JPH06269632A - Image forming device for electrophtography - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To discharge an air in an image forming device as a clean air free from ozone of toner powder. CONSTITUTION:A removal device is installed outside an image forming device, and a compressed air is fed into an exhaust pipe 10A as an air current inside the removal device by compressing the air in the image forming device using a compression pump AP. Further, this air current is released into a water tank W as an air bubble from an exhaust hole 20A at the tip of the exhaust pipe 10A, then the air bubble is turned to a fine form by activation of a ultrasonic oscillator S to allow the form to pass through the water, and the ozone is inactivated in this process. At the same time, the toner absorbed in the water is removed by absorption using a filter (f) with the help of water recirculation in the water tank W.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is for electrophotography in which an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive member by an electrophotographic method, and the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image and transferred onto a recording paper to record the image. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
A positive or negative charge of about 500 to 1000 V is charged on the photoreceptor such as OPC by a charger using corona discharge or the like, and then image exposure is performed to form a latent image. This latent image is developed with a one-component or two-component developer to form a toner image, and this toner image is transferred onto a transfer paper at a transfer section. The transfer sheet holding the toner image at the transfer section is nipped and heated by the fixing section and is fused and fixed on the transfer sheet. After the transfer, the cleaning unit removes the transfer residual toner adhering to the photoconductor to prepare for the next image formation.

In the image forming apparatus, ozone is generated by corona discharge in the charging device, and fine toner particles are floated in the device from the developing device or the cleaning device. If you have a built-in fixing device or a light source for image exposure,
The heat is considerably radiated from such a portion, and when continuously used for a long time, ozone and floating toner are gradually filled in the air in the image forming apparatus, and the temperature inside the apparatus also rises.

Ozone has the drawback of degrading the performance of the photoconductor and the like, and the floating toner adheres to the interior of the apparatus and also contaminates the transfer paper, degrading the copy quality. Also, when the temperature inside the device rises above the specified temperature, the photoconductor will differ from the initial characteristics, and at low temperatures (initial)
The copy image quality and the copy image quality at high temperature (after a long time elapses) fluctuate, and an undesirable phenomenon occurs. In order to solve such a problem, conventionally, a motor fan is provided in the device to discharge hot air in the device to the outside. At this time, a filter such as a sponge is provided in the vicinity of the exhaust port, and measures are taken so that the toner in the apparatus does not scatter into the room by exhausting through the filter.

[0005]

Although a fan is provided in the image forming apparatus and toner such as sponge or an ozone decomposing filter is provided in the vicinity of the exhaust port, a considerable amount of ozone and toner are removed, but this is not sufficient. Nonetheless, the discharged floating toner is harmful to the human body. Further, the ozone decomposing filter often loses its ozone decomposing function due to toner stains after long-term use.

The present invention sufficiently removes ozone and floating toner, which are harmful to the human body, to the outside of the image forming apparatus, and removes ozone and toner that do not contaminate the surroundings without losing the ozone removal function by the toner and the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with the apparatus.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention is to solve the above problems. The present invention provides an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which discharges ozone or toner (1) Collecting step (2) Step of compressing the air stream (3) Step of discharging the air stream into water in the form of bubbles, and an electrophotographic image forming device provided with a removing device for removing ozone or toner. In a preferred embodiment, the air flow bubbles are finely formed by ultrasonic waves in the first invention, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that discharges ozone or toner. (1) Air flow A step of collecting the ozone or the toner by using (2) a step of passing the air through a filter soaked with water (3) a step of discharging the air flow, and a removing device for removing the ozone or the toner. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized by being provided, in a preferred embodiment thereof, wherein the filter moves in water, and the movement of the filter is performed by a preliminary operation before image formation or in conjunction with the image forming operation. Second invention, in which the ozone or toner is rotated continuously or intermittently, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that discharges ozone or toner, (1) a step of collecting the ozone or toner using an air flow (2) A step of generating mist-like water and supplying it to the filter together with the air flow (3) A step of removing the water by the filter (4) A step of ejecting the air flow to provide a removing device for removing ozone or toner An image forming apparatus for electrophotography, which is characterized in that a preferable embodiment thereof is such that the mist-like water is continuously supplied by a preliminary operation before image formation or in conjunction with the image forming operation. Alternatively, the third invention is constituted so as to be generated or introduced intermittently.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing the construction of an embodiment of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention.

In the figure, 10 is a photosensitive drum which is a drum-shaped image bearing member which rotates in the direction of the arrow (clockwise), and a charger 11, a charge eliminator 12, a developing device 30, and a transfer device 13 are provided on the periphery of the photosensitive drum. , Separator 14, transporting means 40 such as a transporting belt, cleaning device
50 etc. are provided.

Simultaneously with the start of copying, the photosensitive drum 10 rotates in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow, and is uniformly charged by the charger 11 for corona charging and passes through the neutralizer 12. The static eliminator 12 is controlled by the CPU of the main body control unit, and the frame portion corresponding to the outside of the image area is illuminated by the LED to eliminate the static electricity. Note that the static eliminator 12 is not provided when reversal development is performed. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the document or the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 10 in response to the incidence of the light L from the scanning optical system 21 for scanning the document surface or the laser beam L based on the image information.

There is a two-component developer D in the developing device 30,
After being agitated by the agitating screws 33A and 33B, the toner is adhered to the magnet roller 32 and the outer periphery of the developing sleeve 31 which is on the outer side of the magnet roller 32 and develops in the developing area facing the photoconductor drum 10. That is, the latent image of the electrostatic original document on the photosensitive drum 10 is subjected to regular or reversal development by the developing device 30 and becomes a visible toner image.

A paper feed cassette 60 that accommodates a large number of recording papers P and is provided in a multi-stage manner so that it can be inserted into and removed from the front of the copying machine main body.
The recording paper P is fed one by one by the first paper feed roller 15 (15A to 15C) from one of the paper feed cassettes 60 selected according to the size of the original (60A to 60C). The fed recording paper P is sent onto the photosensitive drum 10 by the second paper feeding roller 16 which operates in synchronization with the toner image of the original document on the photosensitive drum 10 via the feed roller 17, the guide path 63 and the like. Then, due to the action of the transfer device 13, the toner image of the original document on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred onto the recording paper P. Then, after being separated from the photoconductor drum 10 by the separator 14, the recording paper P is sent to the fixing device 70 via the conveying means 40, sandwiched by the heat fixing roller 71 and the pressure bonding roller 72, melted and fixed, and then copied. It is discharged to the outside of the device.

The residual toner remaining on the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 10 without being transferred to the recording paper P is scraped off and collected by a cleaning device 50 having a blade 51 and the like, and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is cleaned. And wait for the next copy.

A partition 22 is provided in the apparatus to prevent the floating toner from entering the scanning optical system 21, and to form an air flow in the apparatus to contain ozone and floating toner outside the apparatus. It's a guide to carry out hot air. In this embodiment, an air inlet 41 is provided on the rear surface above the fixing device 70, and an exhaust fan 42 is provided in the vicinity of the air inlet 41, and the air inside the device is sucked and conveyed to the air inlet 41. An exhaust pipe 43 is connected to the intake port 41, and the removal device 100 of the present invention is provided at the exhaust port portion. The removing device 100 of the present invention may be a type that is installed inside the image forming apparatus together with the exhaust pipe 43, or an external type that is provided outside the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the removing device 100 of the present invention may be removable from the image forming apparatus. Removal apparatus of the present invention
Since the exhaust air flow exhausted from 100 is in a high humidity state, it is desirable to provide the removing device 100 outside the image forming apparatus or exhaust it outside the image forming apparatus.

(First Embodiment) The first invention of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a bubble type removing device. In the case of the removing device 100A shown in FIG. 1, the air flow containing ozone and toner discharged from the image forming apparatus is compressed by a compression pump AP. It is pressurized and sent to the exhaust pipe 10A, and is discharged as bubbles into the water in the water tank W in the removing device 100A through a plurality of exhaust holes 20A at the tip of the exhaust pipe 10A.

Upon discharge, the air flow is generated by the ultrasonic oscillator S.
As a result, fine bubbles form fine bubbles that rise in the water, in the course of which ozone is inactivated, toner is absorbed and removed to be purified, and it is released from the water surface and discharged to the outside of the removing device 100A.

On the other hand, the water in the water tank W used for purifying the bubbles is circulated in the direction of the broken line arrow by the convection accompanying the rise of the bubbles, and the removed toner is filtered by the filter f to be used again for the purification of the bubbles. It

The above-mentioned filter f has a holding member 30A periodically.
It is taken out together and washed or replaced with a new one.

In the removing device 100B shown in FIG. 2, the water in the water tank W is absorbed by the water pump 40B by the circulation pump WP.
After that, they are fed into a total of four fountainers 50B arranged in upper and lower two stages to form hemispherical water films.

On the other hand, the air flow discharged from the image forming apparatus is pressurized by the compression pump AP and discharged from the exhaust hole 20B at the tip of the exhaust pipe 10B, passes through the above-mentioned water film to inactivate ozone, and the toner is discharged. Are absorbed and removed.

The water sprayed from each of the fountainers 50B is dropped and collected at the bottom of the device and is circulated through the filter f.

The water stored in the water tank W of each of the removing devices including the above-described removing devices 100A and 100B will be surface-active in order to improve the affinity with the toner and the cleaning effect of the filter f. The agent to which the agent is added is used, and if necessary, a neutralizing agent, a fungicide, etc. are added.

(Embodiment 2) Next, a second invention of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show an example of the filtration type removal device. In the case of the removal device 100C shown in FIG.
The water is absorbed by a breathable web 60C made of woven cloth such as glass fiber or sponge-like resin which is moved counterclockwise by a pair of rollers and is circulated and conveyed.

On the other hand, the air flow discharged from the image forming apparatus passes through the exhaust pipe 10C by the fan F1 and the web 60 described above.
Ozone is inactivated by the water in the water tank W sprayed on C and impregnated with the web 60C, the toner is absorbed and removed, and the toner is exhausted to the outside through the fan F2.

The above-mentioned web 60C which has adsorbed the toner is cleaned by removing the toner by ultrasonic cleaning of the ultrasonic oscillator S in the water tank W, and the excess water is scraped off by the blade 70C and again sprayed on the air stream. Be transported.

Further, the water in the water tank W is circulated in the direction of the broken line arrow as the web 60C is conveyed, and the removed toner is filtered by the filter f and impregnated into the web 60C again.

The web 60C is unitized together with a pair of rollers, and a holding member 30 for supporting the filter f.
It is taken out from the device together with C and regularly used for cleaning or replacement with a new one.

The movement of the web 60C is started in association with either the preliminary operation before image formation by the image forming apparatus, for example, the operation of the power switch or the image forming operation, for example, the operation of the copy switch. The operation is continued continuously or intermittently depending on the cleaning ability for the air flow.

The removing device 100D shown in FIG. 4 has water tanks W provided at the upper and lower portions, and the water in the lower water tank W is circulated by a circulation pump W.
By the operation of P, it is pumped up to the upper water tank W through the water absorption pipe 40D, and circulated through the filter f into the lower water tank W.

The air flow discharged from the image forming apparatus passes through the exhaust pipe 10D by the fan F1 and the above-mentioned filter f.
Ozone is inactivated by the water in the water tank W which is sprayed onto the filter f and impregnated with the filter f, the toner is absorbed and removed, and the toner is exhausted to the outside through the fan F2. The water used here is preferably added with a surfactant in order to improve the affinity with the toner and to enhance the cleaning effect of the filter, and further with a neutralizing agent, an antifungal agent, etc., if necessary.

(Third Embodiment) The third invention of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example of the droplet type removing device. In the case of the removing device 100E shown in FIG. 5, the water in the water tank W is sprayed toward the filter f by the atomizer 50E, and the above filter is used. The water that has passed through f and excess water are returned to the water tank W.

On the other hand, the air flow discharged from the image forming apparatus is mixed with the mist-like water droplets through the exhaust pipe 10E to inactivate ozone and then the toner is absorbed and removed by the filter f and the fan F is discharged. Is exhausted to the outside via.

If a tank for temporarily storing the recirculated water is provided inside the water tank W and the water tank W is replenished with water in accordance with the decrease in the water level, the water level in the water tank W will be reduced. Since it is always maintained at a constant level, it becomes possible to continue the spraying action without interruption for water supply.

The removing device 100F shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a device called a packed tower type, and whether the water in the water tank W at the bottom of the tower is sent to the top of the tower via the water absorption pipe 40F by the circulation pump WP and drops as water drops. Alternatively, it is sprayed as atomized fine water droplets by a sprayer, and is further impregnated into a filter f made of silicon particles or the like deposited in the central portion of the tower.

On the other hand, the air flow discharged from the image forming apparatus is sent to the top of the tower through the exhaust pipe 10F, and the water drops and the water impregnated in the filter f are brought into contact with each other to inactivate ozone and absorb the toner. -It is removed and discharged from the bottom of the tower through the fan F to the outside.

In this embodiment, the parallel flow type device in which the moving directions of water and air flow in the tower are the same, but the use of a countercurrent type device in which the moving directions are opposite to each other is also possible. It is possible.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is started in conjunction with either a preliminary operation before image formation by the image forming apparatus, for example, an operation of a power switch or an image forming operation, for example, an operation of a copy switch. However, the operation is stopped for a certain period of time after the end of copying and then stopped. As the neutralizing agent, various soluble and insoluble inorganic and organic bases or acids, various salts which show acidity or basicity when hydrolyzed, and ion exchange resins, for example, various caustic alkalis and caustic alkalis are used. Soil, organic amines such as ammonia, amine, ethanolamine, various mineral acids, various organic acids (carboxylic acids or phenols) sodium acetate, sodium carbonate, sodium phosphate, calcium acetate, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various cations Exchange resins and various anion exchange resins are preferably used.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, ozone and toner powder discharged from the conventional image forming apparatus are absorbed and removed very efficiently. As a result, the human body is hygienic and the environment is not polluted. An image forming apparatus for electrophotography that can be used with peace of mind is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a bubble removing device (first).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the above device (2).

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a filtration type removal device (first).

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the above device (2).

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a droplet type removal device (first).

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the device (part 2).

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Photoconductor drum 11 Charger 12 Static eliminator 13 Transfer device 14 Separator 21 Scanning optical system 30 Developer 41 Intake port 42 Exhaust fan 50 Cleaning device 10A-10F Exhaust pipe 100A-100F Removal device 20A, 20B Exhaust hole 30A, 30C, 30D Holding member 40B, 40D, 40F Water absorption pipe 50B Fountain 50E Sprayer 60C Web 70C Blade AP (air) compression pump WP (water) circulation pump S Ultrasonic oscillator W Water tank f Filter F, F1, F2 fan

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus that discharges ozone or toner, wherein (1) a step of collecting the ozone or toner by using an air stream, (2) a step of compressing the air stream, and (3) the air stream. An image forming apparatus for electrophotography, comprising a removing device for removing ozone or toner, which comprises a step of releasing water into a water state in the form of bubbles. 2. The image forming apparatus for electrophotography according to claim 1, wherein the bubbles of the air flow are finely formed by ultrasonic waves. 3. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus which discharges ozone or toner, (1) a step of collecting the ozone or toner using an air flow, and (2) a step of passing the air through a filter soaked with water. 3) An electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a removing device for removing ozone or toner, which comprises a step of discharging the air flow. 4. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the filter moves in water. 5. The image forming apparatus for electrophotography according to claim 4, wherein the filter is rotated by a preliminary operation before image formation. 6. The image forming apparatus for electrophotography according to claim 4, wherein the filter rotates in association with an image forming operation. 7. The image forming apparatus for electrophotography according to claim 4, wherein the filter rotates in a linked or intermittent manner. 8. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus which discharges ozone or toner, (1) a step of collecting the ozone or toner by using an air flow, and (2) generating mist-like water to a filter together with the air flow. A step of supplying (3) a step of removing the water by the filter (4) a step of discharging the air flow, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a removing device for removing ozone or toner. 9. The image forming apparatus for electrophotography according to claim 8, wherein the fog-like water is generated or introduced by a preliminary operation before image formation. 10. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the fog-like water is generated or introduced in association with an image forming operation. 11. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the mist-like water is generated or introduced continuously or intermittently.