JPH09138619A - Image forming device provided with ozone treatment means - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve processing efficiency, to miniaturize and simplify a device constitution, to prolong the service life of a filter and to facilitate exchange operation in the photodecomposition of ozone collected through a duct and filter treatment. SOLUTION: A light-transmitting member 101d is provided at a part of the wall surface of a duct means 101 and an ozone flow in the duct is irradiated with light emitted from a light source 103 through the light-transmitting member to be subjected to the photodecomposition. The ozone flow is sucked by an exhausting fan 100 and the ozone not subjected to photodecomposition is removed by an ozone filter 102 and then is exhausted. Ultraviolet rays (not show in Figure) emitted from a part of a fluorescent lamp and contributing image- formation may be used as the light source. A resistance imparting means (not shown in Figure) may be provided so as to make the flux distribution of the ozone flow flowing into the ozone filter constant.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser or an LED printer, or a laser or an LED facsimile, which has corona discharge means as a constituent element, and more specifically, to an image forming apparatus therefor. The present invention relates to the image forming apparatus having a processing unit for treating generated ozone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In various image forming apparatuses having corona discharge means as a constituent element, ozone generated during the operation of the corona discharge means is unnecessary, so that ozone is conventionally removed or Many proposals have been made for ozone treatment means for decomposing. As a method for treating ozone, they are decomposed and deodorized by using light, heat, or a catalyst to act on ozone.
As a means for preventing ozone from being emitted to the outside of the image forming apparatus and for efficiently performing these processes, a means for transporting and collecting ozone between the ozone source and the ozone source is used.

Among the conventional ozone removing techniques, there are the following techniques for using light. FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-62054 as an example of the conventional technique, and FIG. 36 (B) is a side view of the device. In FIG. 36, the air containing ozone generated by the charger 501 is sucked by the exhaust fan 506 through the duct 504 and the ozone filter 505. On the other hand, a duct 504a is provided branching from the duct 504 to the side of the photoconductor 502 and having an open portion near the photoconductor, and a discharge lamp 503 is arranged in the middle of the branched duct. The light from the static elimination lamp 503 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor surface 502 to remove electric charges, and irradiates a part of the light inside the duct 504 in which the air 507 containing ozone flows. Then, the irradiated light decomposes ozone.

However, according to this method, when the exhaust fan 506 shown in FIG. 36A is operated, the air 512 around the photoconductor 2 is drawn from the opening provided on the photoconductor 2 side of the duct surrounding the static elimination lamp 503. (See FIG. 36B), the suction force for sucking the ozone generated by the charger 501 to generate the ozone flow 507 is insufficient, and the charger 50
Ozone around 1 is not sufficiently sucked and ozone cannot be sent to the ozone filter 505. On the other hand, if it is attempted to increase the exhaust output of the exhaust fan 506 in order to compensate for the lack of ozone suction force, the exhaust fan 506 becomes large and the exhaust fan noise becomes noticeable. Further, the degree of ozone decomposition or adsorption of the ozone filter depends on the contact time of the ozone-containing air passing through the ozone filter with the portion of the ozone filter that decomposes or adsorbs. That is, since it depends on the air flow velocity, when the exhaust output of the exhaust fan 506 is increased, the flow velocity of the air passing through the ozone filter 505 becomes large, and the degree of decomposition of ozone decreases. Further, since the light source 503 is arranged in the duct 504, the structure of the duct 504 becomes complicated or large, which may result in restriction of the arrangement of the duct.

Further, as shown in FIG. 37, in a device similar to the above-mentioned conventional example, in order to increase the space exposed to the light inside the duct 504, and to improve the decomposition rate of ozone by the light, the duct is divided. It is conceivable to make a change such that the frontage is made large, but the ozone suction force becomes further insufficient as compared with the above-mentioned conventional example.

Further, in a device similar to the above-mentioned conventional example, if ozone is decomposed or adsorbed uniformly in the entire ozone filter, partial deterioration of the ozone filter is reduced and the life of the entire ozone filter is extended. Because you can
As shown in FIG. 38, it is conceivable that air having a uniform ozone concentration is flown to the ozone filter 505 by agitating the air by the exhaust fan 506 on the upstream side of the ozone filter 505. In such a configuration, since the branch duct is arranged between the ozone filter 505 and the ozone suction section of the duct 504, when the exhaust fan 506 is arranged on the upstream side of the branch section 504a of the duct, ozone is not generated. The filter 505 becomes a resistance of the flow path, and a part 513 of the ozone sucked from the opening of the branched duct leaks into the copying machine to deteriorate the photoconductor 2 and other parts in the copying machine 1. . For this reason, the place where the light is introduced inside the duct is limited, the degree of freedom in design is reduced, and if the parts are densely arranged around the photoconductor, the design is hindered. Therefore, if such a system is adopted, the fan becomes large in size and the duct shape becomes complicated, and it is necessary to perform processing such as increasing the rotation speed of the fan and limiting the place where light is introduced. However, there are unfavorable problems such as an increase in size of the apparatus, deterioration of assemblability, noticeable rotation noise of the fan, and reduction in design freedom.

Further, among the conventional ozone removing techniques using light, there are the following techniques using the light of a fluorescent lamp exposure lamp. In the description of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-62054, which can be shown as a conventional example, it is shown that ozone is decomposed by irradiating the inside of the duct with white light emitted from a fluorescent lamp which is a light source for exposure. . However, since this light source is originally for exposure, it uses white light, and the white light emitted from the fluorescent lamp of the exposure light source emits ultraviolet light to the fluorescent substance applied to the inner tube wall of the fluorescent lamp. It emits white light only about 20% of the input when applied, and the ozone decomposition rate is higher than that of white light by ultraviolet light. Therefore, a fluorescent lamp is sufficient for the two purposes of exposure light source and ozone decomposition. It cannot be said that the performance of the is being brought out.

Further, among the conventional ozone removing techniques, there are the following techniques using heat. JP-A-3-94279, which can be cited as a conventional example, discloses a technique in which a heater is provided in the duct to raise the air temperature in the duct by the heat of the heater, and the air temperature is lowered by heat conduction to the outside of the duct. Then, in order to prevent the ozone decomposition efficiency from decreasing, there is disclosed a technique of extending the life of the ozone filter or eliminating the need for the ozone filter by covering the periphery of the duct with a heat insulating material.

However, in this disclosure, the heater as the heating means is provided around or inside the duct, and the temperature control means of the heater is necessary to prevent the parts around the heater such as the duct means from being heated. Is. And if it is simply by irradiating light into the duct,
Ozone is decomposed only in the space irradiated with light.

Further, the present invention relates to a technique for improving the use efficiency of the ozone filter shown in the above-mentioned conventional example, in which the air flow velocity distribution in the cross section of the flow passage is made uniform before the air containing ozone passes through the ozone filter. A technology for realizing the above is disclosed. This is because the ozone decomposition or adsorption performance of the ozone filter depends on the time during which the ozone-containing air passing through the ozone filter comes into contact with the portion of the ozone filter that decomposes or adsorbs. When the air flow rate is constant, it depends on the air flow rate.Therefore, the part of the ozone filter with a slow air flow has a high adsorption or decomposition rate, but the deterioration rate is fast, and the part of the ozone filter with a high air flow rate has a low adsorption or decomposition rate. This is because the deterioration rate is slow and it is necessary to average the flow velocity for efficient use of the entire ozone filter. In one example, a wind shield that blocks air is provided in the high flow velocity region on the upstream side of the ozone filter flow path, and the air in the high flow velocity region is once collected in the slow flow velocity region, and is generated by the high suction force region of the fan. In the flow velocity region, the air flow gathered in the slow flow velocity region is sucked again by the suction force of the fan, and the inertia of the movement of air is added to the slow flow velocity region generated by the low suction force region of the fan,
This is to equalize the flow velocity distribution of the air in the flow path cross section immediately before the ozone filter (JP-A-62-296166). However, in this example, when the wind shield is brought close to the ozone filter, the flow is concentrated in a region that does not face the wind shield of the ozone filter, the effective flow passage cross section is narrowed, and the flow velocity is increased, resulting in the ozone removal rate. The ozone filter and the wind shield must be kept at a certain distance because the ozone filter is partially used. Then, since a vortex is generated behind the wind shield in the flow direction, there is a problem that the flow velocity is unstable with respect to the passage of time and the cross section of the flow path.

In the second example, a mesh filter having a uniform thickness is provided on the upstream side of the ozone filter. When the mesh filter passes through the mesh filter, the air that collides with the mesh portion of the filter inside the mesh filter. In the flow, the flow direction is dissipated, and the flow velocity distribution in the direction perpendicular to the flow path cross section becomes uniform. However, in this example, since the phenomenon that air collides with the mesh portion and the flow direction is dissipated, the effect of equalizing the flow velocity distribution in the mesh filter portion is not so high, and the mesh filter and ozone The problem arises that a considerable distance needs to be provided between the filter and the filter.

In the third example, a plurality of flow rectifying plates or stitch nets are provided on the upstream side of the flow path of the ozone filter to disperse the air flow in the high flow velocity area and distribute the air flow in the low flow velocity area. This is to prevent the ozone filter from partially deteriorating and shortening the entire life by homogenizing the flow velocity or flow rate immediately before the filter (JP-A-4-242277). However, in this example, there is a problem in that a considerable distance is required between the mesh net and the ozone filter in order to dissipate the air flow in the high speed region and distribute the air flow in the low speed region.

Further, in order to prevent harmful substances such as ozone from being discharged to the outside of the main body of the device, a technique is provided in which a filter and a fan are provided inside the device so that air is circulated inside the device without being discharged to the outside of the device. Kaihei 3-137656). In addition, here, the duct for exhaust heat is provided separately. However, in this example, since a duct is provided on the back surface of the charging device to suck the ozone generated by the charging device, as the air near the photoconductor outside the charging device is sucked, The scattered toner contained in the air near the body passes through the charging device, resulting in a problem that the stability of discharge is reduced in a short period of time.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a means for treating ozone generated from a corona discharge means, a duct means is used. The ozone to be processed is efficiently collected, and the ozone in the duct is efficiently photolyzed (thermally decomposed), and the ozone processing means is large in size, complicated, has a low assembling property, and is noisy. It is an object of the present invention to prevent a decrease in the degree of freedom in designing the image forming apparatus including the ozone processing unit as a whole.

As an ozone treatment method, in the image forming apparatus using an ozone filter, the purpose of facilitating replacement of the ozone filter and suppressing partial deterioration of the ozone filter to improve filtering performance are as follows.
Provision of new means for adjusting the flow velocity of air containing ozone, which is collected and processed by the ozone filter through the duct means, at the input side of the ozone filter, and downsizing and simplification of the device configuration of the ozone processing means. The task is to achieve it.

Further, as an ozone processing method, in the image forming apparatus using an ozone filter, there is a conventional problem in a so-called closed loop duct type ozone processing means in which air containing ozone to be processed is not output to the outside of the image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide the device which does not cause discharge instability due to the scattered toner.

[0017]

According to the present invention, there is provided a corona discharger, duct means for passing air containing the ozone to collect ozone generated in the corona discharger, and outside the duct means. In an image forming apparatus having a light source provided, a transmissive portion that guides light emitted from the light source to at least a part of the duct means by transmitting the light into the duct means is substantially isolated from the inside and outside of the duct means. The duct means that has a portion that transmits the light from the light source guides the light emitted from the light source to the inside of the duct while maintaining the tightness of the inside of the duct, and decomposes the ozone passing through the inside of the duct by the energy of the light. It is something that is done.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a light reflecting portion is provided on an inner wall of the duct means, and light which is transmitted through at least the transmitting portion and guided into the duct means is the light reflecting portion. The light-reflecting portion provided inside the duct reflects the light guided into the duct from the transmitting portion,
It is intended to prevent the attenuation of light energy and increase the irradiation space of light for ozone to improve the ozone decomposition rate.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the duct means is a heat absorber that emits heat by absorbing infrared light contained in the light guided into the duct means. In addition to the function of claim 1 or 2, the heat absorber provided inside the duct converts the infrared light component of the light guided from the transmission part into the duct into heat, and Ozone is decomposed by heat as well as light, so that the decomposition rate of ozone is improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a photoconductor, a corona discharger that contributes to image formation on the photoconductor, a fluorescent lamp that contributes to image formation on the photoconductor, and ozone generated by the corona discharger. In an image forming apparatus having duct means for passing air containing ozone for collecting, a white light emitting area for emitting white light contributing to image formation of a light emitting surface of the fluorescent lamp, and a duct inside the duct means. It is divided into an ultraviolet radiation region for decomposing ozone, the light irradiation surface of the exposure fluorescent lamp is divided into a white light radiation region and an ultraviolet radiation region, and an image forming operation for exposure is performed in the white light radiation region. The ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet radiation region are guided into the duct, and the ultraviolet rays having a large amount of light energy decompose ozone in the duct.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the ultraviolet radiation region is provided in a length region outside the region defined by the image forming length of the fluorescent lamp, and the action of the sixth aspect. In addition, by making the part outside the image formation corresponding area such as exposure by white light emitted by the fluorescent lamp the ultraviolet radiation area,
Sufficient ultraviolet rays are radiated without reducing the amount of white light so that it can be guided into the duct.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier such as a photoconductor or a transfer member, a corona discharger that contributes to image formation on the image carrier, and ozone collected by the corona discharger. A duct means for passing air containing the ozone, an ozone filter for decomposing or adsorbing ozone passing through the duct means, and forming a part of the duct means so as to be removable and cover the periphery of the device. In the image forming apparatus having the exterior provided in the above, when the exterior is removed, the ozone filter is exposed to the outside so that the ozone filter can be exchanged. The removal of the duct facilitates the exchange of the ozone filter. It was made possible.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a corona discharger, suction means, and duct means for passing air containing the ozone sucked by the suction means to collect ozone generated in the corona discharger, In an image forming apparatus having an ozone filter for adsorbing or decomposing ozone in the air transferred in the duct means, the air flow velocity values of the respective parts in the flow path cross section of the duct means flowing into the ozone filter are made uniform ( In order to rectify the air, resistance providing means for providing different resistances to the air flowing in each part in the cross section upstream of the ozone filter is provided. Here, the ozone removal rate by the ozone filter is generally determined by the time during which the air containing ozone contacts the ozone filter. Therefore, if the wind speed is reduced, the efficiency of ozone removal by the ozone filter is improved. The air flow in the duct is generated by the suction means (fan). However, due to factors such as the type of fan, the shape of the duct, the positional relationship between the fan and the duct, the flow velocity in each part of the duct cross section is not uniform and has a distribution, and the removal rate of the ozone filter is high in the part where the wind speed is high. In the case of insufficient or low wind speed, the amount of ozone passing through the filter will be small, and the removal performance will not be sufficiently drawn out due to the high wind speed, or partial deterioration will progress, resulting in economical use of the ozone filter. Although the efficiency becomes poor, such a disadvantage can be avoided by adjusting the resistance portion of the resistance applying means to make the wind velocity distribution uniform.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, an image carrier capable of forming an image on the surface thereof and a discharge space for causing a discharge relating to image formation on the surface of the image carrier are provided between the image carrier and itself. A corona discharger, a duct means for passing air containing the ozone to collect ozone generated in the corona discharger, and a circulation means for circulating the air in the duct means,
In an image forming apparatus having an ozone filter for adsorbing or decomposing ozone in the air circulating in the duct means, the duct means is provided between the air circulating inside the flow path and the flow path outside the image forming apparatus. The air is substantially isolated from a certain air and at least the discharge space of the corona discharger, the circulation means and the ozone filter are included in the flow path, and the air around the image carrier is the discharge space of the corona discharger. Since it does not enter inside, stability is maintained for a long time in discharge and a closed loop duct is configured,
It is designed so that ozone does not come out of the device.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Needless to say, the present invention should not be limited to these embodiments. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an outline of a copying machine according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. An optical system 2 is arranged in the upper part of the copying machine body 1.
Has a copy lamp 3 composed of a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp, a plurality of mirrors 4 to 7, and a zoom lens 8. A photoconductor 21 is rotatably supported below the optical system 2. As is well known, a charger 22, a developing unit 23, a transfer unit 24, a charge eliminator 25 and the like are arranged around the photoconductor 21.

The operation at the time of copying in this portion is as follows.
The mirror base is moved in the direction A while the surface of the photoconductor 21 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 22, and the original document (not shown) covered by the original document cover 26 is sequentially irradiated from the front end by the copy lamp 3. . Then, the reflected light from the document is exposed to the photoconductor 21 via the optical system 2, so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 21. Further, while documents are being conveyed by the drums 29a, 29b, etc. in the document conveying path 28 of the automatic document feeder 27 arranged above the copying machine main body 1, slits (not shown) provided at two positions of the document conveying path 28 are provided. The copy lamp 3 sequentially irradiates the original from the front end portion thereof, and the light reflected from the original is exposed on the photoconductor 21 in the same manner as described above.

When an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 21, the electrostatic latent image is subsequently developed with toner supplied from the developing section 23 to form a toner image. Then, a sheet (not shown) is sent to the registration roller 31 from the sheet feeding unit 30 including a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes, and the sheet is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 31 as needed, and then the photosensitive member is rotated at a predetermined timing. 21. Then, the toner image is transferred by the transfer device 24 onto the supplied paper. After that, the paper is peeled off from the photoconductor 21, conveyed to the fixing unit 33 by the conveyance device 32, and after the toner image is fixed here, if it is a one-sided copy, it is ejected to the ejection tray 34 as it is.

On the other hand, in the case of synthetic copying or double-sided copying, the sheet discharged from the fixing section 33 is sent to the sheet conveying path 35, and in the case of synthetic copying, it is directly discharged to the intermediate tray 36, while double-sided copying is performed. In this case, the front and back are reversed by the reversing unit 37, and then the paper is discharged to the intermediate tray 36. When a predetermined number of sheets have been accumulated in the intermediate tray 36, the sheets on the intermediate tray 36 are sequentially fed from the uppermost one by the sheet feeding roller 38 and sent to the photoconductor 21 for subsequent copying.

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit block diagram of the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. First,
The CPU is a master CPU 40 and a slave CPU 41.
The slave CPU 41 controls the operation circuit 44. A display section circuit 45 and an operation section circuit 59 are connected to the operation circuit 44, and display of the screen and control of operation key input are performed. The master CPU 40 controls other than the operation unit of the main body, and for example, the heater lamp lighting circuit 4
6, copy lamp lighting circuit 47, process control circuit 4
8, the motor drive circuit 49, etc. are connected.

By the way, a charger 22 for charging the photoconductor disposed in the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, a transfer device 24 for transferring the toner image on the photoconductor onto a sheet, or a device such as a peeling charger, Alternatively, although not shown, a charger, a transfer device, a peeling device, or the like used in a device that temporarily supports a toner image from a photoconductor such as a transfer belt used in a color copying machine and then transfers the toner image to a sheet is used. , A corona discharge part having a corona discharge wire shape, sawtooth shape, roller shape, or the like. Since such a device uses corona discharge to generate ozone inside the machine during operation, this ozone is unstable in nature and reacts with parts inside the copying machine to generate ozone. Degrades performance. For example,
When the photoconductor is invaded by ozone, the characteristics of the photoconductor change and the image becomes unclear, and there is a problem in that it is harmful to the human body if exhausted as it is. For this reason, ozone generated in the copying machine is sucked into the exhaust duct together with air, and ozone is decomposed or adsorbed by an ozone treatment device such as an ozone filter to bring the ozone concentration in the air to a level at which there is no problem. Reduced to
Exhaust is out of the plane.

(Embodiment of Claim 1) This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the duct means 101 for sucking ozone is the charger 2
2. A suction opening 10 arranged near the transfer device 24
1a (see FIG. 3B), a flow path is formed from one end to the other end provided with an exhaust opening 101b for exhausting air to the outside of the copying machine main body 1. . An ozone filter 102 is provided in the vicinity of the exhaust opening 101b so that the ozone flowing through the duct means 101 passes through, and ozone is contained from the suction opening 101a on the upstream side of the ozone filter 102. An exhaust fan 100 that draws in air and flows it to the ozone filter side is provided.

Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 4, a transparent member 101d as a transparent member is provided inside the duct means at a portion 101c where a part of the wall surface of the duct means 101 is cut out, further upstream of the exhaust fan 100. It is attached so as to isolate the outside. Therefore, the duct means 101 is hermetically sealed to prevent the suction pressure of the suction opening 101a of the duct means 101 from decreasing when the exhaust fan 100 operates. A light source 103 is provided outside the duct means 101 facing the light transmitting portion 101e formed on the wall surface of the duct means 101 by the transparent member 101d, and the light emitted from the light source 103 can be emitted directly or by the light reflecting member 301. The light is reflected by the cover 300 having the above, and is radiated to the inside of the duct means through the light transmitting portion 101e of the duct means 101.

Ozone generated from the charger 22 and the transfer device 24, which are corona dischargers provided in the copying machine, is acted on by the exhaust fan 100, and the ozone suction duct means 1 is used.
01 is sucked together with air from one end, but the duct means 1
The light transmission part 1 provided on a part of the wall surface in the middle of the channel 01
It is affected by the light incident through 01e. Ozone, which has been affected by light, has a property of being extremely easily photodecomposed, and the transparent portion 101 is formed while flowing through the duct during image formation.
The light from d causes photochemical reaction, and O ₃ + hν →
O ₂ + O (hν: energy of light), O + O ₃ → 2
It is decomposed into oxygen, which is harmless to the copying machine and the human body, such as O ₂ . Here, the wavelength of light absorbed by ozone is 305n.
m or less and 405 to 1100 nm are known. Ozone not decomposed by light is sent to the ozone filter 102, adsorbed or decomposed, and the ozone concentration in the air exhausted to the outside of the copying machine main body 1 decreases.

The light source 103 is at least turned on or blinks while the corona dischargers 22 and 24 are operating for the image forming operation of the copying machine, and the light transmitting portion provided on the wall of the duct means 101. Duct means 101 through 101e
Lighting control is performed by the master CPU so as to illuminate the inside of the. The light transmitting portion 101e may be formed by attaching a hard member such as glass or a flexible member such as a transparent sheet to the cutout portion 101c of the duct means 101. It may be formed by resin molding.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, an opening 101f having a rib 101g is provided on the wall surface of the duct means 101,
The transparent member 101d may be held in the opening 101f, and the light source holder 302 having the light source 103 may be adhered to the opening 101f to irradiate the interior of the duct means 101 with light while maintaining the airtightness of the duct means 101. . In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, if a seal member 303 such as a rubber material or a non-continuous foam sponge material is provided in the portion of the light source holder 302 that is in close contact with the duct means 101, the airtightness is further enhanced.

Here, from the viewpoint of efficiently using light for decomposing ozone, as shown in FIG.
There is a method of covering the surroundings with a cover 300 provided with a reflection member 301 on the inner surface to prevent light from leaking to the outside, but referring to the relationship between the material of the light transmitting portion 101e and the wavelength of light, the light of a certain material Since the transmission rate of depends on the wavelength of light,
Basically, if both are selected so that the wavelength range where the emission intensity of the light source 103 is large and the wave delay range where the light transmittance of the material of the light transmitting portion 101e is large overlap, most of the light energy is transmitted and the light is transmitted. It can be efficiently used for ozone decomposition. An example is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7A, the light from the light source 103 is laser light or L light.
There is a light emission wavelength range 310a that is narrow like ED light and is close to monochromatic light, or a light emission wavelength range 310b that is wide like a halogen lamp or a fuse bulb as shown in FIG. 7B, but in either case, As shown in the figure, the light transmitting portion 101e
The light transmission wavelength ranges 311a, 311b, 311c may be overlapped with the emission wavelength ranges 310a, 310b of the light source.

By the way, it is known that the decomposition of ozone is a photochemical reaction that varies depending on the wavelength of light, and the reaction limit wavelength is shown in Table 1. The decomposition efficiency is higher in the shorter wavelength region. Since a general light source has a considerably wide emission wavelength range, the photochemical reactions in Table 1 proceed in parallel.

[0038]

[Table 1]

Therefore, it is not enough in terms of efficiency to simply make the light transmissivity of the light transmissive portion overlap with the part of the light emission wavelength region of the light source where the light emission intensity is large, and as shown in FIG. If the light transmittance 311 of the light transmitting portion is overlapped with the ozone resolution curve 312 in which the light intensity distribution 310 of the light source is considered for the ozone decomposition rate for each wavelength, the light can be used more efficiently.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the embodiment of the present invention. In the copying machine having the structure according to claim 1, a light reflecting member 104 such as a mirror, a metal film vapor deposition member, and an aluminum sheet is provided on the inner wall surface of the duct through which light is guided through the transparent member 101d of the duct means 101, and the light is reflected in the duct. The guided light is internally reflected multiple times. With such a structure, even when the area of the transparent portion is small, light travels inside the duct, so that the light existing area (= ozone decomposition area) becomes large. According to the example shown in FIG. 9, when the light reflecting member 104 is not provided, the light existing area is only the range A, whereas the light reflecting member 10 does not exist.
By providing No. 4, it spreads like the part B. The operation of the ozone photolysis means of this claim is the same as that of the embodiment of the above claim 1.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
Shown in An ozone filter 102 is provided at the end of the duct means 101, and an opening 101f in the duct wall upstream of the ozone filter 102 is provided.
A transparent member 101d is attached to the cover 32, which is a direct light from the light source 103 and a cover 32 of a reflecting member arranged on the back side of the light source.
The reflected light from 0 is applied to the inside of the duct means 101.
Further, an exhaust fan 100 is provided on the upstream side, and ozone is sucked from a duct end (not shown) and transferred to the ozone filter side. In this case, since the light introducing portion of the duct means 101 is sealed by the transparent member 101d, the ozone filter 102 serves as a flow path resistance, and the pressure generated between the ozone filter 102 and the exhaust fan 100 causes the opening portion of the duct means. A part of the air containing ozone blown from the exhaust fan 100 from 101f does not leak to the outside of the duct means 101.

Then, a light reflecting member 104 is attached to the inner wall of the duct means 101 between the ozone filter 102 and the exhaust fan 100 to reflect the light irradiated inside the duct means 101 inside the duct means 101, Duct means 10 between the ozone filter 102 and the exhaust fan 100
Light is made to exist in the space inside 1 and ozone is decomposed in this space.

Further, a light absorbing member 105 is attached to the inner wall on the upstream side of the exhaust fan, and the ozone filter 102
Has a black color that absorbs light, and when light reaches the corona discharger side and irradiates the photoconductor (see FIGS. 1 and 21), uneven charging of the photoconductor occurs, which affects the image forming operation. It is configured so that it does not go out or leak light to the outside of the device. The light absorbing member 105 may be provided near the corona discharger of the duct means 101, or the duct means 101 may be formed of a black resin material.

As described above, in this embodiment, the transparent portion 101d is provided on the wall of the duct means 101, the light is irradiated into the duct through the transparent portion 101d, and the airtightness of the duct is maintained. Since the suction pressure of the fan does not decrease, the fan 100 is prevented from increasing in size, the duct shape is simplified to improve the assemblability, and the fan noise is reduced.
It is possible to prevent a reduction in design freedom.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the structure and operation of the embodiment of the present invention. In the copying machine configured as in the embodiment of claim 1, the transparent member 101 of the duct means 101.
A heat absorber 106 that absorbs and dissipates infrared light components is provided in 101h inside the duct through which light is guided through d, and the temperature inside the duct is raised to perform photolysis and thermal decomposition of ozone in combination. To Here, it is known that ozone self-decomposes rapidly when the ambient temperature rises, and it is harmless because it is decomposed into O ₂ as in the case of photolysis. Usually, the temperature of the ozone flow introduced into the duct is T ₁ (° C.), and the temperature of the ozone flow after passing through the heat absorber 105 is T 1.
_{If 2} (° C.), then T ₂ > T ₁ . The heat absorber 105 is best made of a material for those uses, but a metal or resin member coated with a paint that absorbs infrared wavelengths such as black coating may be used.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the ambient temperature and the decomposition rate of ozone. As shown in this figure, it is found that the decomposition of ozone is remarkably accelerated when the ambient temperature rises, and the ozone decomposition performance is improved by the combined use with photolysis. The operation of the ozone photolysis means of this claim is the same as that of the embodiment of claim 1 described above.

(Embodiments of claims 1 to 3) FIG.
The figure for demonstrating the structure of this Embodiment, and its effect | action is shown. The transparent member 101d of the duct means 101 in the copying machine having the configuration according to the first embodiment.
Is composed of a convex lens to increase the amount of incident light guided from the light source into the duct and increase its intensity. The operation itself of the ozone photolysis means of this claim is the same as that of the embodiment of claim 1 above. Although not shown, by combining the method of this claim with the method of claims 2 and 3, the effect of decomposing ozone is further enhanced.

(Embodiment of claim 4) FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the embodiment of the present invention. In the copying machine described with reference to FIG. 1, a fluorescent lamp is used as the copy lamp 3 in a configuration in which the document relatively moves while the copy lamp 3 remains at the fixed position to sequentially illuminate the document image. In this fluorescent lamp, a fluorescent substance is applied to the inner tube wall in advance, and the white light emitting region 3a where the ultraviolet rays generated between the electrodes hit and emits white light, and the inner tube wall is directly irradiated with the ultraviolet ray without application. The ultraviolet radiation area 3b is divided into two parts. Then, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet radiation region 3b is guided to the inside from the transparent member 101d in the duct 101 that collects and exhausts ozone in the machine, and decomposes the ozone in the duct 101 by the ultraviolet light. Here, the photolysis of ozone is also performed in the wavelength region corresponding to visible light as described above. However, while decomposition with visible light (340 nm or more) does not have the property of decomposition in a chain reaction, decomposition with ultraviolet light causes the chain reaction, which is more than 3 times as efficient as decomposition with visible light. It is known to be decomposed. In addition to this, it is known that the number of chains is further increased in the presence of water vapor, and the decomposition efficiency is about 60 times higher than that of visible light (especially long-wavelength light).

FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which a white light source is used in a liquid crystal shutter type printer. Light from the white light emitting region 3a of the image signal light source 3 illuminates the photoconductor 21 via the liquid crystal shutter 120. Then, the light from the ultraviolet radiation region 3b of the light source 3 passes through the transparent member 101d of the duct 101 and enters the duct 101. The operation according to this embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 14, and ozone generated from corona dischargers 22 and 24 not shown in the figure and flowing in the duct means 101 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays through the transparent member 101d. , Decompose ozone. Further, in this case, the back light from the liquid crystal shutter 120 is included as the light of the fluorescent lamp that contributes to the image formation, which acts to increase the decomposition rate of ozone.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In the copying machine having the configuration according to the above-mentioned embodiment of FIG.
As shown in (A), the fluorescent lamp 3
The length of (3a, 3b) is made longer than the image forming area.
In the case of the copy lamp 3 shown here, it is possible to irradiate the outside document area 108 outside the irradiated document width area 107.
Then, in one copy lamp 3 (fluorescent lamp), the white light emitting area 3a is made to correspond to the original irradiation area 107, and the cross section CC ′ of FIG. 16A is shown in the area outside the original 108. As shown in FIG. 16 (B), the ultraviolet radiation regions 3b are arranged in a corresponding positional relationship.

The operation of the ozone photolysis means of this embodiment will be described. When the copy operation is started by the operation of the operation unit 59, the copy lamp 3 operates under the control of the master CPU 40. At this time, the white light emitting region 3a of the copy lamp 3 illuminates the original with white light, and at the same time, the ultraviolet light emitting region 3b is one of the regions where ozone generated during image formation flows in the duct 101. The part is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to photolyze ozone in the duct 101.

In FIG. 16A, a view of the copying machine 1 as viewed from above is shown, in which the duct 10 is provided below the fluorescent lamp 3.
1 is located. During the copying operation, the ultraviolet rays are radiated downward from the ultraviolet radiation area 3b, and ozone is photodecomposed through the transparent member 101d located on the upper surface of the duct 101.

(Embodiment of Claim 4 or 5) FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention and the operation thereof. In the copying machine having the configuration according to the above-described embodiment of claim 4, as can be seen from FIG. 17A, the fluorescent lamp 3 (3a, 3b) is made longer than the image forming area. In the case of the copy lamp 3, it is possible to irradiate the outside document area 108 outside the irradiated document width area 107. Then, in one copy lamp 3 (fluorescent lamp), the white light emitting area 3a is made to correspond to the original width area 107, and C- of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 16B showing the C ′ cross section, the ultraviolet radiation regions 3b are arranged in a corresponding positional relationship. The operation of the ozone photolysis means of this embodiment will be described. Here, the copy lamp 3 moves in the scanning direction (arrow) shown in FIG. 17 under the control of the master CPU 40 when the copying operation is started by the operation of the operation unit 59. At this time, the white light emitting area 3a of the copy lamp 3 irradiates the original with white light, and at the same time, the ultraviolet ray emitting area 3b emits ozone generated during image formation into the duct 101.
Ultraviolet rays are applied to a part of the region flowing inside to photolyze ozone in the duct 101.

FIG. 17A shows a view of the copying machine 1 from above, showing the ultraviolet radiation region 3 of the fluorescent lamp 3.
The duct 101 is located in the lower part of b. In particular, at the time of copying operation, when the ultraviolet radiation area 3b is in a position parallel to the locus of movement, and ultraviolet rays are directed downward during movement,
Ultraviolet rays are constantly irradiated into the duct through the transparent member 101d located on the upper surface of the duct 101.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the optical system 2 of the copying machine 1 to which the present invention is applied. In the lamp unit 330, the exposure lamp 3 made of a fluorescent lamp and the mirror 4 are integrally provided, the mirror unit 331 is provided with the mirrors 5 and 6 integrally, and the drive wire 333 and the pulley 334 are provided.
Thus, the units move on the unit support base 332 so that the respective speeds become 2: 1.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a main part of an embodiment using the present invention in the copying machine 1 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, in the document width region 107 in FIG. 19, the inner surface of the tube wall of the fluorescent lamp 3 is a region 3a coated with a fluorescent substance over the entire circumference, so that the exposure light can be irradiated. Has become. Further, in the outside document area 108, a region 3b where the fluorescent substance is not applied is provided on the inner surface of the tube wall facing the duct 101, and ultraviolet rays generated inside the tube of the fluorescent lamp pass through the transparent member 101d and inside the duct 101. It is possible to irradiate. In this case, the ultraviolet radiation range 3b
It is even better if you enclose it with a cover to prevent ultraviolet rays from leaking to places other than the duct. The operation according to this embodiment is similar to that of the embodiment relating to FIG. 17 described above.

(Embodiment of Claim 6) FIGS. 20 and 21
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention and its operating state. In the ozone processing apparatus for processing and exhausting ozone generated in the machine by the exhaust fan 100, the duct means 101, and the ozone filter 102 from the side surface or the rear surface of the copying machine 1 described in FIG. 1, the periphery of the copying machine 1 is covered. An exterior duct portion 130a, which is integrally formed with the detachable exterior 130 and is connected to the duct means 101 to form an exhaust path, is provided.
When the exterior 130 is removed from the copying machine 1, the ozone filter 102 is provided at a position exposed to the outermost part of the device body or the exterior 130.

In the example of FIG. 20, the ozone filter 102 is arranged in the exterior duct portion 130a, and when the exterior 130 is removed from the copying machine 1, the ozone filter 102 is removed.
Since it is exposed on the back surface side of, the filter can be easily taken out. Similarly, in the example of FIG. 21, the ozone filter 102 is connected to the exterior duct portion 130a and the duct means 101.
The ozone filter 102 is exposed at the end of the duct means 101 when the exterior 130 is removed from the duct means 101.

(Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. In the ozone processing apparatus of the copying machine described with reference to FIG.
An ozone exhaust fan 100 and an ozone filter 102 are provided downstream of the fan. In this case, with this configuration alone, the wind speed distribution passing through the ozone filter 102 is affected by the wind speed distribution discharged by the exhaust fan 100, and the wind speed distribution greatly differs in the flow path cross section.

Also in this embodiment, the structure is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 3 (the relevant portion is shown in FIG. 22A).
Then, taking an example of a mode in which an axial flow type fan is used as the exhaust fan 100, the wind speed of ozone blown out from the exhaust fan 100 hardly flows in the central portion (as shown in FIG. (S portion), the wind speed of the blade portion is fast when viewed from the front (F portion), and the distribution is a donut shape. in this case,
Since the flow of ozone is small in the central part of the filter, it cannot be said that the total ozone adsorbing surface or the total ozone decomposing surface of the ozone filter is effectively used, and the wind speed of the donut portion becomes high, and the removal efficiency of the ozone filter also decreases.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22C, the resistance applying means 140 has a large resistance L part in the doughnut-shaped region F where the wind speed is fast and a small resistance M part in the region S part in the center where the wind speed is slow. Is provided on the upstream side of the ozone filter as shown in FIG. In FIG. 22A, the exhaust fan 100 is provided on the upstream side of the resistance applying means 140, but it may be provided on the downstream side of the ozone filter 102 without any problem. The air having the wind speed distribution on the upstream side of the resistance applying means is given a resistance according to the wind speed distribution by the resistance applying means, so that the wind speed is substantially uniform in each flow path (cell of the ozone filter) in the resistance applying means. After passing through the resistance imparting means 140, the wind velocity distribution is made uniform as shown in FIG. This resistance applying means 140
As shown in FIG. 2 (B), by making the passing wind speed of the inner cross section of the duct substantially constant, it is possible to effectively utilize the entire area of the ozone filter and improve the ozone filter removal rate. In this case, in FIG. 22, the ozone filter 102 and the resistance applying means 140 are configured to have a space of a certain distance between them, but even if the ozone filter 102 and the resistance applying means 140 are brought close to or in contact with each other. good. This is because the wind velocity distribution is made uniform when passing through the resistance applying means, and a space is not necessarily required on the downstream side thereof.
Further, in FIG. 22A, the resistance applying means 140 is arranged on the upstream side of the ozone filter 102, but the resistance applying means 140 may be arranged on the downstream side of the ozone filter 102. On the upstream side of the resistance applying means 140, since the resistance applying means performs a kind of damming, a region where the wind velocity distribution is uniform exists near the upstream side of the resistance applying means, and therefore, on the downstream side of the ozone filter 102. When the resistance applying means 140 is brought into close contact with, the wind speed distribution passing through the ozone filter 102 becomes substantially uniform due to the blocking of the resistance applying means 140. Even in this case, the exhaust fan 1
The position of 00 may be either on the upstream side of the ozone filter 102 or on the downstream side of the resistance imparting means 140, but the speed distribution on the suction side of the exhaust fan 100 is the same as that of the exhaust fan 100.
Since the speed difference is smaller than the speed distribution on the exhaust side, it is more preferable to dispose the resistance applying unit 140 on the suction side of the exhaust fan 100. As the material of the filter, a substrate made of activated carbon such as paper or ceramic is coated.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. In the ozone treatment apparatus having the configuration of the first embodiment, the resistance applying means 140 is the resistance applying means 14
Since the magnitude of the resistance varies depending on the length of the flow path through which the air in 0 passes, the region where the wind velocity is fast in the upstream duct cross section has a large thickness of the resistance imparting means 140, and the region where the wind velocity is low is the resistance imparting means. The thickness of 140 is thin so that the wind velocity distribution in the duct after passing through the resistance imparting means 140 is uniform. The material of the filter may be the same as that shown in the above embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the third embodiment of the present invention. The second
In the ozone treatment device having the configuration of the embodiment of
In the case where the exhaust fan 100 is an axial fan, the wind velocity distribution due to the exhaust fan 100 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B). Therefore, the resistance applying means 1
It is preferable that 40 has a doughnut-shaped structure in which the resistance portion is relatively thin in the portion around the rotation axis of the fan blade and the blade portion is thick. The resistance applying means 140 is shown in FIG.
4 (C) and 4 (D), the distribution of wind velocity in the duct after passage is uniform, so it may be called a rectifier.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The second
In the ozone treatment device having the configuration of the embodiment of
When the exhaust fan 100 is a sirocco fan or a cross low fan, the wind speed distribution resulting therefrom is as shown in FIG. 25 (A), so that the resistance imparting means 140 has a thickness that increases from the center of the fan toward the circumference. 25 (B) and 25 (C) having a thick structure part, the wind velocity distribution in the duct after passing through the resistance imparting means 140 is made uniform.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The first
In the ozone treatment device having the configuration of the embodiment of
The wind speed distribution by the exhaust fan 100 is C in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 26 (B) showing the -C ′ cross section, the resistance imparting means 140 has a high density of voids in the resistor in the portion where the wind velocity is high as shown in FIGS. 26 (C) and (D). The low wind speed portion has a low density structure, and the resistance applying means 140 is used.
Make the wind speed distribution in the duct uniform after passing.

Although the axial fan is used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 26, it goes without saying that a sirocco fan or a cross flow fan can also be used. In the example of FIG. 19, the density of voids in the resistor is set to 2
Although it is said that they are configured as one, they may have a structure in which the change in density continuously changes, which can further enhance the effect of uniforming the wind speed.

FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the structure and operation of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth
In the ozone treatment device having the configuration of the embodiment of
It is used as an ozone filter by adding an ozone decomposing function of a metal catalyst, activated carbon or the like to the resistance applying means 140 in which the density of voids of the resistor is changed according to the wind speed, and is used as an ozone filter as shown in FIG. 27 (A). 27 does not require the ozone filter 102 itself in the embodiment described above.
As shown in (B), the configuration is such that only the resistance applying means 140 having the function of the ozone filter is required.

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The fifth
In the ozone treatment device having the configuration of the embodiment of
For a plurality of regions in which the range of the wind velocity difference within a constant value is regarded as one region in the wind velocity distribution, resistance imparting means 140 having a void density corresponding to the representative flow velocity of each region is combined for each region to be integrated. Is placed in the duct 101.

In the wind velocity distribution of FIG. 28A, for example, assume that the wind velocity distribution in the duct 101 is divided into three stages of high speed, medium speed, and low speed as shown in FIG. In this case, the resistance applying unit 140 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 28 (B), the representative flow velocities of the high speed, medium speed, and low speed regions are set to the average flow velocity of each region, and the high density portion H and medium for the high speed portion corresponding to each average flow velocity are used. 3 parts, M part with medium density for high speed part and L part for low speed part with low density
One is prepared and provided in the duct 101. In the resistance applying means 140 shown in FIG. 28, the H portion, the M portion,
An example in which three L parts are combined and attached in one place is shown.

FIG. 29 shows a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the eighth embodiment of the present invention. In the ozone processing apparatus described in FIG. 3, the ozone filter 102
The surface roughness of the inner wall surface of the duct 101 on the upstream side of the
Smooth out the one with slower wind speed. FIG. 29 shows an embodiment using a sirocco fan. The sirocco fan 100 has a distribution in which the wind speed is higher in the outer peripheral direction (upward direction in FIG. 29). Therefore, the upper surface (A surface) is roughened to increase the loss on the surface and reduce the wind speed. On the contrary, the lower surface (B side) is configured to be smooth to reduce loss and suppress a decrease in wind speed. The air whose wind speed is reduced on the A surface side flows to the B surface side, and the wind speed distribution in the duct is made uniform.

(Embodiment 8) FIGS. 30 to 3
FIG. 5 shows a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, like the retention method, an electrostatic latent image is formed on another photosensitive member based on the electrostatic latent image formed on the screen photosensitive member by involving a charger, and the latent image is developed. , When a transfer device is involved in transfer on paper, or an electrostatic latent image formed on one photosensitive member is developed on the same photosensitive member by forming a developer image by transferring a transfer device. The present invention can be applied to any type of image forming apparatus in the case of transferring by using a copying machine (the copying machine described in FIG. 1 is based on this method).

FIG. 30 shows an image forming apparatus having a corona discharger, which is an ozone processing system provided in the above-mentioned system, and FIG. 31 shows a main part of FIG. It is a figure which shows a partial cross section. In general, the photosensitive member 21 has a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of a metal pipe made of aluminum or the like, and has a space inside. Therefore, in order to effectively utilize this space that is not originally used,
The ozone filter 102 and the blades 150 are fixedly provided on the inner wall of the photoconductor 21, and the discharge space 200 (see FIG. 31) inside the adjacent corona discharger 22 communicates with the inside of the photoconductor 21 as an air flow path. Thus, the communication ducts 111 are provided at both ends of the photoconductor 21 and the corona discharger 22.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the photoconductor 21. As shown in FIG.
1. Flanges 201 and 202 are provided at both ends of the rim 1, and the shaft portion 201a and the circumferential portion 201b of the flange 201 are the rim 2
01c, and there is a gap 20 between the rims 201c.
3, the shaft 201a of the flange 201 has
A rotation support shaft (not shown) is inserted from the body side of the copying machine through the through hole 111a of the communication duct 111. In addition to the structure of the flange 201, the flange 202 is integrally provided with a gear 202a on the circumferential portion. The drive is transmitted from the main body side to the gear 202a, the photoconductor 21 rotates, and the blades 150 integrally rotate accordingly. Therefore, the inside of the photoconductor 21 and the communication duct 11
1 and the discharge space 200 inside the corona discharger 22, an air flow circulates in the direction of the arrow in the figure, ozone generated in the corona discharger 22 is sent to the ozone filter 102,
Removed.

The structure for improving the airtightness of the circulation channel will be described below. FIG. 33 shows the photoconductor 2
1 is a view showing a vertical cross section of a connection portion between 1 and the communication duct 111,
As shown in the drawing, the end portion 111 b of the communication duct 111 facing the space 203 of the flange 201 and the flange 201.
Around the peripheral part 201b with a slight gap,
As shown in FIG. 31, the case side plate 22b of the corona discharger 22 is brought close to the surface of the photoconductor 21 so that ozone does not leak from the gap between the photoconductor 21 and the case. The flow path between the corona discharger 22 and the communication duct 111 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the discharge wire 205 of the corona discharger 22
Opening 204a in the insulating holder 204 that holds the
Are connected by providing.

FIG. 34 is a view showing another form of the case of the corona discharger. As shown in FIG. 34, openings 207a, 207b are formed along the longitudinal direction of the case side plates 206a, 206b of the corona discharger 22. Is provided. And
FIG. 35 shows an embodiment in which the corona discharger 22 thus configured is covered with a communication duct.
As shown in the figure, the case side plate 20 of the corona discharger 22
A communication duct 111 may be provided so as to cover 6a and 206b and communicate with the inside of the photoconductor 21 as in FIG. In this case, the air circulated by the blades 150 is supplied from the communication duct 111 to the one case side plate 2 of the corona discharger 22.
Ozone generated in the discharge space 200 around the discharge wire 205 through the opening 207a of the communication wire 205 and the communication duct 11 from the opening 207b of the other case side plate 206b.
Spill into one. With this configuration, ozone can be sent to the ozone filter even when the blowing pressure of the blades 150 is low, and the surface of the photoconductor 21 and the case side plates 206a, 206a, 2a.
It is possible to further prevent ozone from leaking from the gap between it and 06b.

[0076]

【The invention's effect】

The effect of claim 1: In addition to the conventional effect of ozone decomposition by light, the light emitted from the light source provided outside the duct means is guided into the duct means through the transmitting portion that transmits the light emitted from the light source. Therefore, the airtightness of the duct is improved to prevent leakage of ozone to the outside of the duct means, the shape of the duct means is simplified, the duct means can be freely routed, the assembly of the duct means and the light source means is simplified, and the exhaust is performed. The downsizing of the fan can be realized.

Effect of claim 2: In addition to the effect of claim 1, since the light guided into the duct is reflected by the light reflecting portion provided in the duct, the light is absorbed by the inner wall of the duct and the light intensity is attenuated. And the space inside the duct where light is radiated can be made large enough to decompose ozone,
Further, even if the light transmitting portion is small, a large light existence space can be created in the duct. Then, when the reflection is multiplexed, the processing efficiency can be further improved.

Effect of claim 3: In addition to the effects of claims 1 and 2, since the heat absorber absorbs infrared rays to raise the temperature of the air flowing in the duct, the ozone is increased by the increase in light and air temperature. Since the decomposition rate can be increased and the air temperature in the downstream region of the duct can be increased, heat acts on the entire downstream region of the duct where light does not reach, so that ozone can be decomposed efficiently. Moreover, since heating is performed by the infrared component of light, no special additional parts or controls are required, and the space and cost are not burdened.

Effect of claim 4: Since the light emitting surface of the fluorescent lamp contributing to image formation is divided so as to emit both white light for image formation and ultraviolet rays for ozone decomposition, two light sources are provided for one light source. It becomes possible to have a function, and ozone can be decomposed more efficiently than in the prior art. Also, by arranging the duct so as to utilize the movement of the fluorescent lamp, the ultraviolet irradiation area inside the duct is widened without adding other parts, and the ozone decomposition area is also widened, so the decomposition efficiency is increased. .

Effect of claim 5: In addition to the effect of claim 4, even if the light source for image formation of the original document and the light source for ozone photolysis are combined, the amount of light necessary for image formation does not decrease. It becomes possible to emit the ultraviolet rays necessary for ozone decomposition.

Effect of claim 6: Since the ozone filter is exposed to the outside by removing the duct, the ozone filter can be easily replaced.

Effect of claim 7: The resistance applying means having different resistance values according to the air flow velocity values of the respective parts in the duct cross section flowing into the ozone filter is provided, that is, a large resistance is given to a high flow velocity and a slow flow velocity is provided. Since a small resistance is given to the flow velocity, the air flowing in the high flow velocity region is blocked by the large resistance and flows into the low flow velocity region, and the pressure in the slow region rises. On the side, the flow velocity becomes uniform. Therefore, it is possible to make the distance between the rectifier and the ozone filter closer than when a rectifier is simply provided upstream of the ozone filter.
Since it is possible to highly prevent partial deterioration of the ozone filter without unnecessarily lengthening the duct, it is possible to prolong the entire service life of the ozone filter. In addition, when changing the resistance value by changing the length of the resistance part in the duct direction, it is necessary to simply change the outer shape as compared with the case of changing the flow path resistance by changing the density. It comes at a cost. Further, when a sirocco / cross flow fan is used, since a resistance part having a shape in which the upstream side of the flow path is inclined toward the outside of the circumference of the fan to have a thickness is used, air is not flown toward the slow flow velocity side. Deflection is easier, the flow velocity is more uniform, and the simple shape makes it easier to create parts. Further, when the resistance is given by the void density, the rectifier can be made higher and the space can be made smaller without increasing the thickness of the rectifier, and the miniaturization of the device can be further promoted. Also,
To give the ozone filter proper resistance,
There is no need to add other parts, the number of parts is reduced, and the duct length is shortened. Further, when it is considered that the flow velocity regions having a constant difference are the same and a plurality of resistance applying means are provided, it is difficult to create a component in which a region having a gradually different void density is provided in one component. Can be avoided. Further, when the resistance is changed by the surface roughness of the inner wall surface of the duct, it is possible to make the effective flow velocity uniform for a specific fan.

The effect of claim 8: Since the air around the image carrier does not enter the discharge space of the corona discharge device, the discharge stability of the corona discharge device is maintained for a long time, and ozone is discharged to the outside of the device. Absent.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an outline of a copying machine according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit in the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B are views for explaining a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the copying machine according to claim 1 and an operation thereof, wherein FIG. 3A shows an ozone treatment section, and FIG. 3B shows a duct section in a discharge space. It is shown.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration for irradiating light into a duct which is a main part of the embodiment of FIG. 3 and an ozone decomposing action by light.

5 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of an opening provided in a duct in the same embodiment as FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another specific configuration in the same embodiment as FIG.

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the characteristics of the light source and the light transmitting portion, (A)
FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a case of a laser or an LED, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a case of a halogen lamp or a fuse bulb.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between a characteristic curve of a light source and a light transmitting portion and an ozone resolution curve.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the embodiment of claim 2;

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of claim 2.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the third embodiment and the action of heat in ozone decomposition.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between ambient temperature and ozone decomposition rate.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the embodiments of claims 1 to 3;

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the embodiment of claim 4 applied to a copying machine and the operation of the fluorescent lamp for image formation.

FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which a white light source is used in a liquid crystal shutter type printer.

FIG. 16 shows a configuration of an embodiment of claim 5, (A)
Is a schematic diagram of the whole, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC ′ of (A).

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and the operation of the embodiment of claim 4 or 5, wherein FIG.
(B) is a CC 'sectional view of (A).

FIG. 18 is a plan view of an optical system 2 of a copying machine 1 to which claim 4 or 5 is applied.

19 is a diagram showing a main part of an embodiment in which claim 4 or 5 is applied to the copying machine 1 of FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an embodiment of the invention for making the ozone filter of claim 6 replaceable and the operating state thereof.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and the operating state of another embodiment of claim 6;

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and the operation of the first embodiment of the invention for equalizing the flow velocity in the flow passage cross section of claim 7;

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the second embodiment of claim 7;

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the third embodiment of claim 7;

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the fourth embodiment of claim 7;

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the fifth embodiment of claim 7;

FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation (B) of the sixth embodiment of claim 7 in comparison with the previous embodiment (A).

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the seventh embodiment of claim 7;

FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the eighth embodiment of claim 7;

FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the embodiment of the invention using the closed loop duct of claim 8;

31 is a diagram showing a partial cross-sectional view of a photoreceptor and a corona discharger, which is a main part of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a photoconductor.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a connection portion between a photoconductor and a communication duct.

FIG. 34 is a view showing another form of the case of the corona discharger.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a related configuration of the corona discharger and the communication duct in the form of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of a conventional device, FIG. 32 (A) is a schematic view of a main part, and FIG. 32 (B).
FIG. 3 is a side view of the same device.

FIG. 37 is a diagram for explaining the same device as that of the modification of the conventional example of FIG. 32 and its operation.

FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining the same device as that of the modification of the conventional example of FIG. 32 and its operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Copier body, 2 ... Optical system, 3 ... Copy lamp, 3a
... White light emitting region, 3b ... Ultraviolet emitting region, 4 to 7 ... Mirror, 8 ... Zoom lens, 21 ... Photoconductor, 22 ... Charger, corona discharger, 22b, 206a, 206b ... Case side plate, 23 ... Developing section , 24 ... transfer machine, 25 ... static eliminator,
26 ... Original cover, 27 ... Automatic original feeding device, 28 ... Original feeding path, 29a, 29b ... Drum, 30 ... Paper feeding section, 31
... Registration rollers, 32 ... Conveying device, 33 ... Fixing unit, 3
4 ... Ejection tray, 35 ... Paper transport path, 36 ... Intermediate tray, 37 ... Inverting section, 38 ... Paper feeding roller, 40 ... Master C
PU, 41 ... Slave CPU, 44 ... Operation unit circuit, 45
... Display section circuit, 46 ... Lamp lighting circuit, 47 ... Copy lamp lighting circuit, 48 ... Process control circuit, 49 ... Motor drive circuit, 59 ... Operation section circuit, 100 ... Exhaust fan, 1
01 ... Duct means, 101a ... Suction opening, 101
b ... Exhaust opening, 101c ... Part of wall surface notched, 101d ... Transparent member, 101e ... Light transmitting part formed on wall, 101f ... Opening part, 101g ... Rib, 1
01h ... inside the duct, 102 ... ozone filter, 10
3 ... Light source, 104 light reflecting member, 105 ... light absorbing member, 1
06 ... Heat absorber, 107 ... Original width area, 108 ... Original area, 111 ... Communication duct, 111a ... Through hole, 111
b ... end part, 130 ... exterior, 130a ... exterior duct part, 1
40 ... Resistance imparting means, 150 ... Blades, 200 ... Discharge space, 201, 202 ... Flange of photoconductor, 201a ... Shaft portion of flange, 201b ... Circumferential portion, 201c ... Rim, 2
Reference numeral 02a ... Gear, 203 ... Void, 204 ... Insulating holder, 204a, 207a, 207b ... Opening, 205 ... Discharge wire, 300 ... Cover, 301 ... Reflecting member, 30
3 ... Seal member, 310 ... Light intensity distribution, 310a, 31
0b ... Emission wavelength range, 311 ... Light transmittance, 311a, 31
1b, 311c ... Light transmission wavelength range, 312 ... Ozone resolution curve, 320 ... Reflector cover, 330 ... Lamp unit, 331 ... Mirror unit, 332 ... Unit support base, 333 ... Drive wire, 334 ... Pulley.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a corona discharger; duct means for passing air containing ozone for collecting ozone generated in the corona discharger; and a light source provided outside the duct means. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that at least a part of the duct means is provided with a transmissive portion for transmitting the light emitted from the light source through the duct means so as to substantially isolate the inside and the outside of the duct means. . 2. A light reflecting portion is provided on an inner wall of the duct means, and light transmitted through at least the transmitting portion and guided into the duct means is reflected by the light reflecting portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. A heat absorber that emits heat by absorbing infrared light contained in light guided into the duct means is provided inside the duct means. Or the image forming apparatus according to 2. 4. A photoconductor, a corona discharger that contributes to image formation on the photoconductor, and a fluorescent lamp that contributes to image formation on the photoconductor.
In an image forming apparatus having a duct means for passing air containing ozone to collect ozone generated in the corona discharger, white light that emits white light that contributes to image formation on the light emitting surface of the fluorescent lamp. An image forming apparatus characterized by being divided into a radiation region and an ultraviolet radiation region for decomposing ozone in the duct means. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ultraviolet radiation region is provided in a length region outside a region defined by the image formation corresponding length of the fluorescent lamp. 6. An image carrier such as a photoconductor or a transfer body, a corona discharger that contributes to image formation on the image carrier, and air containing the ozone for collecting ozone generated by the corona discharger. A duct means for passing through, an ozone filter for decomposing or adsorbing ozone that has passed through the duct means, and an exterior that forms a part of the duct means and is detachable and covers the periphery of the device. An image forming apparatus having the image forming apparatus, wherein the ozone filter is exchangeably exposed to the outside when the exterior is removed. 7. A corona discharger, suction means, duct means for passing air containing the ozone sucked by the suction means for collecting ozone generated in the corona discharger, and inside the duct means. In an image forming apparatus having an ozone filter for adsorbing or decomposing ozone in the air to be transferred, the ozone is supplied so as to make the air flow velocity values of respective portions in the flow path cross section of the duct means flowing into the ozone filter substantially uniform. An image forming apparatus characterized in that a resistance applying means for applying different resistances to air flowing through respective portions in a cross section of the duct means upstream of the filter is provided. 8. A corona discharger having an image carrier capable of forming an image on the surface thereof and a discharge space for causing a discharge relating to image formation on the surface of the image carrier, between the image carrier and itself. A duct means for passing the ozone-containing air to collect the ozone generated in the corona discharger; a circulation means for circulating the air in the duct means; and an ozone in the air circulating in the duct means. In the image forming apparatus having an ozone filter for adsorbing or decomposing, at least the duct means substantially isolates the air circulating inside the flow path from the air outside the flow path inside the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprising a discharge space of the corona discharger, the circulation means, and the ozone filter in a flow path.