Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges, a fixing device, a fan, and a duct. The duct guides air supplied from the fan to a predetermined cartridge closest to the fixing device among the plurality of cartridges. On one end side of the predetermined cartridge in the rotation axis direction, the duct includes a first portion for discharging air supplied from the fan toward the top surface of the cartridge in a first direction from top to bottom, and a second portion for discharging air supplied from the fan toward the top surface of the cartridge in a second direction from top to bottom. The second portion is for discharging air supplied from the fan above the top surface in a second direction along the axial direction of the photosensitive member. The air discharged from the first portion and the air discharged from the second portion collide with each other above the top surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. Background Art

[0002] Typically, an imaging device such as a laser printer includes a heating portion such as a fixing device inside the device to melt powdered toner to a recording material such as paper using heat. In addition, the imaging device also includes a box for containing toner. When the box is heated by the heat generated by the heating portion and the temperature rises, there is a risk that the toner inside the box will deteriorate or change in quality. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the temperature of the box from rising too high by blowing air on the box, etc. As a structure for ensuring good cooling, for example, in a color image forming device using four-color boxes, a device has been disclosed in which an independent air channel is provided for each box, and the box is cooled by blowing air through the air channel (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) 2021-056441).

[0003] In recent years, it has become increasingly necessary to reduce the overall size of an imaging device to improve usability and reduce costs. However, in a conventional configuration in which an air passage is provided for each of four color boxes, a duct is required to form each air passage. If the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the duct is small, the air flow becomes poor, so it is difficult to make the duct size extremely small in order to obtain a cooling effect. Therefore, when four ducts are provided, in addition to requiring space inside the imaging device, the cost of the duct is also required.

[0004] The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce costs by efficiently arranging air passages to cool a plurality of cartridges while achieving size reduction of an image forming apparatus. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following configuration.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, the image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of cartridges, each of the cartridges comprising a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member with a toner; a fixing device configured to fix unfixed toner carried on the recording material; a fan configured to supply air; and a duct configured to guide the air supplied from the fan to a predetermined cartridge among the plurality of cartridges that is closest to the fixing device, wherein, of two surfaces intersecting a vertical direction included in the predetermined cartridge, the predetermined cartridge comprises a top surface positioned above in the vertical direction, wherein, at one end side of the predetermined cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, the duct comprises a first portion for discharging the air supplied from the fan toward the top surface in a first direction from top to bottom in the vertical direction, and a second portion for discharging the air supplied from the fan above the top surface in a second direction along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive member, and wherein the air discharged from the first portion and the air discharged from the second portion collide with each other above the top surface.

[0007] (2) According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device for forming an image on a recording material, the imaging device comprising: a plurality of boxes, each of the boxes comprising a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member using a colorant; a fixing device configured to fix unfixed colorant carried on the recording material; a fan configured to supply air; and a duct configured to guide the air supplied from the fan to a predetermined box among the plurality of boxes that is closest to the fixing device, wherein, of two surfaces intersecting the vertical direction included in the predetermined box, the predetermined box comprises a developing member positioned above the fixing device in the vertical direction. The top surface above the predetermined box, wherein, at one end side of the predetermined box in the direction of the rotation axis, the duct includes a first opening and a second opening, and the air supplied from the fan is discharged toward the top surface in a first direction from top to bottom in the vertical direction through the first opening, and the air supplied from the fan above the top surface in the vertical direction is blown out through the second opening in a second direction along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive member, and wherein an imaginary first area formed by extending the first opening in the first direction and an imaginary second area formed by extending the second opening in the second direction intersect each other above the top surface.

[0008] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 , part (a) and part (b) are perspective views of an imaging device according to a first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 , Part (a) and Part (b) are perspective views showing the internal configuration of the imaging device according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 , Part (a) and Part (b) are a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the imaging device according to the first embodiment and a perspective view of a frame.

[0012] Figure 4 , parts (a) and (b) are sectional views showing the internal structure of the imaging device according to the first embodiment, and partial sectional views showing the internal structure around the box.

[0013] Figure 5 , Part (a) and Part (b) are views of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment viewed from the rear side, and are partial cross-sectional views showing the configuration around a suction opening.

[0014] Figure 6 , Part (a) and Part (b) are views showing the internal configuration of the imaging device according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 7 , Part (a) and Part (b) are views showing the internal configuration of the imaging device according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 8 , Part (a) and Part (b) are views showing the internal configuration of the imaging device according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Fig. 9 is a view showing the flow of the air F8 in the first embodiment.

[0018] Fig.10 , Part (a) and Part (b) are views showing the internal configuration of the imaging device according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Fig.11 is a diagram showing the flow and exhaust of the air F8 in the first embodiment.

[0020] Fig.12 , Part (a) and Part (b) are views showing the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment in a printable state.

[0021] Fig.13 , Part (a) and Part (b) are views showing the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment in a printable state.

[0022] Fig.14 , Part (a) and Part (b) are views showing an imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment, wherein a door is in an open state.

[0023] Fig.15 , parts (a) and (b) are views showing an imaging device according to a second embodiment, wherein a door is in an open state.

[0024] Fig.16 , part (a), part (b), and part (c) are views showing a state in which a box of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment has been pulled out.

[0025] Fig.17 , Part (a) and Part (b) are a view showing the internal configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment and a view showing the flow of air F8.

[0026] Fig.18 is a view showing the internal configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the size, material, shape and relative arrangement of the components described in these embodiments should be appropriately changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the equipment to which the present invention is applied. In other words, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the following embodiments.

[0028] <Example 1>

[0029] [External part of the imaging device]

[0030] Will refer to Figure 1 Describe the imaging device. Figure 1 1 and 12 are perspective views of a color laser beam printer, which is an example of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, viewed from the front side and the back side, respectively. Figure 1 In the coordinate axes shown in , X refers to the front-to-back direction of the product, Y refers to the width direction (lateral direction) of the product, and Z refers to the height direction (vertical direction) of the product. By the way, in the front-to-back direction, the front is also the front side, and the back is also the back side; the lateral direction is defined as the left and right when viewed from the front.

[0031] The outer surface of the imaging device 1 is composed of a plurality of covers mainly made of non-conductive resin. Incidentally, the term "non-conductive" does not mean insulation here; it means that it does not have good conductivity like metal. The covers as the outer part of the imaging device 1 are composed of an upper cover 2, a right cover 3, a left cover 4, a front door 5, a box cover 6, a rear upper cover 7a on the back side, a rear door 7b, a rear door handle 7c and a rear lower cover 7d.

[0032] The front door 5 is provided to be openable and closable relative to the main assembly (hereinafter referred to as the main assembly) of the image forming apparatus 1 to replace the cartridge 21 described below. The cartridge cover 6 is fixed to the cartridge 9 described below (see Figure 3 The rear door 7b is integrally formed with the main assembly (a) and is arranged to be inserted into and removed from the main assembly together with the cartridge 9. The rear door 7b is arranged to be openable and closable relative to the main assembly to perform paper jam handling and internal unit replacement. The recording material S described below (see Figure 4 The right cover 3 (cover) is fixed to the main assembly and includes a suction opening 3a and an opening 3b. The suction opening 3a is provided on the back side of the right cover 3. The opening 3b is an opening through which the socket 103 (connection portion to which a cable connected to an external power source such as a power outlet is connected) is exposed.

[0033] The left cover 4 is provided with an opening 4a, through which a communication port 102a allowing various communication cables to be inserted and removed from the outside is exposed. Incidentally, the configuration of the covers in the first embodiment (e.g., whether they are fixed, whether they can be opened or closed, and whether they are subdivided) is an example, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. In addition, the cover may be provided integrally, may be further subdivided, may be openable / closable, or may be fixedly supported, and each opening portion may be configured with a cover different from that in the first embodiment.

[0034] [Interior of the imaging device]

[0035] Figure 2 It is a device with a structure viewed from the front and back sides. Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the interior of the imaging device 1 with a cover (not shown) described in FIG. Figure 3 Part (a) of FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of the imaging device 1 as viewed from the front side, in which a cover, a duct, and a fan of the imaging device 1 are not shown. Figure 3 Part (b) is a perspective view of the configuration of the frame 10 forming the skeleton of the imaging apparatus 1 as viewed from the front side.

[0036] The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus for forming an image on a recording material S, and is provided with a frame 10. The frame 10 is formed of a conductive metal plate, and mainly includes a left frame 11, a right frame 12, a main frame 13, a scanner frame 14, and a fixing frame 15. The right frame 12 as a first frame is connected to a photosensitive drum 24 (see FIG. Figure 4 The left frame 11 as the second frame intersects with the rotation axis direction, divides the imaging device 1 into the inside and the outside, and faces the right frame 12.

[0037] In the first embodiment, the space formed between the left frame 11 and the right frame 12 is referred to as the inner side of the frame, and the corresponding space outside the right frame 12 and the left frame 11 is referred to as the outer side of the frame. The main frame 13, the scanner frame 14, and the fixing frame 15 are disposed between the left frame 11 and the right frame 12, and are coupled to the left frame 11 and the right frame 12 to form a part of the skeleton.

[0038] The right frame 12 includes a main plane 12a and an opening 12b (opening, third opening). The opening 12b is connected to the pipe 111 described below (see Figure 6 ) from the outside of the frame to the inside of the frame. By providing the opening 12b, the duct 111 (duct 111C described below) can be made linear, and the outside air can be efficiently guided to the inside of the imaging device 1. Incidentally, a part of the opening 12b does not have to be as Figure 3 For example, the opening 12b may be a cutout shape (cutout, first cutout) extending to the upper side of the right frame 12. In addition, the shape of the opening 12b does not need to be as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The shape of the shape is not a rectangle as shown in part (b) of the embodiment, but may be other shapes such as a circle, an ellipse or a polygon as long as it allows the pipe 111 to pass through.

[0039] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3The arrangement and support of each part of the imaging device 1 are described. The laser scanner 19 is positioned on the top of the scanner frame 14 and supported by the scanner frame 14. The transfer drive part 90 is mainly positioned on the outside of the right frame 12, includes the transfer drive frame 90a, and is supported by the right frame 12. The fixing drive part 91 is mainly positioned on the outside of the right frame 12, includes the fixing drive frame 91a, and is supported by the right frame 12. The transfer drive part 90 and the fixing drive part 91 can be integrally constructed or constructed as separate parts. A part of the transfer drive part 90 exists by passing through a hole formed in the right frame 12 so as to transmit power to the unit inside the frame. The cutout part 92 (second cutout) provided between the transfer drive frame 90a and the fixing drive frame 91a guides the duct 111 described below from the outside of the frame to the inside of the frame. By providing the cutout part 92, the duct 111 (duct 111C described below) can be made linear, and the external air can be efficiently guided to the inside of the imaging device 1. Incidentally, the cutout portion 92 does not necessarily have to have Figure 3 The shape of the cutout shown in part (a) of FIG. 1 may be, for example, an opening (fourth opening) large enough for the pipe 111 to pass therethrough.

[0040] The power supply section 100 converts the AC voltage of the AC power supplied through the jack 103 into a low DC voltage such as 3.3V or 24V to generate a voltage. The power supply section 100 is positioned outside (outside) the right frame 12 and below the transfer drive section 90, and is supported by the right frame 12 and peripheral components. The cartridge 9 is positioned inside the frame and below the main frame 13. The manual feed section 8 is divided into an upper unit and a lower unit, Figure 4 The path P2 shown in part (a) of FIG. 1 is interposed between the two. The supply / separation part 40 is mainly located on the inner side of the frame and is supported by the main frame 13, the right frame 12 and the left frame 11. The supply drive mechanism 44 is positioned on the bottom rear side of the right frame 12 and spans the right frame 12 to connect the units inside and outside the frame.

[0041] The intermediate transfer belt 31 and the primary transfer roller 34 are positioned between the left frame 11 and the right frame 12, between the main frame 13 and the scanner frame 14, and below the cassette 21 (see Figure 4 The intermediate transfer belt 31 and the primary transfer roller 34 are supported by the right frame 12, the left frame 11 and peripheral members (not shown). The secondary transfer roller 61 (see Figure 4(a) part) is supported by the right frame 12 and the left frame 11 to be swingable. When the rear door 7b is opened, the secondary transfer roller 61 can be moved to the open position synchronously with the rear door 7b, and when moved to the open position, the rear door 7b opens the conveying path of the recording material S to the outside. The fixing device 70 and the discharge part 80 are formed as an integrated unit and are supported on the upper rear side of the right frame 12 and the left frame 11. The discharge part 80 discharges the recording material S to which the toner is fixed by the fixing device 70. The control part 102 and the high-voltage part 101 are positioned on the opposite side of the power supply part 100, that is, on the outside of the left frame 11, and are supported by the left frame 11 and its peripheral components.

[0042] Figure 4 Part (a) of FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a cartridge 9, a manual feed portion 8, a supply / separation portion 40, a conveying portion 50, and a discharge portion 80. The image forming apparatus 1 includes two supply paths for the recording material S, and the recording material S can be replenished from both the cartridge 9 and the manual feed portion 8. The conveying path P1 is a conveying path from a supply port of the cartridge 9, the path P2 is a path from the manual feed portion 8, and the conveying path P3 is a conveying path downstream of the conveying path P1 and the path P2.

[0043] The image forming operation will be described below. The supply / separation portion 40 is provided with a supply roller 41, a separation roller pair 42, a supply drive motor 43, and a supply drive mechanism 44. When the recording material S is conveyed from the cassette 9, the supply roller 41 abuts against the uppermost recording material S among the recording materials S stacked on the stacking plate 9a of the cassette 9 and rotates to supply the recording material S downstream in the conveying direction. Incidentally, the stacking plate 9a is supported by the cassette 9 so as to be swingable, and when the cassette 9 is accommodated in the image forming apparatus 1, the stacking plate 9a swings upward to a position where the recording material S can be supplied.

[0044] The separation roller pair 42 includes a separation conveying roller 42a and a separation roller 42b. The separation conveying roller 42a contacts the upper surface of the recording material S and rotates so as to apply a conveying force to the recording material S to move it downstream. At the same time, the separation roller 42b applies resistance to the recording material S and the subsequent recording material S in the direction opposite to the conveying direction so that a plurality of recording materials S are not conveyed downstream. Only one recording material S can be conveyed downstream by the separation roller pair 42. In the first embodiment, the separation roller 42b is connected to a torque limiter (not shown) and separation is performed by the rotation resistance of the torque limiter; however, the separation system is not limited to this separation roller method. For example, a pad separation method using friction from a separation pad, or a delay method in which a separation roller obtains a driving force from a supply drive mechanism 44 and rotates in a direction opposite to the separation conveying roller to perform separation, can be used. When the recording material S of the manual feed section 8 is to be conveyed, the recording material S is placed in the manual feed section 8 so that the recording material S can be conveyed along the path P2.

[0045] The conveying part 50 will be described. The conveying part 50 mainly includes a conveying roller 50a, a conveying roller 50b and a conveying sensor (not shown). The conveying roller 50a, together with the conveying roller 50b, clamps the recording material S supplied from the supply / separation part 40 and conveys it further downstream. The conveying sensor detects the front end of the recording material S conveyed by the conveying roller 50a, and increases or decreases the rotation speed of the conveying roller 50a. Therefore, the position of the image and the recording material S to be transferred at the clamping portion between the intermediate transfer belt 31 and the secondary transfer roller 61 is adjusted to fall within a predetermined range. The conveying part 50 obtains a driving force from the supply drive motor 43.

[0046] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a laser scanner 19, a cartridge 21, an intermediate transfer belt 31, a primary transfer roller 34, and a secondary transfer roller 61, all of which serve as image forming devices. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of cartridges 21, each cartridge including a photosensitive drum 24 and a developing member 23, and a fixing device 70 configured to fix an unfixed toner carried on a recording material S. The cartridge 21 may have a configuration other than a configuration in which the photosensitive drum 24 and the developing member 23 are integrated into one unit. For example, a cartridge provided with a photosensitive drum 24 and a cartridge provided with a developing member 23 may be configured as separate units that can be independently detached from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0047] Figure 4Part (b) of the figure is a cross-sectional view of the secondary transfer roller 61 and the periphery of the yellow box 21a closest to the fixing device 70. The image forming process of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The box 21a includes a toner holding container 22a, a developing member 23a (e.g., a developing roller), a photosensitive drum 24a, a waste toner holding container 25a, a cleaning portion 26a, and a charging roller 28a. The charging roller 28a in the box 21a applies an electric charge to the surface of the photosensitive drum 24, which is a rotating photosensitive member. Therefore, when the laser scanner 19 appropriately irradiates the photosensitive drum 24a, which is also rotating, with a laser beam 19a, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 24a by a potential difference. Incidentally, a laser beam 19b for forming a magenta toner image is also shown. Box 21a includes a toner holding container 22a as a toner storage part for storing and holding toner, and the toner in the toner holding container 22a is supplied to the photosensitive drum 24a from the developing member 23a. The toner is transferred to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 24a, so that an image is formed by the toner on the photosensitive drum 24a. The photosensitive drum 24a, the developing member 23a, etc. obtain driving force from the transfer drive motor 90b of the transfer drive part 90 and rotate and operate each part. This also applies to boxes 21b, 21c and 21d except box 21a. By the way, box 21b corresponds to magenta, box 21c corresponds to cyan, and box 21d corresponds to black. Boxes 21a to 21d include photosensitive drums 24a to 24d, respectively, and primary transfer rollers 34a to 34d are arranged opposite to the photosensitive drums 24a to 24d, with the intermediate transfer belt 31 interposed therebetween. The image forming apparatus 1 further includes a driving roller 32 and a tension roller 33 .

[0048] The imaging device 1 also includes a mechanism for operating each of the above-mentioned components and a mechanism for providing a power supply voltage. The intermediate transfer belt 31 is held by a drive roller 32 and two tension rollers 33 to prevent slack in the intermediate transfer belt 31, and is rotationally moved along the moving direction T by the rotation of the drive roller 32. Four primary transfer rollers 34 (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) are provided on the inner peripheral portion of the intermediate transfer belt 31. The primary transfer rollers 34 are configured to be switchable between a pressing position where they are in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 31 and a separation position where they are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 31. During the imaging process, by placing the primary transfer rollers 34 in the pressing position, the intermediate transfer belt 31 is in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 24, and by applying a transfer voltage, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 24 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 (hereinafter also referred to as primary transfer). The toner images are sequentially transferred from the photosensitive drums 24a to 24d of the respective cartridges 21a to 21d for yellow, magenta, cyan and black to the intermediate transfer belt 31 in a superimposed manner, whereby a color image formed of four color toners is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 31.

[0049] Incidentally, the intermediate transfer belt 31 and the driving roller 32 are also used for transfer (hereinafter also referred to as secondary transfer) performed by the secondary transfer roller 61. In addition, after the toner is primarily transferred from the photosensitive drum 24 to the intermediate transfer belt 31, that is, after the image is formed, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 24 is scraped off by the cleaning portion 26. The scraped off toner is held in the waste toner holding container 25 as a waste toner storage portion included in the cartridge 21. The primary transfer roller 34 obtains a driving force from a transfer drive motor 90b provided in the transfer drive portion 90, and rotates and operates each portion.

[0050] The secondary transfer is performed by the intermediate transfer belt 31, the driving roller 32, and the secondary transfer roller 61. The recording material S conveyed from the conveying portion 50 is sandwiched between the driving roller 32 and the secondary transfer roller 61 by the intermediate transfer belt 31, and transfer and conveyance are performed. A secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 61, and when the recording material S passes between the intermediate transfer belt 31 and the secondary transfer roller 61, the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 31 is transferred to the recording material S, thereby forming a color image formed of the toner on the recording material S.

[0051] The fixing device 70 will be described. The fixing device 70 includes a fixing roller 71 as a pressing roller and a heating portion 72 that is opposite to the fixing roller 71 to form a nip. The fixing device 70 rotates while the fixing roller 71 and the heating portion 72 clamp the recording material S to which the color toner image has been transferred, and the fixing device 70 performs fixing by applying heat and pressure to the recording material S. The heating portion 72 includes a heater as a heat source, a fixing film, a heater holder, and a supporting member inside, and raises the temperature of the fixing roller 71 and the heating portion 72. The heater holder holds the heater and supports the fixing film so that it can rotate. The supporting member supports the heater holder. A sensor is provided inside the heating portion 72 to detect the fixing temperature, and according to the detection result of the sensor, the amount of heat generated by the heater is controlled so that the fixing nip formed by the fixing roller 71 and the heating portion 72 reaches a predetermined temperature. The fixing device 70 is heated by a heater so that the temperature reaches a predetermined level before the recording material S to which the image has been transferred reaches the fixing device 70. The recording material S passes between the fixing roller 71 and the heating portion 72, which have reached a predetermined temperature, thereby fixing the image formed by the toner transferred to the recording material S. Incidentally, the predetermined temperature varies depending on the environment in which the image forming apparatus 1 is located, the type of recording material S used, and other various conditions. The fixing device 70 obtains a driving force from a fixing drive motor 91b of a fixing drive portion 91 so that each portion rotates and conveys the recording material S. The fixing device 70 includes a fixing cover 73 for shielding the heating portion 72 from the outside.

[0052] Will refer to Figure 4 Part (a) of the drawings describes the discharge portion 80. The discharge portion 80 includes a discharge roller 80a, a discharge guide, and various sensors for detecting the presence or absence of a recording material S. The discharge roller 80a and the discharge roller 80b clamp and convey the recording material S on which the image has been fixed by the fixing device 70. Various sensors detect the width and length of the conveyed recording material S. Incidentally, the width refers to the length in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording material S, and the length refers to the length in the conveying direction. A discharge tray 81 is provided downstream of the discharge portion 80, and the discharged recording material S is stacked on the discharge portion.

[0053] The upper portion of the discharge portion 80 includes a duct 111 for generating air F7, which is an airflow that lowers the temperature of the recording material S heated by the fixing device 70, and an air passage D7 formed by the duct 111. Incidentally, the duct 111 will be described below. In this case, if the side to which the image of the recording material S has been transferred is a printing surface, the air F7 is blown to collide with a non-printing surface located on the opposite side of the printing surface. Incidentally, the configuration may be such that the air passage D7 is formed so that the air F7 hits the non-printing surface.

[0054] Next, a description will be given of a configuration around the power supply portion 100. The power supply portion 100 is an electronic circuit board (low-voltage power supply board) that supplies power supplied via the socket 103 to each unit provided inside the imaging device 1. The socket 103 is connected to a cable connected to an external power source such as a power outlet.

[0055] [Parts to be cooled]

[0056] Reference Figures 2 to 9 The construction of the first embodiment is described. Some electronic components mounted on the power board 100a generate heat during operation. In addition, each electronic component has its own upper limit temperature at which it can operate normally. If there are any electronic components that may reach high temperatures, they need to be controlled to remain below their upper limit temperature. In addition, the box 21 contains toner, which has the characteristic of being denatured by heat. Once the toner reaches a high temperature, the subsequent imaging operation is likely to be affected. In other words, the box 21 has an upper limit temperature at which normal operation can be performed in a stable manner. In addition, since the recording material S being discharged has just been heated by the fixing device 70, it is at a relatively high temperature. When the toner fixed to the recording material S is discharged to the discharge tray 81 while still in a high temperature state, if the toner contacts the previously stacked recording material S, the previously discharged recording material S and the next discharged recording material S may stick together through the toner. In other words, it is necessary to keep the temperature of the recording material S during discharge at or below a predetermined temperature.

[0057] Therefore, in the first embodiment, the box 21, the power supply part 100 and the discharge part 80 are components that need to be cooled. In the first embodiment, the following is configured so that the temperature of the electronic components of the power supply part 100, the box 21 and the recording material S being discharged is kept below a predetermined temperature. In other words, the imaging device 1 is provided with a blower 110 such as a fan and a duct 111 so as to guide the outside air into the interior of the imaging device 1 and blow the guided outside air to the electronic components 100b (see Figure 3 (a) part), the box 21 and the recording material S being discharged, thereby performing cooling.

[0058] [Blower]

[0059] Figure 5 Part (a) is a view of the imaging device 1 observed from the rear side. On the back side 3c (the back side portion of the right cover 3), a suction opening 3a is provided on the back side of the imaging device 1. The suction opening 3a is an opening group including a plurality of openings for sucking air into the blower 110. Here, below the suction opening 3a on the back side 3c, there is an opening 3b through which the socket 103 is exposed. When the imaging device 1 is operated, a cable connected to a power source is inserted into the socket 103; however, in this case, the cable protrudes from the back side 3c, and therefore a certain amount of space is required on the back side, making it difficult to set the back side portion of the imaging device 1 close to a wall or the like without a gap. In other words, setting the suction opening 3a at this position makes it difficult to position the back side portion of the imaging device 1 close to the wall. Therefore, by blocking the suction opening 3a by the wall, it is possible to prevent the difficulty of guiding the outside air to the inside of the imaging device 1 (hereinafter, also referred to as the inside of the device).

[0060] Figure 5 Part (b) is along Figure 5 1. A partial cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the blower 110 taken in the AA cross section in the (a) portion of the figure, wherein the right side of the figure is the back side of the imaging device 1, and the left side of the figure is the front side of the imaging device 1. The blower 110 includes a suction opening 110a and a blower opening 110b, and air is sucked in through the suction opening 110a and blown out from the blower opening 110b. The blower 110 is arranged on one side of the outside of the right frame 12. The blower 110 is preferably a sirocco fan. The blower 110 sucks in the air F1 sucked in from the suction opening 3a through the suction opening 110a of the blower 110 located in the center, and blows out the air F1 from the blower opening 110b toward the general front direction of the imaging device 1.

[0061] The blower 110 is arranged so that the surface on which the suction opening 110a is arranged is inclined relative to the direction in which the air is sucked in through the suction opening 3a. In other words, the blower 110 is arranged obliquely relative to the inner wall of the right cover 3 so that the air passage of the sucked external air becomes wider toward the suction opening 3a (the back direction of the imaging device 1). On the contrary, the blower 110 is arranged obliquely so that when the sucked external air flows toward the suction opening 110a of the blower 110, the air passage becomes narrower. By the way, compared with the axial flow fan, the multi-blade fan has the advantage of higher wind pressure, and can blow air even if the air passage downstream in the air flow direction is complicated. In addition, by arranging the suction opening 3a of the imaging device 1 and the multi-blade fan in this way, the size of the imaging device 1 in the width direction can be made shorter than when the suction opening 110a of the multi-blade fan is arranged opposite to the suction opening 3a.

[0062] [pipeline]

[0063] As reference Figure 3 As described in part (a) of FIG. 1 , the right frame 12 is provided with a transfer drive frame 90a and a fixing drive frame 91a as drive frames. The transfer drive frame 90a is provided with a transfer drive motor 90b, and the fixing drive frame 91a is provided with a fixing drive motor 91b. Figure 3 As shown in part (a) of the apparatus, the transfer drive motor 90b and the fixing drive motor 91b have a cylindrical shape with a predetermined height, and protrude from the transfer drive frame 90a and the fixing drive frame 91a toward the outside of the device, respectively. Therefore, when the right side cover 3 is installed, a space is formed in the portion covered by the right side cover 3, and in the first embodiment, the blower 110 and the duct 111 are arranged in the space. In other words, the duct 111 is arranged inside the space formed when the right frame 12 is covered by the right cover 3, avoiding the transfer drive motor 90b and the fixing drive motor 91b (see Figure 2 Therefore, the need to provide a separate space for disposing the blower 110 and the duct 111 is eliminated, thereby preventing the image forming apparatus 1 from becoming larger.

[0064] Figure 6 Part (a) is a view of the inside of the imaging device 1 as viewed from the right side, wherein the cover of the device is not shown, and Figure 6 Part (b) is a view of the imaging device 1 as viewed from above the device. Figure 7 Part (a) is along Figure 6 Part (b) is a cross-sectional view of the interior of the device taken along the CC cross section. Figure 7 Part (b) is along Figure 6 Part (a) is a cross-sectional view of the interior of the device taken along the BB cross section.

[0065] The blower opening 110b of the blower 110 is connected to the duct 111. The duct 111 guides the air blown out from the blower opening 110b of the blower 110 to the box 21a, which is a predetermined box located closest to the fixing device 70 among the plurality of boxes 21a to 21d. Incidentally, of the two surfaces of the box 21 intersecting the vertical direction, the surface located above in the vertical direction is referred to as a top surface 21U (see Figure 8 Incidentally, in the following description, the first direction is a direction in which air F6 described below flows, and the second direction is a direction in which air F3 described below flows.

[0066] On one end side of the cartridge 21a in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 24a, the duct 111 includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the duct 111 is a portion that blows out air in a first direction from top to bottom in the vertical direction relative to the top surface 21U (see Figure 7 The second portion of the duct 111 is a portion that blows out air in a second direction along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 24 above the top surface 21U in the vertical direction (see Figure 7 The duct 111 further includes a third portion. The third portion is a portion that branches off from the first portion and the second portion and blows out the air blown out from the blower opening 110b in a third direction along the right frame 12 toward the power supply portion 100 (see Figure 6 The third direction is the direction in which the air F4 described below flows. In addition, the duct 111 includes a fourth portion that branches off from the first portion and blows out air in the direction in which the recording material S is discharged from the discharge portion 80. In the first embodiment, the first portion is perpendicular to the top surface 21U, and the second portion is parallel to the top surface 21U.

[0067] More specifically, if Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, duct 111 branches so that air can be guided to the above-mentioned box 21, power supply part 100 and exhaust part 80. Duct 111 is a general term for ducts 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, 111E, 111F, 111G and 111H. In addition, ducts 111A, 111B and 111C can be referred to as the first part of duct 111, and ducts 111A, 111B, 111E and 111G can be referred to as the second part of duct 111. In addition, ducts 111A, 111B and 111D can be referred to as the third part of duct 111. In addition, ducts 111A, 111B, 111E, 111F and 111H can be referred to as the fourth part of duct 111.

[0068] The duct 111A is a portion connected to the blower opening 110b of the blower 110 and guides external air to the duct 111. The duct 111B is a first branch portion that branches the duct 111 so as to branch the external air guided via the duct 111A and guide the external air to the box 21, the power supply part 100 and the exhaust part 80.

[0069] The duct 111C branches off from the duct 111B, and is arranged to blow out the guided outside air in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the box 21. The duct 111C is a portion that passes through the above-mentioned cutout portion 92 and the opening 12b and extends toward the inside of the device (which is a direction that intersects with the transfer drive frame 90a (or the right frame 12)). The duct 111C in the first embodiment extends perpendicularly to the transfer drive frame 90a (or the right frame 12) and parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 24. The duct 111C includes an opening portion O3 on the downstream side in the air flow direction, through which the air is blown out (see Figure 7 wait).

[0070] Pipeline 111D branches off from pipeline 111B and Figure 6 The portion (a) of the transfer drive frame 90a (or the right frame 12) extends obliquely downward to the left (which is a direction along the surface of the transfer drive frame 90a (or the right frame 12)) so as to blow the guided external air toward the power supply portion 100. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the air F4 guided by the duct 111D is blown out from the upper right of the power supply board 100a. The duct 111D includes an opening portion O4 on the downstream side in the air flow direction, through which the air is blown out (see Figure 6 (a) of the Regulations, etc.).

[0071] Pipeline 111E branches off from pipeline 111B and Figure 6 The (a) portion of the transfer drive frame 90a (or the right frame 12) extends upward (it is the direction along the surface of the transfer drive frame 90a (or the right frame 12)) so as to blow the guided external air toward the box 21 and the exhaust portion 80. The duct 111E in the first embodiment extends upward along the surface of the transfer drive frame 90a (or the right frame 12), then changes direction to the right while following the surface, and is connected to the duct 111F described below. In other words, the duct 111E does not pass through the right frame 12 like the duct 111C, but is arranged outside the right frame 12. It can be said that the duct 111E connected to the duct 111G blows out air by bypassing the right frame 12 from above in the vertical direction. Therefore, the air flowing from the duct 111E to the duct 111F and then to the duct 111G can intersect with the air flowing from the duct 111C.

[0072] Duct 111F is a second branching portion that branches duct 111 to branch and guide the outside air guided via duct 111E to box 21 and exhaust portion 80. Duct 111F extends toward the inside of the apparatus in a direction along an imaginary plane parallel to main frame 13.

[0073] The duct 111G is a portion that branches off from the duct 111F and blows out the guided outside air from above the box 21 downward (ie, toward the top surface 21U of the box 21). Figure 7 As shown in part (a) of FIG. 1 , the duct 111G changes direction from the direction along the imaginary plane parallel to the main frame 13, and extends from top to bottom along the imaginary plane parallel to the transfer drive frame 90a (or the right frame 12). The duct 111G includes an opening portion O6 on the downstream side in the air flow direction, through which the air is blown out.

[0074] The duct 111H is a portion that branches off from the duct 111F and blows out the guided outside air toward the exhaust portion 80. Figure 6 As shown in part (b) of the figure, the duct 111H extends in the width direction (lateral direction) of the imaging device 1, which is a direction along an imaginary plane parallel to the main frame 13. Incidentally, in the first embodiment, the upstream portions of the ducts 111F and 111H in the air flow direction are inclined relative to the width direction so as to absorb the positional difference of the ducts 111E and 111H in the front-rear direction. The duct 111H includes an opening portion O7 on the downstream side in the air flow direction, through which air is blown out (see Figure 7 (b) of the Regulations, etc.).

[0075] Furthermore, in the following description, the space formed by the inner wall of the duct 111 is referred to as an air passage D. Specifically, the space formed by the inner wall of the duct 111C is an air passage D3, the space formed by the inner wall of the duct 111D is an air passage D4, and the space formed by the inner wall of the duct 111E is an air passage D5. Furthermore, the space formed by the inner wall of the duct 111G is an air passage D6, and the space formed by the inner wall of the duct 111H is an air passage D7.

[0076] In addition, the duct 111 has a plurality of branched ends at which the external air guided by the blower 110 is blown onto the box 21, the power supply portion 100, and the exhaust portion 80. The ends of the duct 111 are the opening portion O3 of the duct 111C, the opening portion O4 of the duct 111D, the opening portion O6 of the duct 111G, and the opening portion O7 of the duct 111H, as described above.

[0077] In addition, the air flow in the air passage D is labeled as air F. More specifically, the air flow sucked into the suction opening 110a of the blower 110 is referred to as air F1, the air flow in the duct 111A is referred to as air F2, and the air flow in the duct 111C (i.e., the air flow in the air passage D3) is referred to as air F3. The air flow in the duct 111D (i.e., the air flow in the air passage D4) is referred to as air F4, the air flow in the duct 111E (i.e., the air flow in the air passage D5) is referred to as air F5, the air flow in the duct 111G (i.e., the air flow in the air passage D6) is referred to as air F6, and the air flow in the duct 111H (i.e., the air flow in the air passage D7) is air F7. Air F8 will be described below.

[0078] [Air flow]

[0079] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the sucked air F1 is blown out from the blower opening 110b of the blower 110 as air F2, and is further branched into air F3, F4 and F5 through the ducts 111C, 111D and 111E arranged downstream in the air flow direction. The air F3 passes through the air channel D3 arranged between the transfer drive frame 90a and the fixing drive frame 91a, and is then sent to the space surrounded by the right frame 12, the left frame 11, the main frame 13 and the scanner frame 14 through the opening 12b in the right frame 12. The air F4 passes through the air channel D4 and is sent to the power supply part 100 from the end of the air channel D4 (i.e., from the opening portion O4 of the duct 111D). The air F5 passes through the air channel D5, passes over the right frame 12, and is sent to the space sandwiched between the right frame 12 and the left frame 11. As shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in part (b) of FIG. 1 , the air F5 is branched into the air F6 and the air F7 through the pipe 111F provided further downstream.

[0080] like Figure 7 As shown in part (a) of FIG. 111 , the air F6 passes through the air passage D6 and is sent from the end of the air passage D6 toward the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1 (i.e., from the opening portion O6 of the duct 111G toward the yellow box 21a closest to the fixing device 70). In this case, the area A6 (which is an imaginary first area obtained by extending the opening portion O6) includes the top surface 21U of the box 21a and the photosensitive drum 24a. Here, the area A6 is also an area where the air F6 blown out from the opening portion O6 flows while diffusing without being restricted by the duct 111, and is an area extending mainly in the direction along the imaginary vertical plane.

[0081] The heat of the yellow cartridge 21a closest to the fixing device 70 is transferred to the cartridges 21b to 21d disposed downstream in the moving direction T of the intermediate transfer belt 31 via the photosensitive drum 24 and the intermediate transfer belt 31. Therefore, applying the air F6 directly to the photosensitive drum 24a effectively reduces the amount of the above-mentioned heat transfer, and thus also effectively suppresses the temperature increase in the other cartridges 21b to 21d.

[0082] like Figure 7 As shown in part (b) of FIG. 111 , the air F3 passes through the air passage D3 and is sent from the end of the air passage D3 (i.e., from the opening portion O3 of the duct 111C) to the space surrounded by the box 21, the scanner frame 14, the right frame 12, and the left frame 11. In this case, the air F3 is sent in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 24. The air F6 passes through the air passage D6 and is sent from the end of the air passage D6 (i.e., from the opening portion O6 of the duct 111G) to the space surrounded by the box 21, the scanner frame 14, the right frame 12, and the left frame 11 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 24.

[0083] In this case, the area A8 is where the area A3 (area in the horizontal plane, which is an imaginary second area obtained by extending the opening portion O3) intersects with the area A6 (area in the vertical plane, which is an extension of the opening portion O6). Here, the area A3 is also an area where the air F6 blown out from the opening portion O3 flows while diffusing without being restricted by the duct 111C, and is an area extending mainly in the direction along the imaginary horizontal plane. When air flowing in different directions (i.e., air flowing through the area A3 and air flowing through the area A6) intersect, air F8 including a turbulent component is generated.

[0084] like Figure 7 As shown in part (b) of FIG. 1 , in the vertical cross section, due to the collision between the air F3 flowing horizontally from right to left and the air F6 flowing vertically from top to bottom, the air F8 flows from the upper right to the lower left. Fig. 9 As shown, in the horizontal cross section, the air F8 flows not only from the end where the opening portions O3 and O6 of the yellow cell 21a are provided to the other end, but also flows to each end of the other cells 21b to 21d.

[0085] If box 21 is cooled only by air F6, only a part of one end side of photosensitive drum 24a will be strongly cooled. Even if some heat transfer occurs inside photosensitive drum 24a, photosensitive drum 24a will also be cooled unevenly. In addition, if opening portion O3 is cooled only by guiding air F3 toward box 21, the part of box 21a that is first hit by air F3 will be strongly cooled, and other parts will be cooled unevenly, as in the case of using only air F6. In addition, in either case, it is difficult to cool the wider area of ​​other boxes 21b to 21d. In other words, as in the first embodiment, by making air F3 and F6 from different directions intersect and become turbulent, while making air flow dispersed in a wider area, it is possible to prevent temperature distribution from becoming uneven when cooling boxes 21a to 21d.

[0086] As described above, since the box 21 contains toner, it is necessary to pay attention to the portion of the box 21 where the temperature becomes the highest. If the box 21 is cooled unevenly, it is necessary to prevent the temperature of the portion that becomes hot without much air being applied (rather than the portion where the temperature is lowered by applying air) from exceeding a predetermined value. In other words, if the cooling is uneven, it cannot be said to be efficient cooling. As in the first embodiment, by applying and dispersing air over the entire box 21 to lower their temperatures, efficient cooling can be performed.

[0087] Thus, the air F6 blown out from the duct 111G and the air F3 blown out from the duct 111C collide with each other above the top surface 21U of the toner cartridge 21a. This can also be said to mean that the area A6 formed by extending the opening portion O6 in the flow direction of the air F6 and the area A3 formed by extending the opening portion O3 in the flow direction of the air F3 intersect above the top surface 21U of the toner cartridge 21a.

[0088] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 1 is a view showing the blower 110 , the duct 111 , the box 21 , and the power supply part 100 . Figure 8 Part (a) is a perspective view. Figure 8 Part (b) is a view of the imaging apparatus 1 viewed from the right side. Fig. 9 is along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view taken from the DD cross section in part (b). Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, when the air F3 and F6 intersect, the air F8 flowing in a direction different from the air F3 and F6 is generated, and the cartridge 21 a can also be cooled over a wider area in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0089] In the first embodiment, the air passage D7 leading to the discharge portion 80 and the air passage D6 leading to the box 21a are shared as the air passage D5 before a certain point, and the air passage D3 leading to the box 21a is not provided on the boxes 21a to 21d for all four colors, but is provided only on the box 21a closest to the fixing device 70. Therefore, the space required for providing the duct 111 can be reduced. In addition, by making the flows of the air F3 and F6 intersect midway, instead of cooling the local box 21 by linear air, the air F8 is turbulent and diffused, so that the boxes 21a to 21d can be completely and properly cooled. Here, the local box 21 refers to the box 21a.

[0090] Incidentally, since there are heating units in various components inside the device and the temperature is usually higher than that of the outside air, it is desirable to directly guide the outside air as the air (wind) sent to the power supply part 100 and the box 21; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, even if there is a heating component on the path of guiding the air from the outside air to the power supply part 100 via the blower 110, as long as the temperature of the air being guided is lower than the temperature of the power supply part 100 to be cooled, there is still a cooling effect.

[0091] Finally, exhaust from the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. Fig.10 Part (a) is a view of the imaging device 1 as viewed from the front side. Fig.10 Part (b) (which is along Fig.10 In the sectional view taken along the EE cross section in the portion (a) of FIG. 1 , the above-mentioned air F1 is sucked from the suction opening 3a, branches through the duct 111, and is blown toward the power supply section 100 as air F4. This air F4 is mainly discharged to the outside of the imaging device 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the outside of the device) in the direction of arrow E2 through the shutter (not shown) of the imaging device 1 and the gap in the external part. In addition, a part of the air F4 is discharged to the outside of the device in the direction of arrow E1 through the gap in the opening 3b and the gap in the external part.

[0092] exist Fig.11 (It is along Fig.10In the sectional view taken along the FF cross section in the portion (a) of FIG. 1 ), the air F3 and F6 blown into the space surrounded by the right frame 12, the left frame 11, the main frame 13, and the scanner frame 14 move as follows. First, some of the air F3 and F6 moves into the space surrounded by the left frame 11 and the left cover 4 in the direction of arrow E5 through an opening (not shown) in the left frame 11, etc. Further, some of the air F3 and F6 moves inside the device through a gap between the left frame 11 and the front door 5 in the directions of arrows E6 and E7. Furthermore, some of the air F3 and F6 is discharged to the outside of the device in the directions of arrows E3 and arrows E2 through a gap in a shutter (not shown) of the cover of the imaging device 1 or an outer portion.

[0093] Incidentally, in the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the air guided to the inside of the device by one blower 110 is branched to cool each portion; however, a configuration using a plurality of blowers 110 may also be used. For example, another blower and duct may be provided on a surface opposite to the surface on which the blower 110 and duct 111 are provided (on the left frame 11 side).

[0094] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus while efficiently providing the air passages to cool a plurality of cartridges, thereby reducing the cost.

[0095] <Example 2>

[0096] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Incidentally, the same components as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the cartridge 21 includes a communication portion 201 for communicating with the main assembly, and the main assembly includes a communication unit 210 for communicating with the cartridge 21.

[0097] [Communication section 201, communication unit 210]

[0098] Fig.12 and Fig.13 is a view showing the image forming apparatus 1 in a printable state. Fig.12 Part (b) shows the blower 110 (in Fig.121 , a view of the image forming apparatus 1 (not shown in part (b) of the image forming apparatus 1), the pipe 111, the box 21, the power supply part 100 and the communication unit 210. The box 21 includes a communication part 201 (201a to 201d), which is a first communication part on the upper side of one end in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 includes communication terminals 211 (211a to 211d), which are a plurality of second communication parts that can communicate with the communication part 201. The communication terminal 211, which is a part of the communication unit 210 of the main component, is brought into contact with the communication part 201, so that communication between the box 21 and the main component is enabled.

[0099] (When the front door is closed)

[0100] Fig.13 Part (a) is along Figure 6 When observing the cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 24, the communication unit 210 is in a position not overlapping with the opening portion O3 at the end of the duct 111C forming the air passage D3, and is configured not to block the air F3 from the opening portion O3. Fig.13 Part (b) is along Figure 6 The communication unit 210 is located in a position that does not overlap with the opening portion O6 at the end of the duct 111G that forms the air passage D6 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the photosensitive drum 24, and is configured not to block the air F6 from the opening portion O6.

[0101] (When the front door is open)

[0102] Fig.14 and Fig.15 2 is a view of the image forming apparatus 1, in which the front door 5 is in an open state. In order to replace the cartridge 21, the user must open the front door 5. Fig.14 Part (a) is a perspective view of the appearance of the imaging apparatus 1 . Fig.14 Part (b) shows the blower 110 (in Fig.14 21 ), a view of the duct 111, the box 21, the power supply part 100, and the communication unit 210. The communication unit 210 is configured to move in a direction away from the box 21 in synchronization with the opening of the front door 5 through an interlocking mechanism (not shown). This is to prevent the communication terminal 211 from being damaged due to friction with the communication part 201 when the user opens the front door 5 and then pulls out the box 21. In addition, this is to prevent the communication terminal 211 from being damaged due to contact with the box 21 when the box 21 is pulled out.

[0103] Fig.15 Part (a) is along Figure 6The cross-sectional view is taken at the CC cross-sectional position in part (b) of FIG. When observing the cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 24, the opening O3 at the end of the duct 111C forming the air passage D3 is positioned to overlap with the communication unit 210 (specifically, the communication terminal 211a). In addition, Fig.15 Part (b) is along Figure 6 A sectional view taken at the BB cross-sectional position in part (a) of . As described above, the communication unit 210 (specifically the communication terminal 211a) has moved upward (for example, upward in the vertical direction) in a direction away from the box 21, and is now in area A3. However, the imaging device 1 is controlled not to perform a printing operation when the front door 5 is in an open state, and the fixing device 70 is not heated or is controlled to be at a lower temperature than during the printing operation. Therefore, when the front door 5 is in an open state, it is not necessary to cool the box 21 in the same manner as during the printing operation. Therefore, when the front door 5 is open, the communication unit 210 can block the opening portion O3. By the way, when the front door 5 is open, the communication unit 210 does not need to cover the opening portion O3.

[0104] Fig.16 2 is a view showing the image forming apparatus 1 when the cartridge 21 is pulled out. The user can pull out the cartridges 21a to 21d to replace the cartridges 21a to 21d of four colors. Fig.16 Part (b) is along Figure 6 The cross-sectional view taken at the CC cross-sectional position in part (b) is Fig.16 Part (c) is along Figure 6 The sectional view is taken at the BB cross-section position in part (a) of FIG. 2. Except that the box 21 has been pulled out, the state is the same as Fig.14 and Fig.15 The same as in.

[0105] Fig.17 Part (a) of FIG. 1 is a view of the blower 110 , the duct 111 , the cartridge 21 , and the power supply portion 100 as viewed from the right side of the image forming apparatus 1 . Fig.17 Part (b) is along Fig.17 21a to 21d. When the cartridge 21 is mounted on the main assembly and the front door 5 is closed, the communication unit 210 is configured to be in a position that does not overlap with the area A3 extending from the opening portion O3 or the area A6 extending from the opening portion O6. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the air F8 that disperses the air over the entire cartridges 21a to 21d can also be generated as in the first embodiment.

[0106] In this way, even if the configuration is that the imaging device 1 includes the communication unit 210, the direction of the air F8 can be controlled by configuring a large distance from the opening portions O3 and O6 and by making the air F3 and F6 intersect at a position that does not overlap with the communication unit 210. In addition, the movable communication unit 210 can be provided without providing an additional space, and the space inside the device can be effectively utilized.

[0107] As described above, the imaging device 1 is provided with the front door 5 (door), which allows imaging in a closed state and taking out a plurality of boxes 21a to 21d in an open state. When the front door 5 is at least in a closed state, the communication terminal 211a is retracted from the route of the air blown out of the ducts 111C and 111G. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the size of the imaging device can be reduced while efficiently providing an air passage to cool a plurality of boxes, thereby reducing costs.

[0108] <Example 3>

[0109] Next, the third embodiment will be described. Incidentally, the same components as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The duct 111G in the first embodiment is arranged along a direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 24 (i.e., parallel to the vertical direction). In the third embodiment, the duct 111G and the opening portion O6 in the first embodiment are inclined relative to the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 24, in other words, they are also inclined relative to the vertical direction, thereby forming the duct 111G' and the opening portion O6'. In other words, the duct 111G' is inclined to be away from one end side of the box 21a in the direction of the rotation axis downstream of the flow direction of the air F6'.

[0110] Furthermore, the duct 111C in the first embodiment is arranged parallel to the horizontal plane, in other words, parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 24. In the third embodiment, the duct 111C and the opening portion O3 of the first embodiment are inclined relative to the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 24, that is, they are arranged to intersect with the horizontal plane, thereby forming a duct 111C'. Incidentally, the duct 111C' is inclined so as to approach the top surface 21U of the box 21 from upstream to downstream in the flow direction of the air F3'. In other words, the inclination of the duct 111C' is configured so that the air F3' flows in the duct 111C'. Fig.18 Flows from upper right to lower left.

[0111] Fig.18 is along Figure 6A sectional view of the interior of the device taken at the BB cross section in part (a). As in the first embodiment, area A8' is where area A3' formed by extending the opening portion O3' and area A6' formed by extending the opening portion O6' intersect with each other. The air F3' and F6' flowing in different directions intersect, thereby generating air F8' having a turbulent component. The air F3' and F6' flowing in different directions intersect and become turbulent, thereby dispersing the air F8' over a wider range, thereby preventing the temperature distribution from becoming uneven when cooling the boxes 21a to 21d. Incidentally, the air F8' observed from the top surface 21U side of the box 21a is Fig.11 Same as shown.

[0112] As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus while efficiently providing the air passages to cool a plurality of cartridges, thereby reducing the cost.

[0113] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An imaging device for forming an image on a recording material, the imaging device comprising: a plurality of cartridges, each of the cartridges including a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member with a toner; a fixing device configured to fix unfixed toner carried on the recording material; a fan configured to supply air; as well as a duct configured to guide the air supplied from the fan to a predetermined box among the plurality of boxes that is closest to the fixing device, wherein, of the two surfaces intersecting the vertical direction included in the predetermined box, the predetermined box includes a top surface positioned above in the vertical direction, wherein, at one end side of the predetermined box in the direction of the rotation axis, the duct includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being used to discharge the air supplied from the fan toward the top surface in a first direction from top to bottom in the vertical direction, and the second portion being used to discharge the air supplied from the fan above the top surface in the vertical direction in a second direction along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive member, and The air exhausted from the first portion and the air exhausted from the second portion collide with each other above the top surface.

2. An imaging device for forming an image on a recording material, the imaging device comprising: a plurality of cartridges, each of the cartridges including a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member with a toner; a fixing device configured to fix unfixed toner carried on the recording material; a fan configured to supply air; as well as a duct configured to guide the air supplied from the fan to a predetermined box among the plurality of boxes that is closest to the fixing device, wherein, of the two surfaces intersecting the vertical direction included in the predetermined box, the predetermined box includes a top surface positioned above in the vertical direction, wherein, at one end side of the predetermined box in the direction of the rotation axis, the duct includes a first opening and a second opening, the air supplied from the fan is discharged toward the top surface in a first direction from top to bottom in the vertical direction through the first opening, and the air supplied from the fan above the top surface in the vertical direction is blown out through the second opening in a second direction along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive member, and wherein an imaginary first region formed by extending the first opening in the first direction and an imaginary second region formed by extending the second opening in the second direction intersect each other above the top surface.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first frame intersecting with the rotation axis direction and configured to separate the imaging device into an inside and an outside; and a second frame, the second frame intersecting with the rotation axis direction and configured to separate the imaging device into an inside and an outside; and opposite to the first frame, in, The fan is arranged on one side outside the first frame, wherein the first frame comprises a third opening or cutout, and The pipeline passes through the third opening or the cutout and bypasses the first frame from above in a vertical direction.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a motor configured to drive the photosensitive member; and a driving frame, the driving frame being supported by the first frame and having the motor disposed on the one side outside the first frame, in, When the cutout is a first cutout, the drive frame includes a fourth opening or a second cutout that allows the pipe to pass therethrough.

5. The imaging device according to claim 4, further comprising a cover configured to cover the first frame, in, The duct is provided by avoiding the motor in a space formed in a state in which the first frame is covered by the cover.

6. The imaging device according to claim 4, further comprising a power supply portion, the power supply portion being provided outside the first frame and below the motor in a vertical direction and configured to generate a voltage for driving the motor, in, The duct discharges air supplied from the fan in a third direction along the first frame and toward the power supply part.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a discharge portion configured to discharge the recording material on which the toner is fixed by the fixing device, in, The duct includes a fourth opening through which air supplied from the fan is discharged in a direction in which the recording material is discharged from the discharge portion.

8. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein The first direction is perpendicular to the top surface, and Wherein, the second direction is parallel to the top surface.

9. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: The first direction is inclined so as to be away from the one end side in the rotation axis direction toward the downstream in the first direction, The second direction is inclined to approach the top surface toward a downstream in the second direction.

10. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The plurality of boxes respectively include a plurality of first communication parts in the top surfaces thereof, a plurality of second communication parts, each of which can communicate with the first communication part, a door which enables imaging in its closed state and removal of the cartridge in its open state, Wherein, when the door is at least in the closed state, the second communication portion retreats from a route for exhausting air along the first direction and the second direction.

11. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein: The cover is provided with a back portion perpendicular to the first frame and the second frame, wherein the back portion includes an opening group, the opening group includes a plurality of openings for bringing air into the fan, wherein the fan is a multi-blade fan including a suction opening, and The multi-blade fan is arranged so that a surface provided with the suction openings is inclined relative to a direction in which air is brought in from the opening group.

12. The imaging device according to claim 11, wherein The rear surface portion includes a connection portion to which a cable connected to an AC power source is connected.

Images