WO2011049204A1 - 画像形成装置 - Google Patents
画像形成装置 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2011049204A1 WO2011049204A1 PCT/JP2010/068719 JP2010068719W WO2011049204A1 WO 2011049204 A1 WO2011049204 A1 WO 2011049204A1 JP 2010068719 W JP2010068719 W JP 2010068719W WO 2011049204 A1 WO2011049204 A1 WO 2011049204A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- conveyance path
- paper
- cooling
- fixing
- air
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
- G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
- G03G15/2014—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat
- G03G15/2017—Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means
- G03G15/2028—Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means with means for handling the copy material in the fixing nip, e.g. introduction guides, stripping means
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/26—Duplicate, alternate, selective, or coacting feeds
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
- G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
- G03G15/2014—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat
- G03G15/2017—Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
- G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
- G03G15/2014—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat
- G03G15/2017—Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means
- G03G15/2021—Plurality of separate fixing and/or cooling areas or units, two step fixing
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
- G03G15/6555—Handling of sheet copy material taking place in a specific part of the copy material feeding path
- G03G15/6558—Feeding path after the copy sheet preparation and up to the transfer point, e.g. registering; Deskewing; Correct timing of sheet feeding to the transfer point
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
- G03G15/6555—Handling of sheet copy material taking place in a specific part of the copy material feeding path
- G03G15/657—Feeding path after the transfer point and up to the fixing point, e.g. guides and feeding means for handling copy material carrying an unfused toner image
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/20—Humidity or temperature control also ozone evacuation; Internal apparatus environment control
- G03G21/206—Conducting air through the machine, e.g. for cooling, filtering, removing gases like ozone
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/30—Orientation, displacement, position of the handled material
- B65H2301/33—Modifying, selecting, changing orientation
- B65H2301/333—Inverting
- B65H2301/3331—Involving forward reverse transporting means
- B65H2301/33312—Involving forward reverse transporting means forward reverse rollers pairs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/50—Auxiliary process performed during handling process
- B65H2301/51—Modifying a characteristic of handled material
- B65H2301/514—Modifying physical properties
- B65H2301/5144—Cooling
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices
- B65H2801/06—Office-type machines, e.g. photocopiers
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/22—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20
- G03G15/23—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20 specially adapted for copying both sides of an original or for copying on both sides of a recording or image-receiving material
- G03G15/231—Arrangements for copying on both sides of a recording or image-receiving material
- G03G15/232—Arrangements for copying on both sides of a recording or image-receiving material using a single reusable electrographic recording member
- G03G15/234—Arrangements for copying on both sides of a recording or image-receiving material using a single reusable electrographic recording member by inverting and refeeding the image receiving material with an image on one face to the recording member to transfer a second image on its second face, e.g. by using a duplex tray; Details of duplex trays or inverters
- G03G15/235—Arrangements for copying on both sides of a recording or image-receiving material using a single reusable electrographic recording member by inverting and refeeding the image receiving material with an image on one face to the recording member to transfer a second image on its second face, e.g. by using a duplex tray; Details of duplex trays or inverters the image receiving member being preconditioned before transferring the second image, e.g. decurled, or the second image being formed with different operating parameters, e.g. a different fixing temperature
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
- G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
- G03G2221/1645—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for conducting air through the machine, e.g. cooling
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that cools a sheet heated by a fixing unit.
- a toner image formed on a photoconductor is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer unit.
- the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is sent to a fixing unit, and heat and pressure are applied to the fixing unit, whereby the toner image is fixed on the sheet.
- the paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit to the paper discharge tray and stacked on the paper discharge tray.
- the present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and blows and cools air on the paper in the conveyance path to cool the paper at an early stage and prevent the sticking phenomenon on the paper discharge tray.
- an image forming apparatus capable of preventing useless power from being used to maintain the temperature of a fixing unit due to a temperature drop of a fixing unit caused by blowing air onto a sheet in a conveyance path. That is.
- the present invention provides an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, and a fixing unit that heat-fixes the image on the recording medium after the image is formed.
- a conveyance path immediately after fixing that conveys the recording medium immediately after heat fixing by the fixing unit, a discharge conveyance path that is joined to the conveyance path immediately after fixing and conveys or switches back the recording medium to a discharge port, and a conveyance path immediately after the fixing.
- a double-sided conveyance path for conveying the recording medium switched back in the discharge conveyance path to perform double-sided printing a cooling mechanism having a blower outlet for sending cooling air, An exhaust mechanism having a suction port for sucking and exhausting cooling air; and
- the blower outlet and the suction port are disposed on the same conveyance surface side of at least one of the discharge conveyance path and the double-sided conveyance path, and one of the blower outlet and the suction port faces the discharge conveyance path.
- the other suction port is located facing one of the discharge conveyance path, the double-sided conveyance path and the junction between the discharge conveyance path and the double-sided conveyance path, or the other outlet is the It is located facing either the discharge conveyance path or the double-sided conveyance path.
- the air outlet and the suction port are located on the side of the transport path opposite to the side where the transport path immediately after fixing is joined.
- both the discharged paper and the paper sent to the double-sided conveyance path can be achieved with one cooling mechanism, and the image forming apparatus can be downsized.
- the air outlet and the suction port are arranged on the same conveyance surface side of at least one of the discharge conveyance path and the double-side conveyance path to create an air flow, and to suppress the flow of cooling air into the conveyance path immediately after fixing, Useless power is not consumed to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit.
- the air outlet is arranged at a position farther than the conveyance roller closest to the joint portion among the conveyance rollers arranged in the conveyance path where the air outlet is located.
- blower outlet is moved away from the joint portion, and the flow of cooling air into the conveyance path immediately after fixing is further suppressed, so that wasteful power is not consumed to maintain the temperature of the fixing portion.
- the conveyance path immediately after fixing extends in a substantially vertical direction from the fixing unit, and the discharge conveyance path and the double-side conveyance path are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction and contact the conveyance path immediately after the fixing.
- the discharge conveyance path is characterized in that a flat portion is provided for a predetermined length between a junction between the discharge conveyance path and the conveyance path immediately after fixing and the blowout port of the cooling mechanism.
- blower outlet is moved away from the joint portion, and the flow of cooling air into the conveyance path immediately after fixing is further suppressed, so that wasteful power is not consumed to maintain the temperature of the fixing portion.
- air is blown from the cooling mechanism to cool the paper, and the air blown to the paper is exhausted by the exhaust mechanism, so that the air blown to the paper is less likely to flow around the fixing unit.
- power is not wasted, and at the same time, heat from the fixing unit can be exhausted.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a fixing unit of the image forming apparatus and a sheet conveyance path thereof.
- It is a block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment which has arrange
- It is a perspective view which shows 1st Embodiment which has arrange
- the cooling duct of 1st Embodiment (a) is a top view, (b) is sectional drawing in AA.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram relating to a cooling mechanism and an exhaust mechanism of the image forming apparatus.
- FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of cooling to a paper. It is explanatory drawing which shows the paper conveyance and cooling in the case of duplex printing completed in single-sided printing mode or double-sided printing mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the paper conveyance and cooling in the case of the single-sided printing of double-sided printing mode. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment which has arrange
- FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- the image forming apparatus X is a multifunction machine having both a copying function and a printer function.
- the image forming apparatus X has a copier mode (copying mode), a printer mode, and a FAX mode as print modes.
- the image forming apparatus X is roughly divided into an uppermost document reading unit 1, a printer unit (image forming unit) 2 disposed below the uppermost document reading unit 1, and a lower unit. And a paper feed unit 3.
- the manuscript reading unit 1 performs a copying operation when a start key on the operation panel is operated after inputting a condition input key (number of printed sheets / printing magnification, etc.) on an operation panel (not shown) disposed on the front surface of the apparatus. And the image of the document placed on the platen glass 31 is read. That is, the copy lamp 32a (light source) of the copy lamp unit 32 is turned on, and exposure of the document is started while the copy lamp unit 32 moves horizontally. Irradiation light applied to the document by the copy lamp 32a becomes reflected light (reflected light from the document) including image information of the document, and the reflected light is transmitted from the first mirror 32b provided in the copy lamp unit 32 to the second light. Reading is performed by inputting to the CCD 36 from the mirror 33, the third mirror 34, and the optical lens 35.
- the image information read in this manner is converted into an electrical signal by a CCD circuit provided in a control unit (not shown), and the image information signal is subjected to image processing under a set condition.
- the data is transmitted to the optical scanning unit 6 as print data.
- the printer unit 2 adds an electrophotographic process unit 20 that forms an image with a developer (toner) on a recording medium (paper), and a fixing roller 22a (heating roller) that is a fixing roller pair 22 and adds the recording medium after the image formation.
- a fixing unit 21 fixing unit
- a heater is provided inside the fixing roller 22a. The power supplied to the heater is such that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 23 for detecting the temperature of the fixing roller 22a is maintained at a predetermined fixing temperature. It is controlled by a control unit (not shown).
- the electrophotographic process unit 20 is disposed substantially at the center of the printer unit 2, and includes the photosensitive drum 4, a charging unit 5, an optical scanning unit 6, a developing unit 7, and the periphery thereof.
- a transfer unit 8 and a cleaning unit 9 are provided.
- the charging unit 5 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 uniformly, and the optical scanning unit 6 writes an electrostatic latent image by scanning a light image on the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 4.
- the developing unit 7 visualizes the electrostatic latent image written according to the print data by the optical scanning unit 6 with a developer.
- the transfer unit 8 transfers an image recorded and reproduced on the photosensitive drum 4 onto a recording medium such as recording paper, and the cleaning unit 9 removes the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 4. Thus, a new image can be recorded on the photosensitive drum 4.
- the residual developer removed by the cleaning unit 9 is collected in the developer supply unit 10 of the developing unit 7 and recycled.
- the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the one provided with the process of recycling the residual developer as described above, and may be an image forming apparatus that is collected and discarded.
- the paper feed unit 3 includes paper feed trays (recording medium supply units) 11, 12, 13, and 14 on which a plurality of recording media (recording paper and the like) are set.
- the sheets can be sorted and accommodated in the sheet feeding trays 11 to 14 for each size.
- the paper feed tray 11 and the paper feed tray 12 are arranged in parallel with each other, a paper feed tray 13 is arranged below them, and a paper feed tray 14 is arranged below them.
- the respective capacities of the paper feed tray 13 and the paper feed tray 14 are configured to have the same capacity.
- the capacities of the paper feed tray 11 and the paper feed tray 12 are configured to be larger than the capacities of the paper feed tray 13 and the paper feed tray 14.
- the paper feed unit 3 includes a fourth transport path 15 and a fifth transport path 16 for transporting sheets (recording media) stored in the paper feed trays 11 to 14 toward the printer section 2. ing.
- the fourth transport path 15 is for transporting the paper stored in the paper feed trays 11, 13, and 14 toward the printer unit 2
- the fifth transport path 16 is the paper stored in the paper feed tray 12. Is conveyed toward the printer unit 2.
- the fourth conveyance path 15 extends in a substantially vertical direction along the frame 17 of the paper feeding unit 3.
- the fifth conveyance path 16 extends in a substantially horizontal direction along the frame 17. In this way, the paper feed trays 11 to 14, the fourth transport path 15, and the fifth transport path 16 are efficiently arranged inside the paper feed unit section 3, and space saving of the paper feed unit section 3 is achieved. Is realized.
- one tray is selected from the paper feed trays 11 to 14, and the sheets are separated and carried out one by one from the selected tray. .
- the paper (recording medium) carried out (supplied) from the paper feed trays 11 to 14 passes through the fourth or fifth transport path 15, 16 and then is transported upward in the third transport path 41 to be photoreceptor drum 4. And the transfer unit 8. Then, the image recorded and reproduced on the photosensitive drum 4 by the transfer unit 8 is transferred to the supplied paper.
- the sheet on which the image has been formed is conveyed to a fixing unit 21 (fixing unit) disposed further upward, and the toner image is heated and fixed in the fixing unit 21.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus and its sheet conveyance path.
- the sheet after heat fixing by the fixing unit 21 is guided further upward by being sent into a first conveying path (conveying path immediately after fixing) 42, and is further disposed above the fixing unit 21. 2 is conveyed to the conveyance path 43.
- the second conveyance path 43 is a discharge conveyance path and is also a switchback conveyance path in double-sided printing.
- the second conveyance path 43 includes a first conveyance path 42 that conveys the sheet from the fixing unit 21, and a sixth conveyance path 44 that switches back and recirculates the sheet to perform printing on the back side of the sheet. It is joined with.
- a gate 73 is pivotally attached to the joint 45 and guides the paper to each conveyance path.
- the second transport path 43 is a path that transports the paper (heat-fixed paper) that has passed through the first transport path 42 while changing the direction substantially in the horizontal direction.
- the sheet is discharged to 2a or sent to a post-processing device (not shown), or the sheet is recirculated to the sixth conveyance path (double-side conveyance path) 44 by switchback, and image formation is performed on both sides of the sheet.
- an exhaust duct 51 is disposed between the second conveyance path 43 and the copy lamp unit 32 (stop position) portion of the document reading unit 1, and the second conveyance is performed therethrough.
- the air above the passage 43 is configured to be forcibly exhausted.
- the air above the second conveyance path 43 is guided to the side surface (the left side surface in FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus X from the opening provided below the exhaust duct 51 and on the side surface.
- the exhaust fan 52 provided forcibly exhausts the apparatus outside (other positions) (the exhaust duct 51 and the exhaust fan 52 are examples of the exhaust unit).
- the exhaust duct 51 is formed by a support member 50 that supports the document reading section 1 (image reading means).
- the exhaust duct 51 is arranged with respect to the fixing unit 21 via the second conveyance path 43, so that the second conveyance path 43 and the sheet passing through the second conveyance path 43 are the air around the fixing unit 21.
- the fixing unit 21 does not take more heat than is necessary (cools), and the fixing temperature is reduced. Therefore, the power consumption of the fixing unit 21 (the heater) is not increased.
- exhaust duct 51 in the present embodiment is not limited to the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as described later.
- the second transport path 43 and the sixth transport path 44 are provided with a cooling mechanism and an exhaust mechanism for cooling the paper. This will be described in detail below.
- FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment in which a cooling mechanism and an exhaust mechanism are arranged in the conveyance path
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment in which a cooling duct and an exhaust duct are arranged in the conveyance path
- FIG. 6 is a figure which shows the exhaust duct of 1st Embodiment.
- FIG. 5A is a plan view of the cooling duct
- FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA.
- 6A is a plan view of the exhaust duct
- FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the line BB.
- Each conveyance path 42, 43, 44 includes an upper conveyance guide 71 and a lower conveyance guide 72, and the paper P is conveyed between the upper conveyance guide 71 and the lower conveyance guide 72.
- the second conveyance path 43 is provided with a first conveyance roller pair 60 and a second conveyance roller pair 63 at a predetermined interval, and a tip of the second conveyance roller pair 63 is a paper discharge port 80.
- the distance L1 between the nip of the first transport roller pair 60 and the nip of the second transport roller pair 63 is shorter than the minimum sheet length to be used.
- the first transport roller pair 60 includes an upper driven roller 61 and a lower drive roller 62
- the second transport roller pair 63 includes an upper driven roller 64 and a lower drive roller 65.
- two pairs of the first transport roller pair 60 and the second transport roller 63 are provided in the roller rotation axis direction (paper width direction).
- the paper P is sandwiched between the driven rollers 61 and 64 and the driving rollers 62 and 65 and is conveyed to the discharge port 80 by the rotational driving of the driving rollers 62 and 65.
- a flat portion is provided in a substantially horizontal direction at least by a predetermined length L2 from the joint 45 of the first conveyance path 42 and the second conveyance path 43 to the cooling duct 78 surrounding the first conveyance roller pair 60. Is provided. This is intended to increase the cooling effect of the transported paper so that the cooling air can easily flow along the second transport path 43 toward the sixth transport path 44.
- the second conveyance path 43 includes a first conveyance path 42 that conveys the sheet from the fixing unit 21 and a backside printing of the sheet by switching back and recirculating the sheet.
- the sixth transport path 44 is joined at the joint 45.
- a gate 73 is attached to the joint 45.
- the gate 73 is rotatably attached, and as shown in FIG. 3, the gate 73 is rotated upward to connect the transport path 42 and the transport path 43 (this position of the gate 73 is defined as the first position). Further, the sheet can be guided by rotating downward to connect the conveyance path 43 and the conveyance path 44 (this position of the gate 73 is set as the second position).
- a first paper sensor 74 is provided on the joint 45 side of the first transport roller pair 60, and a second paper sensor 75 is provided on the discharge port 80 side of the second transport roller pair 63. These paper sensors 74 and 75 have a light emitting part and a light receiving part above and below the second transport path 43, and detect the presence or absence of paper in the transport path.
- the first sheet sensor 74 shares a sheet switchback timing sensor.
- the second paper sensor 75 detects completion of paper discharge by detecting the trailing edge of the paper.
- the paper sensor may be a sensor of another detection method such as an actuator type.
- a cooling duct 78 of the cooling mechanism 76 is disposed in the second transport path 43, and an exhaust duct 51 of the exhaust mechanism 53 is disposed in the joint 45.
- the air outlet 79 of the cooling duct 78 and the suction port 54 of the exhaust duct 51 are disposed on the same transport surface side and are positioned so as to face the transport path.
- the air outlet 79 of the cooling duct 78 and the suction port 54 of the exhaust duct 51 are connected to the second conveyance path 43 opposite to the side where the first conveyance path 42 is joined to the second conveyance path 43. It is located on the conveyance surface side (the upper side of the upper conveyance guide 71 in FIG. 3).
- the air outlet 79 of the cooling duct 78 and the suction port 54 of the exhaust duct 51 are on the same conveying surface side as the side where the first conveying path 42 joins the second conveying path (in FIG. 3, the second conveying path 43).
- the lower conveyance guide 72 may be positioned on the lower side).
- the cooling fan 77 of the cooling mechanism 76 and the exhaust fan 52 of the exhaust mechanism 53 may be disposed anywhere as long as air can be blown or exhausted from the cooling duct 78 and the exhaust duct 51.
- the extension position and shape of the duct 78 are not limited to the following descriptions.
- the cooling duct 78 is provided so as to surround the driven roller 61 of the first conveying roller pair 60 and guides air from the outside to the sheet P being conveyed.
- the cooling duct 78 is a rectangular frame, the width of which is a size that the driven roller 61 can be accommodated, and the length of the cooling duct 78 is the full width of the paper (paper in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction). The width can be cooled.
- the cooling duct 78 has a structure in which ribs 83 are formed in the transport direction and open intermittently to form an air outlet 79. The ribs 83 also serve as a transport guide.
- the driven roller 61 is rotatably and integrally supported by the cooling duct 78 to simplify the structure.
- the upper conveyance guide 71 has an opening in the installation portion of the driven roller 61 of the first conveyance roller pair 60, from which the cooling air guided to the cooling duct 78 is sent to the first conveyance roller 71.
- the sheet sandwiched between the pair 60 is cooled. Air is taken from the outside of the apparatus and is sent to the cooling duct 78 by the cooling fan 77.
- the suction port 54 of the exhaust duct 51 of the exhaust mechanism 53 is disposed above the joint 45 where the first transport path 42 is joined to the second transport path 43 so as to face the second transport path 43.
- the exhaust mechanism 53 is the exhaust duct 51 and the exhaust fan 52 described with reference to FIGS.
- the exhaust duct 51 has a structure in which ribs 55 are formed in the transport direction and open intermittently to form an air suction port 54.
- the ribs 55 also serve as a transport guide.
- the suction port 54 of the exhaust duct 51 may be disposed so as to face the second conveyance path 43 above the flat portion of the second conveyance path 43 having the predetermined length L2.
- An opening is provided in the conveyance guide 71 below the exhaust duct 51 to form a vent 56 for sending air in the conveyance path to the exhaust duct.
- FIG. 7 is a block diagram regarding a cooling mechanism and an exhaust mechanism of the image forming apparatus.
- the image forming apparatus is controlled by the control unit 101 as described above. That is, the control unit 101 determines the conveyance roller pairs 60 and 63, the paper sensors 74 and 75, the gate 73, the cooling fan 77, and the exhaust fan according to the detection values by the paper sensors 74 and 75 and the setting values registered in the storage unit 102 in advance. 52 is controlled. In addition, timers T1 and T2 described later are set.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for cooling the paper
- FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing paper conveyance and cooling in the case of duplex printing in the simplex printing mode or duplex printing mode
- FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the paper conveyance and cooling in the case of printing.
- the control unit 101 when starting the paper conveyance, the control unit 101 turns the gate 73 upward to close the sixth conveyance path 44 as the first position, and the first conveyance path 42 and the second conveyance path 42.
- the conveyance path 43 is communicated, and the conveyance of the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 21 from the first conveyance path 42 to the second conveyance path 43 is started (step S1).
- the control unit 101 also drives the exhaust fan 52 to start exhausting.
- the control unit 101 sets the timer T1 (step S3).
- the time required for the front end of the paper to be caught in the nip of the first transport roller pair 60 is set to the timer T1. It is what.
- the set value of the timer T1 is registered in advance in the storage unit 102, and the control unit 101 reads it from the storage unit 102 and sets the timer T1.
- step S4 When the timer T1 is started (step S4) and the timer T1 counts up the set value (predetermined time) (step S5; Yes), as shown in FIG.
- the rotation of the cooling fan 77 is started, and air blowing is started with a predetermined amount of cooling air (step S6).
- setting values such as the rotational speed of the cooling fan 77 that secures the cooling air volume are stored in advance in the storage unit 102, and the control unit 101 reads out this value and drives the cooling fan 77.
- the predetermined cooling airflow is a value corresponding to the type of paper (paper size, paper thickness, paper eye (whether the fiber direction is parallel or orthogonal to the conveyance direction, etc.)), and thereby the paper conveyance performance. To prevent defects.
- setting values such as the rotation speed of the cooling fan 77 are stored in advance in the storage unit 102, and the control unit 101 reads out this value according to the type of paper and drives the cooling fan 77.
- the paper type may be input from the operation unit by the user when the paper is stored in the paper feed tray, or may be detected by a detection sensor and automatically set by the control unit 101.
- the air blowing is started for the first time here, but a weak wind may be sent from the start of paper conveyance.
- the cooling air amount is increased to a predetermined amount while the sheet is sandwiched between the first conveying roller pair 60.
- step S7 the control unit 101 confirms whether the second paper sensor 75 has detected the leading edge of the paper.
- step S8 the rotational speed of the cooling fan 77 is switched to a high speed to further increase the air flow rate, thereby increasing the air flow rate per unit time.
- the rotation speed of the cooling fan 77 in this case is also registered in the storage unit 102 in advance, and the control unit 101 drives the cooling fan 77 according to this value.
- the control unit 101 confirms whether the first paper sensor 74 has detected the trailing edge of the paper P (step S9).
- the control unit 101 confirms whether or not the single-sided printing mode is set (step S10). If it is the single-sided printing mode (step S10; Yes), the timer T2 is set (step S11).
- the timer T2 is a time until the paper passes through the air outlet 79.
- the control unit 101 starts the timer T2 (step S12), and checks whether the timer T2 has been increased (step S13). When the timer T2 counts up the set value (step S13; Yes), as shown in FIG. 9E, the air flow is interrupted because the sheet P has passed through the outlet 79 (step S14).
- step S15 It is confirmed whether or not all sheets to be printed have passed through the blowout opening 79 (step S15). If all the sheets have passed through the blowout opening 79, the process is terminated. The paper P is transported.
- step S10 if it is not the single-sided printing mode, it is confirmed in step S16 whether the paper is the one-sided paper P in the double-sided printing mode. If it is not the one-sided paper P in the duplex printing mode, the process proceeds to step S11, and the timer T2 is set.
- the first conveyance roller pair 60 and the second conveyance roller pair 63 are stopped (step S17), and the gate 73 is rotated downward as shown in FIG. In the second position (step S18), the second transport path 43 and the sixth transport path 44 are communicated.
- step S19 the first transport roller pair 60 and the second transport roller pair 63 are driven in reverse (step S19).
- the control unit 101 confirms whether the first sheet sensor 74 has detected the trailing edge of the sheet (step S20), and proceeds to step S14 when the trailing edge of the sheet is detected.
- the cooling air is not applied or the cooling air amount is reduced, and when the sheet is nipped by the first conveying roller pair 60, the first By applying cooling air near the nip of the conveying roller pair 60 or toward the first conveying roller pair 60 with a predetermined air volume, it is possible to prevent paper conveyance failure due to paper curling due to cooling air.
- the sheet can be cooled. Since the single-sided printed paper in the duplex printing mode is cooled during both the period of carrying into the switchback path and the time of carrying out from the switchback path, the paper can be sufficiently cooled and heat is not accumulated in the apparatus.
- the cooling air blown out from the outlet 79 of the cooling duct 78 flows in the horizontal direction along the conveyance guides 71 and 72, but the ventilation formed in the upper conveyance guide 71 above the joint 45 or the flat portion.
- the air is exhausted from the suction port 54 of the exhaust duct 51 through the port 56.
- the heat rising from the lower fixing unit 21 is also exhausted, and the heat does not accumulate in the apparatus. Further, the heat rises from the first conveyance path 42 extending in the substantially vertical direction, and the cooling air does not easily enter from the joint portion 45, so that extra power is not consumed to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit 21.
- FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment in which a cooling mechanism and an exhaust mechanism are arranged in the conveyance path.
- the portion different from the first embodiment is the shape of the cooling duct 81, and the tip portion of the air outlet 79 of the cooling duct 81 is bent toward the joint 45 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the cooling air is blown from the first conveying roller pair 60 toward the joint 45 along the cooling duct. Since the cooling air blowing operation is the same as in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.
- FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment in which a cooling mechanism and an exhaust mechanism are arranged in the conveyance path.
- the difference from the first embodiment is the shape of the cooling duct 82 and the position of the exhaust duct 51.
- the front end portion of the air outlet 79 of the cooling duct 82 is bent toward the outlet 80. Therefore, the cooling air is blown from the first conveying roller pair 60 toward the discharge port 80 along the cooling duct.
- the exhaust duct 51 is disposed between the first transport roller 60 and the second transport roller 63 so that the suction port 54 faces the transport path, and the cooling air blowing operation of the exhaust duct 51 is the same as in the first embodiment.
- the exhaust duct 51 is disposed between the transport roller pairs 60 and 63. An opening is provided in the conveyance guide 71 below the exhaust duct 51 to serve as a vent.
- the exhaust duct 51 is not limited to the above position, and may be disposed on the exhaust port 80 side from the cooling duct 82.
- cooling air is blown toward the discharge port 80 while the second conveyance path 43 is being carried out, so that air flows from the joint portion 45 through the first conveyance path 42 to the fixing unit side. It is difficult to use power wastefully to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit. Further, since the exhaust mechanism 53 is on the discharge port 80 side of the cooling mechanism 76 and the cooling air is exhausted, it is difficult for the cooling air to flow into the periphery of the fixing unit 21), so that extra temperature is maintained to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit 21. So you do n’t have to spend a lot of power. Further, since the cooling air blown from the cooling duct 82 is difficult to be exhausted from the discharge port 80, the sheet discharged from the discharge port 80 is restrained from being pushed by the exhaust and being disturbed and stacked on the discharge tray 2a. it can.
- the air outlet 79 of the cooling duct 82 is never arranged at the position of the joint 45. This is because the cooling air reaches the fixing unit 21 from the first conveyance path 42 to lower the temperature, and consumes extra power to maintain the temperature.
- FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of the conveyance roller in the second conveyance path 43.
- the portion different from the first embodiment is the shape of the driven roller 91 of the first conveying roller pair 90, and as shown in FIG. 13, the driven roller 91 is configured by combining a plurality of rollers having a small roller width. Further, the driven roller 91 may be configured by combining a roller having a large roller diameter and a small roller. In this way, the driven roller 91 has a structure in which the driven roller 91 is intermittently in contact with the paper, and there are alternately portions in contact with the paper and portions having a gap between the paper in the axial direction.
- the wind is blocked by the driven roller 61, so that the cooling efficiency of the portion of the paper that is hard to be hit by the wind is lowered.
- wind pressure is required.
- the cooling efficiency can be improved and the air resistance of the driven roller can be reduced, so that a high blowing pressure is not required.
- the exhaust mechanism 53 is on the upstream side of the cooling mechanism 76 and the cooling air is exhausted, the cooling air is difficult to flow around the fixing unit 21 below, so that extra power is required to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit 21. Does not have to consume.
- FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a fifth embodiment in which a cooling duct and an exhaust duct are arranged in the conveyance path.
- the cooling duct 78 is provided so as to surround the driven roller 64 of the second conveying roller pair 63 and guides air from the outside to the sheet P being conveyed.
- the configuration of the cooling duct for the first transport roller pair 60 is the same as in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.
- the shape of the cooling duct 81 of FIG. 11 described in the second embodiment is still better.
- the exhaust duct 51 is disposed so that the suction port 54 faces the sixth transport path 44.
- the structure of the exhaust duct is the same as in FIG.
- the cold air blown from the outlet 79 of the cooling duct 78 flows from the second conveyance path 43 to the sixth conveyance path 44 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) and is exhausted from the exhaust duct 51.
- the cooling air is blown to the second conveying roller pair 63 that is distant from the joint portion 45 with the first conveying path 42, so that it is difficult for the cooling air to flow around the fixing unit 21 below, so that the temperature of the fixing unit 21 It is not necessary to consume extra power to maintain the power.
- the heat rising from the lower fixing unit 21 is also exhausted, and the heat does not accumulate in the apparatus.
- the cooling duct 78 and the exhaust duct 51 may be in opposite positions (the cooling duct 78 is disposed in the sixth transport path 44 and the exhaust duct 51 is disposed in the second transport path 43).
- the cooling duct is more preferably the shape of the cooling duct 82 of FIG. 12 described in the third embodiment.
- the cold air blown from the outlet 79 of the cooling duct 78 flows from the second conveyance path 43 to the sixth conveyance path 44 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) and is exhausted from the exhaust duct 51.
- the cooling air if the cooling air is blown to the pair of conveying rollers in the sixth conveying path 44 that is located away from the joint 45 with the first conveying path 42, the cooling air hardly flows around the fixing unit 21 below. Therefore, it is not necessary to consume extra power to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit 21. At the same time, the heat rising from the lower fixing unit 21 is also exhausted, and the heat does not accumulate in the apparatus.
- FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment in which a cooling duct and an exhaust duct are arranged in the conveyance path.
- the cooling duct 78 is provided so as to surround the driven roller 64 of the first conveying roller pair 60 as in the first embodiment, and guides air from the outside to the sheet P being conveyed.
- FIG. 14 the configuration of the cooling duct for the first transport roller pair 60 is the same as in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.
- the shape of the cooling duct 81 of FIG. 11 described in the second embodiment is still better.
- the exhaust duct 51 is disposed so that the suction port 54 faces the sixth transport path 44.
- the structure of the exhaust duct is the same as in FIG.
- the cold air blown out from the air outlet 79 of the cooling duct 78 flows from the second conveying path 43 to the sixth conveying path 44 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure), exhausted from the exhaust duct 51, and air is discharged from the air outlet. Since the cooling air flows to the suction port and does not easily flow around the fixing unit 21 below, it is not necessary to consume extra power to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit 21. At the same time, the heat that has risen from the fixing unit 21 located below is also exhausted, and heat does not accumulate in the apparatus. As in the first embodiment, when the flat portion is provided in the substantially horizontal direction by a predetermined length in the second conveyance path 43 from the joint portion 45 to the cooling duct 78, the cooling air is further downward. It is difficult to flow around the fixing unit 21.
- cooling duct 78 and the exhaust duct 51 may be in opposite positions (the cooling duct 78 is disposed in the sixth transport path 44 and the exhaust duct 51 is disposed in the second transport path 43).
- the cooling duct is more preferably the shape of the cooling duct 82 of FIG. 12 described in the third embodiment.
- the cold air blown out from the air outlet 79 of the cooling duct 78 flows from the second conveying path 43 to the sixth conveying path 44 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure), and is exhausted from the exhaust duct 51 and air is sucked from the air outlet. Since the cooling air flows to the mouth and does not easily flow around the fixing unit 21 below, it is not necessary to consume extra power to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit 21. At the same time, the heat rising from the lower fixing unit 21 is also exhausted, and the heat does not accumulate in the apparatus.
- X image forming apparatus 20 electrophotographic process section 21 fixing unit 22 fixing roller pair 22a heating roller 22b pressure roller 42 first transport path 43 second transport path 44 sixth transport path 50 support member 51 exhaust duct 52 exhaust fan 53 exhaust mechanism 60, 63, 90 Transport roller pair 61, 64, 91 Drive roller 62, 65 Drive roller 71 Upper transport guide 72 Lower transport guide 80 Discharge port 73 Gate 74, 75 Paper sensor 76 Cooling mechanism 77 Cooling fan 78 Cooling duct 79 Air outlet 80 Discharge port 81, 82 Cooling duct 83 Rib
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Abstract
Description
前記定着部による加熱定着直後の記録媒体を搬送する定着直後搬送路と、前記定着直後搬送路に接合して、記録媒体を排出口へ搬送あるいはスイッチバックする排出搬送路と、前記定着直後搬送路の接合部で前記排出搬送路に接合して、該排出搬送路でスイッチバックした記録媒体を両面印刷を行なうために搬送する両面搬送路と、冷却風を送る吹出口を有する冷却機構と、前記冷却風を吸い込んで排気する吸引口を有する排気機構と、を備え、
前記吹出口と前記吸引口が前記排出搬送路と前記両面搬送路の少なくともいずれかの同一搬送面側に配置され、一方の前記吹出口と前記吸引口のいずれかが前記排出搬送路に臨んで位置し、他方の前記吸引口が、前記排出搬送路、前記両面搬送路及び前記排出搬送路と前記両面搬送路の接合部のいずれかに臨んで位置し、あるいは他方の前記吹出口が、前記排出搬送路及び前記両面搬送路のいずれかに臨んで位置することを特徴とする。
まず、図1を用いて、本発明の一実施形態に係る画像形成装置Xの構成について説明する。画像形成装置Xは、複写機能及びプリンタ機能を併せ持つ複合機である。
本画像形成装置Xは、印刷モードとしてコピアモード(複写モード)、プリンタモード、FAXモードを有しており、不図示の操作部からの操作入力や、パーソナルコンピュータ等の外部ホスト装置からの印刷ジョブの受信に応じた印刷モードが、図1に不図示の制御部(後述する図7の制御部101)によって選択される。
前記定着ユニット21による加熱定着後の用紙は、第1搬送路(定着直後搬送路)42内に送出されることによってさらに上方向へ導かれ、さらに、前記定着ユニット21の上方に配置された第2搬送路43へ搬送される。第2搬送路43は、排出搬送路であり、かつ両面印刷におけるスイッチバック搬送路でもある。
ここで、前記排気ダクト51は、前記原稿読み取り部1(画像読み取り手段)を支持する支持部材50により形成されている。
図3は、搬送路に冷却機構及び排気機構を配置した第1実施形態を示す構成図、図4は搬送路に冷却ダクト及び排気ダクトを配置した第1実施形態を示す斜視図、図5は第1実施形態の冷却ダクトを示す図、図6は第1実施形態の排気ダクトを示す図である。図5(a)は冷却ダクトの平面図、図5(b)はA-Aにおけるその断面図である。図6(a)は排気ダクトの平面図、図6(b)はB-Bにおけるその断面図である。
なお、用紙センサは、アクチュエータ式等の他の検知方式のセンサでもよい。
この実施形態の場合は、冷却ダクト78の吹出口79と排気ダクト51の吸引口54が、第1搬送路42が第2搬送路43と接合する側とは反対側の第2搬送路43の搬送面側(図3において、上搬送ガイド71の上側)に位置している。
なお、冷却ダクト78の吹出口79と排気ダクト51の吸引口54は、第1搬送路42が第2搬送路と接合する側と同じ側の搬送面側(図3において、第2搬送路43の下搬送ガイド72の下側)に位置してもよい。
冷却機構76の冷却ファン77、及び排気機構53の排気ファン52は、冷却ダクト78と排気ダクト51から送風あるいは排気ができる位置であれば、どこに配置してもよいし、また冷却ダクト51及び排気ダクト78も延設位置や形状は以下の記載に限定はされない。
なお排気ダクト51の吸引口54が、第2搬送路43の所定長L2の平坦部の上方に第2搬送路43を臨むように配置されても構わない。排気ダクト51の下方の搬送ガイド71に開口部を設け、搬送路内の空気を排気ダクトに送る通気口56とする。
図8は用紙への冷却の手順を示すフローチャート、図9は、片面印刷モード、あるいは両面印刷モードの両面印刷済みの場合の用紙搬送と冷却を示す説明図、図10は両面印刷モードの片面側印刷の場合の用紙搬送と冷却を示す説明図である。
また、略鉛直方向に延びる第1搬送路42からは熱が上昇して接合部45から冷却風が入り込みにくく、定着ユニット21の温度を維持するために余計な電力を消費しないで済む。
図11は、搬送路に冷却機構及び排気機構を配置した第2実施形態を示す構成図である。
図3の第1実施形態と同一部分には共通の符号を付す。第1実施形態と異なる部分は、冷却ダクト81の形状であり、図11に示すように冷却ダクト81の吹出口79の先端部分が接合部45側へ折れ曲がっている。従って、冷却風は冷却ダクトに沿って、第1搬送ローラ対60から接合部45側へ送風される。冷却風の送風動作は、第1実施形態と同じであるので説明は省略する。
図12は、搬送路に冷却機構及び排気機構を配置した第3実施形態を示す構成図である。
図3の第1実施形態と同一部分には共通の符号を付す。第1実施形態と異なる部分は、冷却ダクト82の形状と、排気ダクト51の位置である。図12に示すように冷却ダクト82の吹出口79の先端部分が排出口80側へ折れ曲がっている。従って、冷却風は冷却ダクトにそって、第1搬送ローラ対60から排出口80側へ送風される。第1搬送ローラ60と第2搬送ローラ63の間には排気ダクト51がその吸引口54を搬送路に臨むように配置され、排気ダクト51の冷却風の送風動作は、第1実施形態と同じであるので説明は省略する。排気ダクト51は、搬送ローラ対60と63の間に配置される。排気ダクト51の下方の搬送ガイド71に開口部を設け、通気口とする。なお、排気ダクト51は、上記位置に限るものではなく、冷却ダクト82より排出口80側に配置されていればよい。
図13は、第2搬送路43における搬送ローラについての第4実施形態を示す構成図である。
図3の第1実施形態と同一部分には共通の符号を付す。第1実施形態と異なる部分は、第1搬送ローラ対90の従動ローラ91の形状であり、図13に示すように、ローラ幅の小さい複数のローラを組み合わせて従動ローラ91を構成している。また、ローラ径の大きなローラと小さなローラを組み合わせて従動ローラ91を構成してもよい。こうして、従動ローラ91は、用紙に対して断続的に接触する構造となり、用紙に接触する部分と、用紙との間に空隙がある部分とが軸方向に交互に存在することになる。
図14は搬送路に冷却ダクト及び排気ダクトを配置した第5実施形態を示す構成図である。
冷却ダクト78は、第2搬送ローラ対63の従動ローラ64を囲うように設けられ、外部からの空気を搬送されている用紙Pへ導く。図14では簡略的に記載しているが、図3、図4及び図5で第1搬送ローラ対60に対する冷却ダクトの構成と同じである。第2実施形態で説明した図11の冷却ダクト81の形状であればなおよい。
排気ダクト51は、吸引口54が第6搬送路44を臨むように配置されている。排気ダクトの構成は図6と同じである。
図15は搬送路に冷却ダクト及び排気ダクトを配置した第6実施形態を示す構成図である。
冷却ダクト78は、第1実施形態と同じく第1搬送ローラ対60の従動ローラ64を囲うように設けられ、外部からの空気を搬送されている用紙Pへ導く。図14では簡略的に記載しているが、図3、図4及び図5で第1搬送ローラ対60に対する冷却ダクトの構成と同じである。第2実施形態で説明した図11の冷却ダクト81の形状であればなおよい。
排気ダクト51は、吸引口54が第6搬送路44を臨むように配置されている。排気ダクトの構成は図6と同じである。
なお、第1実施形態と同様に、接合部45から冷却ダクト78に至るまでに第2搬送路43に所定長だけ略水平方向に平坦部が設けられていると、より冷却風が下方にある定着ユニット21の周囲に流れ込みにくい。
特に第1搬送路42との接合部45から冷却ダクト78に至るまでに第6搬送路44に所定長だけ略水平方向に平坦部が設けられていると、より冷却風が下方にある定着ユニット21の周囲に流れ込みにくい。
20 電子写真プロセス部
21 定着ユニット
22 定着ローラ対
22a 加熱ローラ
22b 加圧ローラ
42 第1搬送路
43 第2搬送路
44 第6搬送路
50 支持部材
51 排気ダクト
52 排気ファン
53 排気機構
60,63,90 搬送ローラ対
61,64,91 従動ローラ
62,65 駆動ローラ
71 上搬送ガイド
72 下搬送ガイド
80 排出口
73 ゲート
74,75 用紙センサ
76 冷却機構
77 冷却ファン
78 冷却ダクト
79 吹出口
80 排出口
81,82 冷却ダクト
83 リブ
Claims (5)
- 記録媒体に画像を形成する画像形成部と、画像形成後の記録媒体に画像を加熱定着させる定着部とを具備する画像形成装置において、
前記定着部による加熱定着直後の記録媒体を搬送する定着直後搬送路と、
前記定着直後搬送路に接合して、記録媒体を排出口へ搬送あるいはスイッチバックする排出搬送路と、
前記定着直後搬送路の接合部で前記排出搬送路に接合して、該排出搬送路でスイッチバックした記録媒体を両面印刷を行なうために搬送する両面搬送路と、
冷却風を送る吹出口を有する冷却機構と、
前記冷却風を吸い込んで排気する吸引口を有する排気機構と、
を備え、
前記吹出口と前記吸引口が前記排出搬送路と前記両面搬送路の少なくともいずれかの同一搬送面側に配置され、
一方の前記吹出口と前記吸引口のいずれかが前記排出搬送路に臨んで位置し、
他方の前記吸引口が、前記排出搬送路、前記両面搬送路及び前記排出搬送路と前記両面搬送路の接合部のいずれかに臨んで位置し、あるいは他方の前記吹出口が、前記排出搬送路及び前記両面搬送路のいずれかに臨んで位置することを特徴とする画像形成装置。 - 前記吹出口と前記吸引口は、前記定着直後搬送路が接合する側とは反対側の搬送路面側に位置することを特徴とする請求項1に記載の画像形成装置。
- 前記吹出口は、その位置している搬送路に配置されている搬送ローラのうち、前記接合部に最も近い搬送ローラより遠い位置に配置することを特徴とする請求項1又は2に記載の画像形成装置。
- 前記定着直後搬送路は、前記定着部から略垂直方向に延び、
前記排出搬送路と前記両面搬送路は、略水平方向に配置されて前記定着直後搬送路に接合することを特徴とする請求項1乃至3のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置。 - 前記排出搬送路は、前記定着直後搬送路との接合部と前記冷却機構の吹出口との間に、平坦部が所定長設けられていることを特徴とする請求項1乃至4のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置。
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CN201080047711.4A CN102576207B (zh) | 2009-10-23 | 2010-10-22 | 图像形成装置 |
US13/500,936 US8811849B2 (en) | 2009-10-23 | 2010-10-22 | Image forming apparatus |
BR112012011339A BR112012011339A2 (pt) | 2009-10-23 | 2010-10-22 | aparelho de formação de imagem |
US14/325,403 US9507298B2 (en) | 2009-10-23 | 2014-07-08 | Image forming apparatus including cooling mechanism with blowoff port |
US15/297,641 US9811030B2 (en) | 2009-10-23 | 2016-10-19 | Image forming apparatus |
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US13/500,936 A-371-Of-International US8811849B2 (en) | 2009-10-23 | 2010-10-22 | Image forming apparatus |
US14/325,403 Continuation US9507298B2 (en) | 2009-10-23 | 2014-07-08 | Image forming apparatus including cooling mechanism with blowoff port |
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CN102576207A (zh) | 2012-07-11 |
CN102576207B (zh) | 2014-10-29 |
JP4886018B2 (ja) | 2012-02-29 |
CN104199265A (zh) | 2014-12-10 |
JP2011090170A (ja) | 2011-05-06 |
US20170038709A1 (en) | 2017-02-09 |
BR112012011339A2 (pt) | 2016-04-19 |
US9811030B2 (en) | 2017-11-07 |
US8811849B2 (en) | 2014-08-19 |
US9507298B2 (en) | 2016-11-29 |
US20120201564A1 (en) | 2012-08-09 |
US20140363191A1 (en) | 2014-12-11 |
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