Image formation device

Abstract

To provide an image formation device which enables reduction of processing time of image formation.SOLUTION: An image formation device 100 includes: an image formation part 12; a heating part 32; a housing 31; a first fan 38; and an opening / closing part 33. The image formation part 12 forms images on paper P. The heating part 32 heats the paper P with the images formed theron. The housing 31 includes the heating part 32 and has an opening 314. The first fan 38 discharges air heated by the heating part 32 from the opening 314 of the housing 31 to the outside. The opening / closing part 33 opens or closes the opening 314 between the opening 314 and the first fan 38.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1 includes a heater, a print mode discrimination unit, a first heating control unit, a second heating control unit, and a heating control selection unit. The first heating control unit heats with the heater until a preset temperature is reached, and starts printing after the heating period ends. The second heating control unit starts printing without the heating period. The heating control selection unit selects either the heating control of the first heating control unit or the second heating control unit based on the determined print mode. When the power is turned on, the inside of the drying unit covered with a cover is heated to a set temperature that allows drying. The air warmed by the heater is released to the outside from an opening of the drying unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-048777 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1, the inside and outside of the drying unit are connected through an opening. Therefore, when the heater is turned off, the internal temperature of the drying unit drops. In other words, when restarting, it takes time for the air temperature of the drying unit to reach the set temperature, which may result in a longer processing time for image formation.

[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 shortening the processing time for image formation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image forming unit, a heating unit, a housing, a fan, and an opening / closing 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 housing includes the heating unit and has an opening. The fan exhausts air heated by the heating unit to the outside from the opening of the housing. The opening / closing unit opens and closes the opening between the opening and the fan. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the processing time for image formation can be shortened. [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. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an intermediate portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a control unit. [Diagram 5] 11 is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a control unit. [Figure 6] 11 is the remaining part of the flowchart illustrating an example of the process of the 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 a main body section 1, an intermediate section 3, a post-processing section 5, an operation section 7, and a heat dissipation section 8. The main body section 1 forms an image on a sheet of paper P. The intermediate section 3 dries the sheet of paper P on which the image has been formed, in the process of relaying the sheet of paper P on which the image has been formed from the main body section 1 to the post-processing section 5. The post-processing section 5 performs post-processing on the sheet of paper P on which the image has been formed, and discharges the sheet of paper P. The sheet of paper P corresponds to an example of a "recording medium."

[0013] In this embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 100, the conveying direction from the main body 1 toward the post-processing section 5 is defined as the front X1, and the opposite side is defined as the rear X2. The left side when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the rear X2 is defined as the left Y1, and the opposite side is defined as the right 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 7 is arranged with respect to the main body 1 is defined as the upper side Z1, and the opposite side is defined as the lower side Z2. Note that these directions do not limit the direction of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention when it is used.

[0014] First, the configuration of the main body 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 11 of the main body 1 is provided with a plurality of paper feed units 13 and an inkjet type image forming unit 12. The image forming unit 12 forms an image on a sheet P. The plurality of paper feed units 13 are arranged vertically in the lower part of the housing 11, and each of them has a paper cassette 14 and a feeding device 21. The paper cassette 14 stores the sheet P. The feeding device 21 feeds the sheet P from the paper cassette 14. The image forming unit 12 is arranged above the paper feed unit 13. The image forming unit 12 ejects ink onto the sheet P to form an image. The image forming unit 12 includes a conveyor belt 15 and four line heads 22. The conveyor belt 15 travels in a circular manner to convey the sheet P. The four line heads 22 are arranged along the travel direction of the conveyor belt 15. An outlet 16 for the sheet P is formed at the upper part of the side of the housing 11 on the front X1 side.

[0015] In the housing 11, a transport path 17 for the paper P is formed, which runs from the feeding device 21 of the paper feed unit 13 through the image forming unit 12 toward the discharge port 16. The transport path 17 has a reversing path 18 that reverses the paper P from front to back. The reversing path 18 branches off from the transport path 17 on the downstream side of the image forming unit 12 in the transport direction. The reversing path 18 merges with the transport path 17 on the upstream side of the image forming unit 12.

[0016] A pair of registration rollers 20 is disposed in the transport path 17 on the upstream side of the image forming unit 12 in the transport direction. The pair of registration rollers 20 corrects the inclination of the paper P that has come into contact with the pair of registration rollers 20 and stopped. In order to synchronize the image formation timing with the transport of the paper P, the pair of registration rollers 20 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, the operation of the main body 1 will be described. First, in the paper feed section 13, the feed device 21 sends out paper P from the paper cassette 14 to the conveying path 17. The sent out paper P is conveyed along the conveying path 17 and is adsorbed to the upper surface of the conveying belt 15 in the image forming section 12. Then, while the paper P is conveyed in accordance with the rotation of the conveying belt 15, an image is formed on the paper P by ink ejected from each line head 22.

[0018] The paper P on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the front X1 side by the conveyor belt 15, and then sandwiched in the discharge section 19. The discharge section 19 has a pair of rollers arranged in the vertical direction. The timing of the rotation drive of the discharge section 19 is adjusted. The discharge section 19 discharges the paper P from the discharge opening 16 at a predetermined timing. The paper P is discharged from the discharge opening 16 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 18 and inverted. The paper P with the inverted side is conveyed to the conveyor path 17 and adsorbed to the upper surface of the conveyor belt 15. Then, an image is formed on the other side while being conveyed with the rotation of the conveyor belt 15. The paper P is discharged from the discharge opening 16 in a position in which the last printed side faces upward.

[0019] Next, the configuration of the post-processing section 5 will be described. The post-processing section 5 selectively performs punching, stapling, and center folding on the paper P. A punching device 52, a stapling device 53, and a center folding device 54 are provided in a housing 51 of the post-processing section 5. The punching device 52 is disposed in the upper part of the housing 51, the stapling device 53 is disposed below the punching device 52, and the center folding device 54 is disposed in the lower part of the housing 51. An entrance 55 for receiving the paper P from the intermediate section 3 is formed on the side of the housing 51 on the rear X2 side. A first discharge port 56a, a second discharge port 57a, and a third discharge port 58a are formed on the side of the housing 51 on the front X1 side. The first discharge port 56a is disposed on the front X1 side of the punching device 52, the second discharge port 57a is disposed on the front X1 side of the stapler 53, and the third discharge port 58a is disposed on the front X1 side of the center folding device 54. A first discharge tray 56 is provided below the first discharge outlet 56a, a second discharge tray 57 is provided below the second discharge outlet 57a, and a third discharge tray 58 is provided below the third discharge outlet 58a.

[0020] A first conveying path 59, a second conveying path 60, and a third conveying path 61 are formed in the housing 51. The first conveying path 59 runs from the entrance 55 through the punching device 52 toward the first discharge outlet 56a. The second conveying path 60 branches off from the first conveying path 59 downstream of the punching device 52 and runs through the stapling device 53 toward the second discharge outlet 57a. The third conveying path 61 branches off from the second conveying path 60 and runs through the folding device 54 toward the third discharge outlet 58a.

[0021] Next, the operation of the post-processing section 5 will be described. The paper P on which an image has been formed by the main body section 1 is received from the entrance 55 into the first transport path 59 via the intermediate section 3. When the paper P is to be punched, the paper P is transported to the punching device 52 through the first transport path 59. The transported paper P is subjected to a perforation process by the punching device 52. The perforated paper P is discharged from the first discharge opening 56a through the first transport path 59 and stacked on the first discharge tray 56. When the paper P is to be stapled, the paper P is transported from the first transport path 59 along the second transport path 60 to the staple device 53. The transported paper P is stapled by the staple device 53. The stapled paper P is discharged from the second discharge opening 57a and stacked on the second discharge tray 57. When the sheet P is to be folded in the middle, the sheet P is transported from the first transport path 59 through the second transport path 60 and the third transport path 61 to the folding device 54. The transported sheet P is folded in the middle by the folding device 54. The folded sheet P is discharged from the third discharge opening 58a and stacked on the third discharge tray 58.

[0022] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the intermediate section 3. The intermediate section 3 is provided separately from the main body section 1 and the post-processing section 5, and is connected to both the main body section 1 and the post-processing section 5. The intermediate section 3 dries the paper P while relaying the paper P from the main body section 1 to the post-processing section 5.

[0023] The housing 31 of the intermediate section 3 is covered, for example, with a cover that prevents heat from escaping from its outer periphery. A receiving opening 35 for the paper P from the main body section 1 is formed on the side of the housing 31 of the intermediate section 3 facing the rear X1. The receiving opening 35 is formed at the same height as the discharge opening 16 of the main body section 1. A delivery opening 36 for the paper P is formed on the side of the housing 31 facing the front X1. The delivery opening 36 is formed at the same height as the carry-in entrance 55 of the post-processing section 5.

[0024] A transport path is formed in the housing 31 for transporting the paper sheets P along the forward direction X1 from the receiving port 35 toward the delivery port 36. The transport path is constituted by a plurality of transport roller pairs 37. The transport path has a first common path 40 along which all the paper sheets P are transported, a first transport path 42 and a second transport path 43 as parallel paths, and a second common path 41 along which all the paper sheets P are transported. The first transport path 42 and the second transport path 43 are parallel paths that branch off from the first common path 40 at a branching point and then merge with the second common path 41 at a merging point.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, within the housing 31, a heating unit 32, a first fan 38, and a second fan 39 are arranged.

[0026] The heating section 32 heats the paper P on which an image has been formed. The heating section 32 is disposed above the first transport path 42 and the second transport path 43 in a direction Z1. The heating section 32 dries the paper P placed on the first transport path 42 and the second transport path 43. The air heated by the heating section 32 is accumulated inside the housing 31.

[0027] The housing 31 has an opening 314 formed, for example, in a top wall 31a on the upper Z1 side. Therefore, the housing 31 includes the heating unit 32 and has the opening 314. In addition, the housing 31 has an opening 315 formed, for example, in a rear wall 31b on the rear X2 side. The opening 314 corresponds to, for example, an "opening."

[0028] The first fan 38 is disposed below the opening 314, at a position Z2. Specifically, the first fan 38 is disposed between the opening 314 and the heating unit 32. The first fan 38 exhausts the air warmed by the heating unit 32 from the opening 314 of the housing 31 to the outside.

[0029] The second fan 39 is disposed in front X1 of the opening 315. Specifically, the first fan 38 is disposed between the opening 314 and the heating unit 32. The second fan 39 exhausts the air that has been accumulated inside the housing 31 and has been warmed by the heating unit 32 from the opening 315 of the housing 31 to the outside.

[0030] The housing 31 is formed with an opening / closing section 33. The opening / closing section 33 opens and closes the opening 314. The opening / closing section 33 is disposed between the opening 314 and the first fan 38. Therefore, the opening / closing section 33 can prevent high-temperature air from flowing out to the outside. That is, the time required for the air to heat up can be shortened. As a result, the processing time for image formation can be shortened. For example, the opening / closing section 33 is a slide valve that can slide on the lower Z2 side portion of the opening 314. By closing the opening / closing section 33, heat can be retained inside the housing 31. When the power is turned on with the heating section 32 in the off state, the air warmed by the heating section 32 is heated to a set temperature that dries the paper P. In other words, it is difficult to execute printing that guarantees quality unless the air is heated to the set temperature. In this embodiment, even if the heating section 32 is turned off, the high-temperature air can be retained inside the housing 31 by closing the opening / closing section 33. Therefore, after the power is turned on, the temperature of the air inside the housing 31 can be made to reach the set temperature quickly.

[0031] Next, the intermediate unit 3 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the intermediate unit 3. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the housing 31 has a cover 311 and a cover 312.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 31 includes a cover 311 , a cover 312 , and a cover lock 313 .

[0033] The covers 311 and 312 open and close the side surface on the left Y1 side of the housing 31. The covers 311 and 312 are switchable between an open state in which entry into the interior of the housing 31 is possible, and a closed state in which the housing 31 is closed. When the covers 311 and 312 are operated to close, entry into the interior of the housing 31 is restricted. When the covers 311 and 312 are operated to open, entry into the interior of the housing 31 is possible.

[0034] The cover 311 has a hinge 311a and a recess 311b. The hinge 311a supports a front X1 end of the cover 311 on the front X1 end of the housing 31, for example, with the vertical direction Z as a rotation axis. The cover 312 has a hinge 312a and a recess 312b. The hinge 312a supports a rear X2 end of the cover 312 on the rear X2 end of the housing 31, for example, with the vertical direction Z as a rotation axis. The recess 311b and the recess 312b are configured to be grippable.

[0035] The cover lock 313 locks the covers 311 and 312 to the housing 31. The cover 311 and the cover 312 are restricted from being opened by being locked. That is, the cover lock 313 restricts the state of the housing 31 from being switched from a closed state to an open state. When the cover lock 313 is turned on, the covers 311 and 312 are configured not to be opened. Therefore, the cover lock 313 can restrict the covers 311 and 312 from being opened. That is, when the air inside the housing 31 is at a high temperature, the cover lock 313 maintains the covers 311 and 312 in a closed state. As a result, safety during maintenance can be ensured.

[0036] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the intermediate section 3 has a waste heat section 8. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the waste heat section 8 introduces heat generated in the process of heating the paper P through the opening 314. Therefore, when the heating section 32 is stopped, the air inside the housing 31 can be introduced into the waste heat section 8. In other words, the waste heat generated by the heating section 32 can be extracted through the waste heat section 8. As a result, the waste heat generated by the heating section 32 can be effectively utilized.

[0037] The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a control unit 90. Next, the control unit 90 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 90.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 90 is communicatively connected to the memory unit 91, the operation unit 7, the image forming unit 12, the sending unit 19, the registration roller pair 20, the feeding device 21, the heating unit 32, the opening / closing unit 33, the temperature detection unit 34, the transport roller pair 37, the first fan 38, the second fan 39, and the cover lock 313 via an interface (not shown).

[0039] The storage unit 91 is configured with a non-volatile memory. For example, the storage unit 91 is preferably a hard disk. For example, the storage unit 91 preferably stores image data for printing, control programs related 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").

[0040] 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.

[0041] The second control program refers to a program for controlling the opening / closing unit 33, the first fan 38, and the cover lock 313. Examples of data used in the second control program include the air temperature inside the housing 31 and the type of print mode previously selected by the user.

[0042] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the temperature detection unit 34 detects the temperature of the air inside the housing 31. The temperature detection unit 34 is disposed above Z1 the heating unit 32. The operation unit 7 selects the print mode. The user inputs the type of print mode through the operation unit 7. The print mode is, for example, a continuous printing mode in which image formation conditions are constant and continuous processing is performed at a constant cycle, or a normal printing mode in which image formation conditions are not fixed. The operation unit 7 is, for example, an example of a "selection unit".

[0043] The control unit 90 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 90 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 91. The RAM temporarily stores various types of arithmetic processing executed by the CPU. The control unit 90 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing a control program (a control program stored in advance in the memory unit 91 or the ROM).

[0044] The control unit 90 controls the image formation on the paper P. Specifically, the control unit 90 controls at least the image forming unit 12, the sending unit 19, and the heating unit 32. Furthermore, when a request for image formation on the paper P is made, it is preferable that the control unit 90 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 7. The user may request the image formation on the paper P by operating an external device (for example, a personal computer).

[0045] The control unit 90 does not send out the paper P when the temperature T inside the housing 31 is less than the first threshold T1. On the other hand, the sending unit 19 sends out the paper P from the image forming unit 12 to the housing 31. That is, the sending unit 19 stops sending out the paper P when the temperature T inside the housing 31 is less than the first threshold T1. The first threshold T1 indicates the temperature at which the paper P dries. Therefore, the recording medium is sent out into the housing where the air is heated to the first threshold or higher. That is, the heating unit can reliably dry the paper P. As a result, image distortion, deformation of the paper P, and sticking of the paper P can be avoided.

[0046] The control unit 90 controls the opening / closing unit 33 and the sending unit 19 based on the selected print mode and the temperature T inside the housing 31. When the continuous print mode is selected, the air inside the housing 31 can be kept inside. Therefore, image formation can be performed quickly after the power is turned on. As a result, productivity can be improved. Also, when the continuous print mode is not selected, the air inside the housing 31 can be discharged to the outside. Therefore, the air inside the housing 31 can be cooled quickly. In other words, the inside of the housing 31 can be safely entered. As a result, maintainability can be improved.

[0047] When the temperature T inside the housing is higher than the second threshold T2, the control unit 90 restricts the switching of the cover lock 313 to the open state. The second threshold T2 indicates a temperature lower than the first threshold T1. Therefore, when the temperature T inside the housing 31 is higher than the second threshold T2, the cover lock 313 can be maintained in the closed state. As a result, safety can be reliably ensured.

[0048] Next, the sending process performed by the control unit 90 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a part of a flowchart showing an example of the process of the control unit 90. Fig. 6 is the remaining part of the flowchart showing an example of the process of the control unit 90. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the process of the control unit 90 includes steps S1 to S14. Steps S1 to S14 are executed by the processor of the control unit 90 executing a computer program.

[0049] 5 and 6, in step S1, the control unit 90 determines whether printing by the image forming apparatus 100 has been stopped. If the control unit 90 determines that printing has not been stopped (No in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2. If the control unit 90 determines that printing has been stopped (Yes in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2.

[0050] In step S2, the control unit 90 turns off the heating unit 32. The process proceeds to step S3.

[0051] In step S3, the control unit 90 acquires information about the print mode selected from the operation unit 7. The process proceeds to step S4.

[0052] In step S4, the control unit 90 determines whether the selected print mode is the continuous print mode. If the control unit 90 determines that the print mode is not the continuous print mode (No in step S4), the process proceeds to step S9. If the control unit 90 determines that the print mode is the continuous print mode (Yes in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5.

[0053] In step S5, the control unit 90 closes the opening / closing unit 33 and stops driving the first fan 38 and the second fan 39. The process proceeds to step S6.

[0054] In step S6, the control unit 90 acquires the temperature T of the air inside the housing 31 via the temperature detection unit 34. The process proceeds to step S7.

[0055] In step S7, the control unit 90 determines whether the air temperature T inside the housing 31 is less than the second threshold value T2. If the control unit 90 determines that the air temperature T inside the housing 31 is not less than the second threshold value T2 (No in step S7), the process returns to step S6. If the control unit 90 determines that the air temperature T inside the housing 31 is less than the second threshold value T2 (Yes in step S7), the process proceeds to step S8.

[0056] In step S8, the control unit 90 opens the cover lock 313. The process then ends.

[0057] If the answer is No in step S4, then in step S9, the control unit 90 determines whether the selected print mode is the normal print mode. If the control unit 90 determines that the print mode is not the normal print mode (No in step S9), the process ends. If the control unit 90 determines that the print mode is the normal print mode (Yes in step S9), the process proceeds to step S6.

[0058] If the result is No in step S1, in step S10, the control unit 90 opens the opening / closing unit 33, starts driving the first fan 38 and the second fan 39, and closes the cover lock 313. The process proceeds to step S11.

[0059] In step S11, the control unit 90 turns on the heating unit 32. The process proceeds to step S12.

[0060] In step S12, the control unit 90 acquires the temperature T of the air inside the housing 31 via the temperature detection unit 34. The process proceeds to step S13.

[0061] In step S13, the control unit 90 determines whether the air temperature T inside the housing 31 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value T1. If the control unit 90 determines that the air temperature T inside the housing 31 is not equal to or higher than the first threshold value T1 (No in step S13), the process returns to step S12. If the control unit 90 determines that the air temperature T inside the housing 31 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value T1 (Yes in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14.

[0062] In step S14, the control unit 90 starts feeding the paper, and the process ends.

[0063] 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.

[0064] In the embodiment, the paper P is sent from the main body 1 to the intermediate section 3 by the sending section 19, but is not limited to this. For example, the sending section 19 may be omitted and the paper P may be sent from the main body 1 to the intermediate section 3 by the conveyor belt 15.

[0065] In the embodiment, the first transport path 42 and the second transport path 43 are branched upward and downward, but this is not limited thereto. The first transport path 42 and the second transport path 43 may be branched left and right. The second transport path 43 may be omitted. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] The present invention can be used in the field of image forming apparatuses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 7: Operation section (selection section) 8: Heat dissipation section 12: Image forming section 19: Transmission section 31: Housing 32:Heating part 33: Opening and closing section 34: Temperature detection section 90: Control section 100: Image forming apparatus 311: Cover 312: Cover 313: Cover Lock 314 :Aperture P: Paper (recording medium) T :Temperature T1: First threshold T2: Second threshold

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 housing including the heating unit and having an opening; a fan that exhausts the air heated by the heating unit to the outside through the opening of the housing; an opening / closing unit that opens and closes the opening between the opening and the fan; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. a sending unit that sends out the recording medium from the image forming unit to the housing; a temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature inside the housing; Further equipped with The sending unit stops sending out the recording medium when the temperature inside the housing is lower than a first threshold value, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first threshold value indicates a temperature at which the recording medium is dried.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a heat dissipation section that introduces heat generated in the process of heating the recording medium through the opening.

4. The housing includes: a cover that can be switched between an open state that allows entry into the housing and a closed state that closes the housing; a cover lock that restricts switching from the closed state to the open state; The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .

5. A selection section for selecting a print mode; The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a control unit that controls the opening / closing unit and the sending unit based on the selected print mode and an internal temperature of the housing.

6. The control unit limits switching of the cover lock to an open state when a temperature inside the housing is higher than a second threshold value; The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the second threshold value indicates a temperature lower than the first threshold value.

Images