JP6515381B2 - Exhaust means - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to exhaust means, and more particularly to an exhaust means for exhausting air discharged from the inside of an image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the air discharged from the inside of the apparatus contains an odorous substance due to the influence of toner and the like. The air containing the odorous substance gives the user a sense of discomfort. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a filter for collecting the odorous substance is provided in the exhaust path for guiding the air inside the apparatus to the outside. By the exhaust means, the diffusion of air containing odorous substances to the surroundings is suppressed. However, this type of exhaust means (hereinafter referred to as a conventional exhaust means) has a large number of parts because of the configuration in which a filter is provided in the exhaust path, which hinders the downsizing of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, there is a need for a simpler exhaust means capable of suppressing the diffusion of air containing odorous substances to the surroundings.

JP 2012-247697 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an exhaust means for exhausting air exhausted from the inside of an image forming apparatus, which can suppress the diffusion of air containing odorous substances to the surroundings, and has a simpler exhaust means than conventional exhaust means. It is to provide.

The exhaust means which is an embodiment of the present invention is
An exhaust unit for exhausting air inside the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust duct directed from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside of the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust port, which is a downstream end of the exhaust duct, is provided such that the air discharged from the exhaust port is along the outer side surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus.
The outer side surface is provided with a through hole connecting the inside of the image forming apparatus and the outside of the image forming apparatus.
The through hole is located on the opening direction side of the exhaust port with respect to the exhaust port ,
The exhaust means is further
An exhaust fan provided in the exhaust duct;
A circulation duct going from the through hole to the inside of the image forming apparatus;
Equipped with
The circulation duct is connected to the exhaust duct,
It is characterized by

  In the exhaust unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the exhaust port of the exhaust duct directed from the inside to the outside of the image forming apparatus is provided such that the discharged air is along the outer side surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus. . Thus, the flow of air discharged from the image forming apparatus is along the side surface of the image forming apparatus by the Coanda effect. Therefore, the diffusion of the exhaust gas around the image forming apparatus is suppressed. In addition to this, a through hole is provided on the side of the image forming apparatus on the opening direction side of the exhaust port with respect to the exhaust port. Through the through holes, a part of the air that has flowed along the side surface of the image forming apparatus is taken into the inside of the image forming apparatus. As a result, the diffusion of exhaust gas around the image forming apparatus is further suppressed. As described above, according to the exhaust unit that is an embodiment of the present invention, the diffusion of the exhaust gas around the image forming apparatus can be suppressed. Moreover, the exhaust means which is an embodiment of the present invention is simpler than the conventional exhaust means because it does not require a member such as a filter.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the diffusion of air containing odorous substances to the surroundings, and it is simpler than conventional exhaust means.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus provided with an exhaust unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus provided with an exhaust unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an internal structure of an image forming apparatus provided with an exhaust unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus for illustrating an exhaust unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus for describing an exhaust unit that is a first modification example. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus for describing an exhaust unit that is a second modification. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the part regarding the intake by an intake fan. It is a flowchart regarding the intake by an intake fan. It is a graph for demonstrating the diffusion condition of the air containing the odor substance around the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 2nd modification. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus for describing an exhaust unit that is a third modification. It is sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus for demonstrating the exhaust_gas | exhaustion means which is a 4th modification. It is an external appearance perspective view of an image forming apparatus provided with the exhaust means which is the 5th modification. It is sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus for demonstrating the exhaust_gas | exhaustion means which is a 5th modification. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the part regarding opening and closing of the through-hole by an opening-and-closing mechanism. It is a flowchart regarding opening and closing of the through hole by an opening and closing mechanism. It is a figure showing the flow of the exhaust air from the image forming device concerning a 5th modification.

(Schematic Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus, See FIGS. 1 and 2)
Hereinafter, an exhaust unit 50 according to an embodiment and an image forming apparatus 1 including the same will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. In each of the drawings, the horizontal direction of the image forming apparatus 1 is represented by the x-axis, and the depth direction is represented by the y-axis. Furthermore, the vertical direction is represented by the z axis.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic color printer, and as shown in FIG. 1, has a user interface 110 on the front upper side. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an exhaust port H1 is provided at an upper portion of the back surface S1 of the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, in the lower part of the back surface of the image forming apparatus 1, a through hole H2 is provided which connects the inside and the outside of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100 that controls each unit and each unit, an image forming unit 10, a sheet feeding cassette 20, a fixing unit 30, a conveying unit 40, and an exhaust unit 50. It is equipped.

  The image forming unit 10 arranges a charger, a developing device, etc. centering on the photosensitive drum 12 for forming an image of each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and K (black). An intermediate transfer belt 15 which primarily transfers and synthesizes a toner image formed by the image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C and 11K and the image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C and 11K, and performs an intermediate transfer of the synthesized toner image A secondary transfer roller 18 for secondary transfer from the belt to the sheet P and an exposure unit 16 using a laser beam are provided. The configuration and operation of this type of image forming unit 10 are conventionally known, and detailed description will be omitted.

  The sheet feeding cassette 20 is a box-shaped case on which the sheets P are stacked, and is provided so as to be able to be pulled out from the front side (the front side surface in FIG. 3) of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the presence or absence of sheets in the sheet feeding cassette 20 is detected by a sensor not shown. Then, when there is no sheet in the cassette 20, the fact that the sheet is out is displayed on the user interface 110 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 through the control means 100 that has received the signal from the sensor.

  The conveying means 40 is responsible for conveying the sheet P in the image forming apparatus, and comprises a pickup roller 41, a sheet feeding roller 42, a separating roller 43, a conveying roller pair 44, a timing roller pair 45, and a discharge roller pair 46. ing. The sheet P stacked in the sheet feeding cassette 20 is picked up by the pickup roller 41 by the conveying unit 40 and is fed by the sheet feeding roller 42 and the separating roller 43. Further, the fed sheet P is transported downstream by the transport roller pair 44 in the transport direction, and sent from the timing roller pair 45 to the secondary transfer roller 18. Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is transferred onto the sheet P by the electric field applied from the secondary transfer roller 18. Thereafter, the sheet P is subjected to heating and fixing of the toner by the fixing section 30, and is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 2 provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1 by the discharge roller pair 46. Note that a blow-in port H3 of an exhaust duct 60 constituting an exhaust unit 50 described later is located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet P with respect to the fixing unit 30, and on the toner fixing surface side of the sheet P. .

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the exhaust means 50 plays a role of exhausting the air inside the image forming apparatus 1, particularly the air from the fixing unit 30. Details of the exhaust means 50 will be described below.

(Details of exhaust means, see Fig. 4)
As shown in FIG. 4, the exhaust unit 50 is provided in the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 and the back surface S1. Further, the exhausting means 50 is constituted by an exhaust duct 60, an exhaust fan 70 and a through hole H2 provided on the back of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The exhaust duct 60 plays a role of guiding the air exhausted from the fixing unit 30 to the outside of the machine. Further, the exhaust duct 60 is located on the back side of the image forming apparatus 1 from a blow-in port H3 located on the downstream side of the sheet P in the transport direction with respect to the fixing unit 30 and on the toner fixing surface side of the sheet P. It is a hollow member extending toward the mouth H1.

  An exhaust fan 70 is provided in the vicinity of the exhaust port H 1 in the exhaust duct 60. The exhaust fan 70 rotates with the operation of the fixing unit 30. By this rotation, an air flow from the air inlet H3 to the air outlet H1 is created in the air exhaust duct 60. As a result, air with an odor discharged with the operation of the fixing unit 30 is discharged from the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 to the outside.

  As described above, the exhaust port H1 is provided in the upper part of the back surface S1 of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the exhaust port H1 faces the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1. More specifically, the end of the exhaust duct 60 protrudes horizontally from the back of the image forming apparatus 1 and is bent downward. Thus, the exhaust port H1 is directed downward of the image forming apparatus 1, and the air discharged from the exhaust port H1 is provided along the back surface S1 of the casing of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The through hole H2 is provided in the lower part of the back surface S1 of the image forming apparatus 1. Here, since the exhaust port H1 is provided at the upper part of the back surface S1 of the image forming apparatus 1 and faces downward, the through hole H2 blows off the air discharged from the exhaust port H1 with respect to the exhaust port H1. It is located on the direction side. The through hole H2 penetrates the casing of the image forming apparatus 1, and connects the inside and the outside of the image forming apparatus 1.

(effect)
In the exhaust means 50 which is an embodiment, the exhaust port H1 of the exhaust duct 60 is provided so that the exhausted air is along the back surface S1 of the casing of the image forming apparatus 1. Thus, the flow of air discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 follows the back surface S1 of the image forming apparatus 1 due to the Coanda effect. Therefore, the diffusion of exhaust gas around the image forming apparatus 1 is suppressed. In addition to this, a through hole H2 is provided on the lower side of the exhaust port H1 with respect to the exhaust port H1 on the back surface S1 of the image forming apparatus 1. A part of the air flowing along the back surface S1 of the image forming apparatus 1 is taken into the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 by the through holes H2. As a result, the diffusion of the exhaust gas around the image forming apparatus 1 is further suppressed. As described above, the diffusion of the exhaust gas around the image forming apparatus 1 can be suppressed. Moreover, the exhaust means 50 is simpler than the conventional exhaust means because it does not require a member such as a filter. Since the air taken into the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 spreads slowly around the image forming apparatus 1 from the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus 1 and the like, the user of the image forming apparatus 1 needs the image forming apparatus 1. It is hard to notice the air containing the odor emitted from the inside of.

  Further, since the exhaust port H1 of the exhaust means 50 is directed downward, the air discharged from the exhaust port H1 is directed downward of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, the user using the image forming apparatus 1 is less likely to notice air containing an odor emitted from the inside of the image forming apparatus 1. As described above, according to the exhausting unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 1, the user's discomfort due to the discharge of the air containing the odorous substance can be suppressed.

(Refer to FIG. 5 in the first modification)
The difference between the exhaust unit 50A of the image forming apparatus 1A according to the first modification and the exhaust unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is that a new member is added to the exhaust unit 50A. The exhaust means 50A further includes a circulation duct 62, as shown in FIG. One opening of the circulation duct 62 is connected to the through hole H2 provided in the back surface S1, and the other opening is connected to the exhaust duct 60.

  The exhaust unit 50A configured as described above can further suppress the diffusion of the exhaust gas to the periphery of the image forming apparatus, as compared with the exhaust unit 50 according to one embodiment. The details will be described below. As described in the description of the exhaust unit 50, the exhaust fan 70 is provided in the exhaust duct 60, and the air inside the image forming apparatus is exhausted by operating the exhaust fan 70. At this time, the exhaust duct 60 is in a state where the air pressure is lower than its surroundings, that is, so-called negative pressure. Here, in the exhaust unit 50A, the circulation duct 62 is connected to the exhaust duct 60. Therefore, when the exhaust duct 60 is under negative pressure, air in the circulation duct 62 connected thereto is sucked. As a result, the suction force by the through hole H2 connected to one opening of the circulation duct 62 is increased. As a result, a part of the air containing the odor which has been discharged from the exhaust port H1 and has flowed along the back surface S1 of the image forming apparatus 1A is easily taken in by the inside of the image forming apparatus 1A. As a result, the exhaust unit 50A according to the first modification can further suppress the diffusion of the exhaust gas around the image forming apparatus, as compared with the exhaust unit 50 according to the first embodiment.

(Refer to FIGS. 6 to 8 for the second modification)
The difference between the exhausting unit 50B of the image forming apparatus 1B according to the second modification and the exhausting unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is that an intake fan 72 is added to the exhausting unit 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the exhaust unit 50B of the image forming apparatus 1B according to the second modification further includes an intake fan 72, and changes the air volume of the intake fan 72 according to the situation.

  The intake fan 72 is provided in the vicinity of the through hole H2 provided in the back surface S1 inside the image forming apparatus 1B. The intake fan 72 is located outside the exhaust duct 60.

(Intake fan air volume change)
As shown in FIG. 7, the air volume change of the intake fan 72 in the exhaust means 50B is based on a sheet selection from the user interface 110 and a signal from a terminal 120 such as a PC connected to the image forming apparatus 1B. The control means 100 of the forming device 1B operates the drive motor 75, which is a power source of the intake fan 72, to adjust the rotational speed of the drive motor 75. The control of the air volume of the intake fan 72 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The control regarding the air volume of the intake fan 72 starts with an image formation command by the control means 100.

  In the first step R1 of the air volume control of the air intake fan 72, the air volume generated by the air intake fan 72 is stored in the data storage unit 102 in the control means 100 based on the information of the image to be formed. Select from a table having a plurality of reference air volumes. For example, when the toner adhesion amount per sheet of paper on which an image is formed is 100 mg or more, a large air volume is selected, and when the toner adhesion amount per sheet on which an image is formed is less than 100 mg, Choose a small air volume. The larger the amount of toner adhesion per sheet, the larger the amount of odorous substances generated.

  In the second step R2, the control means 100 determines the number of rotations of the drive motor 75 connected to the intake fan 72 based on the reference air volume selected in the first step R1.

  In the third step R3, the control means 100 operates the drive motor 75. Here, the control means 100 operates the drive motor 75 based on the number of rotations of the drive motor 75 determined in the second step R2. Thus, the intake fan 72 rotates. While the intake fan 72 is in operation, the air containing the odor generated inside the image forming apparatus 1B is naturally discharged by the exhaust fan 70 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1B. Then, the air is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1B, and a part of the air flowing along the back surface S1 is taken into the inside of the image forming apparatus 1B through the through hole H2.

  In the fourth step R4, the control means 100 activates a timer that counts time T1. The time T1 is a time until the control means 100 stops the drive motor 75 with reference to the operation start time of the drive motor 75. The stop time of the drive motor 75 is immediately after the operation of the fixing unit 30 stops or after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In the fifth step R5, the control means 100 determines whether the time T1 has elapsed. If the time T1 has elapsed, the process proceeds to a sixth step R6. If the time T1 has not elapsed, the present process waits until the time T1 elapses in the fifth step R5.

  In the sixth step R6, the control means 100 stops the drive motor 75. That is, the control means 100 stops the intake fan 72. At this point, the control regarding the air volume of the intake fan 72 ends.

  In the exhaust unit 50B configured as described above, a part of the air including the odor that has been exhausted from the exhaust port H1 by the intake fan 72 and has flowed along the back surface S1 of the image forming apparatus 1B is the image forming apparatus It becomes easy to be taken in by the inside of 1B. As a result, the exhaust unit 50B according to the second modification can further suppress the diffusion of the exhaust gas around the image forming apparatus, as compared with the exhaust unit 50 according to the embodiment.

  In the exhaust means 50B, the air volume of the intake fan 72 is changed according to the formed image. Thus, for example, when the amount of air containing odor is small, it is possible to suppress the rotation of the intake fan 72 and to suppress unnecessary power consumption.

  Here, the inventor of the present application examined the relationship between the presence or absence of the operation of the intake fan 72 and the diffusion of the air including the odor around the image forming apparatus 1B. The measurement of the diffusion of air containing odor was performed by examining the wind speed around the image forming apparatus 1B 100 mm below the exhaust port of the image forming apparatus 1B. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the results. The vertical axis in FIG. 9 indicates the distance from the back surface of the image forming apparatus 1B in the horizontal direction, and the horizontal axis is the wind speed. The solid line in FIG. 9 shows the case where the intake fan 72 is operating, and the broken line shows the case where the intake fan 72 is not operating.

  As a result of the measurement, it was found that the operation of the intake fan 72 suppresses the diffusion of the air including the odor around the image forming apparatus 1B. Specifically, for example, at a measurement point at a distance of 120 mm in the horizontal direction from the back surface of the image forming apparatus 1B surrounded by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Is slow. This indicates that the diffusion of air including odor around the image forming apparatus 1B is suppressed. That is, it can be confirmed that the exhaust unit 50B according to the second modification further suppresses the diffusion of the exhaust gas around the image forming apparatus, as compared with the exhaust unit 50 according to the embodiment.

(Refer to FIG. 10 for the third modification)
The difference between the exhaust unit 50C of the image forming apparatus 1C according to the third modification and the exhaust unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is the presence or absence of the guide member 80. As shown in FIG. 10, the exhaust unit 50C of the image forming apparatus 1C according to the third modification further includes a guide member 80 for smoothly guiding the air blown out from the exhaust port to the floor surface.

  The guide member 80 is a plate-like member provided at the lower end of the back surface of the image forming apparatus 1C. In addition, the shape of the guide member 80 draws a gentle arc in a direction parallel to the back surface of the image forming apparatus 1C, that is, a direction parallel to the floor surface from the vertical direction and toward the outside of the image forming apparatus 1C. As curved.

  The exhaust means 50C provided with the guide member 80 as described above can suppress the user's discomfort due to the air containing the odorous substance being discharged, as compared with the exhaust means 50 as one embodiment. Specifically, air containing an odorous substance which is discharged from the exhaust port H1 and not sucked in the through hole H2 is directed to the floor surface. At this time, in the exhaust means 50C, the presence of the guide member 80 can prevent air containing an odor substance from colliding vertically with the floor surface. As a result, the air collides perpendicularly with the floor surface, bounces, and soars to the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1C. As a result, in the exhaust means 50C, compared with the exhaust means 50 which is one embodiment, the user of the image forming apparatus is less likely to notice the discharge of the air containing the odor. That is, the exhausting means 50C can suppress the user's discomfort due to the discharge of the air containing the odorous substance.

(Refer to FIG. 11 in the fourth modification)
The difference between the exhausting unit 50D of the image forming apparatus 1D according to the fourth modification and the exhausting unit 50C of the image forming apparatus 1C according to the third modification is in the guide member 80.

  The shape of the guide member 80 of the exhaust unit 50D according to the fourth modification is a direction parallel to the back surface of the image forming apparatus 1D, that is, a direction parallel to the floor surface from the vertical direction, inside the image forming apparatus 1D. It curves like a gentle arc in the direction to go.

  In the exhaust means 50D provided with the guide member 80 as described above, compared with the exhaust means 50C, the user's discomfort due to the discharge of the air containing the odorous substance can be further suppressed. Specifically, according to the guide member 80 of the exhaust means 50D, the air containing the odorous substance exhausted from the exhaust port H1 and not sucked in the through hole H2 is made by the guide member 80 with the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus 1D. After passing through the floor surface, it spreads around the image forming apparatus 1D. In this manner, the odorous substance is diffused to the periphery of the image forming apparatus 1D by temporarily guiding the air containing the odorous substance to the inside of the image forming apparatus 1D instead of immediately introducing the air to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1D. It is suppressing. Therefore, compared with the exhausting unit 50C, the exhausting unit 50D is less likely to notice the air containing the odor to the user of the image forming apparatus, and it is possible to suppress giving the user of the image forming apparatus 1D discomfort.

  In addition, the back surface of the image forming apparatus is generally adjacent to the wall surface of the room in which the image forming apparatus is installed. Therefore, as in the guide member 80 of the exhaust unit 50D, the odorous substance is contained by guiding the air containing the odorous substance to the inside of the image forming apparatus 1D instead of the external side of the image forming apparatus 1D. It is suppressed that air is pinched and raised between the image forming apparatus 1D and the wall surface of the room in which the image forming apparatus 1D is installed. As a result, the exhaust unit 50D is less likely to notice air containing odor to the user of the image forming apparatus 1D, and it is possible to suppress giving the user of the image forming apparatus 1D discomfort.

(Refer to the fifth modified example, FIGS. 12 to 16)
The difference between the exhaust unit 50E of the image forming apparatus 1E according to the fifth modification and the exhaust unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is that the through hole H4 is provided, and each through hole H2 , H4 in that the opening and closing mechanisms 90, 92 are provided.

  The through hole H4 is provided between the exhaust port H1 and the through hole H2 on the back surface of the image forming apparatus 1E, as shown in FIG. The through hole H4 penetrates the casing of the image forming apparatus 1E, and connects the inside and the outside of the image forming apparatus 1E. And the size in the horizontal direction of the through hole H4 is smaller than the through hole H2.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the open / close mechanism 90 is constituted by a rod-shaped rotation shaft 90a and a flat shield plate 90b. In addition, the shield plate 90a rotates about the rotation shaft 90b to open and close the through hole H2.

  The opening and closing mechanism 92 is constituted by a rod-shaped rotation shaft 92a and a flat shield plate 92b. In addition, the shielding plate 92a rotates around the rotation shaft 92b to open and close the through hole H4.

  Here, the shielding plates 90 b and 92 b close the through holes H 2 and H 4 when the fixing unit 30 is not in operation. Then, when the fixing unit 30 is operated, one of the opening and closing mechanisms 90 and 92 is operated. The details of the operation of the opening and closing mechanisms 90 and 92 will be described below.

(Operation of opening and closing mechanism)
The operations of the opening and closing mechanisms 90 and 92 in the exhaust unit 50E are, as shown in FIG. 14, based on the sheet selection from the user interface 110 and the signal from the terminal 120 such as a PC connected to the image forming apparatus 1E. The control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1E is operated by operating the rotation motor 77 connected to the rotation shaft 90a of the opening and closing mechanism 90 or the rotation motor 79 connected to the rotation shaft 90a of the opening and closing mechanism 90. The operation of the opening and closing mechanisms 90 and 92 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The control regarding the operation of the opening and closing mechanisms 90 and 92 is started by an image formation command by the control means 100. The opening / closing mechanisms 90 and 92 close the through holes H2 and H4 before an image formation command.

  In the first step Q1 related to the operation of the open / close mechanisms 90, 92, the control means 100 determines which of the open / close mechanisms 90, 92 to operate based on the fixing temperature of the sheet on which an image is to be formed. For example, when the basis weight of the sheet to be imaged is 90 to 200 g / m 2, the fixing temperature of the sheet is about 170 ° C., and it is determined that the opening and closing mechanism 92 is operated at this time. When the basis weight of the sheet on which the image is formed is less than 90 g / m 2 and larger than 200 g / m 2, the fixing temperature of the sheet is about 190 ° C., and it is determined that the open / close mechanism 90 is operated.

  In the second step Q2, the control means 100 actuates either of the rotary motors 77, 79 based on the determination in the first step Q1. Thereby, one of the through holes H2 and H4 is opened, and the air flows into the inside of the image forming apparatus 1E. During operation of either the opening / closing mechanism 90 or 92, air including the odor generated inside the image forming apparatus 1E is naturally discharged by the exhaust fan 70 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1E. Then, the air is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1E, and a part of the air flowing along the back surface S1 is taken into the inside of the image forming apparatus 1E through one of the through holes H2 and H4.

  In the third step Q3, the control means 100 activates a timer that counts time T2. The time T2 is a time until the control means 100 stops any of the drive motors 77, 79 with reference to the operation start time of any of the rotary motors 77, 79. The stop time of the drive motors 77 and 79 is immediately after the operation of the fixing unit 30 is stopped or after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In the fourth step Q4, the control means 100 determines whether the time T2 has elapsed. If the time T2 has elapsed, the process proceeds to a fifth step Q5. If the time T2 has not elapsed, the process waits until the time T2 elapses in the fourth step Q4.

  In the fifth step Q5, the control means 100 stops the rotary motors 77, 79 operated in the third step Q3 among the rotary motors 77, 79. As a result, both the through holes H2 and H4 are closed. Thus, the operation of the opening and closing mechanisms 90 and 92 is completed.

  In the exhaust means 50E configured as described above, a plurality of through holes H2 and H4 are provided, and when the fixing temperature of the sheet is about 170 ° C., the opening / closing mechanism 92 is operated to use the through holes H4. When the fixing temperature is about 190 ° C., the opening and closing mechanism 90 is operated to use the through hole H2. This is to suppress an excessive temperature rise inside the image forming apparatus 1E. Specifically, when the fixing temperature of the sheet is high, the temperature of the air containing the odor substance discharged from the image forming apparatus 1E is also high. Therefore, when the air containing the odorant discharged from the exhaust port H1 and flowing along the back surface S1 is taken into the inside of the image forming apparatus 1E from the through hole H4 closer to the exhaust port H1 than the through hole H2, The temperature inside the image forming apparatus 1E may increase excessively because of the high temperature. However, when the fixing temperature of the sheet is high (when the fixing temperature is 190 ° C. in this embodiment), air is taken in from the exhaust port H1 through the through hole H2 farther from the exhaust port H1 than the through hole H4. Thus, by taking in air from the through hole H2, the cooling time of the air discharged from the exhaust port H1 is longer than taking in from the through hole H4. As a result, since the temperature of the air taken into the image forming apparatus 1E is lowered, it is possible to suppress an excessive temperature rise inside the image forming apparatus 1E.

  In the exhaust means 50E, the through holes H2 and H4 are closed by the opening and closing mechanisms 90 and 92 when the fixing unit 30 is not in operation. Thus, it is possible to suppress the entry of dust from the through holes H2 and H4 when the fixing unit 30 is not in operation.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 16, the air discharged from the exhaust port H1 diffuses around the image forming apparatus 1E as it gets farther from the exhaust port H1. In order to cope with this, the horizontal size of the through hole H2 in the exhaust means 50E is larger than that of the through hole H4 closer to the exhaust port H1. That is, the size of the through hole increases with distance from the exhaust port H1. Thereby, even if it is a through hole away from the exhaust port H1, the diffused air can be sufficiently taken in.

(Other embodiments)
The exhaust means according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be variously modified within the scope of the invention. For example, not only the air generated in the fixing unit 30 but also the air generated in another part in the image forming apparatus 1 may be the air discharged by the exhaust means 50. In addition, the number of through holes, the detailed shape of the duct, and the like may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, even if the control regarding the intake amount of the intake fan 72 in the exhaust means 50B of the second modification is made such that the air volume of the intake fan 72 is increased when the toner adhesion amount in one job exceeds a certain value. Good. Furthermore, the above embodiments may be combined.

  As described above, the present invention is useful as an exhaust means for exhausting the air exhausted from the inside of the image forming apparatus, and can suppress the diffusion of air containing an odor substance to the surroundings, as compared with the conventional exhaust means. It is superior in that it has a simpler structure.

H1 exhaust port H2, H4 through hole H3 blow-in port S1 back surface (side surface)
1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E Image Forming Device 30 Fixing Unit 50 Exhausting Unit 60 Exhaust Duct 62 Circulating Duct 70 Exhaust Fan 72 Intake Fan 80 Guide Member 90, 92 Opening and Closing Mechanism

Claims (17)

An exhaust unit for exhausting air inside the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust duct directed from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside of the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust port, which is a downstream end of the exhaust duct, is provided such that the air discharged from the exhaust port is along the outer side surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus.
The outer side surface is provided with a through hole connecting the inside of the image forming apparatus and the outside of the image forming apparatus.
The through hole is located on the opening direction side of the exhaust port with respect to the exhaust port ,
The exhaust means is further
An exhaust fan provided in the exhaust duct;
A circulation duct going from the through hole to the inside of the image forming apparatus;
Equipped with
The circulation duct is connected to the exhaust duct,
Exhaust means characterized by An exhaust unit for exhausting air inside the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust duct directed from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside of the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust port, which is a downstream end of the exhaust duct, is provided such that the air discharged from the exhaust port is along the outer side surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus.
The outer side surface is provided with a through hole connecting the inside of the image forming apparatus and the outside of the image forming apparatus.
The through hole is located on the opening direction side of the exhaust port with respect to the exhaust port,
The exhaust means is
The apparatus further comprises an intake fan provided inside the image forming apparatus and outside the exhaust duct.
Exhaust means characterized by An exhaust unit for exhausting air inside the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust duct directed from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside of the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust port, which is a downstream end of the exhaust duct, is provided such that the air discharged from the exhaust port is along the outer side surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus.
The outer side surface is provided with a through hole connecting the inside of the image forming apparatus and the outside of the image forming apparatus.
The through hole is located on the opening direction side of the exhaust port with respect to the exhaust port,
The exhaust means is
The image forming apparatus further includes a guide member provided at a lower end of the image forming apparatus and having a surface curved in a direction parallel to a floor surface from the side surface of the image forming apparatus.
Exhaust means characterized by The end of the guide member opposite to the exhaust port faces the inside of the image forming apparatus.
The exhaust means according to claim 3 , characterized in that An exhaust unit for exhausting air inside the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust duct directed from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside of the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust port, which is a downstream end of the exhaust duct, is provided such that the air discharged from the exhaust port is along the outer side surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus.
The outer side surface is provided with a through hole connecting the inside of the image forming apparatus and the outside of the image forming apparatus.
The through hole is located on the opening direction side of the exhaust port with respect to the exhaust port,
A plurality of through holes connecting the inside of the image forming apparatus and the outside of the image forming apparatus are provided on the outer side surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus.
The sizes of the plurality of through holes increase with distance from the exhaust port;
Exhaust means characterized by An exhaust unit for exhausting air inside the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust duct directed from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside of the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust port, which is a downstream end of the exhaust duct, is provided such that the air discharged from the exhaust port is along the outer side surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus.
The outer side surface is provided with a through hole connecting the inside of the image forming apparatus and the outside of the image forming apparatus.
The through hole is located on the opening direction side of the exhaust port with respect to the exhaust port,
The exhaust means is
Further comprising opening and closing means for opening and closing the through hole;
Exhaust means characterized by An exhaust unit for exhausting air inside the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust duct directed from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside of the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust port, which is a downstream end of the exhaust duct, is provided such that the air discharged from the exhaust port is along the outer side surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus.
The outer side surface is provided with a through hole connecting the inside of the image forming apparatus and the outside of the image forming apparatus.
The through hole is located on the opening direction side of the exhaust port with respect to the exhaust port,
The suction amount from the through hole can be adjusted according to the generation amount of the odor substance of the image forming apparatus.
Exhaust means characterized by An exhaust unit for exhausting air inside the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust duct directed from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside of the image forming apparatus;
An exhaust port, which is a downstream end of the exhaust duct, is provided such that the air discharged from the exhaust port is along the outer side surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus.
The outer side surface is provided with a through hole connecting the inside of the image forming apparatus and the outside of the image forming apparatus.
The through hole is located on the opening direction side of the exhaust port with respect to the exhaust port,
The position of the through hole can be changed according to the temperature of air discharged from the image forming apparatus.
Exhaust means characterized by The exhaust port is directed downward of the image forming apparatus.
The exhausting means according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , characterized in that A blow-in port, which is an upstream end of the exhaust duct, is downstream of a fixing unit for fixing the toner on the sheet in the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed in the image forming apparatus. Being located on the toner fixing side of the sheet,
Exhaust means according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in. An exhaust fan provided in the exhaust duct;
A circulation duct going from the through hole to the inside of the image forming apparatus;
Equipped with
The circulation duct is connected to the exhaust duct,
Exhaust means according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in. The apparatus further comprises an intake fan provided inside the image forming apparatus and outside the exhaust duct.
Claim 1, wherein the exhaust means according to any one of claims 3 to 8. The image forming apparatus further includes a guide member provided at a lower end of the image forming apparatus and having a surface curved in a direction parallel to a floor surface from the side surface of the image forming apparatus.
The exhausting means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A plurality of through holes connecting the inside of the image forming apparatus and the outside of the image forming apparatus are provided on the outer side surface of the casing of the image forming apparatus.
The sizes of the plurality of through holes increase with distance from the exhaust port;
Exhaust means according to any one of claims 1 to 4, claims 6 to 8, characterized in. Further comprising opening and closing means for opening and closing the through hole;
Exhaust means according to any one of claims 1 to 5, claims 7 to 8, characterized in. The suction amount from the through hole can be adjusted according to the generation amount of the odor substance of the image forming apparatus.
Claims 1 to 6, characterized in, exhaust means according to any one of claims 8. The position of the through hole can be changed according to the temperature of air discharged from the image forming apparatus.
Exhaust means according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in.

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