JPH08166722A - Carrier liquid vapor recovering device in wet type image forming device and the wet type image forming device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To excellently reuse a recovered carrier liquid by recovering/liquefying carrier liquid vapor generated in a fixing part, etc., and separating water from the obtained liquid and to smoothly recover vapor by arranging a fan for recovering the vapor in a proper position. CONSTITUTION: Air including solvent vapor in a solvent vapor collecting chamber 21 formed in such a manner that the fixing part and a paper ejecting part are covered with a cover member 20 is sucked by a sucking fan 25 through a first duct part 23 and a liquefying part 24 and the solvent vapor and the steam are liquefied by the liquefying part 24, to flow down in the liquid receiver 30 of a separating part 29 installed in the lower part by gravity. A solvent and the water are separated by the separating part 29 and stored in storage tanks 31 and 32 respectively. Since the sucking fan 25 contacts only with the air from which the solvent vapor is removed by the liquefying, the decrease of recovery efficiency caused by the sticking of the solvent to the fan is prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wet image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile and a printer, which uses a wet developing device, and more specifically, a carrier liquid is discharged from a recording material such as a transfer paper on which a toner image is formed. The present invention relates to an improvement of a carrier liquid vapor recovery device that recovers carrier liquid vapor from a fixing device to be evaporated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various proposals have been made for this type of carrier liquid vapor recovery apparatus. For example, JP-A-48
In the '82835 publication, the liquid developer carrier liquid vapor generated in the copying machine is sucked and collected and introduced into a vapor cooling atomization chamber in which a large box-shaped surface is attached to an exterior plate of the copying machine. However, there has been proposed a developer carrier liquid vapor recovery apparatus that is atomized into droplets and then introduced into a liquefaction chamber for liquefaction. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 48-83838 proposes that the liquid developer carrier liquid liquefied and recovered in the liquefaction chamber is introduced to a developer liquid tank, a carrier liquid replenishment tank, a cleaning liquid supply device, and the like for reuse. There is.
Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 51-66836, hot air from a drying and fixing chamber containing carrier liquid vapor is allowed to pass through one passage of a cross flow type heat exchange means, while carrier liquid is recovered in the other passage of the orthogonal direction. Condensing means for passing low temperature air afterwards to exchange heat between both passages, and mist liquefying means for adsorbing and liquefying the mistified carrier liquid passing through the condensing means through the carrier liquid capturing member. There has been proposed a developer carrier liquid recovery apparatus having the dry fixing chamber, the aggregating means, the mist liquefying means, the aggregating means, and a blower means for sequentially transferring air in the cycle of the dry fixing chamber. Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 49-22145, a storage chamber (tray) for a copy paper (photosensitive paper or transfer paper) after fixing and drying is airtight so that the air flowing in along the sent copy paper is There has been proposed a liquid developing type electrophotographic copying apparatus configured to process carrier vapor and carrier vapor that evaporates continuously in an apparatus.

[0003]

However, when the conventional carrier liquid vapor recovery device is actually adopted in the wet developing device,
When the carrier liquid collected by the apparatus was reused for development, it was confirmed that an abnormal image in which an image partially disappeared was generated. As a result of the inventors' earnest studies on the cause thereof, the carrier liquid recovered and liquefied by the conventional carrier liquid vapor recovery device contains water, and this water constitutes the developer liquid. At the same time, it was found that the latent image charges were supplied to the latent image carrier and leaked. It is considered that such water was evaporated from the paper or the like by heating during fixing and was recovered together with the carrier liquid vapor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to separate water from the recovered carrier liquid so that the recovered carrier liquid can be favorably reused. An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier liquid vapor recovery device in a wet image forming apparatus.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a carrier liquid vapor recovery device in a wet image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention has a portion such as a fixing portion in the device where carrier liquid vapor is likely to be generated. Forming a vapor collection chamber by covering with a cover member so as to be as airtight as possible, forming an air flow outlet from the vapor collection chamber to the vapor liquefaction means side, and
A liquefying means for liquefying the carrier liquid vapor recovered through the airflow outlet and a separating means for separating the liquid produced by the liquefying means into carrier liquid and water are provided, and the liquefying means is provided. An air flow generator for generating an air flow is provided in the passage of the carrier liquid vapor, downstream of the liquefying means in the air flow direction.

A wet image forming apparatus according to a second aspect is the first aspect.
In a wet-type image forming apparatus using the carrier liquid vapor recovery device, the vapor concentration detecting means for detecting the concentration of the carrier liquid vapor in the collection chamber, and the control for interrupting the image forming operation based on the detection result of the detecting means. Means and means are provided.

A wet image forming apparatus according to a third aspect is the first aspect.
In the wet type image forming apparatus using the carrier liquid vapor recovery apparatus, the temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the collecting chamber and the control means for interrupting the image forming operation based on the detection result of the detecting means are provided. It is characterized by that.

A wet image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the first aspect.
In the wet image forming apparatus using the carrier liquid vapor recovery device, an air flow detecting means for detecting the air flow by the air flow generating means, and a control means for interrupting the image forming operation based on the detection result of the detecting means are provided. It is characterized by that.

A wet image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the first aspect.
In the wet image forming apparatus using the carrier liquid vapor recovery apparatus, the liquefying means is cooled by using an air cooling mechanism for air cooling the airflow from the airflow outlet and a refrigerant for further cooling the airflow passing through the air cooling mechanism. It is characterized by being configured with a device.

A wet image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the fifth aspect.
In the wet image forming apparatus, the bottom surface in the duct forming the passage of the airflow cooled by the air cooling mechanism and the cooling device is inclined so that it becomes lower toward the downstream side in the airflow direction. .

A wet image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the sixth aspect.
In the wet image forming apparatus, the inner surface of the duct is formed of a material that is difficult to be wet with the carrier liquid.

A wet image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the fifth aspect.
In the wet image forming apparatus, the air flow path forming member is provided to flow the air flow cooled by the cooling device along the outer surface of the air flow path forming member of the air cooling mechanism.

[0013]

In the carrier liquid vapor recovery device in the wet image forming apparatus of the present invention, a portion such as a fixing portion in the device where carrier liquid vapor is likely to be generated is covered with a cover member so as to be as airtight as possible. The carrier liquid vapor is confined in the vapor collection chamber, and the air flow is discharged from the air flow outlet formed in the vapor collection chamber to the vapor liquefying means side. Then, after liquefying the carrier liquid vapor recovered through the airflow outlet by the liquefying means, the liquid generated by the liquefying means is separated into carrier liquid and water by the separating means.
Here, in the carrier liquid vapor recovery apparatus of the present invention,
As described above, the airflow from the airflow outlet of the vapor collection chamber to the liquefaction means is generated by the airflow generation device provided downstream of the liquefaction means in the airflow direction. As a result, the constituent members located in the air flow path of the air flow generation device are brought into contact with the air flow whose concentration of the carrier liquid vapor is reduced by the amount of the carrier liquid vapor removed by the liquefaction by the liquefaction means.

The wet image forming apparatus according to the second to fourth aspects is intended to prevent problems such as a malfunction of the air flow generating device and a stop of the flow due to the entry of foreign matter into the path. That is, when the air flow generation device is out of order, for example, when the air flow cannot be generated due to a failure, the concentration of the carrier liquid vapor in the collection chamber is excessively increased, and the gap of the cover member constituting the collection chamber or the transfer paper entering / leaving The openings and the like leak out of the collection chamber, making it impossible to recover the carrier liquid vapor. Further, the carrier liquid vapor is condensed on the inner surface of the cover member that constitutes the collection chamber to form droplets, and the droplets drop on the transfer paper passing through the fixing device or the like, and an abnormal image is displayed. It also turned out to be possible. Further, when the temperature of the collecting chamber is excessively increased due to the heat generated from the fixing device and the temperature of the covering member and the like which constitutes the collecting chamber also rises and a jam occurs at this timing, the jammed paper is removed. Processing becomes difficult.

Therefore, in the wet image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the concentration of the carrier liquid vapor in the collection chamber is detected by the vapor concentration detecting means, and based on the detection result, the image forming operation is performed by the control means as needed. To suspend. This prevents the occurrence of the above problems.

Further, in the wet image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the temperature inside the collecting chamber is detected by the temperature detecting means, and based on the detection result, the image forming operation is interrupted by the control means as needed. This prevents the occurrence of the above problems.

Further, in the wet image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the air flow detecting means detects the air flow by the air flow generating means, and based on the detection result, the control means interrupts the image forming operation as necessary. This prevents the occurrence of the above problems.

In the wet type image forming apparatus of claim 5,
Before the air flow containing the carrier liquid vapor is cooled by the cooling device using the refrigerant, the air flow is air-cooled by the air cooling mechanism from the air flow outlet, and the load on the cooling device is reduced accordingly.

According to another aspect of the wet image forming apparatus of the present invention,
The carrier liquid vapor in the airflow cooled by the air-cooling mechanism and the cooling device is condensed and adheres to the inner surface of the duct forming the passage of the airflow cooled by these, and travels along the side surface and collects on the bottom surface. Then, it flows down toward the separating means side on the bottom surface which is inclined so as to become lower toward the downstream side in the air flow direction.

In the wet type image forming apparatus of claim 7,
Since the inner surface of the duct is formed of a material that is difficult to be wet with the carrier liquid, the liquid droplets of the carrier liquid that have been liquefied and adhered to the inner surface are transmitted to the bottom surface by their own weight to the bottom surface thereof,
Further, it quickly flows down on the bottom surface toward the separating means.

In the wet image forming apparatus according to claim 8,
The airflow that has been cooled by the cooling device, by flowing along the outer surface of the air flow path forming member of the air cooling mechanism,
The air cooling effect by the air cooling mechanism is enhanced. (Hereinafter, margin)

[0022]

EXAMPLE An example in which the present invention is applied to a wet color electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine) which is a wet image forming apparatus will be described below. FIG. 1A is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the copying machine according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B shows the internal structure of the carrier liquid vapor recovery apparatus main body portion arranged on the right side of the copying machine. It is a right view shown. This copying machine has a plurality of photoconductors 10 corresponding to a plurality of colors, forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of each photoconductor by an electrophotographic method, and develops the electrostatic latent image by a wet developing unit 11. Then
After being transferred to a transfer sheet and fixed by a fixing section having a heat roller pair 12, the sheet is discharged to a sheet discharge section having a sheet discharge tray 13 to make a color copy. Here, the developing section uses a developing solution in which toner is dispersed in a solvent as a carrier solution.
As this solvent, an organic solvent such as an isoparaffin type having a high volume resistivity, for example, Isopar (trade name) manufactured by Exxon Co. is used. The copying machine shown in the figure uses a conveyor belt 14 to convey the transfer paper so as to sequentially face the plurality of photoconductors.

The carrier liquid vapor recovery device of this copying machine is
In the solvent vapor collection chamber 21 formed by covering the fixing unit and the paper discharge unit with a cover member 20 so as to be in a sealed state as much as possible,
Keep the solvent vapor generated by the fixing operation trapped,
The first duct part as an air cooling mechanism for inclining the air containing the solvent vapor in the collection chamber 21 so that it is connected to the exhaust port 22 and becomes lower toward the downstream side of the air flow, and cools the high temperature air from the collection chamber 21 by air. 23 and a liquefying section 24 provided at the end of the duct section, and suction is performed by a suction fan 25 as an air flow generating device. The liquefying unit 24 liquefies the solvent vapor and water vapor contained in the passing air, as will be described later in detail. The air blown out from the suction fan 25 in response to this liquefaction process passes through the second duct portion 26 that guides the air along the outer wall of the first duct 23, and through the auxiliary exhaust fan 27 installed as necessary. Exhaust outside the aircraft.

The solvent and water liquefied in the liquefying section are separated from the solvent and water by the weight of the solvent and water through the flow-down port 28 provided in the bottom wall of the liquefying section 24.
Flowing into the liquid receiver 30 of. As will be described later in detail, the separation unit 29 separates the solvent and water into the storage tanks 31 and 32, respectively. The solvent stored in the solvent storage tank 31 can be reused in the developing section 11 and the cleaning section of the copying machine body.

The liquefaction unit 24 performs a liquefaction process by cooling. For this cooling, a fin ever having a plurality of fins 33 is provided above the flow-down port 28 in the liquefaction unit, and the compressor 34 is connected with a refrigerant pipe 35. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the connection relationship. As shown in this figure, the fin ever has its fin 3
It is desirable that 3 is provided so as to be parallel to the flow of the air flow A generated by the suction fan 25.

In the above liquefying section 24, the air that has been air-cooled to some extent in the first duct section 23 is cooled with a refrigerant to a temperature at which the solvent and water can be sufficiently liquefied. This allows
A solvent or the like is attached as droplets to the fins 33 and the inner wall surface of the liquefaction portion, and is collected in the downflow port 28 by its own weight.

In this embodiment, since the suction fan 25 is arranged on the downstream side of the liquefying section 24 in the air flow direction, the blades of the fan, which is a component located in the air flow path of the air flow generation device, are not provided. The liquefaction by the liquefaction unit 24 causes the solvent and the like to come into contact with the air stream. Therefore, the suction fan 25
On the contrary, as compared with the case where it is provided on the upstream side of the liquefying unit 25 in the air flow direction, the amount of dew condensation of the solvent or the like on the surface of the above-mentioned constituent members is small, and the air flow from the air flow outlet 22 of the collecting chamber 21 to the liquefying unit 25 The used solvent can be efficiently transported.

Further, in this example, since the fan 25 is arranged on the downstream side in the air flow direction with respect to the fin group of the above fins ever, the cooling effect is improved as compared with the case where it is arranged on both sides in the air flow direction. Can be raised. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the air flow when the arrangement is reversed from that of this example for comparison. As can be seen from this figure, in this case, the fan 2
Since the blowout of No. 5 is performed within the cross section corresponding to the diameter of the fan, the air flow becomes insufficient at the peripheral edge portion of the fin 33 of the fin ever. On the other hand, in this example, as shown in FIG. 3B, since the fins 33 of the fin ever are located on the suction side of the fan 25, the airflow along the inner wall of the first duct portion 23 is directed to the peripheral portion of the fins 33. It can be effectively contacted.

Further, as described above, the air from the collection chamber 21 is air-cooled in the first duct portion 23, and the first duct portion 23
Liquefied droplets, especially easily liquefied water droplets, also adhere to the inner wall surface of the. Such droplets flow down by their own weight along the bottom wall surface of the first duct portion 23 inclined so as to become lower toward the downstream in the air flow direction, and quickly gather on the liquefaction portion 24 side. In addition, the air discharged to the outside of the machine through the liquefaction unit 24 is transferred to the first duct unit 2
Since the air is passed through the second duct portion 26 along the outer wall of No. 3, the preliminary cooling and liquefaction of the air by the first duct portion 23 can be promoted. As a result, the size of the cooling device using the refrigerant can be reduced.

It is desirable that the first duct portion 23 and the inner surfaces of the members constituting the collecting chamber 21 are made of resin or non-rust metal (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) in order to prevent rust caused by water droplets. . Further, in order to facilitate the movement of the liquid droplets due to its own weight, it is desirable that the inner wall surface be water repellent.

Here, in order to make it difficult for a part or the whole surface of the fin 33 to be wet with a solvent, it is desirable to perform oil repellent treatment. As the oil repellent, for example, tetrafluoroethylene,
Ethylene trifluoride, vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene-6-fluoropropyne copolymer, IH-pentadecafluoroctyl methacrylate, perfluorinated lauric acid, vinyl chloride, perfluorinated alcohol, perfluor Examples thereof include alkyl ester polymers and fluorine-containing hydroxy unsaturated esters. When such an oil repellent is applied to form an oil repellent coating layer, the solvent can be repelled by the layer. As a method for applying the oil repellent, a method suitable for the oil repellent may be adopted. For example, I
In the case of H-pentadecafluoroctyl metaacrylate, it may be diluted with a volatile solvent and sprayed. In this case, the coating layer is formed as the solvent evaporates.

By thus forming at least a part of the surface of the fin 33 with a material which is hard to be wetted by the solvent, the surface of the fin 33 is spaced apart from the surface of another member (such as the adjacent fin 33). Even in the case of a structure in which they face each other, the gap is partially filled with the vapor droplets attached to the fin surface, which does not hinder the passage of the air flow. Therefore, the liquefaction effect by cooling can be stably exhibited over time.

The separating unit 29 separates water and solvent by utilizing the difference in specific gravity between them. For this separation, as shown in FIG. 4, the liquid receiver 30 having an opening on the upper side and having an overflow port 30a on the side wall, and the overflow port 3 are provided.
0a from the outside, an overflow liquid guide member 40 for receiving the overflow liquid from the inside and guiding it to the solvent storage tank 31, and the overflow port 30a.
Liquid outlet 30 of liquid container 30 formed at a lower position than
A drainage pipe 41 is provided to connect b with the water storage tank 32.

In the drain pipe 41, the uppermost position 41a of the inner bottom wall at the end portion on the water storage tank side is made to coincide with the overflow liquid level H formed at the lower end position of the overflow port 30a. The pipe portion between the liquid receiver drain port 30b and the liquid receiver drain port 30b is lower than the overflow liquid level H. The opening of the water storage tank 32 is provided with an on-off valve 42, which is a set of the tank 32 and is operated by the collar portion 32a of the liquid receiving port of the tank. Further, a sensor 43 for detecting the set state of the tank 32 is provided. Further, a water injection port 50 is formed at the end portion on the water storage tank side so that the opening is higher than the uppermost position. A holder 52 holding a filter 51 for preventing dust passage from the water injection opening 50 is inserted into the pipe. Such a dust passage preventing filter 51 may be provided at another portion of the pipe, for example, at an end opening on the water storage tank side.

The overflow port 30a has a hole diameter of 2
A mesh 44 that fits within the range of 0 μm to 200 μm is fitted. The mesh 44 has a property of allowing a solvent to pass therethrough and not allowing water to pass therethrough. It is considered that the fact that such a mesh 44 can be used for separating the solvent of the developing solution and the water is caused by the difference in the wettability of the solvent and the water with respect to the mesh 44. Suitable materials for this mesh include stainless steel, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, tetron, glass, and fluororesin. The mesh 44 is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a portion 45 of the peripheral wall of the liquid receiver 30 in which the overflow port is formed is located below the portion 45. It is desirable that it can be easily replaced by being configured so that it can be detached from and used as the holder member.

In this example, the flow-out port 2 of the liquefaction section 24
8 is attached to the structure of the liquefying section 23 so that the liquid can smoothly flow down from 8 to the liquid surface in the liquid receiver 30, and the freely movable lower end reaches below the overflow liquid H. 51 is provided.

In the above separating unit 29, when the apparatus is installed, water is injected from the water inlet 50 into the intermediate portion of the drainage pipe 41 which is located lower than the overflow liquid level H, and the water is received in advance in the liquid receiver 30. This water is introduced and the water level is set to a level slightly lower than the overflow liquid level H.
In this state, the liquid receiver 30 receives the mixed liquid of the solvent and water from the above-described flow-down port 28 of the liquefying unit 24. The mixed liquid received in the container is separated in the container 30 by the specific gravity so that the liquid layer of the solvent is on the upper side. Then, the solvent in the solvent liquid layer above the overflow liquid level H overflows from the overflow port, and the overflow liquid guide member 40
It is accommodated in the solvent storage tank 31 through. While receiving the liquid from the liquefying unit 24, separating the solvent and water due to the difference in specific gravity, and overflowing the separated solvent, the liquid receiver 30 is sandwiched with the intermediate portion of the drain pipe 41 interposed therebetween. Side and the uppermost position 41 of the end of the drainage pipe
The liquid level tries to balance with the a side. That is, when the amount of liquid in the liquid receiver increases, the liquid level at the end of the drain pipe on the side of the water storage tank also tends to rise. However, the uppermost position 41a at this end is an overflow position to the water storage tank side, and water that exceeds the overflow position is overflowed and stored in the water storage tank. Moreover, the highest value 41a coincides with the overflow liquid level in the liquid receiver 30. As a result, the liquid level in the liquid receiver 30 is maintained substantially at the overflow liquid level, and the relationship that only the liquid layer of the solvent formed by the separation due to the difference in specific gravity in the liquid receiver faces the overflow port 30a is maintained. It

Even if the water level in the liquid receiver (the position of the interface between the solvent and the water) exceeds the overflow liquid level H for some reason, the mesh 44 prevents the water overflow, so that the solvent storage tank. It is possible to reliably prevent water from entering the inside. In addition, by positively utilizing the selective permeation function of the mesh 44, the uppermost position 41a of the end portion of the drainage pipe is set so that the interface between the solvent and water in the liquid receiver is higher than the overflow liquid level. May be set.

Further, the liquid falling from the downflow port 28 of the liquefaction unit 24 gently flows down along the chain 51 and reaches the liquid pool in the liquid receiver 30, so that the liquid pool from the downflow port 28 is collected. Unlike the case of dropping directly onto the top, bubbles are less likely to be generated in the liquid pool, and the difference in specific gravity in the liquid pool allows rapid separation of the solvent and water. Furthermore, this chain 51
Since the free end is deformable, when the liquid receiver 30 is configured to be detachable from the inside of the apparatus, it does not interfere with the detaching operation.

It should be noted that the level L at which the water in the drainage pipe evaporates after being left for a long time and the space between the liquid receiver side and the water storage tank side communicates with the bottom of the drainage pipe 40 sandwiched between them.
Until the water level (the position of the interface between the solvent and water) drops,
The solvent received by the liquefaction unit 24 by the subsequent solvent recovery operation enters the water storage tank 32 side from the lowermost part of the drainage pipe 41. This solvent rises inside the drainage pipe 41 on the side of the water storage tank 32 as the liquid level rises due to the subsequent reception of water from the liquefaction unit 24, and eventually mixes into the water storage tank 32. In order to prevent such a situation, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), it has an outer shape that can be fitted into the drain port of the liquid receiver 30,
In addition, it is desirable that the float plug member 46 having a specific gravity between that of the solvent and that of water be placed in the liquid receiver 30.

The float plug member 46 cannot be floated so as not to come into contact with the bottom of the liquid receiver 30 by the buoyancy of only the solvent due to the setting of the specific gravity. Therefore, at least a part of the liquid is present in the liquid receiver 30 so as to be submerged in the liquid layer, and the liquid is lowered with the decrease of the water level in the liquid receiver 30,
When the water level drops to a certain extent, the drain port is fitted to seal the drain port. Even if the water level in the drain pipe 40 drops after the drain port is sealed in this way, the solvent remaining in the liquid receiver 30 cannot pass through the drain port.
This can prevent the above-mentioned problems.

By using such a floating plug member 46, when the floating plug member 46 is fitted into the discharge port, it is ensured that no solvent has entered below the fitting portion of both. In order to realize the above condition, a part of the float stopper member 46 is submerged in the liquid layer of water, and the remaining part is completely submerged in the liquid layer of the solvent. The volume of the floating member 46 that is submerged therein is minimized), and the discharge port portion is arranged so that a position higher than the position corresponding to the interface between both liquid layers in the float member is the fitting position with the discharge port portion. It is desirable to set the shape of the float stopper member and the specific gravity of the float stopper material.

Further, for example, in the illustrated example, the float plug member 46 has a spherical shape so that it can be fitted into the funnel-shaped liquid receiver discharge port portion, but a weight or the like is incorporated at a position deviated from the center of the inside. When the floating posture is restricted by such a method, the outer shape part which is to be fitted to the discharge port portion may be formed into a shape that can be fitted to the discharge port portion.

Further, in order to prevent the water in the drainage pipe from spoiling and generating an offensive odor, an ultraviolet irradiation device for sterilizing the water in the drainage pipe is provided, or water is injected during the water injection. You may mix a preservative. When ultraviolet rays are irradiated from outside the pipe, of course, at least the irradiation portion of the drainage pipe is made of a material that allows ultraviolet rays to pass through.

A sensor 60 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the water level in the water storage tank 32 is provided to generate a signal when the tank is full, and the signal is used to drive the display device or the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, it is desirable to stop the operation of the carrier vapor recovery device.

Further, a sensor for detecting the liquid level in the liquid receiver 30 is provided so that when the liquid level reaches a prescribed liquid level, for example, a liquid level at which there is a risk of liquid leakage to the outside of the liquid receiver 30, It is desirable to stop the copying operation and the solvent recovery operation of.

Further, it is desirable to float a sheet made of an oleophilic material on the water surface in the water storage tank 32 so that the solvent mixed for some reason is adsorbed in the water storage tank. As the new oily sheet material, a water repellent and lipophilic sheet, for example, a non-woven sheet made of polyethylene fiber or polypropylene fiber can be used.

Further, a drain 62 (see FIG. 4) for discharging the liquid may be provided in connection with the lower portion of the solvent storage tank 31, or a similar drain may be provided in the water storage tank 32. Instead of or in addition to providing such a drain 62, a pump for pumping out the liquid is provided in these tanks 3.
You may provide in 1,32.

Further, the upper part itself in the water storage tank 32 or the other end of the communication pipe having one end connected thereto is opened to the outside of the copying machine to evaporate the water vapor in the tank and always keep the water vapor out of the apparatus. It may be possible to release it. In this case, a heater for heating the water in the water storage tank 32 or an ultrasonic vibration device may be provided to accelerate the evaporation.

Further, the heat dissipation portion 63 of the compressor 31
(See FIG. 4) may be cooled by the water in the water storage tank 32.

Further, a sensor 61 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the liquid level is provided in the solvent storage tank 31, a signal is generated when the tank is full, and the signal is used to drive the display device or form an image. It is desirable to stop the operation of the device or carrier vapor recovery device.

The inner surface of the solvent storage tank 31 and the water storage tank 32, and the liquid contact portion of the member forming the separation portion 24 are made of a material that does not easily rust, such as resin or a metal that does not rust (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.). ) Is desirable.

In this embodiment, solvent vapor concentration detecting means is provided in the collecting chamber 21 so that the copying operation is interrupted or the next copying operation is prohibited when the detected concentration exceeds a certain specified value. It is desirable to control to. Also,
It is desirable to provide a sensor for detecting the temperature inside the collection chamber 21, and control the copying operation to be interrupted or the next copying operation to be prohibited when the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined value.

According to such control, the suction fan 25
It is possible to prevent the following problems due to an excessive increase in the solvent concentration or an increase in the temperature in the collection chamber 21 due to the malfunction of the above. That is, the concentration of the solvent vapor in the collection chamber 21 is excessively increased, and the gaps of the covering members and the openings for transferring the transfer paper into and out of the collection chamber 21 leak to the outside of the collection chamber, and the solvent vapor is collected. Becomes impossible. In addition, the solvent vapor is condensed on the inner surface of the cover 20 that constitutes the collection chamber 21 to form droplets, and the droplets drop onto the transfer paper passing through the fixing unit or the like, and an abnormal image is displayed. Can cause. Further, when the suction fan 25 is out of order, the temperature inside the collection chamber 21 rises excessively due to the heat generated from the fixing device and the like, and the cover 20 that constitutes the collection chamber 21.
When the jam occurs at this timing, the jam paper removal process becomes difficult. Such a problem can be prevented.

Further, a sensor 63 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the flow of air in the collecting chamber 21 is provided in the air flow path from the collection chamber 21 to the liquefaction section 24 or in the air flow path after the liquefaction section. It may be controlled so that the copying operation can be executed only when the flow is equal to or more than the specified value. 6 (a), 6 (b)
Shows a configuration example of the sensor 63. In this configuration example, a detected member having a blade portion 63a for receiving the air flow A and a detected portion 63b is rotatably attached to a shaft 63c, and the fact that the member swings by the air flow A is detected by the sensor main body 63d.
It is designed to detect with. Even with such control, the above-mentioned problem can be prevented. Further, solidification of the refrigerant can be prevented by continuously operating the cooling device using the refrigerant of the liquefying section 24 in the absence of the air flow. (Hereinafter, margin)

[0056]

According to the carrier liquid vapor recovery apparatus in the wet image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the recovered and liquefied liquid is separated into carrier liquid and water, so that only the carrier liquid containing no water is used. Can be extracted. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that the recovered carrier liquid can be favorably reused.

Further, by providing the predetermined air flow generating means on the downstream side in the air flow direction with respect to the liquefying means, the carrier liquid vapor is removed by the liquefying by the liquefying means for the constituent members located in the air flow path of the air flow generating device. Since it is made to come into contact with the air flow whose concentration of the vapor is reduced by the amount, the carrier liquid on the surface of the above-mentioned constituent member is compared with the case where such an air flow generation device is provided upstream of the liquefying means in the air flow direction. There is an excellent effect that vapor condensation is small and efficient carrier liquid transfer using the air flow from the air flow outlet of the collection chamber to the liquefaction means becomes possible.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 2,
Since the concentration of the carrier liquid vapor in the collection chamber is detected by the vapor concentration detecting means and the image forming operation is prohibited if necessary, it is possible to prevent the trouble caused by the excessive increase of the concentration due to the malfunction of the air flow generating means.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 3,
Since the temperature inside the collection chamber is detected by the vapor concentration detecting means and the image forming operation is prohibited if necessary, it is possible to prevent a malfunction due to an excessive rise in the temperature due to a malfunction of the air flow generating means.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 4,
The air flow in the air flow path is detected by the air flow detection means, and the image forming operation is prohibited if necessary. Therefore, it is possible to prevent problems due to the retention of the air flow due to a malfunction of the air flow generation means.

According to the wet image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the airflow is cooled from the airflow outlet by the air cooling mechanism, and the load on the cooling apparatus can be reduced accordingly, so that the cooling apparatus can be downsized. You can

According to the sixth aspect of the wet image forming apparatus, the bottom surface of the duct forming the passage of the airflow cooled by the air cooling mechanism and the cooling device is inclined so that it becomes lower toward the downstream side in the airflow direction. Since the droplets of the carrier liquid that have condensed on the inner surface of the duct and have flowed down to the bottom surface are quickly flown down toward the separating means side, it is possible to suppress the evaporation of the once liquefied carrier liquid as much as possible, and efficiently. The carrier liquid can be transported to the separating means. Therefore, the recovery and liquefaction of the carrier liquid vapor and the separation of the carrier liquid and water can be performed quickly and efficiently.

According to the wet image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, the inner surface of the duct is formed of a material which is hard to be wet with the carrier liquid, and the liquid droplets of the carrier liquid liquefied and adhered to the inner surface are liquefied.
Since the carrier liquid vapor can be quickly flowed down to the separating means side, the carrier liquid vapor can be recovered, liquefied, and the carrier liquid and water can be separated more rapidly and efficiently.

According to the wet image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, since the airflow cooled by the cooling device is used to enhance the air cooling effect by the air cooling mechanism, the air cooling mechanism assists the cooling device. Can be performed even better.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a front view schematically showing the inside of a copying machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 3B is a right side view schematically showing the inside of the solvent recovery apparatus main body of the copying machine.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a cooling fin of the solvent recovery device.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are explanatory views of an air flow change due to a positional relationship between a cooling fin and a suction fan.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the solvent recovery apparatus.

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of components of the solvent recovery apparatus.
(B) is sectional drawing of the assembly state of the same component. (C) is explanatory drawing of other components of the said solvent recovery apparatus.

6A and 6B are explanatory views of a configuration example of an air flow sensor used in the solvent recovery apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Photoconductor 11 Development Part 12 Development Roller 20 Cover 21 Collection Chamber 22 Discharge Port 23 First Duct Part 24 Liquefaction Part 25 Suction Fan 26 Second Duct Part 28 Downflow Port 29 Separation Part 30 Liquid Receptor 30a Overflow Port 30b Discharge Port 31 Solvent storage tank 32 Water storage tank 33 Cooling fin 34 Compressor 35 Refrigerant pipe 40 Overflow liquid receiving member 41 Drain pipe 44 Mesh 50 Water injection port 51 Dust removal mesh 60 Liquid level sensor 61 Liquid level sensor 63 Compressor heat radiation part 64 Airflow sensor

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI Technical display location G03G 21/00 538 (72) Inventor Katsuaki Miyawaki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stocks Company Ricoh

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A carrier liquid vapor recovery apparatus in a wet image forming apparatus, wherein a portion such as a fixing portion in the apparatus where carrier liquid vapor is likely to be generated is covered with a cover member so as to be as airtight as possible, and a vapor collection chamber. And a liquefaction means for liquefying the carrier liquid vapor collected from the vapor collection chamber to the vapor liquefaction means side and liquefying the carrier liquid vapor recovered through the airflow outlet, and the liquefaction means The liquid is provided with a separating means for separating the carrier liquid and water, and in the passage of the carrier liquid vapor in which the liquefying means is arranged,
A carrier liquid vapor recovery device in a wet image forming apparatus, characterized in that an air flow generation device for generating an air flow is provided on the downstream side of the liquefaction means in the air flow direction. 2. A wet image forming apparatus using the carrier liquid vapor recovery device according to claim 1, based on vapor concentration detection means for detecting the concentration of the carrier liquid vapor in the collection chamber, and the detection result of the detection means. A wet image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that interrupts the image forming operation. 3. A wet image forming apparatus using the carrier liquid vapor recovery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image forming operation is performed based on a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the collecting chamber and a detection result of the detecting means. A wet image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit for interrupting. 4. A wet image forming apparatus using the carrier liquid vapor recovery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image forming operation is performed based on an air flow detecting means for detecting an air flow by said air flow generating means, and a detection result of said detecting means. A wet image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit for interrupting the operation. 5. A wet image forming apparatus using the carrier liquid vapor recovery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquefying means is an air cooling mechanism for air cooling the air stream from the air stream outlet, and an air stream passing through the air cooling mechanism. A wet image forming apparatus comprising a cooling device using a cooling medium for cooling. 6. The wet image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the bottom surface in the duct forming the passage of the air flow cooled by the air cooling mechanism and the cooling device is inclined so as to become lower toward the downstream side in the air flow direction. A wet image forming apparatus characterized by the above. 7. The wet image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the inner surface of the duct is formed of a material that is hard to be wet with a carrier liquid. 8. The wet image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an air flow passage forming member for flowing the air flow cooled by the cooling device along an outer surface of the air flow passage forming member of the air cooling mechanism. Characteristic wet image forming apparatus.