of the sealing part 20 is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to reduce the thermal stress to the connection location in the sealing portion 20 shown in FIG. 5 connected to the external lead wire, and to extend the life of the heating element 12.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, the outer surface of the circulating catalyst device 1 is substantially covered with the heat insulating material 16, so that the heating element 12 provided in the circulating catalyst device 1 is generated. Heat does not directly heat other parts in the image forming apparatus. Further, since the circulating catalyst device 1 sucks the exhaust heat generated from the fixing heating element 13 which is a fixing infrared light bulb, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise in the device without leaking to the outside of the device. Become. Further, in the circulation type catalyst device 1, the exhaust heat from the fixing heating element 13 can be effectively converted into catalyst activation heat.

In the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment described above, the circulation type catalyst device 1 has been described as being disposed in the vicinity of the upper portion of the fixing device 3. However, the circulation type catalyst device 1 starts from the odor generation site. Needless to say, any position in the image forming apparatus is effective as long as the air flow path is formed in the space 1. For example, by providing the circulating catalyst device 1 in the vicinity of the thermal drum 2 or in the vicinity of the fixing device 3, it is possible to purify the gas 7 containing harmful gases and odor components.
In the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, the shape of the heating element 12 has been described as a tubular heater, but a planar heater may be used. In this case, the same effect can be obtained if the heating type catalyst 10 is directly applied to the planar heater and the heating type catalyst 10 reaches the catalyst activation temperature. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the shape and configuration of the heating element 12 are not limited, and any heating means may be used as long as the heating catalyst 10 quickly reaches the catalyst activation temperature. In addition, the heating type catalyst is directly applied to the heat exchange end facing the heating element 12 in the second heat exchange part 5b, and the heating type catalyst is disposed in the vicinity of the rear of the heating element 12 to reach the catalyst activation temperature. With this configuration, the same effects as those of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment are obtained.
<< Embodiment 2 >>

  The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is different from the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the heating device 4 of the circulating catalyst device 1. In the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, the configuration other than the heating device 4 is the same as the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the first embodiment is applied to the description. To do. Therefore, in the following description, the structure of the heating apparatus 4 in Embodiment 2 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating the heating device 4 in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. The heating device 4 shown in FIG. 6 includes a heating element 12 and a cylindrical tubular heated body 26 that is coaxially disposed around the heating element 12. The tubular heated body 26 includes a honeycomb-shaped tubular heated body material 25 having a plurality of through-holes, and the heating catalyst 10 supported on the surface of the tubular heated body material 25. It is configured.

  The cylindrical heated body material 25 is a porous ceramic body having a plurality of through holes and configured in a honeycomb (honeycomb) shape. For this reason, the cylindrical heated body material 25 has a large surface area. The cylindrical heated body 26 has a configuration in which a heated catalyst 10 containing noble metals such as Pt, Pd, Rh, etc. is supported on a cylindrical heated body material 25 in which a porous ceramic body is formed in a cylindrical shape. .

  When the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment in which the cylindrical heated body 26 configured as described above is used in the heating device 4 together with the heating element 12, the heating element 12 generates heat, and at the same time, near the heating element 12. The cylindrical heated body 26 disposed around is heated, and the heating catalyst 10 reaches the activation temperature. As a result, the gas containing the harmful gas and the odorous component sucked by the circulating catalyst device 1 in the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment is heated in the first heat exchange section (5a: see FIG. 2), The object to be heated 26 comes into contact. At this time, the gas containing the harmful gas and the odor component comes into contact with the activated heating catalyst 10 on the cylindrical heated material 25 having a large surface area having a large number of through holes. As a result, the activated heating type catalyst 10 burns and purifies (deodorizes) the gas containing harmful gas and odor component.

  In Embodiment 2 described above, the configuration of the tubular heated body material 25 has been described in the form of a honeycomb (honeycomb) having a large number of through-holes. For example, the configuration of the cylindrical heated body material 25 is not limited to a lattice shape (including a mesh shape, a lath shape, or the like), an irregular bellows shape, or a combination of these. Any porous ceramic body having a specific surface area, foam ceramic body material (material) carrier, heat-resistant fiber braid, heat-resistant fiber non-woven fabric, heat-resistant fiber carrier, etc. Even if it selects, since the ratio of the area which the gas containing a noxious gas and an odor component contacts increases, the same effect is acquired.

  Further, effective catalysts 10 to be carried on the cylindrical heated body 25 of the heating device 4 in Embodiment 2 are precious metals such as Pt, Pd, Rh, or Ru, Cu, Cr, Examples thereof include transition metals such as Ce, Mn, Fe, Ni, Sn, Zn, Al, Zr, W, and V. In particular, noble metals such as Pt, Pd, and Rh are examples of materials that have an excellent effect on purification (deodorization) of gases containing harmful gases and odor components.

According to the configuration of the heating device 4 in the second embodiment, the surface area of the heating catalyst 10 is increased by arranging the cylindrical heated body 26 as compared with the case where the heating element 12 is used alone, thereby The purification rate is further promoted.
Moreover, as the cylindrical to-be-heated body material 25 used in the heating device 4 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, those having good heat absorption and excellent heat radiation performance are preferable, and metals such as stainless steel and iron are used. The same effect can be obtained with ceramics and ceramics.
Furthermore, when a corrosive material is used as the material of the cylindrical heated body material 25, the material is prevented from being oxidized by applying a corrosion-resistant curing with a vitreous layer or a ceramic layer, so that it can be used for a long time. It becomes the structure to endure.
<< Embodiment 3 >>

  The image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment is different from the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the heating device 4 of the circulating catalyst device 1. In the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment, the configuration other than the heating device 4 is the same as the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the first embodiment is applied to the description. To do. Therefore, in the following description, the structure of the heating apparatus 4 in Embodiment 3 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a star-shaped heated body 24 used as the heating device 4 in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. The heating device 4 includes a heating element 12 and a star-shaped heated body 24 disposed around the heating element 12. The star-shaped heated body 24 includes a star-shaped heated body material 23, a high specific surface area porous coating layer 50 formed on the outer surface of the star-shaped heated body material 23, and the high specific surface area porous coating layer. 50 and the heating type catalyst 10 supported by the motor 50.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state before the star-shaped heated body material 23 of the star-shaped heated body 24 is disposed around the heating element 12. The star-shaped heated body material 23 is formed by forming a plate-shaped heated body material into a waveform that is repeatedly folded into a mountain fold and valley fold. The cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the heating element 12 has a star shape.

The manufacturing method of the star-shaped body to be heated 24 in Embodiment 3 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is as follows.
As a carrier for supporting the heating catalyst 10 on a metal porous body having a large number of through holes, for example, a material using an aluminum lath shape, barium having a weight ratio of 0.2 wt% to 9 wt% is included, and 950 The high specific surface area porous coating layer 50 is formed by either partial sintering of the high specific surface area alumina powder particles fired at a temperature equal to or higher than 0 ° C. or dehydration reaction of aluminum hydroxide. Next, the heating catalyst 10 is supported on the high specific surface area porous coating layer 50 to form a plate-like object to be heated. Next, the plate-shaped heated body is formed by repeatedly folding and folding the plate-shaped heated body into a corrugated shape, and forming a circular shape around the heating element 12 as a star-shaped heated body 24. .

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the circulating catalyst device 1 using the star-shaped heated body 24 shown in FIG. 7 in the heating device 4 inside the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. 9, components having the same configuration and function as those in the circulating catalyst device 1 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and the description of the first embodiment is applied to the description. To do.

  In the circulating catalyst device 1 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the heating device 4 is disposed between the first heat exchanging portion 5a and the second heat exchanging portion 5b. A star-shaped heated body 24 is arranged around. Therefore, the star-shaped heated body 24 is disposed in the vicinity of the periphery of the heating element 12 and heated. Further, the star-shaped heated body 24 reliably contacts the gas containing harmful gas and odorous components flowing through the odor flow path 49 so that the outer peripheral tip of the star-shaped heated body 24 is near the upper and lower wall surfaces of the odor flow path 49. Arranged to do. Also. Since the star-shaped heated body 24 is disposed above the fixing heat generating body 13, the heat generated by the fixing heat generating body 13 is increased and the star-shaped heated body 24 is heated.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment configured as described above, when the heating element 12 is driven to generate heat, the star-shaped heated body 24 is heated to the catalyst activation temperature. At this time, the gas 7 containing harmful gas and odor component generated in the image forming apparatus is sucked into the suction port 6 of the circulation type catalyst device 1, passes through the blower passage 14, and is sent to the first heat exchange unit 5 a by the fan 9. Pass through. At this time, the gas 7 containing a harmful gas and an odor component is warmed by the air heated in the fixing heat generating element 13 and the first heat exchanging part 5b in the circulation passage. When the gas 7 containing harmful gas and odor component passes through a large number of through holes in the star-shaped heated body 24, it burns in the heated catalyst 12 in the active state and is deodorized.

  In the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the surface area of the heating catalyst 10 is increased by providing the star-shaped heated body 24 as compared with the case where the heating element 12 is used alone. However, the purification rate is further promoted.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment, a plate-shaped heated body material having a plurality of through holes and supporting a heating type catalyst has a waveform shape that is bent repeatedly by repeated mountain folds and valley folds. Although the description has been made with an example using a star shape, the present invention is not limited to such a shape. The shape of the plate-like heated body material only needs to be a shape that can efficiently receive the heat from the heating element 12. For example, a plurality of flat plate-like heated body materials are provided near the outer periphery of the heating body 12. The shape arranged on the radiation, the shape around the heating element 12 arranged in a polygonal shape to cover the heating target material, and the heating element 12 around the heating element 12 in several layers using a plurality of plate-like heating target materials Even if it is the shape which covers, it is effective.

Moreover, as a position which arrange | positions the plate-shaped to-be-heated body material which supports a heating type catalyst, it should just be the back of the heat generating body 12 in the odor flow path 49, and the heating type which the heat | fever from the heat generating body 12 is back. The structure is easily transmitted to the catalyst layer and the temperature of the catalyst easily rises, and exhibits a high purification action.
Further, the plate-like heated body material is preferably a material having high heat absorption and excellent heat radiation ability. For example, the same effect can be obtained if metals such as stainless steel and iron and ceramics are used.

In addition, when corrosive materials are used as the material of the plate-shaped heated object material, it is possible to prevent the material from being oxidized by applying corrosion-resistant curing with a vitreous layer or a ceramic layer, which enables long-term use. Become.
<< Embodiment 4 >>

  The image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, a cooling device 29 is disposed behind the circulating catalyst device 1 in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the configuration other than the cooling device 29 is the same as the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the first embodiment is applied to the description. To do. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration of the cooling device 29 in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the circulating catalyst device 1 in the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, a cooling device 29 is disposed behind the circulating catalyst device 1, that is, in the vicinity of the exhaust port 22 of the circulating catalyst device 1.
The cooling device 29 used in the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment is a device for cooling the purified air 11 that could not be cooled to an appropriate temperature in the circulating catalyst device 1 to an appropriate temperature. The cooling device 29 includes a suction fan 27 that sucks air outside the device, a heat exchange unit 28 that uses a cross-flow heat exchanger, and a pipe 51 that connects them. The suction fan 27 includes a drive unit, and has a configuration in which cooled air is sucked from the outside of the image forming apparatus by the driven fan. A partition wall is provided inside the heat exchanging unit 28 so that the air in the image forming apparatus and the sucked outside air are not mixed, and has a different flow path so that heat can be exchanged through the partition wall.

  The intake port 30 of the cooling device 29 is disposed in the vicinity of the exhaust port 22 of the circulating catalyst device 1, and the shape of the opening portion thereof is substantially the same. The heat exchange unit 28 in the cooling device 29 is provided between the suction port 30 and the exhaust port 31 of the cooling device 29, and the purified air 11 discharged from the exhaust port 22 of the circulating catalyst device 1 It is configured to be taken in from the 29 intake ports 30 and to be reliably introduced into the heat exchanging unit 28.

  By operating the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the purified air 11 discharged from the exhaust port 22 of the circulating catalyst device 1 flows into the intake port 30 of the cooling device 29 and exchanges heat. Part 28 is introduced. The heat exchanging section 28 has the same configuration as the heat exchanging section (see FIG. 3) described in the first embodiment, and the purified air 11 and the outside air flowing through different flow paths through the partition walls. Heat exchange between. That is, in the heat exchanging unit 28, the hot purified air 11 having an appropriate temperature or higher is cooled from the outside air (about 25 ° C.) to an appropriate temperature (about 35 ° C. or less), and discharged from the exhaust port 31 of the cooling device 29 into the image forming apparatus. And circulated. On the other hand, the outside air warmed in the heat exchanging unit 28 passes through the pipe 51 and is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device 29 is provided in the vicinity of the exhaust port of the circulation type catalyst device 1, and therefore the temperature in the image forming apparatus is always in an appropriate temperature state. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the adverse effects of heat on other devices in the image forming apparatus, and to suppress the generation of the gas 7 containing harmful gases and odor components.
In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device 29 has been described as being provided in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. However, the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment and the third embodiment described above. By providing the image forming apparatus with the cooling device 29 described in the fourth embodiment, the effects of the fourth embodiment can be obtained in addition to the effects of the respective embodiments.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, not only the vicinity of the photosensitive drum and the fixing roller where gas containing the most odorous components is generated in the image forming apparatus but also volatile organic substances generated from various places in the apparatus. By internally circulating an air containing a harmful gas such as a compound (VOC) or ozone, or an odor component, the catalyst device can be used for purification without discharging the odor out of the image forming apparatus. As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to solve an important problem to be achieved in this field of eliminating adverse effects on the surrounding environment and the human body.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, by providing a deodorizing means for supporting the heating type catalyst, it can be used semipermanently, and replacement loss can be omitted.
Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the odor components inside the image forming apparatus are purified by the catalyst device, and at the same time, the exhaust heat generated from the image forming apparatus, particularly the exhaust heat generated at the time of print fixing is effectively reduced. By using this, an energy-saving image forming apparatus with a deodorizing function capable of efficiently changing the energy to the catalytic action temperature is obtained.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a heat exchanging portion is provided at a portion for discharging the air purified by the catalytic action into the image forming apparatus, so that the exhaust heat of the purified air is used as the heat of the catalytic action. The configuration in which it is circulated so as to prevent the temperature rise in the image forming apparatus can be prevented and the generation of harmful gases such as VOC and ozone due to the temperature rise can be suppressed.
As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides an efficient image forming apparatus with energy saving and high deodorizing effect.
Although the present invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment with a certain degree of detail, the present disclosure of this preferred embodiment should be changed in the details of the configuration, and the combination and order of each element Changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

  The present invention can provide a highly versatile image forming unit having a function of suppressing generation of a gas containing a harmful gas or an odor component.

Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the circulation type catalyst apparatus in Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention. The figure explaining the function of the heat exchange part in Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention The figure explaining operation | movement of the circulation type catalyst apparatus in Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention The perspective view which shows the structure of the heat generating body in Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the cylindrical to-be-heated body in the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 2 which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the star-shaped to-be-heated body in Embodiment 3 which concerns on this invention. The block diagram of the plate-shaped heated object material which is the material of the star-shaped heated object in Embodiment 3 which concerns on this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the circulation type catalyst apparatus in Embodiment 3 which concerns on this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the vicinity of the circulation type catalyst apparatus in Embodiment 4 which concerns on this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Circulation-type catalyst apparatus 2 Photosensitive drum 3 Fixing apparatus 3a Upper fixing roller 3b Lower fixing roller 4 Heating apparatus 5 Heat exchange part 5a 1st heat exchange part 5b 2nd heat exchange part 6 Intake port 7 Harmful gas and odor component Gas including 8 Driving unit 9 Fan 10 Heating catalyst 11 Purified air 12 Heating element 13 Fixing heating element 14 Blowing path 15 Heat exchange driving unit 16 Heat insulating material 17 Circulation path 18 Heating part 19 Insulator 20 Sealing part 21 Paper 22 Exhaust opening 23 Star-shaped heated body material 24 Star-shaped heated body 25 Tubular heated body material 26 Cylindrical heated body 27 Suction fan 28 Heat exchange unit 29 Cooling device 30 Suction port 31 Exhaust port 32 Housing 33 Glass plate 34 Optical unit 35 Image Forming Unit 36 Charger 37 Charger 38 Transfer Charger 39 Developer 40 Cleaning Unit 41 Paper Tray 4 Paper stocker 43 paper transport unit 44 paper guide 45 paper feed roller 46 the paper discharge hole 47 sheet receiving 48 developing roller 49 odor channel 50 and high specific surface area porous coating layer 51 pipe

Claims (15)

An optical unit for forming an electronic latent image on the photosensitive drum;
A developing device for developing the electronic latent image to form a toner image and transferring the toner image to an image carrier;
A fixing device having a fixing roller for fixing the toner image on an image carrier onto which the toner image has been transferred;
An image forming apparatus in which a circulating catalyst device that sucks, purifies, and exhausts gas containing an odor component is disposed in an internal space,
The circulating catalyst device includes:
A heating-type catalyst that is provided in an odor flow path through which a gas containing an odor component generated inside the image forming apparatus is sucked, and that purifies the odor component in contact with the sucked gas;
Heating means for heating the heating catalyst;
A first heat exchanging part that is disposed on the suction side with respect to the heating type catalyst in the odor flow path and heats the gas in the odor flow path;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a second heat exchange unit that is disposed on an exhaust side with respect to the heating type catalyst in the odor channel and cools a gas in the odor channel . The first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part are orthogonal to the odor flow path, and have a circulation passage that circulates heat between the first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part. Have
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein heat exchange is performed between the gas in the odor flow path and the circulation passage in the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit. . Heating means is constituted by a heating element, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 constructed by supporting the heated catalyst on the surface of the heating element. The heating means is composed of a heating element, and a plate-shaped or cylindrical heating body is disposed so as to surround the heating element with a predetermined space around the heating element. the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 to form a heating catalyst. 5. The image formation according to claim 4 , wherein the cylindrical or plate-like object to be heated provided with the heating catalyst has at least one shape selected from a honeycomb shape, a bellows shape, or a lattice shape having a plurality of through holes. apparatus. The heated object having a heating type catalyst is at least one material selected from the group consisting of a porous ceramic body having a large surface area, a foamed ceramic body, a braided body of heat-resistant fibers, a nonwoven fabric of heat-resistant fibers, a heat-resistant fiber and a metal porous body the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 constructed by. The carrier for supporting the heating catalyst is formed by either partial sintering of high specific surface area alumina particles or dehydration of aluminum hydroxide, and the mixture of the heating catalyst and the carrier is coated with a high specific surface area porous coating. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6 is disposed on the surface of the object to be heated as the carrier layer. The heating element is composed of a heating part to be energized and a tubular exterior body in which the heating part is disposed, and partial sintering or hydroxylation of a high specific surface area alumina particulate on the surface of the exterior body. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a high specific surface area porous coating layer in which a heating type catalyst is supported on a carrier formed by any one of aluminum dehydration reactions is disposed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein the high specific surface area alumina granular material contains barium having a weight ratio of 0.2 wt% to 9 wt%, and is baked at a temperature of 950 ° C or higher. The heating catalyst is at least one of noble metals such as Pt, Pd, Rh, or transition metals such as Ru, Cu, Cr, Ce, Mn, Fe, Ni, Sn, Zn, Al, Zr, W, and V. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6 one or more containing. The circulation type catalyst device is disposed in the vicinity of the fixing device in the image forming apparatus, and exhaust heat from the fixing device is conducted to the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit and preheated. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The circulation type catalyst device has forced circulation means for sucking a gas containing an odor component generated in the image forming apparatus and exhausting a gas from which the odor component has been purified into the image forming apparatus. the image forming apparatus according to the exhaust gas is any one of the circulating air circulation passage claims 1 to 11 give as configured to produce the air intake to the catalytic converter in the apparatus. Circulating catalyst device, an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12 configured substantially covered by the heat insulating material or heat shielding material. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit are configured to be thermally circulated by a heat medium or a heat pipe that is a gas or a liquid. Circulating the image forming apparatus according to the image forming apparatus in any one of claims 1 to 14 a different heat exchanger and characterized in that arranged for cooling the exhaust port near the catalytic converter.

Images