JP7087344B2 - Image forming device and heat shield parts used for it - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a heat shield component used therein.

Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus of this kind, for example, those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are already known.
In Patent Document 1, a plate extends from the vicinity of an intake port toward a space sandwiched between a fuser and an image forming unit, and this space is partitioned upward and downward in the vertical direction, as well as a fuser and an image forming unit. Among the gaps sandwiched between the image forming unit and the image forming unit, the shape is such that the gap closer to the front side than the back side is made smaller, whereby the air on the back side rather than the front side when air is taken in. Disclosed is an image forming apparatus in which the amount of heat exhausted on the back side is larger than that on the front side by sucking out more heat.
In Patent Document 2, a heat shield is provided between the fixing device of the image forming apparatus and the image forming portion to shield heat between the fixing device and the image forming portion, and the heat shielding device, the image forming portion, and toner cleaning are provided. An air flow path is formed by the device, and the air flow can be circulated through the air flow path by a fan. The heat shield has an opening that opens toward the fixing device, and also serves as a duct for the cooling air flow to the fixing device. Disclosed is an image forming apparatus in which the opening and the entrance of the duct are opened, and the opening and the entrance of the duct are closed when the opening / closing cover is closed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-195809 (form for carrying out the invention, FIG. 8) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-006435 (form for carrying out the invention, FIG. 1)

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to suppress the temperature rise of the environmental space around the fixing part of the heating method and to prevent the heat from the fixing part from unnecessarily flowing out to the image forming part and the transfer part. It is in.

The invention according to claim 1 is provided in an image forming portion that is provided in the apparatus housing and forms an image using an image forming material that can be heat-fixed, and is provided on the side of the image forming portion in the apparatus housing. A transfer unit that transfers an image formed in the image forming unit to a recording medium conveyed along a substantially vertical transport path, and a transfer unit in the apparatus housing that is lateral to the image forming unit and said. A fixing section provided above the transfer section and at least heat-fixing the image transferred to the recording medium in the transfer section, and an image forming section located above the transfer section in the apparatus housing. A heat-shielding component provided so as to partition the space from the fixing portion and blocking heat from the fixing portion from flowing out to the space on the image forming portion side is provided, and the heat-shielding component is provided from the transfer portion. A vertical partition portion extending in the vertical direction along the transport path of the recording medium so as to partition the image forming portion and the fixing portion located above the image forming portion, and a vertical partition portion provided near the lower portion of the vertical partition portion. A lateral partition that partitions between the fixing portion and the transfer portion so as not to obstruct the transport path of the recording medium, extends laterally intersecting the transport path of the recording medium, and projects toward the fixing portion side. An air supply unit provided above the fixing portion of the vertical partition portion and supplying cooling air from the image forming portion side space in the apparatus housing to the fixing portion side space. The fixing portion in the apparatus housing is provided below the air supply portion of the vertical partition portion, is located above the horizontal partition portion, and is provided at a position facing the fixing portion. It has an exhaust portion for discharging heated air from the side space toward a space other than the image forming portion in the image forming portion side space, and the lateral partition portions are located on both sides in the width direction of the recording medium. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the end region to be formed has a longer protrusion dimension from the vertical partition portion than the intermediate region .
The invention according to claim 2 is provided in an image forming portion that is provided in the apparatus housing and forms an image using an image forming material that can be heat-fixed, and is provided on the side of the image forming portion in the apparatus housing. A transfer unit that transfers an image formed in the image forming unit to a recording medium conveyed along a substantially vertical transport path, and a transfer unit in the apparatus housing that is lateral to the image forming unit and said. A fixing section provided above the transfer section and at least heat-fixing the image transferred to the recording medium in the transfer section, and an image forming section located above the transfer section in the apparatus housing. A heat-shielding component provided so as to partition the space from the fixing portion and blocking heat from the fixing portion from flowing out to the space on the image forming portion side is provided, and the heat-shielding component is provided from the transfer portion. A vertical partition portion extending in the vertical direction along the transport path of the recording medium so as to partition between the image forming portion and the fixing portion located above, and a vertical partition portion provided near the lower portion of the vertical partition portion. A lateral partition that partitions between the fixing portion and the transfer portion so as not to obstruct the transport path of the recording medium, extends in the lateral direction intersecting the transport path of the recording medium, and projects toward the fixing portion side. An air supply unit provided above the fixing portion of the vertical partition portion and supplying cooling air from the image forming portion side space in the apparatus housing to the fixing portion side space. The fixing portion in the apparatus housing is provided below the air supply portion of the vertical partition portion, is located above the horizontal partition portion, and is provided at a position facing the fixing portion. It has an exhaust portion that discharges heated air from the side space toward a space other than the image forming portion in the image forming portion side space, and the vertical partition portion drives and transmits a driving force to the fixing portion. It is an image forming apparatus characterized by having an opening in which at least a part of a drive transmission mechanism is installed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the vertical partition portions face each other of the apparatus housing located on both sides in the width direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording medium. It is an image forming apparatus characterized by being bridged between frame members.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the lateral partition portions are bridged between facing frame members of the apparatus housing located on both sides in the width direction of the recording medium. It is an image forming apparatus characterized by the fact that the image is formed .
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, in the lateral partition portion, an end region having a long protrusion dimension and an intermediate region having a short protrusion dimension located on both sides in the width direction of the recording medium. Is an image forming apparatus characterized in that it is connected via a curved portion.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the lateral partition portion has a hemming bending portion at the tip portion facing the transport path of the recording medium. It is a characteristic image forming apparatus.
The invention according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the exhaust portion is arranged unevenly on the back surface side of the apparatus housing with respect to the air supply portion. It is a forming device .
According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the vertical partition portion is a fixing portion of an image forming material accommodating container in which an image forming material is contained as a part of the image forming portion. It is an image forming apparatus characterized by partitioning between and.

The invention according to claim 9 is provided in an image forming portion which is provided in the apparatus housing and forms an image by using an image forming material which can be heat-fixed, and is provided on the side of the image forming portion in the apparatus housing. A transfer unit that transfers an image formed in the image forming unit to a recording medium conveyed along a substantially vertical transport path, and a transfer unit in the apparatus housing that is lateral to the image forming unit and said. It is used in an image forming apparatus provided above the transfer unit and provided with a fixing unit that at least heats and fixes the image transferred to the recording medium in the transfer unit, and is used from the transfer unit in the apparatus housing. Is a heat-shielding component that is provided so as to partition between the image-forming portion and the fixing portion located above, and blocks heat from the fixing portion from flowing out to the space on the image-forming portion side. In the vicinity of the vertical partition portion extending in the vertical direction along the transport path of the recording medium so as to partition between the image forming portion and the fixing portion located above the transfer portion, and the lower portion of the vertical partition portion. Provided so as to partition between the fixing portion and the transfer portion so as not to obstruct the transport path of the recording medium, and extend laterally intersecting the transport path of the recording medium and project toward the fixing portion side. Air supply that is provided above the fixing portion of the horizontal partition portion and the vertical partition portion and supplies cooling air from the image forming portion side space in the apparatus housing to the fixing portion side space. The unit and the vertical partition portion are provided below the air supply portion, and are located above the lateral partition portion and at a position facing the fixing portion, and are provided in the apparatus housing. It has an exhaust portion that discharges heated air from the fixing portion side space toward a space other than the image forming portion in the image forming portion side space, and the lateral partition portion is in the width direction of the recording medium. The heat shield component is characterized in that the end regions located on both sides have a longer protrusion dimension from the vertical partition portion than the intermediate region .
The invention according to claim 10 is provided in an image forming portion which is provided in an apparatus housing and forms an image by using an image forming material which can be heat-fixed, and is provided on the side of the image forming portion in the apparatus housing. A transfer unit that transfers an image formed in the image forming unit to a recording medium conveyed along a substantially vertical transport path, and a transfer unit in the apparatus housing that is lateral to the image forming unit and said. It is used in an image forming apparatus provided above the transfer unit and provided with a fixing unit that at least heats and fixes the image transferred to the recording medium in the transfer unit, and is used from the transfer unit in the apparatus housing. Is a heat-shielding component that is provided so as to partition between the image-forming portion and the fixing portion located above, and blocks heat from the fixing portion from flowing out to the space on the image-forming portion side. In the vicinity of the vertical partition portion extending in the vertical direction along the transport path of the recording medium so as to partition between the image forming portion and the fixing portion located above the transfer portion, and the lower portion of the vertical partition portion. Provided so as to partition between the fixing portion and the transfer portion so as not to obstruct the transport path of the recording medium, and extend laterally intersecting the transport path of the recording medium and project toward the fixing portion side. Air supply that is provided above the fixing portion of the horizontal partition portion and the vertical partition portion and supplies cooling air from the image forming portion side space in the apparatus housing to the fixing portion side space. The unit and the vertical partition portion are provided below the air supply portion, and are located above the lateral partition portion and at a position facing the fixing portion, and are provided in the apparatus housing. It has an exhaust portion that discharges heated air from the fixing portion side space toward a space other than the image forming portion in the image forming portion side space, and the vertical partition portion exerts a driving force on the fixing portion. It is a heat shield component characterized by having an opening in which at least a part of a drive transmission mechanism for driving transmission is installed.

According to the invention according to claim 1 or 2 , the temperature rise of the environmental space around the fixing portion of the heating method is suppressed, and the heat from the fixing portion is suppressed from unnecessarily flowing out to the image forming portion and the transfer portion. Can be done. Further , it is effective in discarding the heated air from the fixing portion without staying upward in the space on the fixing portion side.
In particular, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the heat circling from the space around the fixing portion to the transfer portion through both sides in the width direction of the recording medium is compared with the horizontal partition portion having a uniform protrusion dimension from the vertical partition portion. The outflow can be prevented.
Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the heat shield component is incorporated, the drive transmission mechanism can be installed in the vicinity of the fixing portion without interfering with the heat shield component.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the overall rigidity of the apparatus housing can be increased by using the heat shield component as a beam member.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the overall rigidity of the device housing can be increased as compared with the embodiment in which only the vertical partition portion is bridged between the opposing frame members of the device housing .
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the heat shielding effect from the space around the fixing portion to the transfer portion can be enhanced as compared with the embodiment in which the end region and the intermediate region of the lateral partition portion are connected via the corner portion. can.
According to the invention of claim 6, even if the recording medium from the transfer portion to the fixing portion comes into contact with the lateral partition portion, damage to the recording medium can be prevented.
According to the invention of claim 7, the air supply from the air supply part and the exhaust gas to the exhaust part can flow in the space on the fixing part side without staying, and the air is exhausted toward the back side of the apparatus housing. Can be made easier .
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a situation in which heat from the fixing portion unnecessarily flows out to the image-forming material storage container and the transfer portion.
According to the invention according to claim 9 or 10 , the temperature rise of the environmental space around the fixing portion of the heating method is suppressed, and the heat from the fixing portion is suppressed from unnecessarily flowing out to the image forming portion and the transfer portion. Further, it is possible to provide a heat shield component used in an image forming apparatus that is effective in exhausting the heated air from the fixing portion without staying upward in the space on the fixing portion side.

(A) is an explanatory view showing an outline of an embodiment incorporating a heat shield component to which the present invention is applied, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory view cut along the line BB in (a). It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the peripheral structure of the paper transport path around the fixing device used in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the air supply and exhaust structure around the fixing device used in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the heat-shielding structure provided around the fixing device used in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the heat shield component used in Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) is a plan view of the lateral partition member of the heat shield component, (b) is a sectional view taken along line BB in (a), and (c) is installation of a drive transmission mechanism of the fixing device near the heat shield component. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the main part of the exhaust part of the heat shield component used in Embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of an exhaust unit from which heat shield parts have been removed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the air supply path to the heat shield component used in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the air supply path from the air supply part of the heat shield component used in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the air supply and exhaust operation around the fixing device of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) is an explanatory diagram showing a heat shield component of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of comparison, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an atmospheric temperature above the process cartridge depending on the presence or absence of the heat shield component.

(1) Outline of the embodiment FIG. 1 (a) shows an outline of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus incorporating a heat shield component to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 1 (b) shows an outline of a line BB in (a). It is sectional drawing which cut in.
In the figure, the image forming apparatus is provided in the apparatus housing 1, and the image forming unit 2 that forms an image using an image forming material that can be heat-fixed, and the image forming unit 2 in the apparatus housing 1 A transfer unit 3 that transfers the image formed by the image forming unit 2 to a recording medium S that is provided on the side and is conveyed along a conveying path extending in a substantially vertical direction, and an image drawing in the apparatus housing 1. From the fixing unit 4, which is provided on the side of the unit 2 and above the transfer unit 3 and at least heat-fixes the image transferred to the recording medium S by the transfer unit 3, and the transfer unit 3 in the apparatus housing 1. Also provided with a heat shield component 5 which is provided so as to partition between the image forming portion 2 and the fixing portion 4 located above and blocks the heat from the fixing portion 4 from flowing out to the space on the image forming portion 2 side. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the heat shield component 5 is a transport path of the recording medium S so as to partition between the image forming portion 2 located above the transfer portion 3 and the fixing portion 4. A vertical partition 6 extending in the vertical direction along the above, and a partition and recording between the fixing section 4 and the transfer section 3 provided near the lower portion of the vertical partition 6 so as not to obstruct the transport path of the recording medium S. The device housing 1 is provided with a lateral partition portion 7 extending in the lateral direction intersecting the transport path of the medium S and projecting toward the fixing portion 4, and a vertical partition portion 6 above the fixing portion 4. The air supply section 8 that supplies cooling air from the space on the side of the image forming section 2 to the space on the side of the fixing section 4 and the vertical partition section 6 are provided below the air supply section 8 and in the horizontal direction. It is located above the partition portion 7 and is provided at a position facing the fixing portion 4, and the heated air from the space on the fixing portion 4 side in the apparatus housing 1 is collected from the space on the image forming portion 2 side other than the image forming portion 2. It has an exhaust unit 9 for discharging toward the space of the above.

In such a technical means, the heat shield component 5 is not limited to the one spanned over the frame members facing each other in the device housing 1, but also includes the one fixed to only one side of the frame member.
Further, although the vertical partition portion 6 and the horizontal partition portion 7 are generally integrally molded, a mode in which a separate body is fixed by a fixing tool is also included.
Further, the vertical partition portion 6 includes a wide portion extending in the vertical direction within a range that fits in the space between the image forming portion 2 and the fixing portion 4 located above the transfer portion 3, and is not limited to the vertical direction. , May be inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Here, the image forming unit 2 located above the transfer unit 3 is, for example, in an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus, an image forming element (for example, an image forming material storage container) located above the intermediate transfer body 2b. An image forming unit including 2c and an image holder 2a). The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is an example in which the image holder 2a is arranged below the intermediate transfer body 2b.

Further, the lateral partition portion 7 broadly includes a portion extending in the horizontal direction that partitions the fixing portion 4 and the transfer portion 3 at a position that does not block the transport path of the recording medium S, and is not limited to the horizontal direction but is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. It may be the one that has been done.
Further, the air supply unit 8 may have at least an air supply opening, and an intake fan may be installed around the air supply opening, or the air supply unit 8 may be installed in a place other than the vertical partition portion 6 (for example, in the middle of the duct). A fan may be installed.
Furthermore, the exhaust portion 9 may have at least an exhaust opening, and a fan may be installed around the exhaust opening, or a fan may be installed in a place other than the vertical partition portion 6 (for example, in the middle of a duct). good.

Next, a typical aspect or a preferable aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
First, as an example of installing the vertical partition portion 6 in the device housing 1, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the device housings located on both sides in the width direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording medium S. An embodiment in which the frame members 1f and 1r facing each other in 1 are bridged to each other can be mentioned. In this example, the heat shield component 5 is used as a beam member, and the bridged ends of the vertical partition portion 6 are fixed to the frame members 1f and 1r by screws and welding.
Further, as an example of installing the lateral partition portion 7 in the device housing 1, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the device housings 1 located on both sides of the recording medium S in the width direction face each other. An embodiment in which the frame members are bridged between the frame members 1f and 1r can be mentioned. In this example, in addition to the vertical partition portion 6, the horizontal partition portion 7 is also used as a beam member, and the fixing method is the same as that of the vertical partition portion 6.

Further, as a preferred embodiment of the lateral partition portion 7, there is an embodiment in which the end regions located on both sides in the width direction of the recording medium S are set to have a longer protrusion dimension from the vertical partition portion 6 than the intermediate portion region. .. In this example, the overall rigidity of the device housing 1 can be increased as compared with the lateral partition portion 7 having a uniform protrusion dimension from the vertical partition portion 6. Therefore, the beam effect on the frame members 1f, 1r is enhanced by increasing the contact area between the frame members 1f, 1r facing each other in the apparatus housing 1 and both ends of the lateral partition portion 7.
Furthermore, as another preferred embodiment of the lateral partition portion 7, in the lateral partition portion 7, the end region having a long protrusion dimension and the intermediate region having a short protrusion dimension located on both sides in the width direction of the recording medium S are defined. An embodiment in which they are connected via a curved portion can be mentioned. In this example, an end region and an intermediate region having different protrusion dimensions of the lateral partition portion 7 are connected via a curved portion, and the cross-sectional area of the transport path of the recording medium S is due to the presence of the curved portion. Has the effect of further reducing.
Further, as still another preferable embodiment of the lateral partition portion 7, there is an embodiment in which the tip portion facing the transport path of the recording medium S has a hemming bending processed portion. This example is an embodiment in which the structure of the tip portion of the lateral partition portion 7 is devised in consideration of the possibility that the tip portion of the recording medium S facing the transport path may come into contact with the recording medium S.

Further, as an example of the layout of the exhaust unit 9 and the air supply unit 8, there is an embodiment in which the exhaust unit 9 is arranged unevenly on the back surface side of the device housing 1 with respect to the air supply unit 8. In this example, the exhaust unit 9 is arranged on the back surface side of the apparatus housing 1, and the air supply unit 8 is arranged on the front side of the exhaust unit 9. In the present embodiment, the operating side of the image forming apparatus is the front side of the device housing 1, and the opposite side of the front side of the device housing 1 is the back side of the device housing 1.
Further, as a preferred embodiment of the exhaust unit 9 and the air supply unit 8, the exhaust unit 9 is arranged below the air supply unit 8. This aspect is effective in exhausting the heated air from the fixing portion 4 in the space on the fixing portion 4 side without retaining the heated air upward.

Further, as a preferred embodiment of the vertical partition portion 6, there is an embodiment in which the fixing portion 4 has an opening in which at least a part of the drive transmission mechanism for driving and transmitting the driving force is installed. In this example, when the drive transmission mechanism is installed in the vicinity of the fixing portion 4, the vertical partition portion does not have to secure a space for installing the drive transmission mechanism between the fixing portion 4 and the vertical partition portion 6. This is an embodiment in which a drive transmission mechanism can be installed by using the opening of 6.
Further, as another preferred embodiment of the vertical partition portion 6, there is an embodiment in which the image-forming material storage container 2c in which the image-forming material is stored as a part of the image-forming unit 2 is partitioned from the fixing portion 4. In this example, by partitioning the fixing portion 4 and the image-forming material storage container 2c by a vertical partition portion 6, it is possible to suppress a situation in which heat from the fixing portion 4 affects the image-forming material storage container 2c side. It is valid.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
◎ Embodiment 1
FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
-Overall configuration of image forming device-
In the figure, the image forming apparatus 20 is configured as, for example, a full-color image forming apparatus adopting an electrophotographic method. In this example, glass or the like is formed on an upper portion of an apparatus housing 21 in which an image forming unit 25 is built. A platen 22 made of the transparent body of the above is provided, and the originals and platens conveyed by the automatic document transfer device 23 and the automatic document transfer device 23 that automatically transfer the originals (not shown) to a predetermined reading position on the platen 22. 22 is an embodiment provided with an image reading device 24 for reading a document (not shown) placed on the 22. Needless to say, the image forming apparatus 20 includes an aspect in which the automatic document transporting apparatus 23 and the image reading apparatus 24 are not provided.

-Image drawing part-
In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 25 in the apparatus housing 21 employs an intermediate transfer method, for example, a plurality of color components arranged in a substantially horizontal direction (in this example, yellow (Y), magenta). An image forming unit 30 (specifically, 30a to 30d) capable of forming an image of (M), cyan (C), and black (K)) is provided, and an image formed by each image forming unit 30 is recorded as a recording medium. The image is temporarily transferred to, for example, a belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 40 and held before being transferred to the paper S.
In this example, each image forming unit 30 (30a to 30d) has a photoconductor 31 as an image holder, and a charging device 32 for charging the photoconductor 31 is charged around the photoconductor 31. With an exposure device 33 such as an LED writing device that writes an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 31, and a developer that contains at least toner as charged image-forming particles for the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 31. A developer 34 for making a visible image and a primary transfer device 35 provided on the back surface side of the intermediate transfer body 40 facing the photoconductor 31 and transferring the developed image formed on the photoconductor 31 to the intermediate transfer body 40 side. And a cleaning device 36 for cleaning the residual toner and the like remaining on the photoconductor 31.

Further, the intermediate transfer body 40 is composed of, for example, a belt-shaped member, and in this example, the intermediate transfer body 40 is arranged above each image forming portion 30 (30a to 30d), is hung on a plurality of tension rolls 41 to 44, and circulates and rotates. It has become. In this example, the tension roll 41 is used as a drive roll, and the tension rolls 42 to 44 are used as a driven roll. Among the driven rolls, the tension roll 42 is configured to also serve as one element of the secondary transfer device 50 as a transfer unit, which will be described later, and the tension roll 43 applies tension to the intermediate transfer body 40. The tensioning roll 44 is used as a tensioning roll, and the tensioning roll 44 is used as a surface roll for forming an image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body 40 with respect to the photoconductor 31. In the intermediate transfer body 40, for example, an intermediate transfer body cleaning device 45 for cleaning the residual toner and the like on the intermediate transfer body 40 is provided at a portion facing the tension roll 41.
Further, in the present embodiment, above the intermediate transfer body 40, a plurality of developer cartridges 38 (specifically,) as a developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer (image-forming material) containing at least each color component toner. 38a to 38d) are installed side by side in a substantially horizontal direction. Below each developer cartridge 38, a developer transfer device 39 connected to the developer 34 of each image forming unit 30 is provided, and the corresponding developer 34 is provided via each developer transfer device 39. The developer is being replenished.

-Secondary transfer device-
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a secondary transfer device 50 is provided as a transfer unit for transferring the image of the toner on the intermediate transfer body 40 onto the paper S. In this secondary transfer device 50, the transfer roll 51 is contact-arranged at a portion of the intermediate transfer body 40 corresponding to the tension roll 42, and the tension roll 42 facing the transfer roll 51 functions as an electrode roll, and the transfer roll 51 is used. By applying a transfer voltage between the and the tension roll 42, a transfer electric field required for image transfer is applied between the intermediate transfer body 40 and the paper S.

-Fixing device-
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a fixing device 60 as a fixing portion is installed at a position substantially directly above the secondary transfer device 50.
In this example, the fixing device 60 includes a heat fixing roll 61 that fixes an image of unfixed toner on the paper S by heating it, and an endless belt-shaped pressure fixing belt 62 that presses the paper S on the heat fixing roll 61. It is provided with a pressing pad 63 that presses from the inner circumference of the pressure fixing belt 62 toward the heating fixing roll 61, and a heater 64 such as a halogen lamp that is arranged in the heating fixing roll 61 and heats the heating fixing roll 61. By sandwiching and transporting the paper S in the contact area between the heat fixing roll 61 and the pressure fixing belt 62, the unfixed toner image is heated and pressure-fixed on the paper S. The fixing device 60 is not necessarily limited to the heating and pressure fixing methods, and may be appropriately selected such as a non-contact heating method or a laser light fixing method as long as it involves at least a heating step.

-Curl straightening device-
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a curl correction device 70 is installed at a position substantially directly above the fixing device 60.
In this example, the curl correction device 70 is arranged on the fixed image surface side of the paper S, the curl correction belt 71 formed in the shape of an endless belt, and the curl correction roll arranged on the non-image surface side of the paper S. 72 and a pressing pad 73 for pressing from the inner circumference of the curl straightening belt 71 toward the curl straightening roll 72 are provided.
In this example, the contact area between the curl straightening belt 71 and the curl straightening roll 72 functions as a curl straightening portion for straightening the curl of the paper S.
Here, in the curl straightening device 70 of this example, the arrangement relationship between the curl straightening belt 71 and the curl straightening roll 72 is belt-shaped with respect to the positional relationship between the heat fixing roll 61 and the pressure fixing belt 62 of the fixing device 60. The members are arranged so that the positional relationship between the members and the roll-shaped members is reversed.
By configuring the curl correction device 70 in this way, curl correction is performed as follows.
That is, when the paper S holding the unfixed toner image passes through the fixing device 60 (heat fixing roll 61, pressure fixing belt 62), the paper S tends to be curled toward the heat fixing roll 61 side in a concave shape (this example). Then this is called "upper curl"). On the other hand, when the fixed paper S passes through the curl straightening device 70 (curl straightening belt 71, curl straightening roll 72), the paper S tends to be deformed into a concave shape toward the curl straightening roll 72 (in this example, this is used). (Called "down curl"). Therefore, the upper curl of the paper S generated by the fixing device 60 is offset by the down curl of the paper S generated by the curl straightening device 70, and the curl generated on the paper S is corrected.
In addition, although the embodiment provided with the curl straightening device 70 is shown in the present embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the embodiment without the curl straightening device 70.

-Paper transport system-
In the present embodiment, the paper transport system 80 has a plurality of paper supply devices 81, 82 below the device housing 21, and the paper S supplied from any of the paper supply devices 81, 82 is oriented substantially vertically. It is conveyed from the bottom to the top by a transfer roll 84 appropriately installed along the vertical transfer path 83 extending to, and after aligning with the alignment roll 85 in front of the secondary transfer device 50, it passes through the secondary transfer device 50. After that, the fixing device 60 and the curl correction device 70 are passed through, and the first paper accommodating portion 91 provided at the upper part of the apparatus housing 21 or the second provided on the side portion of the equipment housing 21. The curled-corrected paper S is conveyed to the paper accommodating portion 92.
In this example, in the paper transport system 80, in addition to the vertical transport path 83, the return transport path 93 provided by detouring the vertical transport path 83 and the apparatus housing 21 branching from the middle of the vertical transport path 83 are provided. Of these, it has a horizontal transport path 95 extending in a substantially horizontal direction in the space above the developer cartridge 38.

Here, a first paper accommodating portion 91 is provided at the terminal position of the vertical transport path 83, and a discharge roll 86 capable of forward / reverse rotation is provided immediately before the first paper accommodating portion 91. Further, a switching gate 87 for route switching is provided at the branch position between the vertical transport path 83 and the horizontal transport path 95, and further, switching for route switching is provided at the intersection of the vertical transport path 83 and the return transport path 93. A gate 88 is provided, and the switching gate 88 reverses the discharge roll 86 while keeping the paper S having been imaged on one side niped in the discharge roll 86 via the vertical transfer path 83, and enters the return transfer path 93. A first switching operation for pulling in and a second switching operation for pulling the single-sided imaged paper S directly into the return transport path 93 via the vertical transport path 83 are performed.
Further, a plurality of transport rolls 94 are installed in the return transport path 93, a plurality of transport rolls 96 are installed in the horizontal transport path 95, and a second paper accommodating section 92 is installed at the terminal position of the horizontal transport path 95. Is provided, and a discharge roll 97 is provided immediately before the second paper accommodating portion 92.
Therefore, in this example, in the double-sided image formation mode, the paper S that has been single-sided imaged via the vertical transfer path 83 is inverted again in front of the alignment roll 85 of the vertical transfer path 83 via the return transfer path 93. After that, the paper S is transported along the vertical transport path 83 so as to form an image on the other side of the paper S. Further, when it is desired to accommodate the paper S in the second paper accommodating portion 92, the single-sided or double-sided imaged paper S may be switched to the horizontal transport path 95 in the middle of the vertical transport path 83 and transported. good.

-Heat shield parts-
In the present embodiment, the heat shield component 100 is installed in the apparatus housing 21. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat shield component 100 has an image forming unit 25 (specifically, a developer cartridge 38 (38a)) located above the secondary transfer device 50 in the device housing 21. ~ 38d)) is provided so as to partition between the fixing device 60 and the curl correction device 70.
<Basic configuration of heat shield parts>
In this example, the heat shield component 100 is integrally molded of, for example, a stainless steel material having a low thermal conductivity, and the image forming portion 25 (in this example, the developer cartridge) located above the secondary transfer device 50. It has a vertical partition plate 101 extending in the vertical direction (corresponding to a substantially vertical direction in this example) so as to partition between the 38 (38a to 38d)) and the fixing device 60 and the curl straightening device 70, and the vertical partition plate 101 is provided. In the vicinity of the lower part of the plate 101, a lateral direction protruding in the lateral direction (corresponding to a substantially horizontal direction in this example) that partitions between the fixing device 60 and the secondary transfer device 50 so as not to obstruct the vertical transport path 83. The partition plate 110 is integrally molded.

<Structure example of vertical partition plate>
In this example, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the vertical partition plate 101 is composed of a substantially rectangular plate material extending in the width direction intersecting the paper transport direction, and is formed in the width direction of the paper. It is hung between the frame members 21f and 21r of the device housing 21 located on both sides. Here, the width direction of the paper corresponds to the front-rear direction of the device housing 21 when the operating side of the image forming apparatus 20 is the front side, and the frame member 21f is located on the front side of the device housing 21. However, the frame member 21r is located on the back surface side of the device housing 21.
In this example, the spanned end portion of the vertical partition plate 101 is fixed to the frame members 21f and 21r by screwing or welding. Further, a positioning projecting piece 102 is appropriately provided at one end of the vertical partition plate 101, and a positioning hole (1) into which the positioning projecting piece 102 can be inserted into the frame member 21f of the corresponding device housing 21. (Not shown) is provided. Further, a substantially rectangular notch opening 103 is formed in a portion of the vertical partition plate 101 facing the frame member 21r located on the back surface side of the device housing 21. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 (c), the notch opening 103 is a drive transmission mechanism (drive gear train, drive transmission belt, etc.) 65 that drives and transmits a driving force to, for example, a heating fixing roll 61 of the fixing device 60. At least part of it is to be installed. Further, a reinforcing flange 104 (see FIG. 6) bent at approximately 90 degrees is integrally formed on the upper edge portion of the vertical partition plate 101.

<Structure example of horizontal partition plate>
Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the horizontal partition plate 110 is integrally formed by bending the vicinity of the lower portion of the vertical partition plate 101 by approximately 90 degrees, and the bent portion thereof. The protruding dimension is set smaller than the vertical dimension of the vertical partition plate 101, and is hung on the frame members 21f and 21r of the device housing 21 located on both sides in the width direction of the paper.
In this example, the spanned end portion of the lateral partition plate 110 is fixed to the frame members 21f and 21r by screwing or welding. Further, a positioning protrusion 112 is appropriately provided at one end of the lateral partition plate 110, and a positioning hole (1) into which the positioning protrusion 112 can be inserted is provided in the frame member 21f of the corresponding device housing 21. (Not shown) is provided. Further, a mounting flange 113 bent at approximately 90 degrees is integrally formed at the other end of the lateral partition plate 110, and in this example, the mounting flange 113 is abutted against the frame member 21r and fixed by a screw 114. It has become.

In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the lateral partition plate 110 has Re for the end regions located on both sides in the width direction of the paper S and Rc for the intermediate region. Assuming that the protrusion dimensions of the respective regions Re and Rc from the vertical partition plate 101 are he and hc, the relationship of he> hc is set to be satisfied. Here, the protruding dimension he of the end region Re of the lateral partition plate 110 may be the same at both ends, or may be different from each other.
In this example, in the lateral partition plate 110, the end region Re and the intermediate region Rc are connected to each other via the curved portion 115, and the protruding end side of the end region Re is also formed in the curved portion 116. Has been done.
Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the lateral partition plate 110 has a tip portion facing the transport path of the paper S (corresponding to the vertical transport path 83 in FIG. 2). It has a hemming bent portion 117 that is folded and molded by about 180 degrees. The hemming bending portion 117 is for preventing damage to the paper S even if the tip end portion of the lateral partition plate 110 comes into contact with the paper S.
Furthermore, a plurality of ventilation holes 118 are opened in the intermediate region Rc of the lateral partition plate 110, and these ventilation holes 118 are fixed by creating an air flow from the vicinity of the developer cartridge 38 and forming an air layer. It is provided in order to mitigate the thermal influence of the developer cartridge 38 from the portion.

<Air supply structure>
In the present embodiment, the heat shield component 100 has an air supply unit that supplies cooling air from the space on the image forming unit 25 side in the device housing 21 to the space on the fixing device 60 side.
In this example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, a plurality of rectangular air supply openings 130 (two in this example) are provided as air supply portions in the upper half region of the vertical partition plate 101. ..
A blower fan 131 is inserted and attached to each air supply opening 130, and an air supply passage by an air supply duct 132 (see FIG. 4) is connected.
In this example, the air supply duct 132 secures an air supply passage 133 between the developer cartridges 38 (38a to 38d) and the horizontal transport path 95, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 10 and 11. However, the air outside the device housing 21 can be supplied from the side portion of the device housing 21. Here, the air supply duct 132 forms an air supply passage 133 between the lower partition member 135 that partitions the developer cartridge 38 and the upper partition member 136 that partitions the horizontal transport path 95. It is something to do. In this example, one end 135a of the lower partition member 135 is connected to the lower end of the blower fan 131, and the lower partition member 135 is curved from the one end 135a along the outer shape of the black (K) developer cartridge 38d. A curved portion 135b and a flat plate portion 135c arranged substantially horizontally above the developer cartridges 38 (38a to 38d) via the curved portion 135b are provided. Further, the upper section member 136 also serves as the lower guide chute 98a of the paired guide chute 98 (specifically, 98a, 98b) that guides the horizontal transport path 95. The upper guide chute 98b is formed with a slit-shaped ventilation hole 99 for releasing the heat of the paper S transported to the horizontal transport path 95 to the outside.

Further, in the present embodiment, the air supply opening 130 (see FIG. 5) of the heat shield component 100 is provided at a portion substantially facing the curl correction device 70, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 11. In this example, the curl straightening device 70 has a pair of guide plates 75, 76 that guide the air flow from the blower fan 131 in the circumferential direction of the curl straightening belt 71. The guide plates 75 and 76 are arranged above and below the curl straightening belt 71, are provided with an air supply port 77 on the blower fan 131 side, and are arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the curl straightening belt 71 over substantially half a circumference.

<Exhaust structure>
Further, in the present embodiment, the heat shield component 100 discharges the heated air from the space on the fixing device 60 side in the device housing 21 toward the space other than the image forming portion 25 in the space on the image forming portion 25 side. It has an exhaust section.
In this example, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, for example, an exhaust opening 150 composed of a large number of through holes is provided near the back surface of the device housing 21 in the lower half region of the vertical partition plate 101. It has been opened, and an exhaust passage 152 by an exhaust duct 151 is connected to the exhaust opening 150.
In this example, the exhaust duct 151 is provided in the space on the image forming portion 25 side of the vertical partition plate 101 of the heat shield component 100, and is the first to secure the exhaust passage 152 between the vertical partition plate 101 and the vertical partition plate 101. A duct member 153 and a closed space cross-sectional shape that is provided adjacent to the first duct member 153 and has a connection port 155 on the first duct member 153 side and extends toward the back surface side of the apparatus housing 21. It is provided with the duct member 154 of 2. An exhaust fan 156 is provided near the end position of the second duct member 154, and a ventilation outlet 157 leading to the outside of the device housing 21 is provided at the end of the second duct member 154. It is designed to be exhausted from the outlet 157. A filter member (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the ventilation outlet 157 of the exhaust duct 151 so as to capture toner, dust, and the like contained in the exhausted air.

-Operation of image forming device-
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, the images formed by the color component toners formed by the image forming portions 30 (30a to 30d) are primarily transferred from the photoconductor 31 to the intermediate transfer body 40 and transported along the vertical transport path 83. After the secondary transfer of the image to the paper S by the secondary transfer device 50, the paper S to which the image is transferred is heated and pressure-fixed by the fixing device 60, and further subjected to the curl correction device 70. After the curl correction process, the paper is discharged to the first paper storage unit 91 or the second paper storage unit 92.

-Action of heat shield parts-
While such an image forming process is performed, the heat shield component 100 operates as follows.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 12, the paper S heated through the fixing device 60 is forcibly cooled by the air flow from the plurality of blower fans 131 as it passes through the curl straightening device 70. Here, when a plurality of blower fans 131 are driven, the outside air outside the device housing 21 is sucked through the air supply passage 133 by the air supply duct 132 and supplied to the space portion on the fixing device 60 side. The air flow from 131 acts to cool the paper S.
Further, the air in the space on the fixing device 60 side is discharged from the exhaust opening 150 to the outside through the exhaust duct 151 by driving the exhaust fan 156. At this time, the air flow supplied to the space on the fixing device 60 side by the blower fan 131 acts as cooling air for the paper S, and the temperature rises by that amount, but it is integrated with the air flow flowing into the exhaust opening 150. It becomes exhausted.
Therefore, in this example, the black (K) developer cartridge 38 (38d) is arranged in the vicinity of the fixing device 60 and the curl correction device 70, but the atmospheric temperature in the space on the fixing device 60 side rises extremely. Since the heat from the space on the side of the fixing device 60 is blocked by the vertical partition plate 101 of the heat shield component 100, the heat from the space on the side of the fixing device 60 is a black (K) developer cartridge. There is no concern that it will affect 38 (38d).

Further, in the present embodiment, since the lateral partition plate 110 of the heat shield component 100 is arranged between the fixing device 60 and the secondary transfer device 50, the heat of the space portion on the fixing device 60 side is two. The situation affecting the surroundings of the next transfer device 50 is suppressed. This inhibitory effect will be described in detail in Form 1 of the comparison described later.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the vertical partition plate 101 and the horizontal partition plate 110 of the heat shield component 100 are hung between the opposite frame members 21f and 21r of the device housing 21, the shield is shielded. The thermal component 100 functions as one beam member of the device housing 21, and is effective in increasing the overall rigidity of the device housing 21.
In particular, in the present embodiment, since the protruding dimension he of the end region Re in the width direction of the paper S in the lateral partition plate 110 is set longer than the protruding dimension hc of the intermediate region Rc, the end region Re The contact area between both ends of the lateral partition plate 110 and the opposing frame members 21f and 21r of the apparatus housing 21 is larger than that in the embodiment in which the protruding dimension he of the intermediate region Rc is the same as the protruding dimension hc of the intermediate region Rc. By increasing the number, it is possible to increase the supporting strength of the beam as a beam member.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the end region Re and the intermediate region Rc of the lateral partition plate 110 are connected via the curved portion 115, the periphery of the fixing device 60 is compared with the embodiment in which both are connected at the corners. The heat shield area from the space to the space around the secondary transfer device 50 can be increased.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the protruding end portion of the end region Re of the lateral partition plate 110 is formed as a curved portion 116, and the tip portion of the lateral partition plate 110 is formed as a hemming bending portion 117. Therefore, when the paper S that has passed through the secondary transfer device 50 heads toward the fixing device 60, even if the paper S comes into contact with the tip end portion of the lateral partition plate 110 of the heat shield component 100, the paper S is still in contact with the tip portion of the lateral partition plate 110 of the heat shield component 100. The risk of damage is extremely low.

◎ Comparison form 1
In order to confirm the heat-shielding action of the heat-shielding component 100 according to the present embodiment by the horizontal partition plate 110, the image forming apparatus according to the comparative embodiment 1 is used to examine the influence of the heat-shielding action by the vertical partition plate 101. The effect of heat shielding was confirmed under the condition that it was lost.
As shown in FIG. 13A, the image forming apparatus 20'according to the first aspect of the comparison has an electrophotographic process cartridge (CRU) 200, and a fixing device 210 is installed above the process cartridge 200. At the same time, a heat shield plate 220 corresponding only to the lateral partition plate 110 is installed between them. The process cartridge 200 includes a charging device 202, an exposure device 203, a developing device 204, a transfer device 205 for transferring an image on the photoconductor 201 to a paper (not shown), and a cleaning device 206 around the photoconductor 201. It is a thing.
In this example, when the change in the ambient temperature of the upper part of the process cartridge (CRU) 200 depending on the presence or absence of the heat shield 220 was investigated, the process cartridge 200 was found to be at any of the front, center, and rear sides of the process cartridge 200. It is understood that the upper temperature can be suppressed lower in the mode equipped with the heat shield plate 220. From this, it is understood that the influence of heat from the fixing device 210 is improved by equipping the heat shield plate 220.

1 ... device housing, 1f, 1r ... frame member, 2 ... image forming part, 2a ... image holder, 2b ... intermediate transfer body, 2c ... image forming material storage container, 3 ... transfer part, 4 ... fixing part, 5 ... heat shield parts, 6 ... vertical partition, 7 ... horizontal partition, 8 ... air supply, 9 ... exhaust, S ... recording medium

Claims (10)

An image-forming unit that is provided inside the device housing and forms an image using an image-forming material that can be heat-fixed.
A transfer unit that transfers an image formed by the image forming unit to a recording medium provided on the side of the image forming unit in the apparatus housing and conveyed along a transport path extending in a substantially vertical direction.
A fixing portion provided in the apparatus housing on the side of the image forming portion and above the transfer portion, and at least heat-fixing the image transferred to the recording medium by the transfer portion.
It is provided so as to partition between the image forming portion and the fixing portion located above the transfer portion in the apparatus housing, and heat from the fixing portion flows out to the image forming portion side space. With heat shield parts that block the
The heat shield component includes a vertical partition portion extending in the vertical direction along a transport path of the recording medium so as to partition the image forming portion and the fixing portion located above the transfer portion.
It is provided near the lower part of the vertical partition portion, partitions between the fixing portion and the transfer portion so as not to block the transport path of the recording medium, and extends in the lateral direction intersecting the transport path of the recording medium. The lateral partition portion protruding toward the fixing portion side and the
An air supply unit provided above the fixing portion in the vertical partition portion and supplying cooling air from the image forming portion side space in the apparatus housing to the fixing portion side space.
The fixing portion in the apparatus housing is provided below the air supply portion of the vertical partition portion, is located above the horizontal partition portion, and is provided at a position facing the fixing portion. It has an exhaust section that discharges heated air from the side space toward a space other than the image forming section in the image forming section side space.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the lateral partition portion has an end region located on both sides in the width direction of the recording medium set to have a longer protrusion dimension from the vertical partition portion than an intermediate region . An image-forming unit that is provided inside the device housing and forms an image using an image-forming material that can be heat-fixed.
A transfer unit that transfers an image formed by the image forming unit to a recording medium provided on the side of the image forming unit in the apparatus housing and conveyed along a transport path extending in a substantially vertical direction.
A fixing portion provided in the apparatus housing on the side of the image forming portion and above the transfer portion, and at least heat-fixing the image transferred to the recording medium by the transfer portion.
It is provided so as to partition between the image forming portion and the fixing portion located above the transfer portion in the apparatus housing, and heat from the fixing portion flows out to the image forming portion side space. With heat shield parts that block the
The heat shield component includes a vertical partition portion extending in the vertical direction along a transport path of the recording medium so as to partition the image forming portion and the fixing portion located above the transfer portion.
It is provided near the lower part of the vertical partition portion, partitions between the fixing portion and the transfer portion so as not to block the transport path of the recording medium, and extends in the lateral direction intersecting the transport path of the recording medium. The lateral partition portion protruding toward the fixing portion side and the
An air supply unit provided above the fixing portion in the vertical partition portion and supplying cooling air from the image forming portion side space in the apparatus housing to the fixing portion side space.
The fixing portion in the apparatus housing is provided below the air supply portion of the vertical partition portion, is located above the horizontal partition portion, and is provided at a position facing the fixing portion. It has an exhaust section that discharges heated air from the side space toward a space other than the image forming section in the image forming section side space.
An image forming apparatus , wherein the vertical partition portion has an opening in which at least a part of a drive transmission mechanism for driving and transmitting a driving force is installed in the fixing portion . In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 .
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the vertical partition portion is bridged between facing frame members of the apparatus housing located on both sides in the width direction intersecting the conveying direction of the recording medium. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 ,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the lateral partition portion is bridged between facing frame members of the apparatus housing located on both sides in the width direction of the recording medium. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, in the lateral partition portion, an end region having a long protrusion dimension and an intermediate region having a short protrusion dimension located on both sides in the width direction of the recording medium are connected via a curved portion. .. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 .
The lateral partition portion is an image forming apparatus characterized in that a tip portion facing a transport path of the recording medium has a hemming bending processed portion. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 .
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the exhaust portion is arranged unevenly on the back surface side of the apparatus housing with respect to the air supply portion. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 .
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the vertical partition portion partitions an image-forming material storage container in which an image-forming material is stored as a part of the image-forming portion from the fixing portion. An image forming portion provided in the apparatus housing and forming an image using a heat-fixable image forming material, and a transport path provided on the side of the image forming portion in the apparatus housing and extending in a substantially vertical direction. A transfer unit for transferring an image formed by the image forming unit to a recording medium conveyed along the above, and a transfer unit provided on the side of the image forming unit and above the transfer unit in the apparatus housing. The image formation device is used in an image forming apparatus including a fixing section for at least heating and fixing an image transferred to the recording medium in the transfer section, and is located above the transfer section in the apparatus housing. It is a heat-shielding component that is provided so as to partition between the portion and the fixing portion and blocks the heat from the fixing portion from flowing out to the space on the image forming portion side.
A vertical partition portion extending in the vertical direction along the transport path of the recording medium so as to partition the image forming portion and the fixing portion located above the transfer portion.
It is provided near the lower part of the vertical partition portion, partitions between the fixing portion and the transfer portion so as not to block the transport path of the recording medium, and extends in the lateral direction intersecting the transport path of the recording medium. The lateral partition portion protruding toward the fixing portion side and the
An air supply unit provided above the fixing portion in the vertical partition portion and supplying cooling air from the image forming portion side space in the apparatus housing to the fixing portion side space.
The fixing portion in the apparatus housing is provided below the air supply portion of the vertical partition portion, is located above the horizontal partition portion, and is provided at a position facing the fixing portion. An exhaust section that discharges heated air from the side space toward a space other than the image forming section in the image forming section side space, and an exhaust section.
Have,
The horizontal partition portion is a heat shield component characterized in that end regions located on both sides in the width direction of the recording medium are set to have a longer protrusion dimension from the vertical partition portion than an intermediate region . An image forming portion provided in the apparatus housing and forming an image using a heat-fixable image forming material, and a transport path provided on the side of the image forming portion in the apparatus housing and extending in a substantially vertical direction. A transfer unit for transferring an image formed by the image forming unit to a recording medium conveyed along the above, and a transfer unit provided on the side of the image forming unit and above the transfer unit in the apparatus housing. The image formation device is used in an image forming apparatus including a fixing section for at least heating and fixing an image transferred to the recording medium in the transfer section, and is located above the transfer section in the apparatus housing. It is a heat-shielding component that is provided so as to partition between the portion and the fixing portion and blocks the heat from the fixing portion from flowing out to the space on the image forming portion side.
A vertical partition portion extending in the vertical direction along the transport path of the recording medium so as to partition the image forming portion and the fixing portion located above the transfer portion.
It is provided near the lower part of the vertical partition portion, partitions between the fixing portion and the transfer portion so as not to block the transport path of the recording medium, and extends in the lateral direction intersecting the transport path of the recording medium. The lateral partition portion protruding toward the fixing portion side and the
An air supply unit provided above the fixing portion in the vertical partition portion and supplying cooling air from the image forming portion side space in the apparatus housing to the fixing portion side space.
The fixing portion in the apparatus housing is provided below the air supply portion of the vertical partition portion, is located above the horizontal partition portion, and is provided at a position facing the fixing portion. An exhaust section that discharges heated air from the side space toward a space other than the image forming section in the image forming section side space, and an exhaust section.
Have,
The vertical partition portion is a heat shield component having an opening in which at least a part of a drive transmission mechanism for driving and transmitting a driving force is installed in the fixing portion .

Images