JPH02201369A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remember filter replacement when necessary by informing a user that the life of a filter has reached the end by means of a previously set process, when the service life of the filter has expired. CONSTITUTION:In a supporting frame 42, the filter 45 is mounted between the exhaust port and the fan 43, so that a suction device is constituted. With respect to the filter 45, metallic nets 452 and 453 cover both sides of a cylindrical outer frame 451; high permeability paper is attached to its inside, and a deodorant 454 is filled in the inside of it. When a detecting means (microcomputer) 51 detects that the life of the filter 45 has reached the end, the processing means (microcomputer) 51 produces a warning sound and performs a previously set processing such as inactivating a device itself. Since the operation of the process makes a user perceive that the service life of the filter 45 has expired, filter replacement, etc., can be speedily performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application 1] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a filter.

[Prior Art J] Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses of this type generate gases that contain substances that may be harmful if accumulated in the human body during the process of forming images; It was essential to install a filter.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention 1] However, the timing of filter replacement is determined by the operator managing the total number of copies, and there is a problem that some operators may forget to replace the filter. there were.

In such cases, in conventional image forming apparatuses of this type, even though the number of filters that need to be replaced has been reached, the operator cannot know this and may decide to continue using the filters. There was a problem that this could affect the human body of the operator.

[Objective of the Invention 1 The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has the purpose of encouraging the operator to replace a filter that has reached the end of its service life, thereby ensuring the safety of the user. There is.

[Means for Solving the Problems 1] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that generates lath containing odorous or harmful components in the image forming process, wherein the large ventilation path is The present invention is characterized by comprising a filter provided in the filter, a detection means for detecting that the life of the filter has reached its end, and a processing means for performing preset processing according to the detection result of the detection means.

[Operation J] In the present invention having the above configuration, when the detection means detects that the life of the filter has come to an end, the processing means performs preset processing such as generating a warning sound and deactivating the device itself. The user can sense that the filter has reached the end of its life due to the processing operation, and can therefore quickly replace the filter.

[Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a color copying machine embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 2, on the upper part of the copying machine body 1, a document table glass 2 on which a document can be placed and a cover 3 that covers the document table glass 2 in an openable and closable manner are arranged so as to be movable left and right. . Below the document table plus 2, there is a halogen lamp 4 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the document table plus 2 and irradiates light onto the document on the document table glass 2, and a halogen lamp 4 that directs the light of the halogen lamp 4 to the document table plus. A light source 6 is provided, which includes a reflecting mirror body 5 that reflects light toward the light source 2 . While the light source 6 is emitting light, the original table γ lath 2 is moved left and right, so that the entire original is irradiated with light.

On the other hand, an exposure table 7 is disposed at the center of the interior of the copying machine body 1, and between the light source 6 and the exposure table 7 are a filter 8 for adjusting the color tone of the copied image and a light condensing device. lens 9
The mounting is supported by a plate 10, and between the lens 9 and the exposure table 7, a pair of reflection mirrors 11 for adjusting the optical path length and focus are supported by a plate 12 so that the position can be adjusted. . The light reflected from the original after being irradiated onto the original is filtered through the filter 8. lens 9
The light passes through each reflection mirror 11 and is guided to the exposure table 7.

An IJ horn 14 is removably housed inside the copying machine main body 1, and a winding shaft 15 is rotatably supported. Further, a long microcapsule paper 13 carrying a large number of microcapsules containing a dye for color copying is housed in the cartridge 14 in a wound state. After the microcapsule paper 13 is pulled out from the cartridge 14 by the rotation of the plurality of feed rows 216, it is wound up on the winding transport 15, and during this time, a portion of the paper that has passed through the lower surface of the exposure table 7 is exposed. A latent image of the original is formed.

Below the exposure table 7, the copying machine main body 1 contains a cassette 18 containing a developer sheet 17 as a sheet having a certain width or a developer sheet made of a transparent plastic film used in an overhead blooper. is attached so that it can be worn.

A pressure developing device 1 is provided between the exposure table 7 and the winding shaft 15.
9 is arranged, and the exposed part of the microcapsule paper 13 and the color developer paper 17 or color developer sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as the color developer paper 1
By applying pressure #1 in the pressure developing device 19, a color image based on the latent image on the microcapsule paper 13 is formed on the color developing paper 17. The cassette 18 also has a protrusion 18a for determining the size of the color developing paper 17.
fJ? A device 20 is provided in the main body 1 for determining the size of the color developing paper 17 by determining the size of the protrusion 18a.

A plurality of feed rollers 21 and a paper guide 25 are provided between the cassette 18 and the pressure developing device 19 for transporting the color developing paper 17 toward the pressure developing device 19, and a paper feeding side of the pressure developing device 19 is provided. Microcapsule paper 1
A peeling roller 22 for peeling off the developer paper 17 from the color developer paper 3 is provided.

A thermal fixing device 23 for fixing the image formed on the color developer paper 17 by heat is disposed on the paper delivery side of the peeling row 222, and the color developer paper 1 is discharged from this device 23.
7 is accommodated in the tray 24.

As shown in FIG. MS3, a guide plate 31 made of iron plate and forming the heat fixing device 23 is disposed on the conveying path of the color developing paper 17. A pair of feed rollers 32 and a feed roller 33 are rotatably supported on the sheet feed side and the feed side of the guide plate 31, respectively, and are perpendicular to the conveyance path.
The developer paper 17 is conveyed on the guide plate 31 as the two ends rotate by -232 degrees 33. A heater 34 made of a coiled nichrome wire is disposed opposite to the guide plate 31 on the delivery side, and the surrounding air is heated when the heater is energized.

A casing 35 that covers the heater 34 is disposed above the guide plate 31, and a shielding plate 35a made of a wire mesh or the like having a large number of heat ray transmission holes is attached to the lower opening of the casing 35. On the feeding side of the heater 34, there is a loss 7E7- which is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the conveyance path.
An air blower 36 consisting of 77 air is provided, and as it rotates, heated air within the casing 35 is circulated as shown by arrows in FIG. Also, this i-Thing 35 and information! ! i31, there is an inlet 37 and an outlet 3 of the developer paper 17.
8 is provided. Furthermore, FgF heat rollers 3 are provided adjacent to and inside each of the rollers 32 and 33 to insulate the inlet 37 and the outlet 38 from each roller 32 and 33.
2a and 33a are each rotatably arranged. Then, the device main body 39 is moved by the guide plate 31 and the casing 35 to FRrl! .

has been done.

The device main body 39 has a structure that covers substantially the entire outer surface thereof, and
A cover 41 is attached to form an air passage 40 communicating with the inlet 37 and outlet 38. Further, above the mounting main body 39, a hollow frame-shaped support frame 42 is installed in the copying machine main body 1, and inside the support frame 42, there is a heat generated from the color developer paper 17 as the color developer paper 17 is heated. A deodorizing tank 43 for sucking gas is rotatably supported. The intake side of this 7-ring 43 is connected to the air passage 40 via a groove 44.

A filter 45 is attached to the opening between the exhaust port (not shown) and the seventh ann 43 in the support seven frame 42 . A suction device is constituted by the 7-ring 43 and the filter 45.

The structure of this filter 45 is shown in FIG. Metal meshes 452 and 453 are fitted on the upper and lower surfaces of the cylindrical outer frame 451. Highly breathable paper is lined inside the metal mesh 452 and 453, and the inside is filled with a deodorizing material 454.The color developer in this embodiment generates odor gas when heated. However, the components are absorbed by this deodorizing material 454. This filter 45 is connected to one of the networks 452
The net 453 faces the 7 gamma net 43, and the other net 453 is attached without any gaps so as to be in contact with the outside air.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine in this embodiment is equipped with a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer) 51 having a nonvolatile memory 51a. This nonvolatile memory 51a has an area for storing the total number of copies. A start switch 52 for outputting a copy start signal is connected to the microcomputer 51 via an input/output interface 53. In addition, the microcomputer 51 has a mode changeover switch 54 connected to the input/output interface 7.
It is connected via the ace 53, and by operating the switch 54, three types of modes with different heating temperatures are set.

The mode is low gloss mode (heating temperature 135°C)
, high gloss mode (heating temperature 145°C) and OHP mode (heating temperature 160°C). The low gloss mode and high gloss mode are used for copying onto normal color developing paper 17. The OHP mode is selected when using an OHP sheet coated with a color developer.

A thermistor 55 is attached to the inner length of the casing 35 and outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature inside the device body 39 to the microcomputer 51 via the input/output interface 53.

Furthermore, the microcomputer 51 includes a heater 34 . Air blower 77-3
6. Deodorizing 7 tons 43. A display 61 and the like are connected through an input/output interface 7 and an ace 53.

Now, when making a color copy using the copying machine configured as described above, first, when the copying machine is powered on, the microcomputer 51 switches the mode selector switch 5 in advance.
According to the mode set based on the operation, the heater 34 and the blower fan 36 are operated to raise the temperature inside the device main body 39. Then, according to the input signal from the thermistor 55, the microcomputer 51 controls the heater 34 on and off to maintain the inside of the device main body 51 at a constant temperature according to the mode. At this time, the deodorizing unit 43 is held in a stopped state by the microcomputer 51, so 1. Heating operation is performed efficiently.

Next, when the start switch 52 is operated, the microcomputer 51 increments the number of copies stored in the internal nonvolatile memory 51a. When the value exceeds a predetermined number, a warning for filter replacement is displayed on the display 61, and the state becomes t**. In this state, the device will not operate even if the start switch 52 is operated again, and the user must replace the filter 45 when the warning is displayed. When the filter 45 is replaced, the total number of copies stored in the nonvolatile memory 51a is cleared.

In addition, if the number of copies does not exceed the prescribed number,
Alternatively, if the start switch 52 is operated again after the filter is replaced, copying is performed as follows.

First, the microcomputer 51 controls the document moving device (not shown) to move the document table glass 2 to the right movement end. At the same time, the feed roller 21 is operated to transport the color developing paper 17 to the entrance of the pressure developing device 19. When the left edge of the document is placed opposite the halogen lamp 4 of the light source 6,
The microcomputer 51 turns on the halogen lamp 4, and in this state moves the document table plus 2 back to the left to irradiate the document with light.

During this light irradiation, the microcomputer 51 controls the rotation of the winding pongee 15 to move the microcapsule paper 13 on the exposure stage 7 toward the winding side at the same speed as the document stage plus 2. Therefore, a latent image of the original is gradually formed on the microcapsule paper 13 by the reflected light from the original. Then, with the operation of the winding pongee 15, the exposed portion of the microcapsule paper 13 is transferred to the pressure developing device 19 with the tip of the exposed portion thereof aligned with the tip of the color developing paper 17. Thereby, the exposed portion of the microcapsule paper 13 is pressed against the color developer paper 17, and a color image is formed on the color developer paper 17.

The developing paper 17 is peeled off from the microcapsule paper 13 by the peeling roller 22 as the winding pongee 15 operates.
is gradually introduced into the heat fixing device 23 from its tip.

At this time, the microcomputer 51 controls the operation of the air blower 36 and the heater 34 to circulate hot air within the apparatus main body 39.

As a result, the image is fixed on the color developer paper 17, and then the color developer paper 17 is discharged onto the tray 24.

During heat fixing of the color developer paper 17, the microcomputer 51 starts rotating the deodorizing 7T 43 at a predetermined time before the color developer paper 17 is introduced into the heat fixing @ff123. and,
Based on an input signal from a paper discharge switch (not shown) attached to the guide plate 51, the color developing paper 17 is released! Ir! 1 body 39
When the microcomputer 31 confirms that the odor has finished passing through the outlet 38, the microcomputer 51 stops the rotation of the deodorizing 7T ton 43.

During the rotation of this deodorizing 7-an 43, the device main body 3
Air enters the inlet 37.9. Exit 38. The air is introduced into the filter 45 through the air passage 40 and the exhaust 44, and is discharged through the exhaust port of the support frame 42. Therefore, the odor and harmful components in the gas generated from the developer as the developer paper 17 is heated are reliably removed by the filter 45, and normal air free of odors is exhausted from the exhaust port.

On the other hand, when the mode is switched from a high temperature side to a low temperature side by operating the mode changeover switch 54, for example from high gloss to low gloss, from OHP to high gloss, or from OHP to low gloss, the microcomputer 51 selects a predetermined mode. Depending on the time, the operation of the heater 34 is stopped and at the same time, the deodorizing 7-an 43 is activated. Then, this deodorizing 7 Anne 43
This operation helps dissipate heat within the device main body 39 and shortens the time required for mode switching.

Further, contrary to the above case, when the mode is switched from the low temperature side to the high temperature side, the microcomputer 51 not only operates the heater 34 but also stops the operation of the deodorizing 7-an 43 during the mode switching operation. . Then, by stopping the operation of the deodorizing unit 43, the dissipation of heat within the device main body 39 is controlled, and the time required for mode switching is shortened.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to reliably remove the odor of gas generated from the color developer paper 17 as the color developer paper 17 is heated. 43 can be operated and controlled when the heat fixing device 23 starts up and when the heating mode is switched, thereby reducing the time required for these temperature controls, thereby allowing quick and smooth startup and mode switching. It can be carried out. Additionally, energy waste can be controlled when the heat fixing device fi 23 is started up and the mode is switched from the low temperature side to the high temperature side.

Note that this invention is not limited to the above embodiments,
A filter 45 is provided outside the copying machine body to deodorize it.
It is also possible to construct a suction device using only 3, increase or decrease the number of modes, or embody the present invention in a monochrome copying machine.

Moreover, there is no problem in using a detection means such as a gas detector instead of the cumulative number of copies to detect the life of the filter. In other words, as the life of the filter approaches, the amount of components that pass through the filter but are included in the filter and must be removed increases. It is also possible to measure the amount (ratio) and use it to detect the lifespan of the filter.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, in the present invention, when a filter reaches the end of its life, the user is informed of this through a preset process, or the device itself is stopped, thereby preventing harmful effects on the human body. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent unpleasant gas from leaking out of the machine.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 show embodiments embodying the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of this embodiment, and the p/lJ2 diagram is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of this embodiment. 114 is a cross-sectional view showing the mechanical structure, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the peripheral structure of the heat fixing device of this embodiment, and FIG. 114 is a perspective view showing the structure of a filter. 45...Filter, 51...Microcomputer responsible for the functions of the detection means and processing procedure. Patent Applicant Brother Industries, Ltd. President Katsuji Kawanari Figure 1 3Ff! J Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus that generates gas containing odor or harmful components in the image forming process, including a filter provided in a ventilation path for the gas, and a filter that has reached the end of its lifespan. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a detection means for detecting a detection result; and a processing means for performing preset processing according to a detection result of the detection means.