Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can sufficiently perform ozonization.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: image forming devices that each form an image by an electrophotographic system; image formation related devices that are other than the image forming devices and related to formation of images; and an ozone filter 38 that eliminates ozone from exhaust air 41 from the image forming devices and the image formation related devices. A plurality of ozone filters 38, 39 are provided, and the exhaust air 41 from the image forming devices passes through a larger number of ozone filters 38, 39 than exhaust air 42 from the image formation related devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for treating harmful ozone in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus by filtering exhaust gas from a charger, a developer, a static eliminator, and a transfer unit around a photoconductor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-50214 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, many types of image forming apparatuses are designed to blow air onto the charger to prevent dust and toner from adhering to the charger. In such an image forming apparatus, the air containing ozone from the charger is transported to the fixing unit and other units in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and therefore, even if ozone treatment is performed only on the exhaust air from the charger, developer, static eliminator, and transfer unit as in the technique of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the ozone treatment cannot be performed sufficiently in the image forming apparatus.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing a sufficient ozone treatment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The present invention is an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising: imaging devices that form images by electrophotography; image forming-related devices other than the imaging devices that are involved in the formation of the images; and an ozone filter that removes ozone from exhaust gas from the imaging devices and the image forming-related devices.

[0007] (2) In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of ozone filters are provided, In the image forming apparatus described in (1), the exhaust gas from each of the image forming devices passes through the ozone filter a greater number of times than the exhaust gas from each of the image forming related devices.

[0008] (3) Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus described in (2), characterized in that each of the ozone filters is provided on the outlet side of a housing whose inlet is the inlet side of the exhaust gas, and the exhaust gas that flows into the housing is diffused within the housing before passing through the ozone filter.

[0009] (4) The image forming apparatus of the present invention is also characterized in that it comprises a first housing and a second housing as the housings, the first housing has the exhaust gas from each of the imaging devices flowing in and passing through the ozone filter provided on the outlet side, and the second housing has the exhaust gas from each of the image forming related devices and the exhaust gas after passing through the ozone filter of the first housing flowing in, and the two exhaust gases merge and diffuse inside before passing through the ozone filter provided on the outlet side, as described in (3).

[0010] (5) Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus described in (4), characterized in that it is provided with a fan that diffuses both of the exhaust airs that flow into the second housing within the second housing.

[0011] (6) Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the image forming apparatus described in (4), characterized in that it is provided with a straightening plate that straightens and merges the two exhaust gases that flow into the second housing and diffuses the two exhaust gases.

[0012] (7) Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus described in any one of (4) to (6), characterized in that the speed at which the two exhaust airs pass through the ozone filter of the second housing is slower than the speed at which the two exhaust airs flow into the second housing, due to the two exhaust airs merging and diffusing inside the second housing.

[0013] (8) The image forming apparatus according to (4), wherein the ozone filter of the first housing has a higher ozone collection rate than the ozone filter of the second housing.

[0014] (9) The image forming apparatus described in (4) is characterized in that the first housing is disposed within the second housing, each of the ozone filters in the first housing is smaller than that in the second housing, both of the ozone filters are detachable from the first housing and the second housing, respectively, and the ozone filter in the first housing can be removed through an opening created by removing the ozone filter from the second housing.

[0015] (10) An image forming apparatus as described in (2) above, characterized in that air is blown onto a charger, which is one of the imaging devices, to prevent dust and toner from adhering thereto, and the air is diffused within the main body of the image forming apparatus. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing sufficient ozone treatment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a more lateral side than the example in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ozone processing device provided in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an ozone processing device provided in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an ozone processing device provided in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an ozone processing device provided in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described. [Embodiment 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side. Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear side. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a more lateral side than the example in Fig. 1.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment 1 is an apparatus that forms an image on a printing medium such as paper using an electrophotographic method, and is equipped with, for example, four image forming units 2 to 5 arranged in a vertical row, a first transfer belt (transfer device) 6, a paper transport device 7, and a fixing unit 8. Each of the image forming units 2-5 is a device that forms a toner image of a different color (e.g., yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), black (K)) on each of the photoconductor drums 11Y, 11C, 11M, 11K. Each of the image forming units 2-5 includes, around each of the photoconductor drums 11, a charger 12 that charges the surface of each of the photoconductor drums 11, an optical writing device 13 that optically writes an electrostatic latent image on each of the photoconductor drums 11, a developing device 14 that develops the electrostatic latent image on each of the photoconductor drums 11 with toner of the respective color, and a static eliminator 15 that eliminates static electricity on each of the photoconductor drums 11.

[0020] Image forming unit 2 is a device that forms a yellow (Y) toner image on photoconductor drum 11Y. Image forming unit 3 is a device that forms a cyan (C) toner image on photoconductor drum 11C. Image forming unit 4 is a device that forms a magenta (M) toner image on photoconductor drum 11M. Image forming unit 5 is a device that forms a black (K) toner image on photoconductor drum 11K.

[0021] The image forming unit 2 is provided with a charger 12Y that charges the photosensitive drum 11Y, an optical writing device 13Y that optically writes an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11Y, a developing device 14Y that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11Y with yellow (Y) toner, and a static eliminator 15Y that eliminates static electricity on the photosensitive drum 11Y, which are arranged around the photosensitive drum 11Y.

[0022] The image forming unit 3 is provided around the photosensitive drum 11C with a charger 12C that charges the photosensitive drum 11C, an optical writing device 13C that optically writes an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11C, a developing device 14C that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11C with cyan (C) toner, and a static eliminator 15C that eliminates static electricity on the photosensitive drum 11C.

[0023] The image forming unit 4 is provided around the photoconductor drum 11M with a charger 12M that charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 11M, an optical writing device 13M that optically writes an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 11M, a developing device 14M that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 11M with magenta (M) toner, and a static eliminator 15M that eliminates static electricity on the photoconductor drum 11M.

[0024] The image forming unit 5 is provided around the photosensitive drum 11K with a charger 12K that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11K, an optical writing device 13K that optically writes an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11K, a developing device 14K that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11K with black (K) toner, and a static eliminator 15K that eliminates static electricity from the photosensitive drum 11K.

[0025] In addition, when no distinction is made between colors, the names of the components will be indicated simply by the numbers of the symbols.

[0026] The first transfer belt 6 is a belt conveyor-like device, and in this example, is arranged with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction along the photoconductor drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K of the image forming units 2 to 5. The toner images formed on the photoconductor drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K are transferred onto the first transfer belt 6 so that the toner images are superimposed. The toner images formed by superimposing the toners of the respective colors are transferred onto a printing medium such as paper supplied from a paper conveying device 7 by a second transfer device (not shown). The toner images transferred onto the printing medium are then fixed onto the printing medium by a fixing device 8, and a color image is formed on the printing medium.

[0027] In this specification, the chargers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K, the developers 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K, the static eliminators 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K, and the first transfer belt 6, which are involved in electrophotographic image formation, are referred to as "imaging devices." Also, other devices involved in image formation other than the imaging devices, such as the optical writing devices 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K, the paper transport device 7, the fixing device 8, and other devices, are referred to as "image formation-related devices" in this specification.

[0028] 1, scattered toner suction ducts 21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K for sucking toner scattered in the image forming apparatus 1 from the developing devices 14Y, 14M, 14C, 14K and the first transfer belt 6 are provided near the upper portions of the developing devices 14Y, 14M, 14C, 14K of the image forming units 2 to 5. Suction ducts 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22K for sucking air containing ozone generated from the charging devices 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K and the static eliminators 15Y, 15M, 15C, 15K are provided below the charging devices 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K and the static eliminators 15Y, 15M, 15C, 15K of the image forming units 2 to 5. Above the optical writing devices 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K of the image forming units 2 to 5, cooling fans 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K are provided for cooling the optical writing devices 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K with air.

[0029] 2, a fixing heat exhaust fan 24 for exhausting exhaust heat from the fixing unit 8 is provided at the upper part near the rear of the fixing unit 8. A transport heat exhaust fan 25 for exhausting exhaust heat from the paper transport device 7 is provided at the rear of the paper transport device 7. A transfer heat exhaust fan 26 for exhausting exhaust heat from the first transfer belt 6 is provided at the lower part behind the first transfer belt 6. The scattered toner suction ducts 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K are connected to each other and unified into a common duct 21a, and the common duct 21a has an air outlet 21b at the rear lower part of the paper transport device 7, and the air from the scattered toner suction ducts 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K that leaves this outlet 21b is blown by a sirocco fan (not shown). Each suction duct 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22K is connected to each other and unified into a common duct 22a, which has an air outlet 22b below and behind the paper transport device 7, and the air from each suction duct 22 that leaves this outlet 22b is blown by a sirocco fan not shown.

[0030] 3, a fan 27 for blowing exhaust heat from each of the optical writing devices 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K is provided behind the optical writing device 13K of the image forming unit 5. A heat exhaust fan 28 for blowing exhaust heat around the transfer heat exhaust fan 26 is provided below and behind the first transfer belt 6 and above the transfer heat exhaust fan 26.

[0031] 4, fans 29Y, 29M, 29C, and 29K that blow air onto the chargers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K to prevent dust and toner from adhering are provided near the chargers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K of the image forming units 2 to 5. The air blown onto the chargers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K is diffused within the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, particularly into image formation-related devices.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an ozone processing device provided in an image forming apparatus, and Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the ozone processing device. This ozone processing device 31 includes a first housing 32 and a second housing 33. The first housing 32 and the second housing 33 are both, for example, box-shaped, the former being smaller than the latter, and the former being installed inside the latter. The inlets 34, 35 of the first housing 32 and the second housing 33 are the inlet sides for the exhaust of the image forming apparatus 1 main body, and ozone filters 38, 39 are provided on the outlets 36, 37 sides, respectively. The ozone filters 38, 39 remove ozone contained in the exhaust of the image forming apparatus 1 main body.

[0033] The outlet 36 of the first housing 32 is, for example, in the shape of a rectangular frame, and a rectangular plate-shaped ozone filter 38 is detachably fitted into it. The outlet (opening) 37 of the second housing 33 is also, for example, in the shape of a rectangular frame, and a rectangular plate-shaped ozone filter 39 is detachably fitted into it. The ozone filter 38 is one size smaller than the ozone filter 39. In addition, the ozone filter 38 has a higher ozone collection rate than the ozone filter 39. The exhaust air sucked through the scattered toner suction ducts 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K and discharged from the outlet 21b, the exhaust air sucked through the suction ducts 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K and discharged from the outlet 22b, the exhaust air containing exhaust heat from the transfer exhaust heat fan 26, and the exhaust air containing exhaust heat from the exhaust heat fan 28 flow into the inlet 34 of the first housing 32 via predetermined paths.

[0034] On the other hand, exhaust air from the cooling fans 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K, the fixing heat exhaust fan 24, the transport heat exhaust fan 25, and the fan 27 flow into the inlet 35 of the second housing 33 via predetermined paths. In other words, exhaust air from the “image formation-related devices” that do not generate much ozone flows into the second housing 33. That is, in the first housing 32, exhaust air 41 from each imaging device flows in and passes through an ozone filter 38 provided on the outlet 36 side. In the second housing 33, exhaust air 42 from each image formation related device and exhaust air 41 after passing through the ozone filter 38 of the first housing 32 flow in, and the exhaust air 41, 42 joins and diffuses inside and then passes through an ozone filter 39 provided on the outlet 37 side. The exhaust air 43 after passing through is discharged outside the image forming apparatus 1. The exhaust air 41, 42 that flows into the first housing 32 and the second housing 33, respectively, is diffused in each housing and then passes through the respective ozone filters 38, 39.

[0035] In this way, the number of ozone filters 38, 39 that the exhaust from each image forming device passes through is varied depending on the type of device among the image forming devices and image forming related devices. More specifically, the exhaust 41 from each image forming device passes through two more ozone filters than the exhaust 42 from each image forming related device. In the second housing 33, the two exhaust airs 41, 42 merge and diffuse inside, so that the speed at which the two exhaust airs 41, 42 pass through the ozone filter 39 of the second housing 33 is slower than the speed at which the two exhaust airs 41, 42 flow into the second housing 33.

[0036] As is clear from FIG. 5, the ozone filter 38 of the first housing 32 can be removed through an outlet 37 (opening) formed by removing the ozone filter 39 from the second housing 33. Ozone is easily generated from the charger 12 and the charger 15 of the "imaging device" described above. Therefore, the exhaust air 41 from the imaging device contains a lot of ozone. However, as shown in FIG. 4, fans 29Y, 29M, 29C, and 29K are provided near the chargers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K of each image forming unit 2 to 5 to blow air onto the chargers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K to prevent dust and toner from adhering to them. The air blown onto the chargers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K is diffused inside the main body of the image forming device 1, that is, into the "image formation-related device." Therefore, the exhaust air 42 from the image formation-related device also contains a certain amount of ozone.

[0037] Therefore, in this embodiment 1, not only the exhaust air 41 from the imaging device but also the exhaust air 42 from the image forming related device is subject to ozone treatment by the ozone filter 39, so that the ozone generated in the image forming device 1 can be sufficiently removed. In the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the number of ozone filters 38, 39 through which exhaust air from each imaging device and each image forming-related device passes is varied depending on the type of device. This allows exhaust air with a high ozone concentration to pass through the ozone filter 38 a large number of times, making it possible to sufficiently remove the high concentration of ozone. On the other hand, exhaust air with a low ozone concentration also passes through the ozone filter 39 a small number of times, making it possible to sufficiently remove the ozone.

[0038] More specifically, exhaust air 41 from each imaging device passes through a greater number of ozone filters 38 than exhaust air 42 from each image-forming related device. That is, exhaust air 41 from each imaging device, which has a high ozone concentration, can be sufficiently removed by passing it through two ozone filters 38, 39. On the other hand, exhaust air 42, which flows from chargers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K and contains a low concentration of ozone, can be sufficiently removed by passing it through only one ozone filter 39. Furthermore, since exhaust air 41 is surrounded by the walls of the first housing 32, the ozone is diffused and passes through ozone filter 38 with a relatively uniform concentration, and ozone is sufficiently removed. Similarly, exhaust air 41 and exhaust air 42 after passing through ozone filter 38 are surrounded by the walls of the second housing 33, so the ozone is diffused and passes through ozone filter 39 with a relatively uniform concentration, and ozone is sufficiently removed.

[0039] Furthermore, within the second housing 33, the exhaust air 41 and the exhaust air 42 that have passed through the ozone filter 38 join and diffuse, so that the ozone passes through the ozone filter 39 with a relatively uniform concentration, and therefore the ozone is sufficiently removed. Furthermore, inside the second housing 33, the exhaust air 41, 42 merge and diffuse inside, so that the speed at which the exhaust air 41, 42 passes through the ozone filter 39 is slower than the speed at which the exhaust air 41, 42 flows into the second housing 33. In other words, since the exhaust air 41, 42 passes through the ozone filter 39 at a low speed, the ozone in the exhaust air 41, 42 can be sufficiently removed by the ozone filter 39.

[0040] The ozone filter 38 in the first housing 32 has a higher ozone collection rate than the ozone filter 39 in the second housing 33. That is, since the exhaust air 41, 42 in the second housing 33 has a relatively low ozone concentration, even the ozone filter 39 with a relatively low ozone collection rate can sufficiently remove the ozone in the exhaust air 41, 42. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the ozone filter 39 can be reduced.

[0041] 5, the first housing 32 is disposed within the second housing 33, and the ozone filters 38, 39 in the first housing 32 are smaller than those in the second housing 33, and both the ozone filters 38, 39 are detachable from the first housing 32 and the second housing 33, respectively. The ozone filter 38 in the first housing 32 can be removed through an opening (outlet 37) that is created when the ozone filter 39 is removed from the second housing 32. This allows the ozone filter 38 to be easily replaced.

[0042] [Embodiment 2] In the following embodiments, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment will be used for the matters common to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] 7 is a perspective view of an ozone processing device provided in an image forming apparatus. The ozone processing device 31 differs from the ozone processing device 31 of the first embodiment in that a fan 51 is provided to diffuse the exhaust air 41, 42 that has flowed into the second housing 33 within the second housing 33. As a result of the agitation of the exhaust air 41, 42 by this fan 51, the ozone concentration of the exhaust air 41, 42 flowing into the second housing 33 becomes more uniform and passes through the ozone filter 39, so that the ozone in the exhaust air 41, 42 can be efficiently removed by the ozone filter 39.

[0044] [Embodiment 3] 8 is a see-through perspective view of an ozone processing device provided in an image forming apparatus. This ozone processing device 31 differs from the ozone processing device 31 of the first embodiment in that it includes rectifying plates 52A and 52B that rectify and join the exhaust air 41 and 42 that flow into the second housing 33 and diffuse the exhaust air 41 and 42. Specifically, a plurality of rectifying plates 52A and 52B are provided at the outlet 36 of the first housing 32 and at the inlet 35 side in the second housing 33, respectively. The rectifying plates 52A and 52B are oriented so as to join the exhaust air 41 and the exhaust air 42.

[0045] The rectifying plates 52A and 52B cause the exhaust air 41 and the exhaust air 42 to join and diffuse inside the second housing 33, so that the ozone concentrations of the exhaust air 41 and 42 are made more uniform before passing through the ozone filter 39, and the ozone in the exhaust air 41 and 42 can be efficiently removed by the ozone filter 39. Moreover, unlike the fan 51 of the second embodiment, the rectifying plates 52A and 52B do not require electricity for operation, so that the running costs of the device can be reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1. Image forming device 6 First transfer belt (imaging device) 7 Paper transport device (image forming related device) 8 Fixing unit (image forming related equipment) 11Y, 11C, 11M, 11K Photoconductor drum 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K Charger (imaging device) 13Y, 13C, 13M, 13K Optical writing device (image forming related device) 14Y, 14C, 14M, 14K developer (imaging device) 15Y,15C,15M,15K Static eliminator (imaging device) 32 First Case 33 Second Case 34 Entrance 35 Entrance 36 Exit 37 Exit (opening) 38,39 Ozone filter 41,42 Exhaust 51 Fans 52A,52B Rectifier plate

Claims

1. an imaging device that forms an image by an electrophotographic method; an image forming-related device other than the image forming device that is involved in forming the image; a first ozone filter for removing ozone from exhaust air from the imaging device; a second ozone filter for removing ozone from exhaust gas from the image forming-related device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein exhaust gas from the imaging device that has passed through the first ozone filter flows into the second ozone filter.

3. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the second ozone filter also removes ozone from exhaust from the imaging device that has passed through the first ozone filter.

4. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second ozone filter is located lower than the first ozone filter.

5. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein a plurality of openings are provided between the imaging device and the first ozone filter.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming-related device is a paper conveying device.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming-related device is an optical writing device.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming-related device is a fixing device.

9. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first ozone filter and the second ozone filter are provided behind the image forming apparatus.

10. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first ozone filter is provided in a housing provided at the rear of the image forming apparatus.

11. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the second ozone filter is provided in a housing provided at the rear of the image forming apparatus.

12. An image forming apparatus as described in Claim 11, wherein a fan is provided between the second ozone filter and the outlet of the housing.

13. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, comprising a straightening plate that merges exhaust gas from the imaging device that has passed through the first ozone filter with exhaust gas from the image forming-related device.

14. An image forming apparatus as described in Claim 13, wherein the speed at which ozone passes through the second ozone filter is slower than the speed at which ozone passes through the first ozone filter due to the straightening plate.

15. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the ozone collection rate of the first ozone filter is higher than the ozone collection rate of the second ozone filter.

16. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first ozone filter is smaller than the second ozone filter.

17. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein air is blown onto the charger, which is one of said image forming devices, to prevent adhesion of dust and toner, and the air is diffused within the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Images