JPH08137348A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent an abnormal image such as image blurring and a void caused by a nitrogen oxide by providing a decomposing/sucking means for the nitrogen oxide in an inflow path for flowing outdoor air into a machine. CONSTITUTION: An electrifying fan 40 is provided in the casing of a printer 2 and air sucked from the outside of the machine by the fan 40 is led through a duct 41, to blow on a photoreceptor 9 from the rear of an electrifier 12. A nitrogen oxide decomposing or sucking means is provided in the duct 41. For the nitrogen oxide decomposing means, limonene is used as a terpenoid compound. A can of limonene 43 is housed in a limonene housing part 42 formed in mid-way of the duct 41. When the limonene in a can is volatilized, the limonene is exchanged together with the can.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile or a laser printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, a uniform charge is applied to a photoconductor by discharging from a charger, and then a latent image is formed by exposing the photoconductor, and then a developing step
An image is formed on a transfer paper through a transfer process and a fixing process. In order to uniformly charge the photoconductor in this image forming process, a charger using corona discharge is widely used. However, when discharging from the charger, ozone, nitrogen oxide (NO _x ) or the like is discharged. Generates discharge products. These discharge products adversely affect the photoconductor and cause phenomena such as image blurring and white spots.

As a countermeasure against such an adverse effect, one in which a discharge product decomposing agent such as a terpenoid compound or MgHY-type zeolite is installed in the vicinity of a corona discharger is disclosed in JP-A-2-308183 and JP-A-2-111970.
4-125663, 5-11575,
It is disclosed in JP-A-5-11576 and JP-A-5-119585.

Further, a method for discharging air containing discharge products near the discharger is disclosed in JP-A-60-189768, JP-A-2-52370 and JP-A-4-163477.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-174462, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-19496.
No. 3, for example.

Further, as a method for reducing the discharge products of the air that discharges the discharge products to the outside of the machine, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 90184/1990 is proposed.
No. 2-103063 and No. 2-29757.
No. 1, gazette No. 3-94279 gazette, and No. 3-11616.
6, gazette 3-131874 gazette, gazette 4-1406.
No. 3, gazette 4-128774, gazette 5-2828
No. 29, etc.

[0006]

However, these techniques are intended to suppress the influence of discharge products such as ozone and NO _x generated from the corona discharger on the photoconductor, and these techniques can be applied from outside the machine. It cannot be applied when the introduced air contains NO _x or the like. In other words, in winter, the use of conventional oil stove or the like is the concentration of NO _x room rises,
It is known to be as high as around 10 ppm,
If an image forming apparatus configured to introduce air outside the apparatus to the vicinity of the photoconductor is used in this environment, this high concentration NO _x affects the photoconductor, again causing problems such as image blurring and white spots. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which does not cause abnormal images such as image blurring and white spots even in a high density NO _x environment. Especially.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION, in accordance with the present invention, provided NO _x decomposition means and / or _the NO _x adsorption means during the inflow path means for flowing outside air into the cabin.

It is preferable to use a volatile NO _x decomposing agent as the NO _x decomposing means. Similarly, it is preferable to use a NO _x removal filter as the NO _x adsorption means.

It is preferable that the volatile NO _x decomposing agent and the NO _x removing filter are arranged near each other.

An adjusting device for the volatilization amount of the volatile NO _x decomposing agent is installed, and the adjustment is made based on at least one detection result for the image forming operation, the operation of the air inflow means, the NO _x concentration in the inflow air and the in-machine temperature. Conveniently, it is adapted to control the means.

It is more preferable that at least one of the opening adjusting device, the heating device and the cooling device is attached to the container for storing the volatile NO _x decomposing agent.

The life determining means may be attached to the NO _x decomposing means.

[0014] Furthermore, the life determination means volatile NO _x decomposer opening adjustment device and container comprising volatile NO _x decomposition agent installed, images starting from replacement time of the volatile NO _x decomposition agent A means for counting any of the cumulative operation time of the forming device, the air inflow time, or the cumulative opening time of the opening adjusting device may be provided, and the life of the NO _x decomposition agent may be determined based on the count value.

It has means for detecting deterioration of the NO _x removal filter, means for replenishing the volatile NO _x decomposing agent and means for controlling the amount of replenishment, and according to the degree of deterioration of the filter obtained by the deterioration detecting means, It is also advantageous to be configured to control the make-up amount of the volatile NO _x decomposer.

[0016] NO _x removal NO _x of the filter after passing through the air
A means for measuring the concentration and a means for counting either the cumulative operation time of the image forming apparatus or the air inflow time starting from the time of replacement of the filter are provided, and the measured NO _x
The deterioration of the NO _x removal filter may be determined based on the concentration or the count value.

The relative container containing a volatile NO _x decomposition agent, the opening adjustment device, and attached at least one device heating device and a cooling device, performs replenishment quantity control of volatile NO _x decomposition agent Is preferred.

If the NO _x decomposition means or the NO _x removal filter is determined to have reached the end of its life, it is convenient if the operation portion is provided with a display portion for displaying that fact.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described based on an embodiment of the color copying machine shown in the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a color image reading device (hereinafter referred to as a color scanner) 1 forms an image of an original 3 on a color sensor 7 via an illumination lamp 4, a mirror group 5 and a lens 6 to form an image of the original. Read color image information for each color separation of blue, green and red,
Convert to electrical image signal. Then, based on the blue, green, and red color-separated image signal intensity levels obtained by the color scanner 1, color conversion processing is performed by an image processing unit (not shown) to obtain black, cyan, magenta, and yellow color images. Get the data.

A color image recording device (hereinafter referred to as a color printer) 2 described below visualizes black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and superimposes them to form a four-color full-color image.

In the color printer 2, the writing optical unit 8 converts the color image data from the color scanner 1 into an optical signal, performs optical writing corresponding to the original image, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 9. Form.

The photosensitive drum 9 rotates counterclockwise as shown by the arrow, around which the photosensitive drum cleaning unit 10 including a pre-cleaning static eliminator, a static elimination lamp 11,
Charger 12, potential sensor 13, black developing device 14,
A cyan developing device 15, a magenta developing device 16, a yellow developing device 17, a development density pattern detector 18, an intermediate transfer belt 19 and the like are arranged. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, each developing device has a developing sleeve 14a that rotates so that the developer is opposed to the photoconductor 9 in order to develop the electrostatic latent image.
15a, 16a, 17a, and developing paddles 14b, 15b, 16b, 1 that rotate to draw up and agitate the developer.
7b, a toner concentration detection sensor for the developer, and the like. The developing operation, that is, the color image forming operation will be described below in the order of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Of course, the image forming order is not limited to this.

When the copying operation is started, the color scanner 1 starts reading black image data from a predetermined timing, and based on the image data, optical writing and latent image formation by laser light are started (hereinafter, referred to as black image). An electrostatic latent image based on data is called a black latent image.
The same applies to cyan, magenta, and yellow. ). In order to enable development from the front end of the black latent image, the developing sleeve 14a is started to rotate before the front end of the latent image reaches the developing position of the black developing device 14 to surely develop the black latent image with black toner. To do. And after that,
The development operation of the black latent image area is continued, but the development inoperative state occurs when the trailing edge of the black latent image passes the black development position. This is completed at least before the leading edge of the cyan latent image by the next cyan image data arrives.

The black toner image formed on the photoconductor 9 is the intermediate transfer belt 1 which is driven at the same speed as the photoconductor.
9 is transferred to the surface (hereinafter, the transfer of the toner image from the photoconductor to the intermediate transfer belt is referred to as belt transfer). The belt transfer is performed by applying a predetermined bias voltage to the transfer bias roller 20 while the photoconductor 9 and the intermediate transfer belt 19 are in contact with each other. In addition, on the intermediate transfer belt 19, black, cyan, magenta, and
The yellow toner images are sequentially aligned on the same surface to form a four-color superposed belt transfer image, and then they are collectively transferred to a transfer paper. The structure and operation of this intermediate transfer belt unit will be described later.

On the side of the photoreceptor 9, the black process is followed by the cyan process, but the cyan image data reading by the color scanner 1 is started at a predetermined timing, and a cyan latent image is formed by writing laser light by the image data. To do.

The cyan developing device 15 starts rotating the developing sleeve 15a with respect to the developing position after the trailing edge of the previous black latent image has passed and before the leading edge of the cyan latent image has reached the cyan latent image. Is surely developed with cyan toner. After that, the development of the cyan latent image region is continued, but when the trailing edge of the latent image passes, the development becomes inoperable as in the case of the previous black developing device. This is also completed before the leading edge of the next magenta latent image arrives.

The magenta and yellow steps are the same as the black and cyan steps described above in respect of the image data reading / latent image forming / developing operation, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the intermediate transfer belt unit will be described. The intermediate transfer belt 19 is, as shown in FIG.
The drive roller 21, the belt transfer bias roller 20, and a group of driven rollers are stretched around and are driven and controlled by a drive motor (not shown) as described later.

The belt cleaning unit 22 is composed of a brush roller 22a, a rubber blade 22b, a contact / separation mechanism 22c from the belt, and the like. The second, third, and fourth colors after the first color black image is transferred onto the belt are transferred. While the belt is being transferred, the unit is kept in contact with and separated from the belt surface by the contact / separation mechanism 22c.

The paper transfer unit 23 is composed of a paper transfer bias roller 23a, a roller cleaning blade 23b and a belt contact / separation mechanism 23c. The bias roller 23a is normally separated from the surface of the belt 19 but is pressed by the contact / separation mechanism 23c at a timing when the superimposed images of four colors formed on the surface of the belt 19 are collectively transferred to the transfer paper. A predetermined bias voltage is applied to the transfer bias roller 23a to transfer to the paper.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer paper 24 is moved by the paper feed roller 25 and the registration roller 26 in accordance with the timing when the leading end of the four-color superimposed image on the intermediate transfer belt surface reaches the paper transfer position. Paper is fed to the transfer unit.

There are three possible ways of moving the intermediate transfer belt 19 as the operation method after the belt transfer of the black toner image of the first color is completed up to the rear end, and one of them is possible. Alternatively, it is preferable to operate by a combination of efficient methods (in terms of copy speed, etc.) according to the copy size.

(1) Constant speed forward movement method Even after the black toner image is transferred onto the belt, the forward movement is continued at a constant speed.

Then, when the front end position of the black image on the surface of the belt 19 reaches the belt transfer position of the contact portion with the photosensitive member 9 again, the front end portion of the next cyan toner image on the photosensitive member 9 side is just at that position. The image is formed in a timely manner so that the image comes out. As a result, the cyan image is accurately aligned with the black image and is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 19 in a superposed manner.

After that, by the same operation, magenta,
Proceed to the yellow image process to obtain a belt transfer image of four colors.

Subsequent to the step of transferring the fourth color yellow toner image belt, the four color superposed toner images on the belt surface are collectively transferred onto the transfer paper 24 as described above while moving forward.

(2) Skip Forwarding Method After the belt transfer of the black toner image is completed, the belt 19 is separated from the surface of the photoconductor 9 and is skipped at a high speed in the same forward direction to move a predetermined amount, and then the initial forward movement is performed. Return to speed. After that, the belt 19 is again brought into contact with the photosensitive member 9.

When the front end position of the black image on the surface of the belt 19 reaches the belt transfer position again, the photosensitive member 9 side forms an image at a timing so that the front end portion of the next cyan toner image is exactly at that position. Has been done. As a result, the cyan image is accurately aligned with the black image and transferred onto the belt in a superimposed manner.

After that, by the same operation, magenta,
Proceed to the yellow image process to obtain a belt transfer image of four colors.

Subsequent to the step of transferring the fourth color yellow toner image belt, the four-color superposed toner images on the surface of the belt 19 are collectively transferred onto the transfer paper 24 at the same forward speed.

(3) Reciprocating (quick return) system After the belt transfer of the black toner image is completed, the belt 19 is separated from the surface of the photosensitive member 9, and the forward movement is stopped, and at the same time, the belt is returned in the reverse direction at a high speed. Return is
The front end position of the black image on the surface of the belt 19 passes through the position corresponding to the belt transfer in the opposite direction, and after moving for a preset distance, it is stopped and put in the standby state.

Next, when the front end of the cyan toner image on the side of the photoconductor 9 reaches a predetermined position before the belt transfer position, the intermediate transfer belt 19 is restarted in the forward direction. Further, the belt 19 is brought into contact with the surface of the photoconductor 9 again. Also in this case, the belt transfer is performed under the condition that the cyan image exactly overlaps the black image on the surface of the belt 19.

After that, the same operation is performed for magenta,
Proceed to the yellow image process to obtain a belt transfer image of four colors.

Subsequent to the belt transfer process of the yellow toner image of the fourth color, the four-color superposed toner image on the surface of the belt 19 is transferred onto the transfer paper 24 without returning to move forward.
To batch transfer to.

Now, the transfer paper 24 to which the four-color superposed toner images are collectively transferred from the intermediate transfer belt is the paper transport unit 27.
Then, the toner image is conveyed to the fixing device 28, and the toner image is melted and fixed by the fixing roller 28a and the pressure roller 28b, which are controlled to a predetermined temperature, and is carried out to the copy tray 29 to obtain a full-color copy.

The surface of the photosensitive member 9 after the belt transfer is cleaned by the photosensitive member cleaning unit 10,
The static elimination lamp 11 uniformly eliminates static electricity.

The surface of the intermediate transfer belt 19 after the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper 24 is cleaned by pressing the cleaning unit 22 again with the contact / separation mechanism 22c.

At the time of repeat copying, the operation of the color scanner 1 and the image formation on the photosensitive member 9 are continued at the predetermined timing after the second yellow (fourth color) image process at the predetermined time. Eyes) Go to the image process.

Further, in the intermediate transfer belt 19, after the batch transfer process of the first four-color superposed image onto the transfer paper, the surface of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 19 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 22, and the second black toner image is transferred. Will be transferred to the belt. After that, the same operation as the first sheet is performed.

The transfer paper cassettes 30, 31, 32,
Transfer sheets 33 of various sizes are stored, and are fed and conveyed in the direction of the registration roller 26 at a timing from a storage cassette of the size sheets designated by an operation panel (not shown). Reference numeral 34 is a manual paper feed tray for OHP paper or thick paper.

Up to this point, the description has been given of the copy mode in which four full colors are obtained, but in the case of the three-color copy mode and the two-color copy mode, the same operation as described above is performed for the designated color and the number of times. Become. In the case of the single-color copy mode, only the developing device for the color is kept in the developing operation state until the predetermined number of sheets are finished, and the intermediate transfer belt 19 is kept in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 9 and is kept in the forward direction. The copying operation is performed in a state where the belt cleaner 22 is driven at high speed and the belt cleaner 22 is still in contact with the belt 19.

FIG. 3 shows an outline of an air blowing system in this copying apparatus. A charging fan 40 is provided on the left side surface of the printer 2 housing in the figure, and the air sucked from the outside of the machine is guided by the fan through a duct 41, and from the rear surface of the charger 12 toward the photoreceptor 9. It is configured to be blown.

[0054] In this arrangement, NO _x decomposition means or _the NO _x adsorption means are provided in the duct 41, even if the outside atmosphere has a high concentration NO _x environment, by the means, the photoreceptor 9 NO in the blown air
_{The x} concentration is reduced, and the adverse effect of NO _{x on} the photoconductor is prevented.
Hereinafter, a case of using limonene will be described as an example of a terpenoid compound that is a volatile NO _x decomposing substance.

As the most basic structure, as shown in FIG.
A limonene accommodating portion 42 is formed in the middle of the duct 41, and, for example, a canned limonene 43 is installed therein. When all the limonene in the can is volatilized, the can is replaced. In addition,
If all of the limonene has volatilized and should be replaced, but if it is not replaced, the occurrence of an abnormal image cannot be prevented. Therefore, it is advisable to additionally determine the life of the limonene. For example, if the degree of decrease with time after replacement of limonene with a new one is obtained in advance by an experiment or the like, the life can be simply determined using this. As a judgment method when it is actually used in a machine, for example, cumulative operation time of image forming operation after replacement of limonene (number of copies, rotation time of photoconductor, etc.), cumulative operation time of charging fan, etc. Can be used. That is, for example, in the case of judging the number of copies, it is judged that it is time to replace the limonene when the number of copies reaches 10,000. When replacing limonene, clear this count value.

In order to adjust the volatilization amount of the limonene arranged as shown in FIG. 4, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a lid 44 for partitioning the limonene accommodating portion 42 and the duct is provided, which is connected to the solenoid 45. It can be opened and closed by the action of the spring 46. When the solenoid 45 is turned on, the lid 44 is rotated and opened against the pulling force of the spring 46, and the limonene flows from the canned limonene 43 into the duct.
In such a configuration, since the amount of limonene volatilized over time is not constant, it is preferable to judge the degree of decrease of limonene by counting the cumulative opening time of the lid. The volatilization amount of limonene with respect to the cumulative opening time of the lid is obtained in advance by experiments or the like, and the replacement time is set, for example, when 1000 hours are reached.

More directly, the replacement time may be determined by detecting the remaining amount of limonene. As an example,
As shown in FIG. 6, the canister 43 containing limonene is placed on the tray 47 installed in the limonene accommodating unit, the weight is measured by the weight gauge 48, and the measured value is sent to the control unit 50 to determine the remaining amount. It is sufficient to make a judgment. It is also possible to use an optical sensor or the like. The determination may be made by detecting the NO _x concentration in the air after passing through the limonene accommodating portion. For example, _if the detected concentration of NO _x is 0.5 ppm or less, there is no problem, and if a higher value is detected, it is determined that the remaining amount of limonene is about to run out.

If it is determined that it is time to replace the limonene, a message to that effect is displayed on the device operation section, so that the effect of the limonene can be reliably continued. For example, if a message such as "100 more copies will reach the end of the life of the limonene will be reached" immediately before the end of the life, it means that limonene can be replenished during that time without the machine going down.

As an example of the opening / closing timing of the partition lid, it is conceivable that the charging lid is opened during the operation of the charging fan, and otherwise closed. At such a timing, it is possible to completely prevent the high-concentration NO _x from coming into contact with the photoconductor by volatilizing and flowing out of limonene only when the outside air is actually introduced into the photoconductor, and when unnecessary. Limonene does not leak from the charging fan to the outside atmosphere via the duct. Alternatively, the opening and closing may be performed in synchronization with the timing of image formation. As a representative of the image forming timing, for example, when the charging device is turned on, the photosensitive member is rotated, or the like, an appropriate one is selected. By doing this,
Limonene can be made to work effectively each time an image is actually formed.

FIG. 7 shows another construction for adjusting the amount of volatilization of limonene. A semicircular opening 51 is opened between the limonene accommodating portion 42 and the duct 41, and a semicircular lid 44 concentric therewith is attached by a stepping motor 52 so as to be rotatable and openable.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which a NO _x removal filter is installed as a NO _x adsorption means in the middle of the duct. Charging fan 40
The air sucked in by passing through the filter 54 in the duct 41 before reaching the photoconductor, the NO _x concentration is reduced, and the adverse effect on the photoconductor is suppressed.

It goes without saying that the NO _x removal filter can be installed independently of limonene. However, in order to exert a synergistic effect with the NO _x decomposition action of limonene, as shown in FIG. 9, in the middle of the duct 41,
Installation of NO _x removal filter 54 and canned limonene 4
You may install 3 simultaneously. The partition lid may be opened and closed by accommodating it in an open-type can such as the above-mentioned limonene with a can, but as shown in FIG. 9, a closed can having a small hole 55 may be used.

If the means for detecting the deterioration of the NO _x removal filter, the means for replenishing limonene and the means for adjusting the replenishment amount are provided, the limonene can be adjusted according to the degree of deterioration of the NO _x removal filter obtained by the detection means. It is possible to control the replenishment amount (volatilization amount) of the NO _x , to activate the limonene by compensating for the deterioration amount of the NO _x removal filter, and to supply the limonene in an appropriate amount without waste.

[0064] As the detection of deterioration of the NO _x removal filter, it is conceivable to perform the detection to deteriorate determining the concentration of NO _x in the air of the NO _x removal filter after passing through. In this case, as in the above case, for example, if the NO _x concentration in the air after passing through the NO _x removal filter is 0.5 ppm or less, there is no problem,
When a higher value is detected, the volatilization amount of limonene is appropriately adjusted by using, for example, the configuration of the partition lid. Finely, for example, in the case of 0.5 to 2 ppm, 2 to 4
NO _{x in} the case of ppm and 4 ppm or more
It is more preferable to change the amount of limonene supplemented stepwise depending on the concentration. The configuration using the stepping motor shown in FIG. 7 is suitable for adjusting the volatilization amount in multiple stages according to the degree of deterioration of the filter.

As in the case of the amount of consumption of limonene, it is also possible to determine the deterioration level with time after replacing the NO _x removal filter with a new one in advance by an experiment or the like, and determine the deterioration stage from this easily. For example, just like the case of the consumption of limonene, from the filter replacement to 3000 copies, there is no problem. Up to 5000 copies, a small amount of limonene is supplied, up to 7000 copies is medium supply, and up to 10,000 copies is large. It is decided that the filter has reached the end of its service life, and when the number of sheets reaches 10,000. When it is determined that the NO _x removal filter has reached the end of its life, it is preferable to display that fact on the device operation unit, which is also the same as in the case of the limonene consumption amount.

When the NOx removal filter is not used,
The concentration of NO _x outside air flowing into the apparatus main body by measuring and controlling the amount of volatilization limonene by the resulting concentration, NO _x
Many when high concentrations, the lower if concentration of NO _x is low, exercising limonene by an appropriate amount, so as to prevent wasteful consumption. As the NO _x concentration, the concentration of outside air may be directly measured, or the concentration of air introduced into the duct may be measured. In order to change the opening amount in several steps according to the NO _x concentration, the configuration using the stepping motor shown in FIG. 7 is preferable.

The volatilization amount of limonene changes depending on the temperature. That is, the amount of volatilization is large in the high temperature state, and the amount of volatilization decreases in the low temperature state. Therefore, in order to detect the temperature and control the amount of volatilization, a thermistor or the like is provided inside the machine to measure the temperature of the atmosphere near the limonene. The volatilization amount is controlled by using the opening / closing mechanism having the configuration shown in FIG. 5 or 7. Alternatively, conversely, the temperature of the limonene accommodating portion may be adjusted. The reference temperature is determined in advance, and when the measured temperature is lower than that temperature, it is determined that the amount of volatilization is insufficient, and the limonene is warmed until the reference temperature is reached. In the opposite case, the limonene is cooled. When adjusting the temperature of the limonene, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a heater 57 is installed near the limonene 43 of the limonene accommodating portion 42 for heating, and as shown in FIG. 11 for cooling. The cooling fan 58 may be attached to the limonene accommodating portion 42 to blow air.
Further, if the radiation fins 59 are additionally provided, the cooling efficiency can be improved. By feeding back the result of measuring the temperature of the limonene accommodating portion, more accurate volatilization amount control can be performed.

It is naturally conceivable to control both the NO _x concentration of the air introduced into the machine and the temperature inside the machine to control the volatilization amount (replenishment amount) of limonene. In that case, the above respective configurations should be combined. do it.

[0069]

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, N is provided in the inflow path of the means for inflowing the external air into the machine.
Since the O _x decomposition means and / or the NO _x adsorption means is provided, it is possible to prevent abnormal images such as image blurring and white spots due to NO _x outside the machine. Especially in order to combining these, as described in claim 4, if a volatile NO _x decomposition agent and NO _x removal filter if placed near each other, it can be realized prevention of prolonged abnormal image.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect,
An adjusting device is installed for the volatilization amount of the volatile NO _x decomposing agent, and the adjusting device is controlled based on at least one detection result for the image forming operation, the operation of the air inflowing means, the NO _x concentration in the inflowing air and the in-machine temperature. Therefore, the volatile NO _x decomposing agent can be appropriately and effectively operated, and wasteful consumption can be suppressed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 is also provided with at least one of an opening adjusting device, a heating device, and a cooling device for the container that stores the volatile NO _x decomposing agent.
The volatile NO _x decomposer can be made to work properly and effectively.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 7,
Against NO _x decomposition means, because the life determination means is attached, it can prevent a problem of causing the generation of abnormal images can not recognize the service life of the NO _x decomposition means.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 8,
The life determination means volatile NO _x decomposer opening adjuster and volatile NO _x decomposition agent container containing the assembled and accumulated operation time of the image forming apparatus, starting from the time the replacement of the volatile NO _x decomposition agent and means for counting either the cumulative opening time of the air inflow time or aperture adjusting device provided, since the lifetime determination of the NO _x decomposition agent on the basis of the count value, the volatile NO _x decomposers in a simple and inexpensive mechanism You can judge the life.

According to the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect,
Volatile NO _x , means for detecting deterioration of NO _x removal filter
It has a means for replenishing the decomposing agent and a means for controlling the replenishing amount, and is configured to control the replenishing amount of the volatile NO _x decomposing agent according to the degree of deterioration of the filter obtained by the deterioration detecting means. Therefore, by using the volatile NO _x decomposing agent in a form of compensating for the deterioration of the NO _x removing filter, the decomposing agent can be used in proper amounts without waste.

According to the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect, the cumulative operating time of the image forming apparatus is started from the time when the means for measuring the NO _x concentration in the air after passing through the NO _x removing filter and the filter is replaced. Alternatively, a means for counting either the air inflow time is provided, and the deterioration of the NO _x removal filter is judged based on the measured NO _x concentration or the count value, so that the deterioration of the filter can be judged by a simple and inexpensive mechanism.

According to the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect, at least one of an opening adjusting device, a heating device, and a cooling device is attached to a container containing the volatile NO _x decomposing agent. Since the supply amount of the volatile NO _x decomposition agent is controlled, it is possible to easily and appropriately adjust the supply of the decomposition agent.

[0076] According to the image forming apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, when the NO _x decomposition means or NO _x removal filter is determined to be life, the display unit is operating section for performing a display to that effect Since it is provided, it is possible to prevent the trouble that causes the generation of an abnormal image despite the life of each means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of a color copying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the photoconductor / intermediate transfer belt of the apparatus of FIG.

3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air blowing system of the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a layout view of a NO _x decomposing agent arranged in the blower system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an opening / closing mechanism for adjusting the volatilization amount of a NO _x decomposition agent.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of measuring the remaining amount of a NO _x decomposing agent.

7A and 7B are conceptual views showing another example of an opening / closing mechanism for adjusting the volatilization amount of a NO _x decomposing agent, FIG. 7A is a front view between a NO _x decomposing agent containing portion and a duct, and FIG. It is a top view.

FIG. 8 is a layout view of a filter as a NO _x adsorbing means in the air blowing system.

FIG. 9 is an arrangement diagram when a NO _x decomposing agent and a filter are used together.

FIG. 10 is a layout view of heating means.

FIG. 11 is a layout view of cooling means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 40 Charging Fan 41 Duct 42 Limonene Housing 43 Limonene

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Agency reference number FI Technical display location B01D 53/81

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a means for allowing external air to flow into the apparatus, wherein an NO _x decomposing means and / or a NO _x adsorbing means is provided in an inflow path of the air inflowing means. . 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a volatile NO _x decomposing agent is arranged in the inflow path. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a NO _x removal filter that allows inflowing air to pass through is arranged in the inflowing path. 4. Volatile NO _{x in the} vicinity of the NO _x removal filter
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a decomposing agent. 5. An image forming operation, an operation of an air inflow means, which is provided with an adjusting device for the volatilization amount of the volatile NO _x decomposing agent,
The control means is configured to be controlled based on at least one detection result for the NO _x concentration in the inflowing air and the in-machine temperature.
The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 6. The container according to claim 5, wherein at least one of an opening adjusting device, a heating device and a cooling device is attached to the container containing the volatile NO _x decomposing agent. Image forming apparatus. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a life determining unit for the NO _x decomposing unit. 8. Install the life determination means volatile NO _x decomposer opening adjuster and volatile NO _x decomposition agent container containing the image forming starting from replacement time of the volatile NO _x decomposition agent An image forming apparatus comprising means for counting any one of the cumulative operating time of the apparatus, the air inflow time, and the cumulative opening time of the opening adjusting apparatus, and determining the life of the NO _x decomposing agent based on the count value. 9. A means for detecting deterioration of the NO _x removal filter, a means for replenishing the volatile NO _x decomposing agent, and a means for controlling the amount of replenishment, which are provided according to the degree of deterioration of the filter obtained by the detecting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to control the supply amount of the volatile NO _x decomposing agent. 10. A means for measuring the NO _x concentration in the air after passing through the NO _x removal filter, and a means for counting either the cumulative operating time of the image forming apparatus or the air inflow time starting from the time when the filter is replaced. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided, and the deterioration of the NO _x removal filter is determined based on the measured NO _x concentration or the count value. 11. A container for storing a volatile NO _x decomposing agent is provided with at least one of an opening adjusting device, a heating device and a cooling device for controlling the supply amount of the volatile NO _x decomposing agent. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the NO _x decomposing unit is determined to have reached the end of its life, a display unit for displaying that fact is provided in the operation unit. . 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the NO _x removal filter is determined to have reached the end of its life, a display section for displaying that fact is provided in the operation section. .