JP6447204B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Exhaust of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a fan for forcibly exhausting the gas in the apparatus to the outside, a filter for reducing the concentration of ozone generated in the apparatus during processing, and an exhaust outlet for exhaust As a method, an exhaust method of an image forming apparatus having an fragrance between a fan and an exhaust port is known (Patent Document 1).
There is also known an image forming apparatus in which an aroma oil storage part is detachably provided in the vicinity of an exhaust port (Patent Document 2).

JP-A-2-275969 JP 2007-240991 A

In the conventional technique, when the cover of the apparatus is opened and closed, the air containing the odor generated in the apparatus may be diffused to give the operator an unpleasant feeling.
An object of this invention is to provide a scent to a user, when opening and closing the cover of an apparatus.

In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An opening / closing door that extends in a substantially vertical direction between a paper feeding unit that feeds the recording medium and a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium on which the toner image is fixed, and opens and closes so as to expose a recording medium conveyance path for conveying the recording medium. On the tip side away from the rotating shaft that supports the opening and closing of the air passage, the volatile agent is housed inside and the air passage through which the volatile component evaporating from the volatile agent passes while passing through the air and the opening and closing of the door A container having a lid having an opening and closing mechanism that switches between a closed position that closes the ventilation path by operation and an open position that connects the ventilation path to the outside ;
It is characterized by that.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A paper jam detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium remaining in the apparatus main body,
Switching the lid to the open position when a paper jam is detected by the paper jam detector;
It is characterized by that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect ,
The volatile agent is selected from one or more types of fragrances and deodorants,
It is characterized by that.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the cover of the apparatus is opened and closed, diffusion of air containing odors generated in the apparatus can be alleviated to improve the user's pleasure.
According to invention of Claim 2 , consumption of a volatile chemical | medical agent can be suppressed.
According to invention of Claim 3 , the fragrance according to a user's liking can be provided.

1A is a schematic front view illustrating the entire appearance of the image forming apparatus 1, FIG. 2B is a partial plane sectional view, FIG. 2C is a partial left sectional view, and FIG. is there. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows one structure of the fragrance generating apparatus 80, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of the opening / closing mechanism of the fragrance generating apparatus 80, (c) is a state which has an opening / closing mechanism in an open position. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows. It is a schematic diagram explaining the effect | action of the fragrance generating apparatus 80 at the time of opening operation of an opening / closing door. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the structure of other fragrance generator 80A, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the structure of the opening-closing mechanism of scent generator 80A. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the structure of the other opening / closing mechanism of scent generator 80A. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1A including a scent generating device 80. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the fragrance generating apparatus 80 in 1 A of image forming apparatuses.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings with reference to embodiments and specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples.
Also, in the description using the following drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratio of each dimension and the like are different from the actual ones, and are necessary for the description for easy understanding. Illustrations other than members are omitted as appropriate.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction.

“First Embodiment”
(1) Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1A is a schematic front view showing the overall appearance of the image forming apparatus 1, FIG. 1B is a partial plan view of a plane, and FIG. FIG. 2D is a rear perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
The overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1.1) Overall Configuration The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 2 that forms an image by an electrophotographic method, and a reading unit 3 that reads a document or the like above the image forming unit 2 by a reading device support unit 4. Supported and configured.

  The image forming unit 2 includes a control device 10 (shown in FIG. 6), a paper feeding device 20, a photosensitive unit 30, a developing unit 40, a transfer unit 50, a fixing unit 60, and an exhaust device in a housing F (not shown). 70 is disposed (shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D), and the housing F is configured to be covered with a plurality of divided exterior covers 5.

  On the upper surface (Z direction) of the image forming unit 2, a discharge tray unit T for discharging and storing a sheet on which an image is recorded is formed. Further, on the side surface (−X direction) of the image forming unit 2, an open / close door 6 that opens the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 is centered on the rotation shaft 6 b when removing or inspecting when the paper is jammed. (See FIGS. 1D and 2).

  In the open / close door 6, a scent generating device 80 (see FIG. 3) as an example of a container containing a fragrance or a deodorant as a volatile chemical in the container body is installed on the distal end side away from the rotating shaft 6 b (FIG. 1 (b), (d), see FIG. 2), and a louver portion 6a is formed as a first air passage for introducing air into the scent generating device 80 (FIGS. 1 (b), (c), ( d), see FIG.

  On the front side of the reading unit 3, an operation information unit 90 as a user interface is arranged. The operation information unit 90 is configured by combining a liquid crystal display panel, various operation buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and the user of the image forming apparatus 1 inputs various settings and instructions via the operation information unit 90. Various information is displayed to the user of the image forming apparatus 1 via the liquid crystal display panel.

(1.2) Image Forming Unit At the bottom of the image forming unit 2, a paper feeding device 20 on which a large number of recording media are stacked is provided, and the width direction position is determined by a regulation plate (not shown). The sheets are pulled out one by one from the upper side by the sheet pulling portion 22 (−X direction) and then conveyed to the nip portion of the registration roller pair 23.

  The photoconductor unit 30 includes a photoconductor drum 31 that is provided in parallel above the sheet feeding device 20 (Z direction) and is driven to rotate. Yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images are formed on the respective photosensitive drums 31 by the respective developing units 40.

  Each color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 of each photoconductor unit 30 is sequentially electrostatically transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 of the transfer unit 50 to form a superimposed toner image in which each color toner is superimposed. Is done. The superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is sent out from the registration roller pair 23 and is collectively transferred by the secondary transfer roller 52 onto the sheet guided by the conveyance guide.

The paper P on which the toner images are collectively transferred in the transfer unit 50 is conveyed to the fixing unit 60 in a state where the toner images are not fixed, and the pair of heating modules 61 and pressurizing modules 62 causes the toner images to be pressed and heated. Is established.
The sheet on which the fixing toner image is formed is guided by a conveyance guide, and is discharged and accommodated from the discharge roller pair 69 to a discharge tray portion formed on the upper surface (Z direction) of the image forming portion 2.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 has a C path conveyance path configuration in which the sheet conveyance path from the sheet cassette 21 to the discharge roller pair 69 via the secondary transfer roller 52 is C-shaped. In this configuration, the conveyance path of the paper P can be formed in the shortest time and FPOT (first printout time) can be minimized.

In the paper conveyance path from the paper drawer 22 to the discharge roller pair 69, paper sensors SR1, SR2, and SR3 that detect paper jams at different positions on the paper conveyance path are provided. Detects the occurrence of jam.
At the time of paper jam handling, the user can access the remaining paper in the paper transport path by opening and closing the door 6, and the housing F of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an interlock switch IL. When the open / close door 6 is opened, the power from the power supply device is cut off.

  The image forming unit 2 is provided with an exhaust device 70 (shown in FIG. 1B). The exhaust device 70 has a ventilation duct 71 formed in the housing F toward the left side surface of the image forming apparatus 1, and is formed on the exterior cover 5 by rotationally driving an exhaust fan 72 serving as exhaust means. The heated air in the image forming unit 2 is discharged from the louver unit 5a serving as an exhaust port to the outside of the apparatus.

(2) Configuration and Action of Scent Generation Device FIG. 4 (a) is a perspective view showing one configuration of the scent generation device 80, (b) is a longitudinal sectional view, and (c) is a configuration of an opening / closing mechanism of the scent generation device 80. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows.
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the scent generator 80 will be described with reference to the drawings.

(2.1) Configuration of the scent generating device The scent generating device 80 includes a volatile chemical 81, a container body 82 that houses the volatile chemical 81, an air hole 82a that introduces air from the outside, and a volatile component. The lid 83 is configured to be openable and closable for allowing the air it contains to pass to the outside.

The lid 83 is provided with an opening / closing mechanism 85. In the opening / closing mechanism 85, the lid 83 moves and the opening 82b of the container body 82 is connected to the opening 83a formed in the lid 83 to form a ventilation path 84 as a second ventilation path (FIG. 3 (b)).
The lid 83 may be moved to the open position in advance. For example, when the opening / closing door 6 is opened, the projection 83b of the lid 83 is pushed down to the open position in conjunction with the rotation of the opening / closing lever 7. You may move (refer FIG.3 (b)).

  The volatile chemical 81 is a gel molded body that holds a volatile substance and is filled and held in the accommodating portion S1 of the container body 82. The volatile substance held in the gel molded body is a substance released from the gel molded body through the air passage 84 of the opening / closing mechanism 85 by volatilization, and examples thereof include a volatile fragrance and a deodorant. .

  The gel molded body is formed from a gel that dissolves and holds a volatile substance, and the gel component may be a known gel such as gelatin, oil gel, water-absorbing polymer, polycondensation gel of polyfunctional acid and polyol. The fragrance generating device 80 is formed so as to have a shape retaining property so that it can be used even if it rotates and moves together with the door 6.

(2.2) Action of the scent generating device The scent generating device 80 is a fragrance as a volatile substance contained in the gel molded body when the gel molded body in the container body 82 comes into contact with the air in the container body 82. Volatile components such as a deodorant are volatilized from the surface of the gel molded body to the outside (see FIG. 3C), and the function as a scent generating device is exhibited.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the operator opens the opening / closing door 6 at the time of paper jam handling, the opening / closing door 6 rotates about the rotation shaft 6b, the sheet conveyance path is exposed, and the sheet removal operation is performed. It becomes possible. At this time, there is a possibility that air containing odor generated in the image forming apparatus 1 diffuses from the opening portion of the opening / closing door 6 with the opening of the opening / closing door 6, thereby causing discomfort to the operator.

  The opening / closing door 6 is provided with a scent generating device 80 at a position distant from the rotary shaft 6b toward the front end side. .

As a result, air flows from the louver portion 6 a of the opening / closing door 6 toward the scent generating device 80 by the opening movement of the opening / closing door 6. The air flowing in from the louver portion 6a is introduced into the container body 82 containing the volatile chemical 81 through the air hole 82a of the container body 82, and is released to the outside as air containing a volatile component. .
Therefore, an air freshener or a deodorant can be added to the air containing the odor generated in the image forming apparatus 1 to alleviate the operator's discomfort.

"Modification"
When installing the liquid scent generating device 80A containing the liquid volatile drug 81 that is more volatile than the gel molded body in the open / close door 6, the air hole 82a of the container body 82 is omitted, and the lid The body 83 may be provided with only the opening / closing mechanism 85.
In the image forming apparatus 1 in which the scent generating device 80A of the modified example is installed, when the open / close door 6 is opened, there is no possibility that the liquid volatile chemical 81 spills from the container body 82, and the volatilization of the liquid is more easily volatilized. Using the sex medicine 81, the operator's discomfort can be alleviated more quickly.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the container body 82 may be provided with a lid body 83 </ b> A that opens and closes the louver portion 6 a of the open / close door 6 and the air hole 82 a of the container body 82 in addition to the lid body 83. When the lid 83A is provided, the consumption of the volatile drug 81 can be suppressed.

“Second Embodiment”
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1A including the scent generating device 80, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the scent generating device 80 in the image forming apparatus 1A.
Hereinafter, the operation of the scent generating device 80 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 10 includes an information acquisition unit 101 that acquires detection signals from the paper sensors SR1, SR2, and SR3, a fan drive unit 102 that controls driving of the exhaust fan 72, and a lid of the scent generating device 80. An opening / closing control unit 103 that controls opening / closing of the body 83 is provided.

In the image forming apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment, the control device 10 controls the opening / closing of the opening / closing mechanism 85 of the scent generating device 80 when a paper jam is detected by any of the paper sensors SR1, SR2, SR3. Release fragrance or deodorant.
Then, during the paper jam processing, the user controls the opening / closing of the opening / closing mechanism 85 of the scent generating device 80 when the user opens the door 6 and removes residual paper in the paper transport path and then closes the door 6. To stop the release of fragrance or deodorant.

  When receiving the print job, the control device 10 starts energization control to the fixing unit 60 from the standby state to start the warm-up operation, and turns on the exhaust fan 72 of the exhaust device 70 (S101). Then, the detection signals of the paper sensors SR1, SR2, SR3 are acquired (S102), and when any of the paper sensors SR1, SR2, SR3 is turned on (S103: Yes), the open / close mechanism 85 is set to the open position (S103). S104).

  When the interlock switch IL is turned on (S105: Yes), the opening / closing mechanism 85 is moved to the closed position (S106), and the emission of the fragrance or the deodorant from the scent generator 80 is stopped.

According to the image forming apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment, when a paper jam is detected, the opening / closing mechanism 85 of the scent generating device 80 is opened before the operator opens the open / close door 6 and performs paper jam processing. The lid 83 is brought into the open position by controlling the opening and closing. When the paper jam processing is completed and the opening / closing door 6 is closed, the opening / closing mechanism 85 of the scent generating device 80 is controlled to be opened and closed, and the lid 83 is closed.
Therefore, only when the operator performs the paper jam processing, the fragrance or the deodorant can be released from the scent generating device 80 and the consumption of the volatile chemical 81 can be suppressed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A ... Image forming apparatus 2 ... Image forming part 3 ... Reading part 4 ... Reading apparatus support part 5 ... Exterior cover 5a ... Louver part 6 ... Opening / closing door 6a ..Louvre unit 6b ... Rotating shaft 7 ... Open / close lever 10 ... Control device 101 ... Information acquisition unit 102 ... Fan drive unit 103 ... Open / close control unit 104 ... Timer control unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Paper feeder 30 ... Photosensitive unit 40 ... Developing unit 50 ... Transfer unit 60 ... Fixing unit 70 ... Exhaust device 71 ... Ventilation duct 72 ... Exhaust fan 80, 80A ... Fragrance generating device 81 ... Volatile drug 82 ... Container body 82a ... Air hole 82b ... Opening 83, 83A ... Lid 83a ... Opening 84 ..Ventilation path 85 ... Opening / closing mechanism 90 ... Operation information section R1, SR2, SR3 ··· paper sensor IL ··· interlock switch

Claims (3)

An opening / closing door that extends in a substantially vertical direction between a paper feeding unit that feeds the recording medium and a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium on which the toner image is fixed, and opens and closes so as to expose a recording medium conveyance path for conveying the recording medium. On the tip side away from the rotating shaft that supports the opening and closing of the air passage, the volatile agent is housed inside and the air passage through which the volatile component evaporating from the volatile agent passes while passing through the air and the opening and closing of the door A container having a lid having an opening and closing mechanism that switches between a closed position that closes the ventilation path by operation and an open position that connects the ventilation path to the outside ;
An image forming apparatus. A paper jam detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium remaining in the apparatus main body,
Switching the lid to the open position when a paper jam is detected by the paper jam detector;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The volatile agent is selected from one or more types of fragrances and deodorants,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

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