Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily replacing a filter.SOLUTION: There is provided an image forming apparatus which comprises: a recording part for forming an image by discharging ink onto a sheet; a transport part which is disposed at the position facing the recording part and suctions and transports a sheet; and an exhaust fan unit detachably attached to the main body of the apparatus, wherein the exhaust fan unit has an exterior cover provided with an exhaust port for discharging air to the outside, an exhaust fan for generating air flow toward the outside, a filter and a case for integrally holding the exterior cover, the exhaust fan and the filter in this order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a printing machine, a copying machine, or a printer, which forms an image by using an inkjet system. [Background technology]

[0002] As a configuration for capturing contaminants inside an image forming apparatus with a dust-collecting filter and exhausting clean air, a technique for arranging a filter inside an exhaust fan has been disclosed (see Patent Document 1). By arranging a filter that captures in-machine contaminants (e.g., ink mist) inside the exhaust fan in this way, the exhaust fan is protected from in-machine contaminants. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-291286 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the filter is a consumable item because it can only capture a limited amount of contaminants, and therefore the filter must be replaced.

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the hierarchical structure from the exterior cover to the filter of the image forming apparatus is arranged in the order of the exterior cover, exhaust fan, and filter, so that when replacing the filter, it is necessary to remove the exterior cover, exhaust fan, and filter in that order and then install them in the reverse order, which causes a problem that the replacement work is time-consuming.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the filter can be easily replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object includes a recording unit that ejects ink onto a sheet to form an image, a transport unit that is positioned opposite the recording unit and transports the sheet by suction and adsorption, and an exhaust fan unit that is detachably attached to the device body, wherein the exhaust fan unit has an exterior cover provided with an exhaust port for discharging air to the outside, an exhaust fan that generates an airflow toward the outside, a filter, and a case that holds the exterior cover, the exhaust fan, and the filter together in this order. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the filter can be easily replaced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] Schematic cross-sectional view of the print module [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of an exterior member of the print module; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an exhaust fan unit. [Diagram 5] 1A to 1C are perspective views illustrating the configuration of an exhaust fan unit. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram illustrating a filter holding structure [Figure 7] Schematic cross-sectional view of exhaust fan unit [Figure 8] A perspective view of the print module seen from the right front [Figure 9] A perspective view of the exhaust fan unit mounting portion [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exhaust fan unit mounting portion on the main body side; [Figure 11] Perspective view of the exhaust fan unit DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, and relative positions of each component of the image forming apparatus shown below do not limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified. In addition, components with the same reference numerals in each drawing have the same configuration or function, and duplicated descriptions of these components will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] <Image forming device> The schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is an example of an inkjet image forming apparatus that forms an image using an inkjet method.

[0012] In the image forming apparatus, paper (recording medium) fed from the paper feed module 1000 is processed in the order of the print module 2000, the drying module 3000, the fixing module 4000, the cooling module 5000, the inversion module 6000, and the discharge stacking module 7000. The paper fed from the paper feed module 1000 is processed by the print module 2000 to form an image on the paper. The drying module 3000 is a unit that reduces the liquid content in the ink to improve the fixability of the paper and the ink, and the fixing module 4000 heats the paper to soften the applied ink. The cooling module 5000 cools the fixed paper to solidify the softened ink and suppresses the change in the paper temperature downstream of the cooling module. The inversion module 6000 adjusts the orientation of the paper to the desired orientation. The discharge stacking module 7000 aligns and stacks the paper after printing is completed.

[0013] When double-sided printing is performed, the paper is transported in a U-turn toward the print module by the cooling module 5000, and the front and back of the paper are reversed by the reversing device 4200 provided in the fixing module 4000. The paper then passes through the double-sided transport path of the drying module 3000 and the paper feeding module 1000, and is transported again to the print module 2000, where the back side is printed.

[0014] <Print module> The configuration of the print module 2000 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the print module 2000.

[0015] The print module 2000 is an image forming section that performs recording processing on paper (recording medium) as a conveyed sheet from above using a recording head 10 to form an image on the paper. The print module 2000 has a pre-image-creation registration correction section 2400, a print belt unit 2200 as a conveying section, a recording section 2300, and a head maintenance mechanism section 2600. The paper is attracted and conveyed by the print belt unit 2200, ensuring clearance with the recording head.

[0016] The paper conveyed from the paper feed module 1000 is conveyed to the print belt unit 2200 after the inclination and position of the paper are corrected by the pre-imaging registration correction unit 2400. The recording unit 2300 is disposed at a position facing the print belt unit 2200 with respect to the conveying path. The recording unit 2300 performs recording processing (printing) on ​​the paper as a conveyed sheet from above with the recording head 10 to form an image on the paper. The print belt unit 2200 is disposed to convey the paper by suction and adsorbing it so that the paper conveying behavior directly under the recording head 10 is stable. The print belt unit 2200 has a paper conveying surface 26 which is a sheet conveying surface. The paper conveyed on the paper conveying surface 26 is conveyed with a clearance secured between the recording head 10 and the paper. As described above, the recording head 10 has a plurality of recording heads arranged along the paper conveying direction, and ejects ink at the ejection timing onto the conveyed paper to form an image. A plurality of recording heads 10 are arranged along the transport direction. In this example, in addition to the four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black), there are a total of five line-type recording heads corresponding to the reaction liquids.

[0017] An in-line scanner unit 11 is installed downstream of the recording head 10 to read the paper and image on the paper transport surface 26 of the print belt, and inspects the image immediately after ink is applied. When it detects an image defect, such as ink not being discharged due to a blocked ink discharge hole, it immediately stops the device to minimize the generation of defective products. The in-line scanner unit 11 is a unit that not only detects the ink discharge state, but also reads the image formed on the paper by the recording section during printing, detects image misalignment and density, and corrects the printing.

[0018] A head maintenance mechanism 2600 is disposed upstream of the recording unit 2300. The head maintenance mechanism 2600 has a two-layer structure with a cap tray (not shown) on the upper level and a cleaning tray (not shown) on the lower level. The upper cap tray has a cap mechanism that caps the ink ejection surface of the recording head 10. The lower cleaning tray cleans the ink ejection surface of the recording head 10 by wiping or vacuuming.

[0019] When the main body is not in operation, a cap tray is located directly below the recording unit 2300, and the recording head 10 lands on a cap (not shown) in the cap tray to cap it, thereby preventing the ink ejection surface of the recording head 10 from drying out. In response to a print start command from a controller (not shown), the recording head 10 first rises to the upper retract position and moves away from the cap tray, then the cap tray retracts to the retract position on the right, and then the recording head 10 descends to the printing position to perform a printing operation. In response to a print end command, the recording head 10 rises to the upper retract position, and then when the cap tray moves from the retract position to directly below the recording unit 2300, the recording head 10 descends and lands on the cap tray to cap it, and then comes to a stop state.

[0020] Even during printing, when a predetermined continuous operation time is reached, a cleaning command is issued from a controller (not shown). In response to the cleaning command, the recording head 10 rises to the upper retraction position, and then the cleaning tray at the lower stage of the head maintenance mechanism unit 2600 moves to directly below the recording unit 2300. After that, the recording head 10 descends and lands on the cleaning tray, where cleaning operations such as wiping and vacuuming are performed. After head cleaning is completed, the recording head 10 rises to the upper retraction position, the cleaning tray moves from directly below the recording unit 2300 to the retraction position on the right, and then the recording head 10 descends to the printing position to resume printing. If printing is not resumed after head cleaning, the recording head 10 rises to the upper retraction position after head cleaning is completed, the cleaning tray moves from directly below the recording unit 2300 to the retraction position, and the cap tray moves from the retraction position to directly below the recording unit 2300. Then, the recording head 10 descends and lands on the cap tray for capping, and then reaches a stopped state. Head cleaning during printing operation may be performed after all the papers circulating within the machine have been printed and the supply of new papers has been stopped, or it may be performed by temporarily stopping the operation even while there is still paper circulating.

[0021] It should be noted that the number of colors and recording heads in the image forming apparatus are not limited to 5. In addition, the inkjet method may employ a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, or the like.

[0022] <Airflow inside the print module> Next, the airflow inside the main body of the print module 2000 in this embodiment (airflow from the paper transport surface to the top surface of the main body) will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the print module 2000. The arrows in Figure 2 indicate the airflow inside the main body of the print module 2000. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the exterior member of the print module 2000.

[0023] In an inkjet image forming apparatus, it is common to form an air flow within the main body for the following two purposes.

[0024] The first is a measure to prevent condensation in the ink ejection section of the print head 10. The ink circulating inside the print module 2000 is controlled at about 28°C, and the ink ejection section is also guided to that ink temperature. In the print module 2000, moisture generated from the paper or the air flowing in as the paper is transported may come into contact with the ink ejection section, causing condensation on the head surface and hindering ink ejection. For this reason, an air flow as shown by the arrows in Figure 2 is formed near the print head 10 to keep the area around the ink ejection section at 30°C or less, preventing condensation in the ink ejection section.

[0025] The second is the removal of ink mist. In the recording unit 2300 that ejects ink to form an image, when the main droplets of ink are ejected, satellite droplets smaller than the main droplets and even smaller mist-like ink mist may be generated, and some of them may float around the recording unit 2300. Hereinafter, the satellite droplets and even smaller mist-like droplets are collectively referred to as ink mist. If this ink mist adheres to the surface of the recording head 10 on which the ejection ports are formed, ejection failure that reduces the accuracy of ink landing may occur. In addition, the ink mist may adhere to other components of the image forming apparatus, which may cause a decrease in the durability of the image forming apparatus. For this reason, an air flow is formed near the recording head 10 to prevent the ink mist from accumulating in the ink ejection section.

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an exhaust port 111a for discharging air to the outside is provided in the exterior cover 111 on the top surface T of the print module 2000, forming an air flow that flows upward from the recording unit 2300. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, an intake port 200a for introducing air from the outside is provided in the exterior member 200 near the paper transport surface 26 of the print module 2000, forming an air flow that introduces air from outside the image forming apparatus. The exterior member 200 is composed of a frame and a transparent cover surrounded by the frame. The exterior member 200 opens and closes with the upper end as a pivot axis. The intake port 200a is provided at the lower end of the exterior member 200. A part of the exterior member 200 is located below the paper transport surface 26 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the intake port 200a is located below the paper transport surface 26. In addition to the intake port 200a, an intake port 210a is further provided in the print module 2000. This intake port 210a is also provided in the exterior member 210 of the print module 2000. The entire exterior member 210 is located vertically below the paper transport surface 26. By forming an airflow (indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2) from the intake ports 200a, 210a toward the exhaust port 111a inside the print module 2000, the air around the ink ejection section is replaced with outside air for cooling, and dirt around the ink ejection section due to adhesion of ink mist is prevented.

[0027] However, as described above, the airflow shown in Fig. 2 contains ink mist, and if this air is discharged directly to the outside of the image forming apparatus, the ink mist will contaminate the environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed. Therefore, in this embodiment, a filter 130 (see Fig. 4) is provided in the airflow path, specifically immediately before the fan motor 122 serving as an exhaust fan, to capture the ink mist and prevent the ink mist from leaking outside the image forming apparatus.

[0028] Here, the filter 130 is a consumable item, and the amount of contaminants that it can capture is limited. Therefore, it becomes necessary to replace the filter 130. However, the hierarchical structure from the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus to the filter 130 is arranged in the order of the exterior cover, the fan motor 122, and the filter 130, so that replacement work is time-consuming.

[0029] Therefore, the print module 2000 of this embodiment includes an exhaust fan unit 100 that is integrally formed with an exterior cover 111 having an exhaust port 111a, a fan motor 122, and a filter 130, and is detachably attached to the main body of the print module 2000.

[0030] 1, the longitudinal dimension of the exhaust fan unit 100 is large, about 500 mm, so it is more efficient to handle the attachment and detachment of the exhaust fan unit 100 from the main body while the exterior cover 111, the fan motor 122, and the filter 130 are integrated together.

[0031] 2 and 8, the present embodiment illustrates a configuration in which the exhaust fan unit 100 is disposed on the top surface T of the device body of the print module 2000. However, the location of the exhaust fan unit 100 is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the exhaust fan unit 100 is disposed above the paper transport surface 26 of the print belt unit 2200.

[0032] <Exhaust fan unit configuration> Next, the configuration of the exhaust fan unit 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the exhaust fan unit 100. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the exterior cover Assy 110, the fan Assy 120, the filter 130, and the fan case Assy 140 which constitute the exhaust fan unit 100. Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the exterior cover Assy 110 in the exhaust fan unit. Fig. 5(b) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the fan Assy 120 in the exhaust fan unit. Fig. 5(c) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the fan case Assy 140 in the exhaust fan unit. Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the configuration in which the filter is held in the exhaust fan unit 100. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the exhaust fan unit 100.

[0033] The exhaust fan unit 100 described here has a configuration in which two fan motors are connected in series, but even if the number of fan motors changes, the basic configuration requirements are the same and are applied regardless of the number of fan motors.

[0034] In addition, although three wire members are used for the exhaust fan unit 100 in this embodiment, the number of wire members is not limited to this, and the basic configuration requirements are the same regardless of how many wire members are used, and are applied regardless of the number of wire members.

[0035] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the exhaust fan unit 100 is made up of an exterior cover assembly 110, a fan assembly 120, a filter 130, and a fan case assembly 140. The exterior cover assembly 110 has a wire member 112 assembled into an exterior cover 111. The fan assembly 120 has a fan motor 122 and a fan support plate 121 fixed together with screws. The fan motor 122 is an exhaust fan that generates an airflow toward the outside. The fan case assembly 140 is made up of a unit housing 141 and a filter support plate 142. These are assembled by assembling the fan assembly 120 into the fan case assembly 140 from one side (the exterior cover side), and attaching the filter 130 by compressing it from the other side (the opposite side to the exterior cover).

[0036] The filter 130 is attached to the fan case assembly 140 and is disposed adjacent to the inside of the fan motor 122. The filter 130 adsorbs and captures contaminants inside the device.

[0037] The exhaust fan unit 100 includes a fan case assembly 140 and a fan assembly 120, which are fixed to the exterior cover assembly 110 with screws 151 from the inner side opposite the exterior surface of the exterior cover assembly 110. This prevents the screws used in each subassembly of the exhaust fan unit 100 from being visible from the exterior surface. This is to ensure that when removing the exhaust fan unit 100 built into the print module 2000, only the fixing screws 152 that fix the exhaust fan unit 100 to the print module 2000 can be accessed. This makes it possible to shorten the time required for maintenance work.

[0038] FIG. 5(a) shows a detailed configuration of the exterior cover assembly 110. The exterior cover assembly 110 is composed of an exterior cover 111 having a louver forming an exhaust port 111a and painted in an exterior color, and a wire member 112, and both are fixed with screws. In an image forming apparatus with a body height of nearly 2 m, the user cannot see the top surface of the apparatus, so there is a concern that the user cannot recognize the existence of the exhaust port and may mistakenly place an object on the top surface and block the exhaust port 111a. In order to prevent the exhaust port 111a from being blocked even if an object is mistakenly placed on the top surface, multiple wire members 112 (three in this example) are arranged at intervals of about 30 to 80 mm so as to cover the opening area of ​​the exhaust port 111a. The wire members 112 are arranged on the exterior surface side of the exterior cover 111 and are fixed from the inside side of the exterior cover 111 with screws 113. The wire member has a portion that extends along the exterior surface of the exterior cover 111 and portions that extend from both ends of that portion toward the exterior surface. That is, the wire member 112 has a U-shape. The distance between the wire member 112 and the exterior cover 111 is ensured to be 25 mm or more so that exhaust from the top surface through the exhaust port 111a is established. The wire member 112 also serves as a handle when the exhaust fan unit 100 is separated from the print module 2000.

[0039] FIG. 5(b) shows a detailed configuration of the fan assembly 120. The fan assembly 120 is disposed close to the inside of the exterior cover 111, and generates air that flows from inside the device to the outside of the device. The fan assembly 120 is composed of a fan motor 122, a fan support plate 121, and a panel mount support plate 123 fixed together with screws 124 and 125. The fan motor 122 is disposed so that the bundled wires (not shown) from the fan motor 122 are gathered at the center of the fan assembly 120 in the longitudinal direction, and are connected together to the panel mount support plate 123. The screw 124 that fixes the fan motor 122 to the fan support plate 121 penetrates the fan motor 122 and is fixed to the fan support plate 121. The screw 125 that fixes the panel mount support plate 123 to the fan support plate 121 is driven from the same direction as the screw 125 of the fan motor 122 from the viewpoint of ease of assembly, and the panel mount support plate 123 is fixed to the fan support plate 121.

[0040] FIG. 5(c) shows a detailed configuration of the fan case assembly 140. The fan case assembly 140 is formed by fixing a unit housing 141 and a filter support plate 142 with screws 143. The unit housing 141 is provided with a first air passage hole X (see FIG. 6) that forms an air passage for the fan motor 122. The filter support plate 142 is provided with a second air passage hole Y (see FIG. 6) that forms an air passage for the fan motor 122. The unit housing 141 and the filter support plate 142 hold both sides of the filter 130. In other words, the unit housing 141 functions as a first holding part that holds one side of the filter 130. The filter support plate 142 is provided on the exhaust fan side (fan assembly 120 side) of the unit housing 141, and functions as a second holding part that holds the other side of the filter opposite to the one side.

[0041] The air flow passage hole formed by the unit housing 141 and the filter support plate 142 is required to prevent the filter 130 from falling out of the fan case assembly 140 when the filter 130 is attached between them. It is also required that the filter 130 does not come into contact with the fan motor 122, which is a rotating object.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows the fan case assembly 140 as viewed from the mounting direction of the filter 130. In the figure, X denotes an air passage hole provided in the unit housing 141, and Y denotes an air passage hole provided in the filter support plate 142. When the exhaust fan unit 100 is mounted on the print module 2000, the air passage hole X of the unit housing 141 that holds the lower side of the filter 130 in the direction of gravity covers the four side ends (shaded areas in the figure) of the filter 130 to prevent the filter 130 from falling in the direction of gravity, and the area covering the filter 130 is determined taking into account the rigidity of the filter 130 when compressed so as not to impede filter replacement. In addition, the air passage hole Y of the filter support plate 142 has a minimum area that does not damage the air passage of the fan motor 122. The opening areas of the air passage hole X of the unit housing 141 and the air passage hole Y of the filter support plate 142 are related by the following formula 1. That is, the opening area of ​​the air passage hole X is equal to or larger than the opening area of ​​the air passage hole Y.

[0043] [Formula 1] Unit housing 141 ≧ filter support plate 142 X ≥ Y

[0044] 7 shows a cross section of the exhaust fan unit 100. When the filter 130 is attached to the fan case assembly 140, the insertion direction of the filter 130 is Z, that is, from the inner side opposite to the exterior surface of the exterior cover 111. The filter 130 is an elastic body, and is compressed to attach or remove the filter 130 from the first air flow path hole X between the unit housing 141 and the filter support plate 142. That is, the filter 130 is attached by pushing it from the first air flow path hole X in the direction of the fan motor while compressing it.

[0045] In order to prevent the filter 130 from contacting the fan motor 122, it is desirable to configure the filter support plate 142 and the fan motor 122 so that there is a predetermined gap (here, 1 mm or more) between them. Furthermore, when multiple fan motors 122 are used in the fan assembly 120, the filter support plate 142 can more reliably prevent contact between the filter 130 and the fan motor 122 by connecting the multiple fan motors 122 arranged with the filter support plate 142 within a range that does not obstruct the air flow path of the fan motors 122. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, the filter support plate 142 is provided with a second air flow path hole Y for each fan motor 122 within a range that does not obstruct the air flow path of the fan motor 122. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent contact between the filter 130 and the fan motor 122 by the filter support plate 142 between the air flow path holes Y, Y.

[0046] <Attaching and detaching the exhaust fan unit> Attachment and detachment of the exhaust fan unit 100 to the print module 2000 will be described with reference to Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the print module 2000 as seen diagonally from the front right. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the main part showing the MO washer attached to the exhaust fan unit 100. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the attachment portion of the exhaust fan unit 100 on the print module 2000 side. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the exhaust fan unit 100.

[0047] In this embodiment, the exhaust fan unit 100 is shown as being disposed on the top surface T of the print module 2000. The ink mist originates from the ink ejection section of the recording head 10 disposed above the paper transport surface 26. Therefore, the location of the exhaust fan unit 100 including the exhaust port is not limited to the top surface of the print module 2000, and may be, for example, on the side or back of the print module 2000, as long as it is above the paper transport surface 26 (print belt unit 2200) to prevent the mist from adhering to the paper.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 8, four exhaust fan units 100, in which an exterior cover 111, a fan motor 122, and a filter 130 are integrated, are attached to the top surface T of the print module 2000 and arranged in correspondence with the air flows indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2. Each exhaust fan unit 100 is fixed to the print module 2000 by two fixing screws 152 (indicated by arrows in Fig. 8) visible from the exterior side of the exhaust fan unit 100. The exhaust fan unit 100 can be removed from the print module 2000 by loosening the two fixing screws 152. At this time, the exhaust fan unit 100 can be pulled upward from the top surface T of the print module 2000 by holding the wire member 112 formed in a U-shape attached to the exterior cover 111.

[0049] When the exhaust fan unit 100 is pulled out from the top surface T of the print module 2000, an installation hole A that communicates from the outside of the apparatus to the inside of the apparatus is opened on the print module 2000 side as shown in FIG. 10. This installation hole A is an opening that corresponds to the area of ​​the exterior surface of the exterior cover 111 of the exhaust fan unit 100. Therefore, depending on the angle of the exhaust fan unit 100 with respect to the installation hole A, there is a risk that the exhaust fan unit 100 will fall into the apparatus from the installation hole A. Therefore, a landing surface B on which the exhaust fan unit 100 lands is provided in the installation hole A. The shape of this landing surface B is such that it covers the exhaust fan unit 100 projectively with as large an area as possible and does not obstruct the air flow path of the exhaust fan unit 100. As a result, no matter what angle the exhaust fan unit 100 enters the apparatus from the installation hole A, it is always caught somewhere on this landing surface B, so that the exhaust fan unit 100 does not fall into the apparatus from the installation hole A.

[0050] Moreover, if an object falls from the installation hole A, it is difficult to find the fallen object. For example, the fixing screw 152 that fixes the exhaust fan unit 100 to the print module 2000 is an object to be found. Therefore, in this embodiment, a washer 150 is provided that has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the fixing screw 152 and has an engagement portion (not shown) that engages with the fixing screw 152. As shown in FIG. 9, the fixing screw 152 is fixed to the exhaust fan unit 100 by the washer 150. Specifically, the engagement portion of the washer 150 engages with the groove of the fixing screw 152, and functions as a retainer for the fixing screw 152 from the exhaust fan unit 100. As a result, even if the fixing screw 152 is rotated, the fixing screw 152 does not come off the exhaust fan unit 100, and the screw can be prevented from falling off.

[0051] The cable 160 connected to the exhaust fan unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The exhaust fan unit 100 is pulled out from the top surface T of the print module 2000. At this time, the cable 160 connected to the panel mount support plate 123 provided on the side of the exhaust fan unit 100 is pulled out together with the exhaust fan unit 100. The exhaust fan unit 100 pulled out from the print module 2000 is temporarily placed on, for example, a sheet of paper on the top surface T of the print module 2000. Then, the connector of the cable 160 is pulled out from the panel mount support plate 123 of the exhaust fan unit 100, and the exhaust fan unit 100 is completely separated from the print module 2000. Thereafter, the exhaust fan unit 100 is carried to a workbench and the filter 130 is replaced. The position range of the exhaust fan unit 100 temporarily placed on the top surface T is restricted by the length of the cable 160. This restriction by the length of the cable 160 is achieved by a reuse band 161. The cable 160 is a free cable with a length F (120 mm in this example) in FIG. 11 starting from the reuse band 161 fixed to the print module 2000 and extending from the reuse band 161 to the connector. The lower limit of the length F of the cable 160 is a length that allows the exhaust fan unit 100 to be placed on the top surface T with the cable 160 still connected. The upper limit of the length F of the cable 160 is a length that prevents the cable 160 from being pinched by something on the unit's flow path even when the exhaust fan unit 100 is installed in the installation hole A in the top surface T, or a length that prevents the cable 160 from touching a metal plate edge and breaking or tearing the cable coating.

[0052] The replacement work of the filter 130 may be performed with the exhaust fan unit 100 temporarily placed on the top surface T. Also, the means for electrically connecting the print module 2000 and the exhaust fan unit 100 is not limited to the cable 160, and may be an automatic connection by, for example, attaching and detaching the unit using a drawer.

[0053] As described above, according to this embodiment, the exhaust fan unit 100, in which the exterior cover 111, the fan motor 122, and the filter 130 are integrally provided, is detachably provided in the print module 2000. This makes it possible to easily replace the filter 130.

[0054] Moreover, by loosening the fixing screws 152 that are fixed to the exhaust fan unit 100 by the washers 150, the exhaust fan unit 100 can be easily removed from the print module 2000. Moreover, by compressing the filter 130, which is an elastic body, it can be attached to or detached from the exhaust fan unit 100, and the filter 130 can be easily replaced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] A … Installation hole B...landing surface X: First air passage hole Y: Second air passage hole 10... Recording head 11 ... In-line scanner unit 26 ...Paper transport surface 100 ... Exhaust fan unit 110 ... Exterior cover assembly 111 ... Exterior cover 111a ... exhaust port 112 ... Wire member 113,124,125,143,151 …bis 120 ... Fan assembly 121 ... Fan support plate 122 ... Fan motor (exhaust fan) 123 ... Panel mount support plate 130 … Filter 140 ... Fan case assembly 141 ... Unit housing 142 ... Filter support plate 150 ... Washer 152 ... Fixing screw 160…Bundled wire 200, 210 … Exterior materials 200a, 210a … Intake port 1000 ...Feed module 2000 ... Print module (image forming device) 2200 ... Print belt unit (transport section) 2300 ...Recording section

Claims

1. a recording unit that ejects ink onto a sheet to form an image; a conveying unit that is disposed at a position opposite to the recording unit and conveys a sheet by suction and adsorption; An exhaust fan unit detachably attached to the device body, The exhaust fan unit includes: an exterior cover provided with an exhaust port for discharging air to the outside; an exhaust fan that generates an airflow toward the outside; Filters and a case that holds the exterior cover, the exhaust fan, and the filter together in this order; 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. the exhaust fan unit has a wire member disposed on the outside of the exterior cover so as to cover the exhaust port of the exterior cover, The wire member has a portion extending in a direction along the exterior surface of the exterior cover and portions extending from both ends of the portion toward the exterior surface.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust fan unit is provided above a sheet transport surface of the transport section.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust fan unit is disposed on a top surface of the main body of the apparatus.

5. Further, the air conditioner further includes an exterior member having an air intake port for introducing air from the outside. the intake port of the exterior member is disposed vertically below a sheet conveying surface of the conveying unit; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

6. The case is a first holding part having a first air flow passage hole and holding one surface side of the filter; a second holding part having a second air flow passage hole, being disposed closer to the exhaust fan than the first holding part, and holding the other surface side of the filter opposite to the one surface side; The first holding portion and the second holding portion hold the filter by sandwiching both sides of the filter, an opening area of ​​the first air passage hole is equal to or larger than an opening area of ​​the second air passage hole; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the exhaust fan is held by the case with a predetermined gap between the exhaust fan and the second holding portion of the case.

8. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter is an elastic body, and the filter is held in the case in a compressed state.

9. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust fan unit is fixed to the exterior cover from an inner surface side of the exterior cover by screws, the exhaust fan unit being made up of the case and the exhaust fan.

10. the exhaust fan unit includes a fixing screw for fixing the exhaust fan unit to the image forming apparatus, and a washer having an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the fixing screw and having an engagement portion for engaging with the fixing screw, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion of the washer engages with a groove of the fixing screw, and functions as a retainer for preventing the fixing screw from coming off the exhaust fan unit.

11. the image forming apparatus has an installation hole communicating from an outside of the apparatus to an inside of the apparatus, and a landing surface provided in the installation hole and on which the exhaust fan unit is placed; the installation hole is an opening corresponding to an area of ​​an exterior surface of an exterior cover of the exhaust fan unit, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the landing surface has a shape that covers the exhaust fan unit and does not block an air flow path of the exhaust fan unit.

Images