Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus which can effectively utilize heat of heated air.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 includes: an image formation section 1; a heating section 2; and a guide section 54. The image formation section 1 forms an image on a paper sheet P. The heating section 2 heats the paper sheet P with the image formed thereon. The guide section 54 guides air heated by the heating section 2 by one flow passage 5 selected from a first flow passage 52 and a second flow passage 53. The first flow passage 52 indicates the flow passage 5 in which air heated by the heating section 2 is made to flow to the image formation section 1. The second flow passage 53 indicates the flow passage 5 in which air heated by the heating section 2 is returned to the heating section 2 via the image formation section 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a transport unit, a blower unit, a transport failure detection unit, and a control unit. The transport unit transports the recording medium along a transport path. The blower unit blows high-temperature gas from a gas outlet to dry the ink. The transport failure detection unit detects transport failure of the recording medium. When a transport failure is detected, the control unit lowers the temperature of the gas blown from the gas outlet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-008475 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when a conveyance failure is detected, the drying area heated by the air blowing unit is forcibly cooled, which means that the heat of the air heated in the drying area cannot be effectively utilized.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of effectively utilizing the heat of heated air. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming unit, a heating unit, and a guide unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium. The heating unit heats the recording medium on which the image has been formed. The guide unit guides the air heated by the heating unit through a selected one of a first flow path and a second flow path. The first flow path refers to a flow path that flows the air heated by the heating unit to the image forming unit. The second flow path refers to a flow path that returns the air heated by the heating unit to the heating unit via the image forming unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the heat of the heated air can be effectively utilized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a flow path. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a refrigeration cycle unit. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description will be commonly taken into consideration.

[0010] The configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 100 is an inkjet recording apparatus, such as a monochrome printer or color printer capable of double-sided printing, that uses aqueous ink to form an image on printing paper P. The printing paper P may be any type of paper, such as plain paper, copy paper, recycled paper, thin paper, thick paper, or glossy paper.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 1, a heating unit 2, a post-processing unit 3, and an operation unit 4. Image forming unit 1 forms an image on paper P. Heating unit 2 dries paper P in the process of relaying the paper P on which the image has been formed from image forming unit 1 to post-processing unit 3. Post-processing unit 3 performs post-processing on the paper P on which the image has been formed, and discharges the paper P. Paper P corresponds to an example of a "recording medium." The operation unit 4 allows a user to input commands for starting image forming processing, stopping image forming processing, and the type of print mode.

[0013] In this embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 100, the conveying direction from the image forming unit 1 toward the post-processing unit 3 is defined as the forward direction X1, and the opposite side is defined as the backward direction X2. The left side when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the backward direction X2 is defined as the left side Y1, and the opposite side is defined as the right side Y2. In addition, in the up-down direction Z perpendicular to the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y of the image forming apparatus 100, the side where the operation unit 4 is arranged with respect to the image forming unit 1 is defined as the upward direction Z1, and the opposite side is defined as the downward direction Z2. Note that these directions do not limit the directions of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention when it is used.

[0014] First, the configuration of the image forming section 1 will be described. The image forming section 1 forms an image on a sheet P. As shown in FIG. 2, an inkjet image forming unit 12 and a plurality of paper feed sections 13 are provided in a housing 11 of the image forming section 1. The plurality of paper feed sections 13 are arranged in a vertical line at the bottom of the housing 11, and each of the paper feed sections 13 has a paper cassette 131 and a feed device 132. The paper cassette 131 stores paper P. The feed device 132 feeds paper P from the paper cassette 131. The image forming unit 12 is arranged above the paper feed section 13. The image forming unit 12 ejects ink onto the paper P to form an image. The image forming unit 12 includes a conveyor belt 122 and four line heads 121. The image forming section 1 includes the line head 121. The conveyor belt 122 travels in a circular manner to convey the paper P. The four line heads 121 are arranged along the travel direction of the conveyor belt 122. An outlet for the paper P is formed at an upper portion of the side surface on the front X1 side of the housing 11. The line head 121 corresponds to, for example, an "inkjet head."

[0015] In the housing 11, a transport path 111 for the paper P is formed, which runs from the feeding device 132 of the paper feed section 13 through the image forming unit 12 toward the discharge outlet. The transport path 111 has a reversing path 112 that reverses the paper P. The reversing path 112 branches off from the transport path 111 on the downstream side of the image forming unit 12 in the transport direction. The reversing path 112 merges with the transport path 111 on the upstream side of the image forming unit 12.

[0016] A pair of registration rollers 14 is disposed in the transport path 111 on the upstream side of the image forming unit 12 in the transport direction. The pair of registration rollers 14 corrects the inclination of the paper P that has come into contact with the pair of registration rollers 14 and stopped. In order to synchronize the image formation timing with the transport of the paper P, the pair of registration rollers 14 makes the paper P wait temporarily, and then sends the paper P to the image forming unit 12 in accordance with the image formation timing.

[0017] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the image forming section 1. First, in the paper feed section 13, the feed device 132 sends out paper P from the paper cassette 131 to the conveying path 111. The sent out paper P is conveyed along the conveying path 111 and is adsorbed to the upper surface of the conveying belt 122 in the image forming unit 12. Then, while the paper P is conveyed in accordance with the rotation of the conveying belt 122, an image is formed on the paper P by ink ejected from each line head 121.

[0018] The paper P on which the image has been formed is conveyed forward to the X1 side by the conveyor belt 122, and then sandwiched in the delivery section 15. The delivery section 15 has a pair of rollers arranged in the vertical direction. The timing of the rotation drive of the delivery section 15 is adjusted. The delivery section 15 discharges the paper P from the discharge port 1b at a predetermined timing. The paper P is discharged from the discharge port 1b in a position in which the side on which the image has been formed faces upward. When double-sided printing is performed, the paper P on which the image has been formed on one side is conveyed to the reversal path 112 and turned over. The paper P with the turned over is conveyed to the conveyor path 111 and adsorbed to the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122. Then, an image is formed on the other side while being conveyed with the rotation of the conveyor belt 122. The paper P is discharged from the discharge port 1b in a position in which the last printed side faces upward.

[0019] Next, the configuration of the post-processing section 3 will be described. The post-processing section 3 selectively performs punching, stapling, and center folding on the paper P. The housing 21 of the post-processing section 3 is provided with a punching device 32, a stapling device 33, and a center folding device 34. The punching device 32 is disposed in the upper part of the housing 21, the stapling device 33 is disposed below the punching device 32, and the center folding device 34 is disposed in the lower part of the housing 21. An entrance for receiving the paper P from the heating section 2 is formed on the side of the housing 21 on the rear X2 side. A first discharge port 35a, a second discharge port 36a, and a third discharge port 37a are formed on the side of the housing 21 on the front X1 side. The first discharge port 35a is disposed on the front X1 side of the punching device 32, the second discharge port 36a is disposed on the front X1 side of the stapler 33, and the third discharge port 37a is disposed on the front X1 side of the center folding device 34. A first discharge tray 35 is provided below the first discharge outlet 35a, a second discharge tray 36 is provided below the second discharge outlet 36a, and a third discharge tray 37 is provided below the third discharge outlet 37a.

[0020] A first conveying path 311, a second conveying path 312, and a third conveying path 313 are formed in the housing 31. The first conveying path 311 runs from the entrance 3a through the punching device 32 toward the first discharge outlet 35a. The second conveying path 312 branches off from the first conveying path 311 downstream of the punching device 32 and runs through the stapling device 33 toward the second discharge outlet 36a. The third conveying path 313 branches off from the second conveying path 312 and runs through the folding device 34 toward the third discharge outlet 37a.

[0021] Next, the operation of the post-processing section 3 will be described. The paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming section 1 is received from the inlet 3a into the first transport path 311 via the heating section 2. When the paper P is to be punched, the paper P is transported to the punching device 32 through the first transport path 311. The transported paper P is subjected to a perforation process by the punching device 32. The perforated paper P is discharged from the first discharge opening 35a through the first transport path 311 and stacked on the first discharge tray 35. When the paper P is to be stapled, the paper P is transported from the first transport path 311 to the staple device 33 along the second transport path 312. The transported paper P is stapled by the staple device 33. The stapled paper P is discharged from the second discharge opening 36a and stacked on the second discharge tray 36. When the sheet P is to be folded in the middle, the sheet P is transported from the first transport path 311 through the second transport path 312 and the third transport path 313 to the folding device 34. The sheet P thus transported is folded in the middle by the folding device 34. The folded sheet P is discharged from the third discharge opening 37a and stacked on the third discharge tray 37.

[0022] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the heating unit 2. The heating unit 2 is provided separately from the image forming unit 1 and the post-processing unit 3, and is connected to both the image forming unit 1 and the post-processing unit 3. The heating unit 2 dries the paper P while relaying the paper P from the image forming unit 1 to the post-processing unit 3.

[0023] The housing 21 of the heating section 2 is, for example, covered with a cover that prevents heat from escaping. A receiving opening 2a for the paper P from the image forming section 1 is formed on the side of the housing 21 of the heating section 2 facing the rear X1. The receiving opening 2a is formed at the same height as the discharge opening 1b of the image forming section 1. A delivery opening 2b for the paper P is formed on the side of the housing 21 facing the front X1. The delivery opening 2b is formed at the same height as the discharge entrance 3a of the post-processing section 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the heating section 2 has a conveying section 22, a heating unit 23, and a suction section 24.

[0024] The transport unit 22 transports the paper P. The transport unit 22 transports the paper P from the rear X2 side to the front X1 side while adsorbing the paper P. In detail, the transport unit 22 has a drive roller 251, a driven roller 252, an endless transport belt 221, and a suction unit 24.

[0025] The conveyor belt 221 is stretched rotatably by a driving roller 251 and a driven roller 252. A large number of suction holes (not shown) are formed in the conveyor belt 221. A suction unit 24 is provided on the inside of the conveyor belt 221 (the rear side of the conveying surface of the conveyor belt 221). The conveyor belt 221 rotates as the driving roller 251 and the driven roller 252 rotate. The suction unit 24 generates a negative pressure, so that the paper sheet P is adsorbed to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt 221. In this way, the paper sheet P adsorbed to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt 221 is conveyed along the conveying direction (forward X1).

[0026] The heating unit 23 heats the paper P on which an image has been formed. That is, the heating section 2 heats the paper P on which an image has been formed. The heating unit 23 also increases the temperature of the air inside the housing 21 to dry the paper P. For example, a plurality of heating units 23 are disposed. The heating unit 23 is disposed above Z1 the transport section 22. The heating unit 23 is constituted by, for example, a heater, fins, and a fan.

[0027] The suction unit 24 sucks in air. The suction unit 24 faces the paper P with the conveying unit 22 therebetween. For example, a plurality of suction units 24 are provided. Specifically, the suction unit 24 sucks in the air warmed by the heating unit 2 via the conveying belt 221. Thus, the suction unit 24 adsorbs the paper P to the conveying surface of the conveying belt 221.

[0028] The configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the flow path 5. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the refrigeration cycle unit 6.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a flow path 5 and a refrigeration cycle unit 6.

[0030] The flow path 5 allows air to flow. The flow path 5 allows air sucked by the suction unit 24 to flow. The flow path 5 is formed of, for example, a tube. As shown in FIG. 3, the flow path 5 has an upstream flow path 51, a first flow path 52, a second flow path 53, and a guide unit 54.

[0031] The upstream flow path 51 is supplied with air sucked by the suction unit 24. In other words, the suction unit 24 sucks air warmed by the heating unit 2 into the upstream flow path 51. The upstream flow path 51 is disposed inside the heating unit 2. In other words, the heating unit 2 has the upstream flow path 51 and the suction unit 24.

[0032] The upstream flow path 51 is located below the conveying unit 22 Z2 and extends along the front-rear direction X. The air sucked by the suction unit 24 flows, for example, in the upstream flow path 51 toward the rear X2 as shown in the direction F1. The upstream flow path 51 extends from the heating unit 2 to the inside of the image forming unit 1. The upstream flow path 51 branches into a first flow path 52 and a second flow path 53 at a position on the rear X2 side. The first flow path 52 indicates a flow path that flows the air warmed by the heating unit 2 to the image forming unit 1. The second flow path 53 indicates a flow path 5 that returns the air warmed by the heating unit 2 to the heating unit 2 via the image forming unit 1. A fan 55 is disposed downstream of the second flow path 53. The air flowing through the second flow path 53 is returned to the heating unit 2.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the first flow path 52 and the second flow path 53 branch off at a branching portion 56. A guide portion 54 is disposed at the branching portion 56. The guide portion 54 guides the air heated by the heating portion 2 through a flow path 5 selected from the first flow path 52 and the second flow path 53. Therefore, since the air heated by the heating portion is supplied to the image forming portion, the heat of the heated air can be supplied to the inside of the image forming portion. In other words, the members disposed in the image forming portion can be heated. As a result, the heat of the heated air can be effectively utilized.

[0034] In the upstream flow path 51, an upstream portion of the first flow path 52 and an upstream portion of the second flow path 53 join together. In other words, in the upstream flow path 51, the first flow path 52 and the second flow path 53 join together. Furthermore, the suction unit 24 sucks the paper P toward the conveying unit 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the paper P from being misaligned. In other words, the suction unit 24 sucks the paper P through air, so that the air can be sucked toward the upstream flow path 51 (downward Z2). The sucked air is supplied to the image forming unit 1 via the upstream flow path 51 and the first flow path 52. As a result, a large amount of air warmed by the heating unit 2 can be supplied to the image forming unit 1.

[0035] The guide unit 54 switches the path of the heated air. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide unit 54 directs the air to either the first flow path 52 or the second flow path 53. When the guide unit 54 is operated in the direction D1, the air flows from the upstream flow path 51 to the first flow path 52. Specifically, the air flows from the direction F1 to the direction F2. When the guide unit 54 is operated in the direction D2, the air flows from the upstream flow path 51 to the second flow path 53. Specifically, the air flows from the direction F1 to the direction F3.

[0036] 3, the image forming unit 1 has a refrigeration cycle unit 6 and an ink tank 16. The ink tank 16 stores ink. The ink tank 16 supplies the stored ink to the line head 121 via a supply pipe (not shown).

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the first flow path 52 branches into a third flow path 521 and a fourth flow path 522. The first flow path 52 supplies air to the ink tank 16 and the line head 121. As shown in FIG. 3, the third flow path 521 is connected to the ink tank 16. The air flowing through the third flow path 521 warms the ink stored in the ink tank 16. The fourth flow path 522 is connected to the line head 121. The air flowing through the fourth flow path 522 warms the ink staying in the line head 121. Therefore, the ink tank 16 and the line head 121 can be heated by the heat of the air warmed by the heating unit 2. Therefore, the viscosity of the ink can be reduced, and defects caused by the viscosity of the ink can be suppressed. As a result, high quality image formation can be performed. The first flow path 52 may supply air to only one of the ink tank 16 and the line head 121.

[0038] The refrigeration cycle section 6 utilizes waste heat from the heating section. As shown in Fig. 4, the refrigeration cycle section 6 has an evaporation section 61, a compression section 62, a condensation section 63, and an expansion section 64. The evaporation section 61, the compression section 62, the condensation section 63, and the expansion section 64 are connected to each other by piping, and a refrigerant (not shown) circulates through them.

[0039] The second flow passage 53 is disposed adjacent to the evaporation section 61. The evaporation section 61 exchanges heat between the cooled refrigerant and the air flowing through the second flow passage 53. The refrigerant is heated while still in a gaseous state. The air is cooled.

[0040] The compression section 62 compresses the refrigerant, changing it from a low-pressure, low-temperature gas state to a high-pressure, high-temperature gas state.

[0041] The first flow path 52 is disposed adjacent to the condenser section 63. The condenser section 63 exchanges heat between the high-temperature refrigerant and the air flowing through the first flow path 52. The temperature of the refrigerant is reduced and changes from gas to liquid. Therefore, the condensation of the refrigerant performed in the condenser section 63 can be promoted by the heat exchange with the air flowing through the first flow path 52. In addition, the evaporation of the refrigerant by the evaporator section 61 can be promoted by the heat exchange with the air flowing through the second flow path 53. As a result, the cycle efficiency of the refrigeration cycle can be increased.

[0042] The expansion section 64 expands the refrigerant, causing it to go from a high pressure, high temperature liquid to a low pressure, low temperature gas.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 further includes a control unit 7 and a storage unit 8.

[0044] The storage unit 8 is composed of a non-volatile memory. For example, the storage unit 8 is preferably a hard disk. For example, the storage unit 8 preferably stores image data for printing, control programs relating to various controls, and data used by the control programs. Examples of the control programs include a program for controlling image formation on paper P (hereinafter referred to as a "first control program") and a program for utilizing waste heat (hereinafter referred to as a "second control program").

[0045] The first control program refers to a program for executing image formation on paper P. Data used in the first control program can include, for example, the amount of water-based ink to be ejected onto the print area.

[0046] The second control program refers to a program for controlling the refrigeration cycle unit 6 and the guide unit 54. Examples of data used in the second control program include the internal temperature of the heating unit 2 and the operating state of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0047] The control unit 7 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a non-volatile memory (ROM: Read Only Memory) and a volatile memory (RAM: Random Access Memory). The control unit 7 also includes an integrated circuit for image formation processing. The integrated circuit for image formation processing is composed of, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The ROM stores a control program for causing the CPU to execute various types of arithmetic processing. The first control program and the second control program may be stored in the ROM instead of the memory unit 8. The RAM temporarily stores various types of arithmetic processing executed by the CPU. The control unit 7 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing a control program (a control program stored in advance in the memory unit 8 or the ROM).

[0048] The control unit 7 controls the image formation on the paper P. Specifically, the control unit 7 controls at least the image forming unit 12, the sending unit 15, and the heating unit 23. Furthermore, when a request for image formation on the paper P is made, the control unit 7 preferably initializes various parameters used to control the image formation on the paper P. The user may request the image formation on the paper P by operating the operation unit 4. The user may request the image formation on the paper P by operating an external device (for example, a personal computer).

[0049] The control unit 7 controls the guide unit 54. When the formation of an image on the paper P is stopped, the control unit 7 selects the second flow path 53. Therefore, when the formation of an image is stopped, the air warmed by the heating unit 2 exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the evaporation unit 61. In other words, the air cooled by the evaporation unit 61 is returned to the heating unit 2, so that the heating unit 2 can be cooled quickly. As a result, the workability in the heating unit 2 can be improved.

[0050] When an image is formed on paper P, the control unit 7 selects the first flow path 52. Therefore, when an image is formed, the air warmed by the heating unit 2 exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the condensation unit 63. In other words, the air heated by the condensation unit 63 is supplied to the ink tank 16 and the line head 121, so that the temperature of the ink can be raised quickly. As a result, the operability of the image forming unit 1 can be improved.

[0051] Next, the processing performed by the control unit 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the control unit 7. As shown in Fig. 5, the processing performed by the control unit 7 includes steps S1 to S6. Steps S1 to S6 are performed by the processor of the control unit 7 executing a computer program.

[0052] 5, in step S1, the control unit 7 reads various pieces of information. The process proceeds to step S2.

[0053] In step S2, the control unit 7 determines whether image formation is being performed by the image forming apparatus 100. If the control unit 7 determines that image formation is not being performed (No in step S2), the process proceeds to step S5. If the control unit 7 determines that image formation is being performed (Yes in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3.

[0054] In step S3, the control unit 7 determines whether image formation was also performed last time. If the control unit 7 determines that image formation was also performed last time (Yes in step S3), the process ends. If the control unit 7 determines that image formation was not performed last time (No in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. Since image formation has been switched from a stopped state to an active state this time, the path of the air warmed by the heating unit 2 is switched from the second flow path 53 to the first flow path 52.

[0055] In step S4, the control unit 7 operates the guide unit 54 to select the first flow path 52. The process then ends.

[0056] If the answer is No in step S2, in step S5, the control unit 7 determines whether or not image formation was stopped last time as well. If the control unit 7 determines that image formation was stopped last time as well (Yes in step S5), the process ends. If the control unit 7 determines that image formation was not stopped last time (No in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6. Since image formation has been switched from an active state to a stopped state this time, the path of the air warmed by the heating unit 2 is switched from the first flow path 52 to the second flow path 53.

[0057] In step S6, the control unit 7 operates the guide unit 54 to select the second flow path 53. The process then ends.

[0058] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all components shown in the embodiments. The drawings are mainly shown schematically for ease of understanding, and the number of each component shown may differ from the actual number due to the convenience of drawing. In addition, each component shown in the above embodiments is an example, is not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention.

[0059] In the embodiment, the paper P is sent from the image forming unit 1 to the heating unit 2 by the sending unit 15, but this is not limited to this. For example, the sending unit 15 may be omitted and the paper P may be sent from the image forming unit 1 to the heating unit 2 by the conveyor belt 122.

[0060] In the embodiment, the branching portion 56 is disposed inside the image forming portion 1, but this is not limited thereto. It is sufficient that at least the first flow path 52 supplies air to the image forming portion 1, and the second flow path 53 supplies air to the heating portion 2 via the image forming portion 1. Therefore, the branching portion 56 may be disposed inside the heating portion 2.

[0061] In the embodiment, the guide unit 54 selects the first flow path at the same time that image formation is performed, but this is not limited to this. After image formation is performed, when the temperature of the heated air rises to a temperature that reduces the viscosity of the ink, the guide unit 54 may select the first flow path. [Industrial Applicability]

[0062] The present invention can be used in the field of image forming apparatuses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1: Image forming section 2: Heating part 5: Flow path 6: Refrigeration cycle section 7: Control section 16: Ink tank 22: Transport section 24: Suction part 51:Upstream flow path 52: First flow path 53: Second flow path 54: Information department 61: Evaporation section 62: Compression section 63: Condenser section 64: Expansion section 100: Image forming device 121: Line Head

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a heating section for heating the recording medium on which the image is formed; a guide portion that guides the air heated by the heating portion through a selected one of a first flow path and a second flow path; Equipped with the first flow path indicates a flow path through which air heated by the heating unit flows to the image forming unit, The second flow path indicates a flow path that returns air heated by the heating unit to the heating unit via the image forming unit.

2. the image forming unit includes a refrigeration cycle unit having a compression unit, a condensation unit, an expansion unit, and an evaporation unit; The first flow path is disposed adjacent to the condensation portion, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second flow path is disposed adjacent to the evaporation section.

3. Further equipped with an ink tank, The image forming unit further includes an inkjet head, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the first flow path supplies the air to the ink tank and / or the inkjet head.

4. A control unit for controlling the guide unit is further provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit selects the second flow path when the formation of the image on the recording medium is stopped.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit selects the first flow path when an image is formed on the recording medium.

6. A conveying unit that conveys the recording medium is further provided, The heating unit includes: an upstream flow path where the first flow path and the second flow path join together; a suction section that draws the air heated by the heating section into the upstream flow path; having The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the suction section faces the recording medium with the conveying section therebetween.

Images