Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section that forms an image formed on a recording medium; a delivery unit that delivers the gas supplied to the image forming unit; an accommodating part, at least a part of which is disposed below the feeding part and accommodates a recording medium; and a receiving unit that is disposed between a lower portion, which is a portion below the delivery unit, in the accommodating unit and the delivery unit, and that receives the fallen objects from the delivery unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming device. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which air sucked from an air inlet enters an air passage covered by a duct and reaches the internal space of an operation unit housing, and then the air is introduced into the internal space of a main body housing via a communication portion.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a rib tube in which a plurality of oblique ribs projecting outward are provided at intervals on the structural surface of a cylindrical conduit.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a structure in which a component facing portion facing a toner bottle is formed to have a smaller cross-sectional area than a fan installation portion, and heat of air around the toner bottle is absorbed via a wall portion of the component facing portion, thereby preventing the toner bottle from becoming hot.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-132856

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-241744

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-101172 Summary of the invention

[0008] In the image forming apparatus, gas may be supplied to an image forming portion that forms an image by sending gas from a sending portion that sends gas.

[0009] The delivery section is usually capable of circulating powder, and depending on the configuration of the delivery section, toners used to form images fall downward through the delivery section. If the recording medium is located below the delivery section, the recording medium may be contaminated by the falling objects falling from the delivery section.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to reduce the number of objects dropped from a delivery section that adhere to a recording medium, compared with a configuration in which the function of receiving objects dropped from a delivery section that delivers gas is not provided.

[0011] The invention described in Scheme 1 is an image forming device, which comprises: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a delivery unit that delivers gas supplied to the image forming unit; a accommodating unit, at least a portion of which is arranged below the delivery unit and accommodates the recording medium; and a receiving unit, which is arranged between a portion of the accommodating unit located below the delivery unit, i.e., a lower portion, and the delivery unit, and receives dropped objects from the delivery unit.

[0012] The invention described in Scheme 2 is the image forming device described in Scheme 1, wherein an opening for allowing gas to pass from the bottom of the delivery portion toward the delivery portion is provided below the delivery portion, the accommodating portion is provided below the opening, and the accommodating portion is provided at a position deviated from the bottom of the opening.

[0013] The invention described in claim 3 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 2, wherein the opening is provided in plural numbers, and a part of the plural openings is oriented in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, that is, in a lateral direction.

[0014] The invention described in claim 4 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 1, further comprising a storage component, wherein the storage component stores the delivery portion and stores the delivery portion from above the storage component, and the receiving portion is formed by a bottom portion of the storage component.

[0015] The invention described in Scheme 5 is the image forming device described in Scheme 4, wherein an opening for allowing air to pass from the bottom of the accommodating part toward the delivery part is provided at the bottom of the accommodating part, and the accommodating part is provided at a position deviated from below the opening provided at the bottom of the accommodating part.

[0016] The invention described in claim 6 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 5 , wherein a gap is provided between the bottom portion provided with the opening and the delivery portion.

[0017] The invention described in claim 7 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 4, wherein an opening is provided on a side portion of the accommodating member for allowing gas to pass from the outside of the accommodating member toward the inside of the accommodating member and then toward the delivery portion.

[0018] The invention described in Scheme 8 is the image forming device described in Scheme 7, wherein a rotating component that rotates around a rotating axis extending in the up-down direction is provided in the delivery portion, and a plurality of openings are provided on the side portion of the accommodating portion, and the plurality of openings are configured so that their positions in the rotation direction of the rotating component are different from each other.

[0019] The invention described in Scheme 9 is an image forming device, which comprises: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a delivery unit that delivers gas supplied to the image forming unit; a conveying path, at least a portion of which is arranged below the delivery unit and through which the conveyed recording medium passes; and a receiving unit that is arranged in the portion of the conveying path that is located below the delivery unit, i.e., between the lower portion and the delivery unit, and receives dropped objects from the delivery unit.

[0020] According to the first aspect of the present invention, compared with a configuration in which the function of receiving dropped objects from the delivery portion that delivers gas is not provided, it is possible to reduce the number of dropped objects from the delivery portion that adhere to the recording medium.

[0021] According to the second aspect of the present invention, compared with a configuration in which a storage portion is provided below the opening, it is possible to reduce the amount of objects dropped from the delivery portion adhering to the recording medium.

[0022] According to the third aspect of the present invention, compared with a case where the opening is directed downward in the vertical direction, it is possible to reduce dropped objects falling from the opening.

[0023] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case where the receiving portion is constituted by a member different from the housing member.

[0024] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, compared with a configuration in which a storage portion is provided below an opening provided at the bottom of a storage member, it is possible to reduce the amount of objects dropped from the delivery portion adhering to the recording medium.

[0025] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wind noise generated by gas passing through the opening can be reduced compared to a structure in which no gap is provided between the bottom portion provided with the opening and the delivery portion.

[0026] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the area of ​​the opening can be increased compared to a structure in which the opening is merely provided at the bottom of the storage member.

[0027] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the area of ​​the opening can be increased compared to a structure in which a plurality of openings are provided and positions in the rotation direction of the rotating member are aligned.

[0028] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, compared with a configuration in which the function of receiving dropped objects from the delivery portion that delivers gas is not provided, it is possible to reduce the number of dropped objects from the delivery portion that adhere to the recording medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall structure of an image forming apparatus;

[0031] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a control unit;

[0032] Figure 3 is from Figure 1 A diagram showing a delivery portion, a receiving member, etc. provided in a gas supply device as viewed from the direction indicated by arrow III;

[0033] Figure 4is a three-dimensional view of the receiving component when viewed from obliquely below;

[0034] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of the receiving part and the delivery part when viewed from above;

[0035] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a receiving component and a delivery portion on line VI-VI;

[0036] Figure 7 is from Figure 5 A diagram showing the receiving member and the delivery portion when viewed from the direction indicated by arrow VII;

[0037] Figure 8 is from Figure 7 A diagram showing the receiving member and the delivery portion when viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow VIII;

[0038] Fig. 9 middle, Fig. 9 (A) Fig. 9 (B) is a diagram showing another configuration example of the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing the overall structure of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 1 , a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 is shown.

[0041] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 10 .

[0042] The image forming unit 10 forms an image on a sheet P as an example of a recording medium based on image data input to the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, a sheet transport device 400 for transporting the sheet P is provided in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the image formed by the image forming unit 10 is transferred to the paper P transported by the paper transport device 400 .

[0044] The paper transport device 400 transports the paper P stored in the paper storage section 1B as an example of a storage section through the secondary transfer section T and the fixing device 40 , and finally transports the paper P to the paper loading section 1E.

[0045] The paper transport device 400 is provided with a transport roller 52 and a discharge roller 500 . In the paper transport device 400 , the paper P is transported using the transport roller 52 and the discharge roller 500 .

[0046] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a control unit 30 and an image processing unit 35 .

[0047] The control unit 30 controls each functional unit provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The image processing unit 35 performs image processing on image data from the personal computer (PC) 3, the image reading device 4, or the like.

[0048] Figure 2 It is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit 30 .

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the control unit 30 is provided with a storage device 404, which is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401 as an example of a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 402, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 403, a hard disk, and the like.

[0050] The ROM 403 and the storage device 404 store programs executed by the CPU 401. The CPU 401 reads out the programs stored in the ROM 403 or the storage device 404, and uses the RAM 402 as a work area to execute the programs.

[0051] The CPU 401 executes a program stored in the ROM 403 or the storage device 404 , thereby realizing various functions of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0052] Here, the program executed by the CPU 401 can be provided to the image forming apparatus 1 in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium (a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, etc.), an optical recording medium (an optical disk, etc.), a magneto-optical recording medium, a semiconductor memory, etc. Furthermore, the program executed by the CPU 401 can be provided to the image forming apparatus 1 using a communication unit such as the Internet.

[0053] In addition, in this embodiment, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (for example, CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) or a dedicated processor (for example, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0054] Furthermore, the actions of the processor may be performed not only by one processor but also by cooperation of a plurality of processors located in physically separate locations. Furthermore, the order of the actions of the processors is not limited to the order described in this embodiment but may be changed.

[0055] refer to Figure 1 , the image forming apparatus 1 is further described.

[0056] The image forming section 10 is provided with four image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K (hereinafter, also simply collectively referred to as “image forming units 11 ”) arranged side by side with a certain interval therebetween.

[0057] The image forming units 11 are configured in the same manner except for the toners stored in the developing device 15. The image forming units 11 form toner images (images) of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively.

[0058] The image forming unit 11 is provided with a photosensitive drum 12 , a charging device 200 for charging the photosensitive drum 12 , and an exposure device 300 for exposing the photosensitive drum 12 .

[0059] In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 12 is charged by the charging device 200 . Then, the photosensitive drum 12 is exposed by the exposure device 300 , and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 12 .

[0060] Each image forming unit 11 is further provided with a developing device 15 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 12. The developing device 15 performs development to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 12.

[0061] The image forming section 10 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 20 for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 , and a primary transfer roller 21 for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 to the intermediate transfer belt 20 .

[0062] Furthermore, the image forming section 10 is provided with a secondary transfer roller 22 that transfers the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 onto the paper P, and a fixing device 40 that fixes the toner image transferred onto the paper P onto the paper P.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20 , and then transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 20 to the paper P. Then, the toner image is fixed to the paper P by the fixing device 40 .

[0064] The fixing device 40 is provided with a fixing belt module 41 having a heat source and a pressure roller 46 .

[0065] The fixing belt module 41 is disposed on the right side of the paper conveying path R1 in the figure. The pressure roller 46 is disposed on the left side of the paper conveying path R1 in the figure. The pressure roller 46 is in pressure contact with the fixing belt module 41 .

[0066] In the fixing belt module 41 , a heat source for heating the fixing belt 411 is provided inside the fixing belt 411 .

[0067] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a gas supply device 700 for supplying gas to the image forming section 10 is provided below the image forming section 10 .

[0068] The gas supply device 700 is disposed between the image forming unit 10 and the paper containing unit 1B.

[0069] The gas supply device 700 is provided with a delivery unit 710 that delivers gas to be supplied to the image forming unit 10 .

[0070] The delivery unit 710 is composed of an axial flow fan. In addition, the delivery unit 710 only needs to have a function of delivering gas, and a fan other than the axial flow fan can be used.

[0071] A motor (not shown) is provided in the delivery portion 710. A rotating member 711 rotated by the motor is provided in the delivery portion 710. The rotating member 711 rotates around a rotating shaft 712 extending in the up-down direction.

[0072] The rotating member 711 is provided with a base 711A which is formed in a cylindrical shape and rotated by a motor, and a plurality of wings 711B which protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the base 711A.

[0073] The wing portion 711B is provided in a state of being inclined with respect to a virtual plane (not shown) that is orthogonal to the rotation axis 712 .

[0074] In the delivery portion 710, the rotating member 711 rotates, and the wing portion 711B squeezes out the gas, thereby delivering the gas upward in the figure.

[0075] The gas supply device 700 is further provided with a housing member 720 for housing the delivery unit 710 .

[0076] In the present embodiment, the delivery portion 710 is accommodated relative to the accommodating member 720 from above the accommodating member 720 .

[0077] Furthermore, the gas supply device 700 is provided with a distribution unit 730 that distributes the gas sent upward from the delivery unit 710 . The distribution unit 730 is disposed between the image forming unit 10 and the delivery unit 710 .

[0078] The distribution unit 730 is formed of a box-shaped frame, and has four discharge ports 731 provided at the ceiling. Also, an inlet 732 is provided at the bottom of the distribution unit 730 for allowing the gas delivered from the delivery unit 710 to pass through.

[0079] The gas sent out from the sending section 710 first passes through the inlet section 732 and enters the inside of the distribution section 730. Then, the gas passes through the inside of the distribution section 730 toward each of the four discharge ports 731. Then, the gas passes through the discharge ports 731 and is supplied to the image forming unit 11 located above the discharge ports 731.

[0080] The discharge port 731 is provided for each image forming unit 11 , and gas is supplied from the discharge port 731 to the corresponding image forming unit 11 .

[0081] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the discharge port 731 is disposed below the developing device 15, and the gas passing through the discharge port 731 is supplied to the developing device 15 located above the discharge port 731. Thus, the developing device 15 is cooled.

[0082] In the present embodiment, as described above, the gas from the discharge port 731 is supplied to the developing device 15 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the gas from the discharge port 731 may be supplied to the photosensitive drum 12 or the exposure device 300 .

[0083] Furthermore, although air can be cited as an example of the gas supplied to the image forming unit 11 by the gas supply device 700 , other types of gas other than air may be supplied to the image forming unit 11 .

[0084] In the image forming apparatus 1 , the image processing unit 35 performs image processing on image data from the PC 3 or the image reading device 4 , and the image data subjected to the image processing is supplied to each image forming unit 11 .

[0085] Then, for example, in the black (K) image forming unit 11K, the photosensitive drum 12 rotating in the direction of arrow A is charged by the charging device 200 . The photosensitive drum 12 is exposed by the exposure device 300 that emits light based on image data sent from the image processing unit 35 .

[0086] Thus, an electrostatic latent image related to a black (K) color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 12. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is developed by the developing device 15, and a black (K) color toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 12.

[0087] Similarly, in the image forming units 11Y, 11M, and 11C, toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are formed.

[0088] The toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units 11 are sequentially electrostatically attracted by the primary transfer rollers 21 onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 moving in the direction of arrow B, and a toner image on which the toners of the respective colors are superimposed is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 .

[0089] The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transported to the secondary transfer portion T formed by the secondary transfer roller 22 as the intermediate transfer belt 20 moves.

[0090] Then, according to the timing at which the toner image is transported to the secondary transfer portion T, the paper P is supplied from the paper storage portion 1B to the secondary transfer portion T.

[0091] In the secondary transfer portion T, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is electrostatically transferred to the conveyed paper P together with the toner image by a transfer electric field formed by the secondary transfer roller 22 .

[0092] Then, the paper P to which the toner image is electrostatically transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 20 and is transported to the fixing device 40 .

[0093] In the fixing device 40 , the fixing belt module 41 and the pressure roller 46 nip the paper P. Specifically, the paper P is nipped by the fixing belt 411 that circulates clockwise in the figure and the pressure roller 46 that rotates counterclockwise.

[0094] Thereby, the paper P is pressed and heated, and the toner image on the paper P is fixed to the paper P. Then, the paper P after the fixing is completed is conveyed to the paper loading portion 1E by the discharge roller 500 .

[0095] Figure 3 is from Figure 1 A diagram showing the delivery portion 710, the storage member 720, etc. provided in the gas supply device 700 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow III. Figure 3 In the figures referred to below, the internal structure of the delivery section 710 is omitted.

[0096] In this embodiment, as described above, and as Figure 3 As shown, the gas supply device 700 is provided with a delivery portion 710 for delivering gas, and a housing component 720 for housing the delivery portion 710 is also provided.

[0097] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a paper storage portion 1B is provided below the delivery portion 710 .

[0098] In the present embodiment, the paper accommodating portion 1B can be moved to the right in the figure.

[0099] When the paper P is replenished in the paper accommodating portion 1B, the paper P is replenished in the paper accommodating portion 1B after the paper accommodating portion 1B is moved rightward in the figure.

[0100] When the paper accommodating portion 1B is replenished with the paper P, the paper accommodating portion 1B moves to the left in the figure, and the paper accommodating portion 1B returns to the original position.

[0101] A receiving portion 721 for receiving dropped objects from the delivery portion 710 is provided below the delivery portion 710 .

[0102] In this embodiment, the image forming unit 10 (see Figure 1 ) or powder such as paper powder floating in the image forming unit 10 passes through the delivery portion 710 and becomes falling objects, moving further downward than the delivery portion 710.

[0103] In the delivery section 710, the wing sections 711B (see Figure 1 ) between the image forming unit 10 and the image forming unit 10. At this time, the powder present in the image forming unit 10 moves downward through the gap. The powder moving downward becomes a falling object and moves downward.

[0104] In this embodiment, the fallen object is placed on the receiving portion 721 (refer to Figure 3 ) to restrict the movement of fallen objects to the paper receiving section 1B.

[0105] The receiving portion 721 is constituted by a part of the accommodating member 720 .

[0106] Furthermore, the receiving portion 721 is disposed between the lower portion 109 , which is a portion of the paper accommodating portion 1B located below the delivery portion 710 , and the delivery portion 710 .

[0107] In addition, the receiving portion 721 may be formed of a member different from the accommodating member 720 .

[0108] In a structure where the accommodating member 720 is not provided, a member other than the accommodating member 720 is provided as the receiving portion 721, and the dropped objects are received by the member other than the accommodating member 720.

[0109] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an opening 722 for allowing gas to pass from the bottom of the delivery part 710 toward the delivery part 710 is provided below the delivery part 710. The opening 722 is formed in the accommodating member 720. In addition, a plurality of openings 722 are provided.

[0110] In the present embodiment, the paper storage section 1B is provided below the opening 722. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the paper storage section 1B is provided at a position offset from below the opening 722.

[0111] This makes it difficult for objects dropped downward from the opening 722 to reach the paper containing portion 1B.

[0112] In the present embodiment, a part of the paper accommodating section 1B is arranged below the delivery section 710 . However, a configuration in which the entire paper accommodating section 1B is located below the delivery section 710 may be employed.

[0113] Even if the entire paper container 1B is located below the delivery portion 710 , if the receiving portion 721 is provided above the paper container 1B, objects dropped from the delivery portion 710 are unlikely to reach the paper container 1B.

[0114] In the case of a configuration in which the entire paper container 1B is located below the delivery portion 710 , the lower portion 109 , which is the portion of the paper container 1B located below the delivery portion 710 , constitutes the entire paper container 1B.

[0115] At this time, if the receiving portion 721 is provided between the delivery portion 710 and the lower portion 109 , it is difficult for the dropped objects from the delivery portion 710 to reach the paper storage portion 1B.

[0116] When the receiving portion 721 is provided, for example, it is most preferable that the entire portion of the lower portion 109 is located below the receiving portion 721 .

[0117] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following structure may be adopted: only a part of lower portion 109 is located below receiving portion 721 , another part of lower portion 109 is located below opening 722 , or another part of lower portion 109 is located at a position deviated from below receiving portion 721 .

[0118] Even in a configuration where only a portion of the lower portion 109 is located below the receiving portion 721 , compared to a configuration where the receiving portion 721 does not exist above the lower portion 109 , it is possible to reduce the amount of dropped objects that reach the paper accommodating portion 1B.

[0119] In the present embodiment, at least a portion of the receiving portion 721 overlaps with the paper P accommodated in the paper accommodating portion 1B in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0120] Here, “overlap” means a state in which the receiving unit 721 and the paper P overlap each other when the receiving unit 721 and the paper P are projected onto a virtual plane that is oriented in the vertical direction and is orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0121] The above “lower portion 109 is located below the receiving unit 721 ” may also refer to a state in which at least a portion of the receiving unit 721 overlaps the paper P accommodated in the paper accommodating unit 1B in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0122] In the present embodiment, the receiving portion 721 and the paper P are always in a vertical relationship. In other words, the paper P is always located below the receiving portion 721 .

[0123] In the present embodiment, at least a portion of the receiving portion 721 overlaps with the paper P accommodated in the paper accommodating portion 1B in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0124] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the storage member 720 as viewed obliquely from below.

[0125] As described above, the storage member 720 is provided with an opening 722. The opening 722 is provided in plurality. In the present embodiment, the paper storage portion 1B is provided at a position offset from below the plurality of openings 722 (see Figure 3 ).

[0126] More specifically, the lower portion 109 (refer to Figure 3 ) is located at a position deviated from the bottom of the plurality of openings 722.

[0127] The opening 722 is disposed at the bottom 723 of the receiving member 720 (see Figure 3 ). Hereinafter, in this specification, the opening 722 provided in the bottom 723 is referred to as a "bottom opening 722".

[0128] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if Figure 4 As shown, an opening 726 is also provided on the side 725 of the receiving member 720. Hereinafter, in this specification, the opening 726 is referred to as a "side opening 726".

[0129] The side opening 726 faces the lateral direction which intersects the vertical direction.

[0130] The bottom opening 722 and the side opening 726 serve as openings for passing gas.

[0131] In this embodiment, the gas flows from the outside of the container 720 to the inside of the container 720 and then to the delivery portion 710 (see Figure 3 ).

[0132] The bottom opening 722 and the side opening 726 serve as openings for allowing the gas to pass from the outside of the storage member 720 toward the delivery portion 710 .

[0133] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the storage member 720 and the delivery portion 710 as viewed from above. Figure 6 yes Figure 5A cross-sectional view of the accommodating component 720 and the delivery portion 710 on the VI-VI line.

[0134] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the storage member 720 of the present embodiment is formed in a box shape and in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The storage member 720 is provided with four side portions, namely, a first side portion 725A to a fourth side portion 725D, as the side portions 725 .

[0135] In the present embodiment, when the side portion located near the front side in the figure is set as the first side portion 725A, the first side portion 725A to the fourth side portion 725D are arranged in the order of the first side portion 725A to the fourth side portion 725D in the clockwise direction from the first side portion 725A.

[0136] Figure 4 The side opening 726 shown in FIG. 7 is the side opening 726 formed in the first side portion 725A.

[0137] like Figure 5 As shown, a rectangular opening 720A is provided at the upper portion of the receiving part 720. Figure 6 As shown, a recessed portion 720B is provided extending downward from the rectangular opening 720A.

[0138] In this embodiment, if Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the delivery unit 710 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is accommodated in the recess 720B. In the present embodiment, the delivery unit 710 is accommodated from above the accommodating member 720 .

[0139] In this embodiment, as described above, and as Figure 6 As shown, the receiving part 720 is provided with a bottom 723 .

[0140] In this embodiment, the receiving portion 721 described above is constituted by the bottom 723 of the accommodating member 720 . Furthermore, the bottom opening 722 described above is provided in the bottom 723 .

[0141] The bottom opening 722 is an opening for allowing air to pass from the bottom of the storage member 720 toward the delivery portion 710 .

[0142] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the paper container 1B is provided at a position offset from below the bottom opening 722 provided in the bottom 723 of the container member 720. In the present embodiment, the bottom opening 722 formed in the container member 720 is not located above the paper container 1B.

[0143] like Figure 6 As shown, a gap 728 is provided between the bottom 723 and the delivery portion 710 .

[0144] In the present embodiment, a step 729 is provided on the inner surface of the storage member 720 , and the downward movement of the delivery portion 710 is restricted by the step 729 . Thus, a gap 728 is generated between the bottom portion 723 and the delivery portion 710 .

[0145] In other words, the accommodating member 720 is provided with a restricting portion 781 that restricts the downward movement of the delivery portion 710 placed in the recessed portion 720B.

[0146] The downward movement of the delivery portion 710 is restricted by the restriction portion 781 , so that a gap 728 is generated between the bottom 723 of the accommodating member 720 and the delivery portion 710 .

[0147] If a gap 728 is provided between the bottom 723 of the storage member 720 and the delivery portion 710 , wind noise generated when gas below the bottom opening 722 passes through the bottom opening 722 is reduced compared to a structure without the gap 728 .

[0148] Figure 7 is from Figure 5 A diagram showing the containing part 720 and the dispensing part 710 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow VII. Figure 8 is from Figure 7 A diagram showing the storage component 720 and the delivery portion 710 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow VIII.

[0149] In this embodiment, if Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, side openings 726 are provided at a plurality of locations on the side 725 of the receiving member 720 .

[0150] In the present embodiment, as described above, the side portion 725 is composed of the first side portion 725A to the fourth side portion 725D.

[0151] In this embodiment, if Figure 7 As shown, the first side portion 725A and the second side portion 725B are respectively provided with side openings 726, and as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown, a side opening 726 is provided on the third side portion 725C.

[0152] In the present embodiment, the side openings 726 are provided at a plurality of locations of the side portion 725 of the storage member 720. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of side openings 726 are provided in each of the first side portion 725A to the third side portion 725C.

[0153] like Figure 5 As shown, the first side portion 725A to the fourth side portion 725D are arranged so as to be rotated on the rotating member 711 (refer to Figure 1 ) are different in their positions in the rotation direction.

[0154] In the present embodiment, the side openings 726 provided on the first side portion 725A to the third side portion 725C are also arranged at positions different from each other in the rotation direction of the rotating member 711 .

[0155] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, the delivery portion 710 is provided with a rotating member 711 that rotates around a rotating shaft 712 extending in the up-down direction.

[0156] The side openings 726 provided on the first side portion 725A to the third side portion 725C are arranged at positions different from each other in the rotation direction of the rotating member 711 .

[0157] Fig. 9 (A) Fig. 9 (B) is a diagram showing another configuration example of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0158] Fig. 9 (A) shows a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front. Fig. 9 (B) shows that Fig. 9 The state when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow IXB in (A).

[0159] In the above description, a configuration example in which the paper accommodating portion 1B is located below the delivery portion 710 is described as an example.

[0160] It is not limited to this, such as Fig. 9 (A) Fig. 9 As shown in (B), depending on the device structure of the image forming apparatus 1, it is also possible to assume that a part or all of the paper transport path R1 through which the transported paper P passes is provided below the delivery portion 710.

[0161] In addition, Fig. 9 In (A), the paper P moves to the left in the figure along the paper transport path R1. Fig. 9 In (B), the paper transport path R1 is directed to Fig. 9 (B) extends in a direction perpendicular to the paper plane, Fig. 9 In (B), the paper P is oriented to Fig. 9 (B) moves in a direction perpendicular to the paper plane.

[0162] In this structural example, Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 2(B) , a receiving portion 721 for receiving dropped objects from the delivery portion 710 is provided between the lower portion 109 and the delivery portion 710 in the paper transport path R1 , which is a portion below the delivery portion 710 .

[0163] Therefore, in this configuration example, it is difficult for dropped objects from the delivery portion 710 to reach the paper conveying path R1 , and it is difficult for the dropped objects to adhere to the paper P passing through the paper conveying path R1 .

[0164] As described above, the receiving portion 721 can be composed of a receiving member 720 (in Fig. 9 The housing may be composed of a component different from the housing component 720.

[0165] exist Fig. 9 In the structural example shown, Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 7B , a portion of the paper transport path R1 in the width direction is located below the delivery portion 710 .

[0166] As a configuration mode of the paper conveying path R1 , a configuration in which the entire width direction of the paper conveying path R1 is located below the delivery portion 710 may be assumed.

[0167] Even in a configuration where the entire width direction of the paper conveying path R1 is located below the delivery section 710 , if the receiving section 721 is provided between the lower portion 109 and the delivery section 710 , objects dropped from the delivery section 710 are unlikely to reach the paper conveying path R1 .

[0168] In addition, similar to the above, the following structure can be set: only a part of the lower part 109 is located below the receiving part 721, and another part of the lower part 109 is not located below the receiving part 721, etc., and another part of the lower part 109 is located at a position deviated from the bottom of the receiving part 721.

[0169] Even in a configuration where only a portion of the lower portion 109 is located below the receiving portion 721 , compared to a configuration where the receiving portion 721 does not exist above the lower portion 109 , it is possible to reduce dropped objects that reach the paper transport path R1 .

[0170] (Note) (((1)))

[0172] An image forming device comprising:

[0173] an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;

[0174] a delivery unit that delivers the gas supplied to the image forming unit;

[0175] a storage portion, at least a portion of which is disposed below the delivery portion and stores a recording medium; and

[0176] The receiving portion is disposed between the lower portion of the accommodating portion, which is a portion below the delivery portion, and the delivery portion, and receives the dropped objects from the delivery portion. (((2)))

[0178] The image forming apparatus according to (((1))), wherein:

[0179] An opening is provided below the delivery portion for allowing gas from below the delivery portion to pass toward the delivery portion.

[0180] The receiving portion is provided below the opening.

[0181] The accommodation portion is provided at a position deviated from a lower side of the opening. (((3)))

[0183] An image forming apparatus according to (((2))), wherein:

[0184] The openings are provided in plurality, and a portion of the plurality of openings is oriented in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, that is, in a lateral direction. (((4)))

[0186] The image forming apparatus according to (((1))), further comprising a storage member that stores the delivery unit and stores the delivery unit from above the storage member,

[0187] The receiving portion is formed by the bottom of the accommodating member. (((5)))

[0189] An image forming apparatus according to (((4))), wherein:

[0190] The bottom of the storage member is provided with an opening for allowing air to pass from the bottom of the storage member toward the delivery portion.

[0191] The housing portion is provided at a position offset from below the opening provided at the bottom portion of the housing member. (((6)))

[0193] An image forming apparatus according to (((5))), wherein:

[0194] A gap is provided between the bottom portion provided with the opening and the delivery portion. (((7)))

[0196] An image forming apparatus according to (((4))), wherein:

[0197] An opening is provided at a side portion of the storage member for allowing gas to pass from the outside of the storage member toward the inside of the storage member and then toward the delivery portion. (((8)))

[0199] An image forming apparatus according to (((7))), wherein:

[0200] The delivery portion is provided with a rotating member that rotates around a rotating shaft extending in the vertical direction.

[0201] The openings provided on the side portion of the accommodating member are provided in plurality, and the plurality of openings are arranged so that positions in the rotation direction of the rotating member are different from each other. (((9)))

[0203] An image forming device comprising:

[0204] an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;

[0205] a delivery unit that delivers the gas supplied to the image forming unit;

[0206] a conveying path, at least a portion of which is disposed below the delivery portion and through which the conveyed recording medium passes; and

[0207] The receiving section is disposed between a lower portion of the conveying path, which is a portion below the delivery section, and the delivery section, and receives dropped objects from the delivery section.

[0208] According to the image forming apparatus of (((1))), compared with a configuration in which the function of receiving dropped objects from the delivery portion that delivers gas is not provided, it is possible to reduce the number of dropped objects from the delivery portion that adhere to the recording medium.

[0209] According to the image forming apparatus of (((2))), compared with a configuration in which the storage portion is provided below the opening, it is possible to reduce the amount of objects dropped from the delivery portion adhering to the recording medium.

[0210] According to the image forming apparatus of (((3))), compared with a case where the opening is directed downward in the vertical direction, it is possible to reduce dropped objects from the opening.

[0211] According to the image forming apparatus of (((4))), the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case where the receiving portion is formed using a member different from the accommodating member.

[0212] According to the image forming apparatus of (((5))), compared with a configuration in which the storage section is provided below the opening provided at the bottom of the storage member, it is possible to reduce the adhesion of dropped objects from the delivery section to the recording medium.

[0213] According to the image forming apparatus of (((6))), wind noise generated by gas passing through the opening can be reduced compared to a configuration in which no gap is provided between the bottom portion provided with the opening and the delivery portion.

[0214] According to the image forming apparatus of (((7))), the area of ​​the opening can be increased compared to a configuration in which the opening is merely provided at the bottom of the accommodating member.

[0215] According to the image forming apparatus of (((8))), the area of ​​the opening can be increased compared to a configuration in which a plurality of openings are provided and their positions in the rotation direction of the rotating member are aligned.

[0216] According to the image forming apparatus of (((9))), compared with a configuration in which the function of receiving dropped objects from the delivery portion that delivers gas is not provided, it is possible to reduce the number of dropped objects from the delivery portion that adhere to the recording medium.

[0217] The above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are provided for the purpose of illustration and description. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not fully and exhaustively include the present invention, and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed methods. Obviously, various modifications and changes are self-evident to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. The present embodiment is selected and described in order to most easily understand the principles of the present invention and its application. Thus, other technicians in the art can understand the present invention through various variations optimized for specific uses assumed to be various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

[0218] Explanation of symbols

[0219] 1-image forming device, 1B-paper containing portion, 10-image forming portion, 109-lower portion, 710-delivery portion, 711-rotating member, 712-rotating shaft, 720-containing member, 721-receiving portion, 722-bottom opening, 723-bottom, 726-side opening, 728-gap, P-paper, R1-paper conveying path.

Claims

1. An image forming device comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a delivery unit that delivers the gas supplied to the image forming unit; a storage portion, at least a portion of which is disposed below the delivery portion and stores a recording medium; and The receiving portion is disposed between the lower portion of the accommodating portion, which is a portion below the delivery portion, and the delivery portion, and receives the dropped objects from the delivery portion.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: An opening is provided below the delivery portion for allowing gas from below the delivery portion to pass toward the delivery portion. The receiving portion is provided below the opening. The accommodation portion is provided at a position deviated from a lower side of the opening.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The openings are provided in plurality, and a portion of the plurality of openings is oriented in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, that is, in a lateral direction.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage member that stores the delivery unit and stores the delivery unit from above the storage member, The receiving portion is formed by the bottom of the accommodating member.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The bottom of the storage member is provided with an opening for allowing air to pass from the bottom of the storage member toward the delivery portion. The housing portion is provided at a position offset from below the opening provided at the bottom portion of the housing member.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: A gap is provided between the bottom portion provided with the opening and the delivery portion.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: An opening is provided at a side portion of the storage member for allowing gas to pass from the outside of the storage member toward the inside of the storage member and then toward the delivery portion.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The delivery portion is provided with a rotating member that rotates around a rotating shaft extending in the vertical direction. The openings provided on the side portion of the accommodating member are provided in plurality, and the plurality of openings are arranged so that positions in the rotation direction of the rotating member are different from each other.

9. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a delivery unit that delivers the gas supplied to the image forming unit; a conveying path, at least a portion of which is disposed below the delivery portion and through which the conveyed recording medium passes; and The receiving section is disposed between a lower portion of the conveying path, which is a portion below the delivery section, and the delivery section, and receives dropped objects from the delivery section.

Images