JP7484165B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus.

In image forming devices, it has been common to cool the recording sheet on which an image has been formed.

JP 2010-181632 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a cooling fan that cools recording paper discharged onto a paper discharge tray.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-248765 (Patent Document 2) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-134484 (Patent Document 3) disclose a structure in which a cooling device is provided between the paper discharge tray and the inverting discharge section.

JP 2010-181632 A JP 2007-248765 A JP 2008-134484 A

In conventional structures, the recording sheet is not always sufficiently cooled at the reverse discharge section during double-sided printing. As a result, the heat of the recording sheet reintroduced into the machine can cause the temperature inside the machine to rise, and toner can stick to the recording sheet after it is discharged.

This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an image forming device that suppresses the rise in temperature inside the device and suppresses the adhesion of toner to the recording sheet after it is discharged.

An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording sheet, and includes a transfer section that transfers the image onto the recording sheet, a discharge outlet that discharges the recording sheet on which the image has been formed, a tray on which the recording sheet discharged from the discharge outlet is stacked, a reversing transport path that turns over the recording sheet after passing through the transfer section and resupplies it to the transfer section, a reversing discharge outlet that opens above the discharge outlet to discharge at least a portion of the recording sheet above the tray and then pull it back and introduce it into the reversing transport path, a guide member that guides at least a portion of the recording sheet discharged from the reversing discharge outlet, and a cooling unit that is provided above the guide member and is capable of cooling the recording sheet on the tray and on the guide member.

In one embodiment of the image forming device, the cooling unit includes multiple fans aligned in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the recording sheet.

In one embodiment of the image forming device, the fans are positioned so that they are concentrated toward the rear of the image forming device.

In one embodiment of the image forming device, the cooling unit supplies cooling air from a direction inclined obliquely relative to the vertical.

In one embodiment, the image forming device changes the operation of the cooling unit depending on the size of the recording sheet discharged to the tray and the guide member.

In one embodiment, the image forming device stops the operation of the cooling unit when the width of the recording sheet discharged to the tray and the guide member is 148 mm or less.

In one embodiment of the image forming device, the cooling unit is formed integrally with the main body of the image forming device so as to be detachable.

In one embodiment of the image forming device, the guide member includes an opening that allows the cooling air from the cooling unit to pass through.

In one embodiment of the image forming device, the cooling unit continues to operate for a predetermined period of time after the image forming operation is completed.

In one embodiment, the image forming device controls so that, when the recording sheet is positioned on the guide member, other recording sheets are not discharged onto the tray.

According to the present disclosure, in an image forming device, the rise in temperature inside the device is suppressed, and toner adhesion to the recording sheet after ejection is suppressed.

1 is a perspective view showing an information processing device including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cooling unit included in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cooling unit included in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cooling unit included in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a diagram showing a peripheral structure of a cooling unit included in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a diagram showing a cooling unit included in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from the side of the image forming apparatus. 1 is a diagram showing a cooling unit and a guide member included in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed obliquely from below the image forming apparatus. 1 is a diagram showing a cooling unit and a guide member included in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from below the image forming apparatus.

The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference symbols, and their descriptions may not be repeated.

In the embodiments described below, when numbers, amounts, etc. are mentioned, the scope of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to those numbers, amounts, etc., unless otherwise specified. In addition, in the embodiments described below, each component is not necessarily essential to the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an information processing device including an image forming device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 1 includes an image forming device 10 and a server device 20.

The overall external shape of the image forming device 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The image forming device 10 has a front wall 10F, a rear wall 10B, a right side wall 10R, and a left side wall 10L. In this specification and drawings, the upper direction of the image forming device 10 is defined as the direction of the arrow U, the lower direction of the image forming device 10 as the direction of the arrow D, the right side of the image forming device 10 as the direction of the arrow R, the left side of the image forming device 10 as the direction of the arrow L, the front side of the image forming device 10 as the direction of the arrow Fr, and the rear (rear) direction of the image forming device 10 as the direction of the arrow Re.

A scanner unit 10A is provided at the top of the image forming device 10.

The server device 20 is connected to the image forming device 10 via signal lines (not shown) and exchanges sensor values from each device and data used in the operation of the devices as necessary. The image forming device 10 and the server device 20 have separate power sources and can operate independently. The server device 20 operates continuously to receive access from client devices via the network.

The server device 20 functions as a mail server, web server, application server, file server, print server, etc., and can execute processes based on predetermined computer programs in response to requests from client devices, etc. (e.g., data storage, data organization, various dynamic processes, various response processes).

The overall external shape of the server device 20 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The server device 20 has a front wall portion 20F, a rear wall portion 20B, a right side wall portion 20R, and a left side wall portion 20L.

Next, the internal configuration of the image forming device 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The image forming device 10 includes a primary transfer unit 11, an intermediate transfer belt 12, a toner unit 13, a secondary transfer unit 14, a discharge port 15, and a reverse discharge port 16.

Four primary transfer units 11 are provided, one for each of the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The image forming device 10 uses the primary transfer units 11 to form toner images corresponding to each color on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12. Toner is supplied from a toner unit 13. The toner images of each color are superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12. The intermediate transfer belt 12 transports the color toner image to the secondary transfer unit 14. In the secondary transfer unit 14, the color toner image is transferred onto recording paper (recording sheet).

When performing single-sided printing, the recording paper onto which the color toner image has been transferred is discharged from the discharge port 15 in the direction of arrow A and loaded onto the paper output tray 100. At this time, the recording paper is transported along the dashed line in FIG. 2.

When double-sided printing is performed, the recording paper flows on the reversing transport path (two-dot chain line) in FIG. 2. Specifically, the recording paper, on one side of which a color toner image has been transferred in the secondary transfer unit 14, is once discharged from the reversing discharge outlet 16 in the direction of arrow B. That is, the recording paper is discharged from the reversing discharge outlet 16 in the left-right direction (arrow L/R direction) of the image forming device 10. At this time, the recording paper is transported along the guide member 200.

The recording paper is then pulled back inside the image forming device. It is then transported along the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 and reaches the secondary transfer unit 14 again. At this time, a second color toner image is transferred to the side opposite to the side on which the previous color toner image was formed. The recording paper with color toner images formed on both sides in this way is discharged from the discharge outlet 15 in the direction of arrow A and loaded onto the paper output tray 100. In other words, the recording paper is discharged from the discharge outlet 15 in the left-right direction (arrow L/R direction) of the image forming device 10.

In this embodiment, a cooling unit 300 is provided above the guide member 200. The cooling unit 300 provides cooling air toward the recording paper on the discharge tray 100 and the guide member 200, thereby cooling the recording paper.

One of the features of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is that a cooling unit 300 is provided above the guide member 200. In this way, by providing the cooling unit 300 above the guide member 200, it is possible to promote cooling of the recording paper after a color toner image has been formed on one side and before it is reversed and transported. As a result, it is possible to lower the temperature of the recording paper that is re-transported from above the guide member 200 into the image forming apparatus 10, and therefore it is possible to prevent the internal temperature of the image forming apparatus 10 from rising due to the heat of the recording paper during double-sided printing. In addition, since the cooling unit 300 can also cool the recording paper stacked on the paper output tray 100, it is also possible to prevent toner sticking (tacking) after printing is completed.

Next, the configuration of the cooling unit 300 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. As shown in Figure 3, the cooling unit 300 includes a frame 310, a cooling fan 320, and a louver 330.

The frame 310 includes a main body 311, a flange 312, and ribs 313. The frame 310 is formed, for example, from resin. The flange 312 and the ribs 313 are formed integrally with the main body 311. A bolt or the like (fixing means) for fixing the cooling unit 300 to the image forming device 10 is inserted into the flange 312. The ribs 313 reinforce the frame 310.

A cooling fan 320 is provided in the main body 311 of the frame 310. As an example, a gap of about 4 mm is formed between the main body 311 of the cooling unit 300 and the scanner unit 10A. Above the cooling fan 320, a space of about 10 mm in height is formed between the bottom surface of the scanner unit 10A and the bottom surface of the scanner unit 10A.

In the example of FIG. 3, two cooling fans 321, 322 are provided. The cooling fans 321, 322 are arranged so as to line up in the front-to-rear direction (the direction of the arrows Fr/Re) of the image forming device 10. In other words, the multiple cooling fans 321, 322 are arranged so as to line up in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the recording paper (the left-to-right direction of the image forming device 10).

In the example of FIG. 3, two cooling fans 321, 322 are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the center line CL of the recording paper. Specifically, the two cooling fans 321, 322 are arranged biased toward the rear side (arrow Re side) of the image forming device 10 with respect to the center line CL of the recording paper. In other words, the multiple cooling fans 321, 322 are biased toward the rear side of the image forming device 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front side (arrow Fr side) of the paper output tray 100 in the image forming device 10 is open so that the user can remove the recording paper. Therefore, the front side of the image forming device 10 is relatively easy to dissipate heat, and the rear side of the image forming device 10 is relatively difficult to dissipate heat. By distributing the cooling fans 321 and 322 toward the rear side of the image forming device 10, it is possible to promote cooling by the cooling fan 320 in the areas with low heat dissipation efficiency.

Louvers 330 are provided below the cooling fan 320 to ensure the safety of the user of the image forming device 10. Because the gap between the frame 310 and the scanner unit 10A is small, there is no need to install louvers 330 above the cooling fan 320.

As shown in FIG. 4, two cooling fans 321 and 322 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line CL of the recording paper.

As shown in FIG. 5, cooling fans 321 to 323 may be arranged in a line of three in the front-to-rear direction of the image forming device 10. The number of cooling fans 320 may be one, or four or more. There may also be cases where multiple cooling fans 320 are arranged in a line in the left-to-right direction of the image forming device 10.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing the structure around the cooling unit 300. As shown in Figure 6, the cooling unit 300 supplies cooling air from a direction perpendicular to the guide member 200. The guide member 200 extends in a direction that is slightly diagonally upward from the horizontal. Typically, θ in Figure 6 is about 5 to 10 degrees. In other words, the cooling unit 300 supplies cooling air from a direction that is diagonally inclined at an angle of about 5 to 10 degrees from the vertical.

Figure 7 shows the cooling unit 300 as seen from the outside side of the image forming apparatus 10. The cooling unit 300 is fixed to the image forming apparatus 10 by bolts 312A and 312B (fixing means). The cooling unit 300 is detachable as a unit from the main body of the image forming apparatus 10. Whether or not the cooling unit 300 is required can be determined depending on the usage status of the image forming apparatus 10 (for example, whether or not other optional parts are installed), and if the cooling unit 300 is not required, it can be easily removed.

Next, the guide member 200 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figures 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the guide member 200 as viewed obliquely from below and from below the image forming device 10, respectively.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the guide member 200 includes an opening 210. The opening 210 allows the cooling air from the cooling unit 300 to pass through. This allows the cooling air from the cooling unit 300 to be efficiently delivered to the recording paper on the paper output tray 100. As shown in Figure 9, the center line CL of the guide member 200 (opening 210) and the recording paper do not have to coincide with the center line CL2 of the cooling unit 300. As another example, the center line CL of the guide member 200 (opening 210) and the recording paper may coincide with the center line CL2 of the cooling unit 300.

In the image forming device 10, the operation of the cooling unit may be changed according to the size of the recording paper discharged to the discharge tray 100 and the guide member 200. For example, the operation of the cooling unit 300 may be stopped when the recording paper discharged to the discharge tray 100 and the guide member 200 is A5 size (the width of the image forming device 10 in the front-to-back direction is 148 mm) or less, or the operation of the cooling unit 300 may be stopped when the recording paper discharged to the discharge tray 100 and the guide member 200 is A6 size (the width of the image forming device 10 in the front-to-back direction is 105 mm) or less. In this case, instead of completely stopping the operation of the cooling unit 300, the cooling unit 300 may be operated but with a reduced output.

For small sized recording paper, the cooling air can easily cause transport to become unstable, but the need for cooling is relatively low. In such cases, by reducing the output of the cooling unit 300, it is possible to increase transport stability while providing cooling as needed.

In the image forming device 10, the cooling unit 300 may continue to operate for a predetermined period of time even after the printing operation is completed. For example, after the printing operation is completed, the operation of the cooling unit 300 may be stopped in accordance with the stopping of other fans in the image forming device (for example, approximately one minute after the printing operation is completed).

In the image forming device 10, when a recording sheet is positioned on the guide member 200, control may be performed so that other recording sheets are not discharged onto the discharge tray 100. In this way, cooling air can be reliably applied to the recording sheet immediately after it is discharged onto the discharge tray 100, improving cooling efficiency. The above-mentioned control can be performed by adjusting the timing of paper feed.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 Information processing device, 10 Image forming device, 10A Scanner unit, 10F Front wall, 10B Rear wall, 10R Right side wall, 10L Left side wall, 11 Primary transfer section, 12 Intermediate transfer belt, 13 Toner unit, 14 Secondary transfer section, 15 Discharge outlet, 16 Reversal discharge outlet, 20 Server device, 20F Front wall, 20B Rear wall, 20R Right side wall, 20L Left side wall, 100 Discharge tray, 200 Guide member, 210 Opening, 300 Cooling unit, 310 Frame, 311 Main body, 312 Flange, 312A, 312B Bolt, 313 Rib, 320-323 Cooling fan, 330 Louver.

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet,
a transfer section for transferring the image onto the recording sheet;
a discharge port for discharging the recording sheet on which the image is formed;
a tray on which the recording sheets discharged from the discharge port are stacked;
a reversing conveying path for reversing the recording sheet after passing through the transfer section and resupplying the recording sheet to the transfer section;
a reversing discharge port that opens above the discharge port for discharging at least a portion of the recording sheet above the tray and then pulling it back and introducing it into the reversing transport path;
a guide member that guides at least a portion of the recording sheet discharged from the reversing discharge port;
a cooling unit provided above the guide member and capable of cooling the recording sheet on the tray and on the guide member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling unit includes a plurality of fans arranged in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the recording sheet. The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of fans are arranged so as to be unevenly distributed on the rear side of the image forming device. The image forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cooling unit supplies cooling air from a direction inclined obliquely relative to the vertical. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation of the cooling unit is changed according to the size of the recording sheet discharged to the tray and the guide member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operation of the cooling unit is stopped when the width of the recording sheet discharged to the tray and the guide member is 148 mm or less. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cooling unit is integrally formed with and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the guide member includes an opening through which cooling air from the cooling unit passes. The image forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cooling unit continues to operate for a predetermined period of time even after the image forming operation is completed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when the recording sheet is positioned on the guide member, control is performed so that other recording sheets are not discharged onto the tray.

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