Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can exhibit various functions.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus has an image forming unit, a fan, a filter, a container, a duct, and a switching mechanism. The image forming unit forms a toner image on an electrified photoreceptor. The fan sucks in gas including ozone generated through the electrification. The filter captures the ozone. The container can store liquid. The duct sends gas to the container. The switching mechanism switches a destination of sending gas from the fan between the filter and the duct.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] An image forming apparatus has an image forming unit that forms a toner image on a charged photoconductor, and it is required to provide an image forming apparatus having a variety of functions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-99892 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a variety of functions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The image forming apparatus of the embodiment has an image forming unit, a fan, a filter, a container, a duct, and a switching mechanism. The image forming unit forms a toner image on a charged photoconductor. The fan sucks in gas containing ozone generated by charging. The filter captures the ozone. The container is capable of containing liquid. The duct sends the gas to the container. The switching mechanism switches the destination of the gas from the fan between the filter and the duct. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image forming section and an ozone treatment unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the periphery of the ozone treatment unit. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] A perspective view of the rear of the door. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a flow chart of a method for producing ozone liquid. [Figure 13] Example of the first control panel display. [Figure 14] A second example of the control panel display. [Figure 15] Third example of control panel display. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus M according to an embodiment. For example, the image forming apparatus M is placed in a workplace such as an office. The image forming apparatus M includes an image forming apparatus main body 1 and an ozone treatment unit 20.

[0008] In this application, the Z direction, X direction, and Y direction of the Cartesian coordinate system are defined as follows: The Z direction is the vertical direction, and the +Z direction is the upward direction. The X direction and the Y direction are horizontal directions. The X direction is the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus main body 1. The Y direction is the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the +Y direction is the front side.

[0009] 2 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus main body 1. The image forming apparatus main body 1 performs a process of forming an image on a sheet S. The sheet S may be paper. The image forming apparatus main body 1 has a scanner section 2, an image forming unit 3, a sheet supply section 4, a conveyance section 5, a reversing unit 9, a tray 7, a control panel 8, and a control section 6.

[0010] The scanner unit 2 reads image information of an object to be copied as light and dark, and generates an image signal. The scanner unit 2 outputs the generated image signal to the image forming unit 3. The image forming unit 3 forms a toner image based on an image signal from the scanner unit 2 or an external source. A toner image is an image formed with toner or other materials. The image forming unit 3 transfers the toner image onto the surface of the sheet S. The image forming unit 3 applies heat and pressure to the toner image on the surface of the sheet S to fix the toner image to the sheet S.

[0011] The sheet supply section 4 supplies the sheets S one by one to the conveying section 5 in accordance with the timing at which the image forming unit 3 forms a toner image. The sheet supply section 4 includes a sheet storage section 10 and a pickup roller 11. The sheet storage section 10 stores sheets S of a predetermined size and type. The pickup roller 11 picks up the sheets S one by one from the sheet storage unit 10. The pickup roller 11 supplies the picked-up sheets S to the conveying unit 5.

[0012] The conveying section 5 conveys the sheet S supplied from the sheet supplying section 4 to the image forming unit 3. The conveying section 5 includes a conveying roller 12 and a registration roller 13. The conveying rollers 12 convey the sheet S supplied from the pickup rollers 11 to the registration rollers 13. The conveying rollers 12 abut the leading edge of the sheet S in the conveying direction against a nip RN of the registration rollers 13. The registration rollers 13 bend the sheet S at the nip RN to adjust the position of the leading edge of the sheet S in the conveying direction. The registration rollers 13 convey the sheet S in accordance with the timing at which the image forming unit 3 transfers a toner image onto the sheet S.

[0013] The image forming unit 3 will now be described. The image forming unit 3 includes a plurality of image forming sections F, a laser scanning unit 16, an intermediate transfer belt 17, a transfer section 18, and a fixing device 19. The image forming unit F has a photoconductor drum (photoconductor) D, a charger 14, and a developer 15. The image forming unit F forms a toner image in response to an image signal on the charged photoconductor drum D. The multiple image forming units FY, FM, FC, and FK form toner images using yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners on the photoconductor drums DY, DM, DC, and DK, respectively.

[0014] The photoconductor drum D includes a first photoconductor drum (first photoconductor) DY of the first image forming unit FY, a second photoconductor drum (second photoconductor) DM of the second image forming unit FM, a third photoconductor drum (third photoconductor) DC of the third image forming unit FC, and a fourth photoconductor drum (fourth photoconductor) DK of the fourth image forming unit FK. A first yellow toner image is formed on the first photoconductor drum DY. A second magenta toner image is formed on the second photoconductor drum DM. A third cyan toner image is formed on the third photoconductor drum DC. A fourth black toner image is formed on the fourth photoconductor drum DK.

[0015] The charger 14 charges the surface of the photoconductor drum D. The developer 15 contains a developer including yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners. The developer 15 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum D to form a toner image of each color on the photoconductor drum D.

[0016] The laser scanning unit 16 scans the charged photoconductor drum D with laser light L to expose the photoconductor drum D. The laser scanning unit 16 exposes the photoconductor drums DY, DM, DC, DK of the image forming units FY, FM, FC, FK of each color with separate laser light LY, LM, LC, LK to form electrostatic latent images on the photoconductor drums DY, DM, DC, DK of the image forming units FY, FM, FC, FK of each color.

[0017] The 1-4th photoconductor drums DY, DM, DC, and DK can come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 17. When color printing is performed, all of the 1-4th photoconductor drums DY, DM, DC, and DK come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 17, and the 1-4th toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 17. When monochrome printing is performed, only the 4th photoconductor drum DK comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 17, and only the 4th toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 17.

[0018] The transfer unit 18 transfers the toner image, which has been primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17, onto the front surface of the sheet S at a secondary transfer position. The fixing device 19 applies heat and pressure to the toner image transferred onto the sheet S to fix the toner image onto the sheet S.

[0019] The reversing unit 9 reverses the sheet S to form an image on the back side of the sheet S. The reversing unit 9 reverses the sheet S discharged from the fixing device 19 by a switchback. The reversing unit 9 conveys the reversed sheet S toward the registration rollers 13. The tray 7 holds the sheet S on which an image has been formed and discharged. The control panel 8 is a part of an input unit through which an operator inputs information for operating the image forming apparatus main body 1. The control panel 8 is also a display unit that displays information. The control panel 8 has a touch panel and various hard keys.

[0020] The control unit 6 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus M. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus M. The image forming apparatus M includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a memory 92, an auxiliary storage device 93, and the like, which are connected via a bus, and executes a program. The image forming apparatus M functions as an apparatus including a scanner section 2, an image forming unit 3, a sheet supply section 4, a conveying section 5, a reversing unit 9, a control panel 8, a communication section 90, and an ozone treatment unit 20 by executing the program.

[0021] The CPU 91 functions as the control unit 6 by executing programs stored in the memory 92 and the auxiliary storage device 93. The control unit 6 controls the operation of each functional unit of the image forming apparatus M. The auxiliary storage device 93 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device, a semiconductor storage device, etc. The auxiliary storage device 93 stores information. The communication unit 90 includes a communication interface for connecting the device to an external device, and communicates with the external device via the communication interface.

[0022] The ozone treatment unit 20 will now be described. 4 is a perspective view of the image forming section F and the ozone treatment unit 20. The high-voltage substrate B of the image forming section F supplies a bias current to the charger 14 (see FIG. 2). The charger 14 charges the surface of the photoconductor drum D. At this time, ozone is generated in the image forming section F. 5 is a perspective view of the periphery of the ozone treatment unit 20. The ozone treatment unit 20 includes a fan 21, a filter 22, an ozone liquid preparation section 30, and a switching mechanism .

[0023] The fan 21 sucks in the gas containing ozone generated by the charging. For example, the fan 21 is disposed in the −Y direction of the image forming unit F (see FIG. 4). The filter 22 captures ozone contained in the gas sent out from the fan 21. The gas that has passed through the filter 22 is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

[0024] The ozone liquid preparation unit 30 prepares an ozone liquid by using the ozone generated in the image forming unit F. The ozone liquid preparation unit 30 has a duct 32, a hose 34, and a container 36 (see FIG. 1). The duct 32 delivers the gas sent from the fan 21 to the container 36. The outer shape of the duct 32 is a rectangular parallelepiped. A through hole 33 through which the gas passes is formed in the center of the duct 32. The hose 34 delivers gas from the duct 32 to the container 36. A first end of the hose 34 is connected to the through hole 33 of the duct 32. A pump 35 is installed in the middle of the hose 34.

[0025] The switching mechanism 70 switches the destination of the gas sent out from the fan 21 between the filter 22 and the duct 32. The switching mechanism 70 has a connector 72 and a guide 71. The connector 72 is configured such that the filter 22 and the duct 32 are arranged in the X direction (first direction) and connected to each other. The filter 22 is disposed in the +X direction (second side in the first direction), and the duct 32 is disposed in the -X direction (first side in the first direction).

[0026] The guide 71 extends in the X direction. The guide 71 contacts the surfaces of the connector 72 in the ±Z direction and +Y direction. The connector 72 is slidable in the X direction along the guide 71. An outlet for the gas sent out from the fan 21 is formed in the center of the guide 71 in the X direction. The gas outlet opens in the -Y direction. As the connector 72 moves in the X direction, one of the filter 22 and the duct 32 is positioned in the -Y direction of the gas outlet. As a result, one of the filter 22 and the duct 32 is positioned downstream of the fan 21.

[0027] The container 36 of the ozone liquid preparation section 30 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the container 36 is connected to the corners in the -Y and +Z directions on the end face in the +X direction of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container 36. The container 36 is formed in a rectangular box shape from a resin material or the like. The container 36 can contain a liquid (e.g., water) that is a material for the ozone liquid. The second end of the hose 34 opens to the bottom inside the container 36. A gas containing ozone is discharged from the hose 34 into the liquid. The ozone is dissolved in the liquid by bubbling, and the ozone liquid (e.g., ozone water) is created. If the gas is pressurized by the pump 35 (see FIG. 5), the concentration of ozone contained in the ozone liquid increases.

[0029] The container 36 has an ozone concentration sensor 37 , a door 38 , a locking mechanism 40 , a door sensor 50 , and a hook mechanism 60 . The ozone concentration sensor 37 detects the concentration of ozone contained in the ozone liquid created inside the container 36. The ozone concentration sensor 37 transmits to the control unit 6 an ozone concentration signal corresponding to the concentration of ozone.

[0030] The container 36 has an opening 39 at the -X end of the +Z surface. The door 38 can open and close the opening 39 of the container 36. The door 38 has a flat plate shape parallel to the XY plane. The door 38 is disposed along the surface of the container 36 in the +Z direction. The door 38 can slide in the X direction. The door 38 moves to a closed position in the -X direction to close the opening 39. The door 38 moves to an open position in the +X direction to open the opening 39.

[0031] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the rear side of the door 38. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism. Fig. 10 is an explanatory view of the operation of the locking mechanism 40. The locking mechanism 40 can fix the door 38 in a closed position. The locking mechanism 40 has a solenoid unit 41, a first engagement member 45, and a second engagement member 47. The solenoid unit 41 and the first engagement member 45 are attached to the inside of the container 36, at the corners of the opening 39 in the -X and -Y directions. The second engagement member 47 is attached to the corners of the door 38 in the -X and -Y directions on the surface of the door 38 in the -Z direction.

[0032] The solenoid unit 41 has a plunger 42 and a plunger spring 43. The plunger 42 is movable in the X direction. The plunger spring 43 biases the plunger 42 in the +X direction. The solenoid unit 41 has an internal coil. When energized, the coil moves the plunger 42 in the -X direction against the biasing force of the plunger spring 43.

[0033] The first engagement member 45 has a flat plate shape parallel to the XY plane. The first engagement member 45 is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the Z direction. The second engagement member 47 has a flat plate shape parallel to the XZ plane. The second engagement member 47 has a slit 48 extending in the X direction.

[0034] 9 shows a state in which no current is applied to the coil of the solenoid unit 41. The plunger 42 is disposed at the end in the +X direction by the biasing force of the plunger spring 43. 10 shows a state in which the coil of the solenoid unit 41 is energized. The energized coil moves the plunger 42 in the -X direction against the biasing force of the plunger spring 43. The plunger 42 pushes the first engagement member 45 to rotate it about the rotation axis. The first engagement member 45 enters the inside of the slit 48 of the second engagement member 47. The tip of the first engagement member 45 in the -X direction abuts against the end of the slit 48 in the -X direction. This prevents the door 38 from moving in the -X direction, and the door 38 is fixed in the closed position.

[0035] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the door sensor 50. As shown in FIG. The door sensor 50 detects that the door 38 is in the closed position. For example, the door sensor 50 has a photosensor 52 and a light blocking member 54. The photosensor 52 is attached to the inside of the container 36, at the corners in the +X direction and the -Y direction of the opening 39. The light blocking member 54 is attached to the corners in the +X direction and the -Y direction on the surface of the door 38 in the -Z direction.

[0036] The photosensor 52 has a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion disposed opposite each other in the Z direction. When the door 38 is not in the closed position, the light receiving portion of the photosensor 52 receives light from the light emitting portion. When the door 38 is in the closed position, a light blocking member attached to the door 38 enters between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the photosensor 52. At this time, the light receiving portion of the photosensor 52 does not receive light from the light emitting portion. This causes the door sensor 50 to detect that the door 38 is in the closed position. The door sensor 50 transmits a door closed signal (first signal) indicating that the door 38 is in the closed position to the control unit 6.

[0037] The hook mechanism 60 can temporarily fix the door 38 in a closed position. As shown in Fig. 8, the hook mechanism 60 has a shaft 64, a button 62, and a pair of hooks 67. The shaft 64, the button 62, and the pair of hooks 67 are disposed along an edge of the door 38 in the -X direction. The shaft 64 and the pair of hooks 67 are attached to a surface of the door 38 in the -Z direction.

[0038] The shaft 64 extends in the Y direction. The shaft 64 is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the Y direction. The shaft 64 is rotatably supported by a support member 65. The button 62 is disposed in the center in the Y direction. The button 62 has a front member disposed in the +Z direction of the door 38 and a rear member disposed in the -Z direction of the door 38. The front member and the rear member are connected to each other. The rear member is fixed to a shaft 64. A compression spring is disposed between the rear member and the door 38.

[0039] The pair of hooks 67 are disposed on both ends of the shaft 64 in the Y direction and fixed to the shaft 64. When the door 38 is in the closed position, the pair of hooks 67 engage with hook receivers attached to the inside of the container 36. This causes the door 38 to be temporarily fixed in the closed position. The operator presses the front member of the button 62 in the -Z direction. The button 62 rotates against the biasing force of the compression spring. The shaft 64 and the pair of hooks 67 rotate together with the button 62. The engagement between the pair of hooks 67 and the hook receivers is released. This releases the temporary fixation of the door 38 in the closed position.

[0040] 5, the switching mechanism 70 switches the destination of the gas sent out from the fan 21 between the filter 22 and the duct 32. As shown in Fig. 7, the switching mechanism 70 has a wire 74 and a second spring 76 as a connecting member that connects between the door 38 and the connecting body 72. A first end of the wire 74 is connected to an end in the +X direction of the door 38. The first end of the wire 74 is desirably connected to corners in the +X direction and -Y direction and corners in the +X direction and +Y direction of the door 38. The wire 74 is routed through a plurality of pulleys 75 to the vicinity of the connection body 72 shown in FIG.

[0041] 5, the switching mechanism 70 has a first spring (biasing member) 73 and a second spring 76. The second spring 76 connects between the second end of the wire 74 and the end of the connecting body 72 in the +X direction. The first spring 73 is disposed between the -X direction end of the connecting body 72 and the -X direction end of the guide 71. The first spring 73 biases the connecting body 72 in the -X direction.

[0042] The operation of the switching mechanism 70 will now be described. When the door 38 shown in FIG. 7 is in the open position, the connector 72 shown in FIG. 5 is located near the end of the guide 71 in the -X direction due to the biasing force of the first spring 73. As a result, the filter 22 included in the connector 72 is disposed in the -Y direction of the gas outlet of the guide 71. In other words, the filter 22 is disposed downstream of the fan 21. Gas containing ozone generated in the image forming section F (see FIG. 4) is sucked in by the fan 21 and sent to the filter 22. The filter 22 captures the ozone contained in the gas. The gas with a reduced ozone concentration is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

[0043] When performing an ozone liquid production process, an operator moves the door 38 shown in Fig. 7 to a closed position. As the door 38 moves in the -X direction, the wire 74 connected to the door 38 moves. The wire 74 moves the connector 72 shown in Fig. 5 in the +X direction against the biasing force of the first spring 73.

[0044] 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the switching mechanism 70. The duct 32 included in the connector 72 is disposed in the -Y direction of the gas outlet in the guide 71. That is, the duct 32 is disposed downstream of the fan 21. Gas containing ozone generated in the image forming unit F (see FIG. 4) is sucked by the fan 21 and sent to the duct 32. The gas passes through the through hole 33 of the duct 32 and the hose 34 and is sent to the container 36 shown in FIG. 7. As a result, ozone liquid is produced inside the container 36.

[0045] The detailed process of the ozone liquid preparation method will be described below. FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the ozone liquid production method. FIG. 13-15 are examples of the 1-3 display of the control panel 8. As shown in FIG. 13, a touch button 82 for "ozone liquid production mode" is displayed on the touch panel 80 of the control panel 8. The operator presses the touch button 82 for "ozone liquid production mode" as an input of an instruction to start the ozone liquid production mode, and turns on the ozone liquid production mode (ACT10). When an instruction to start the ozone liquid production mode is input, the control panel 8 transmits a start signal (second signal) to the control unit 6.

[0046] The control unit 6 judges whether or not a door closing signal is received from the door sensor 50 in addition to the start signal of the ozone liquid preparation mode (ACT12). When the control unit 6 has not received the door closing signal (ACT12: NO), it requests the closing of the door 38 (ACT14). Specifically, the control unit 6 displays information prompting the closing of the door 38 on the control panel 8 as shown in FIG. 14. The operator checks the display on the control panel 8 and moves the door 38 to the closed position. The door sensor 50 transmits a door closing signal to the control unit 6. Note that there are cases where the door 38 is not closed even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the information prompting the closing of the door 38 was displayed on the control panel 8. In that case, the control unit 6 may return the ozone liquid preparation mode to OFF and return the display on the control panel 8 to the state shown in FIG. 13.

[0047] When the control unit 6 receives the door closed signal (ACT12: YES), it locks the door 38 by the lock mechanism 40 (ACT16). Specifically, the control unit 6 energizes the coil of the solenoid unit 41 in the lock mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 10. The plunger 42 moves in the -X direction, and the first engagement member 45 enters the slit 48 of the second engagement member 47. This fixes the door 38 in the closed position.

[0048] As the door 38 moves to the closed position, the connector 72 moves in the +X direction as shown in Fig. 6. The duct 32 included in the connector 72 is disposed downstream of the fan 21.

[0049] The control unit 6 generates ozone in the image forming unit F shown in FIG. 2 (ACT18). Specifically, the control unit 6 separates the 1-3 photoconductor drums DY, DM, and DC of the 1-3 image forming units FY, FM, and FC from the intermediate transfer belt 17, as in the case of monochrome printing. The control unit 6 rotates the 1-3 photoconductor drums DY, DM, and DC. The control unit 6 supplies a bias current from the high voltage board B (see FIG. 4) to the chargers 14 of the 1-3 image forming units FY, FM, and FC. The surfaces of the 1-3 photoconductor drums DY, DM, and DC are charged, and ozone is generated.

[0050] The 1-3 photoconductor drums DY, DM, and DC are used less frequently in the image forming process than the 4th photoconductor drum DK. By using only the 1-3 photoconductor drums DY, DM, and DC in the ozone liquid preparation process, deterioration of the 4th photoconductor drum DK can be suppressed. Note that the ozone liquid preparation process may be performed using all of the 1-4th photoconductor drums DY, DM, DC, and DK.

[0051] The control unit 6 may make the bias current supplied from the high voltage substrate B to the charger 14 during the ozone liquid preparation process larger than that during the image formation process. This causes the amount of ozone generated during the ozone liquid preparation process to be greater than that during the image formation process.

[0052] The control unit 6 drives the fan 21 shown in Fig. 6. Gas containing ozone generated in the image forming unit F is sucked in by the fan 21 and sent to a duct 32. The gas passes through a through hole 33 of the duct 32 and a hose 34 and is sent to a container 36 shown in Fig. 7. The ozone dissolves in the liquid contained inside the container 36, producing an ozone liquid.

[0053] The ozone concentration sensor 37 detects the concentration of ozone contained in the ozone liquid. The ozone concentration sensor 37 transmits an ozone concentration signal corresponding to the concentration of ozone to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 determines whether the ozone concentration exceeds a predetermined value (ACT20). If the ozone concentration does not exceed the predetermined value (ACT20: NO), the control unit 6 continues to generate ozone.

[0054] When the ozone concentration exceeds a predetermined value (ACT20: YES), the control unit 6 stops the generation of ozone (ACT22). The control unit 6 unlocks the door 38 by the lock mechanism 40 (ACT24). The control unit 6 displays that the door 38 of the container 36 can be opened (ACT26). Specifically, the control unit 6 causes the control panel 8 to display information that the door 38 can be opened, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0055] The operator checks the display on the control panel 8 and presses the button 62 on the door 38 shown in FIG. 7. The door 38 is released from the temporary fixation in the closed position by the hook mechanism 60. The door 38 moves to the open position by the biasing force of the first spring 73 shown in FIG. 5. The operator takes out the ozone liquid from inside the container 36. The ozone liquid can be used for sterilization and disinfection treatments, etc.

[0056] As described above in detail, the image forming apparatus M of the embodiment includes the image forming unit F, the fan 21, the filter 22, the container 36, the duct 32, and the switching mechanism 70. The image forming unit F forms a toner image on the charged photoconductor drum D. The fan 21 sucks in gas containing ozone generated by charging. The filter 22 captures the ozone. The container 36 is capable of containing liquid. The duct 32 sends the gas to the container 36. The switching mechanism 70 switches the destination of the gas from the fan 21 between the filter 22 and the duct 32.

[0057] By switching the destination of the gas from the fan 21 to the duct 32, the gas containing ozone is sent to the container 36. The ozone dissolves in the liquid contained in the container to create an ozone liquid. This makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus with a variety of functions.

[0058] The switching mechanism 70 has a connection body 72 to which the filter 22 and the duct 32 are connected side by side in the X direction. The connection body 72 is slidable in the X direction. The switching mechanism 70 has a first spring 73 and a wire 74. The first spring 73 biases the connecting body 72 in the -X direction so that the filter 22 is disposed downstream of the fan 21. The wire 74 connects between the door 38 that opens and closes the container 36 and the connecting body 72. The opposite side to the -X direction is the +X direction. The wire 74 slides the connecting body 72 in the +X direction in conjunction with the closing operation of the door 38, and disposes the duct 32 downstream of the fan 21.

[0059] When performing an ozone liquid preparation process, the operator closes the door 38 of the container 36. In conjunction with the action of closing the door 38, the duct 32 is automatically positioned downstream of the fan 21. Therefore, the ozone liquid preparation process can be performed reliably. On the other hand, when performing an image formation process, the operator opens the door 38 of the container 36. The biasing force of the first spring 73 causes the filter 22 to automatically be positioned downstream of the fan 21. Therefore, the ozone generated during the image formation process can be captured by the filter 22.

[0060] The image forming apparatus M further includes a door 38, a door sensor 50, and a locking mechanism 40. The door 38 opens and closes the container 36. The door sensor 50 detects that the door 38 is in a closed position and outputs a door closed signal. The locking mechanism 40 fixes the door 38 in the closed position based on the door closed signal.

[0061] The image forming apparatus M has a control panel 8 and a control unit 6. The control panel 8 receives an input of an instruction to start an ozone liquid preparation mode and outputs a start signal. The control panel 8 displays information. When a start signal is input from the control panel 8 but a door closing signal is not input from the door sensor 50, the control unit 6 causes the control panel 8 to display information encouraging the closing of the door 38.

[0062] An operator who intends to carry out an ozone liquid preparation process checks the display on the control panel 8 and closes the door 38 of the container 36. The lock mechanism 40 fixes the door 38 in the closed position based on the door closing signal. This makes it possible to hold the door 38 in the closed position during the ozone liquid preparation process.

[0063] The image forming unit F has a first photoconductor drum DY on which a first yellow toner image is formed, a second photoconductor drum DM on which a second magenta toner image is formed, a third photoconductor drum DC on which a third cyan toner image is formed, a fourth photoconductor drum DK on which a fourth black toner image is formed, and an intermediate transfer belt 17 onto which the 1-4 toner image is transferred. When a start signal is input from the control panel 8 and a door closing signal is input from the door sensor 50, the control unit 6 separates the 1-3 photoconductor drums DY, DM, DC from the intermediate transfer belt 17 and charges the 1-3 photoconductor drums DY, DM, DC to generate ozone.

[0064] The 1-3 photoconductor drums DY, DM, and DC are used less frequently in the image forming process than the 4th photoconductor drum DK. By using only the 1-3 photoconductor drums DY, DM, and DC in the ozone liquid preparation process, deterioration of the 4th photoconductor drum DK can be suppressed.

[0065] The image forming apparatus M has an ozone concentration sensor 37 that detects the concentration of ozone contained in the liquid contained in the container . The control panel 8 displays information. When the ozone concentration contained in the liquid contained in the container 36 exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit 6 releases the locking mechanism 40 from the door 38, and causes the control panel 8 to display information that the door 38 can be opened. This makes it possible to prepare an ozone liquid having an ozone concentration exceeding a predetermined value.

[0066] The image forming apparatus M includes a hose 34 for sending gas from the duct 32 to the container 36, and a pump 35 provided on the hose. By pressurizing the gas with the pump 35, the concentration of ozone contained in the ozone liquid can be increased.

[0067] The image forming apparatus M has a hook 67. The hook 67 is provided on the door 38 that opens and closes the container 36, and is capable of engaging with the container 36, and the engagement with the container 36 is released by an operation from outside the container 36. The door 38 can be easily opened from outside the container 36 .

[0068] (Appendix 1) an image forming unit that forms a toner image on a charged photoconductor; A fan that sucks in gas containing ozone generated by electrostatic charging; a filter for capturing the ozone; A container capable of containing a liquid; a duct for delivering the gas to the vessel; A switching mechanism that switches the destination of the gas from the fan between the filter and the duct. Image forming device. (Appendix 2) the switching mechanism includes a connector in which the filter and the duct are connected side by side in a first direction, The connector is slidable in the first direction. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. (Appendix 3) The switching mechanism includes: a biasing member that biases the connector to a first side in the first direction so that the filter is disposed downstream of the fan; a connecting member that connects between a door that opens and closes the container and the connecting body, and when the opposite side of the first side in the first direction is the second side in the first direction, slides the connecting body to the second side in the first direction in conjunction with the closing operation of the door, and disposes the duct downstream of the fan. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. (Appendix 4) a door for opening and closing the container; a door sensor that detects that the door is in a closed position and outputs a first signal; An input unit that receives an input of an instruction to start the ozone liquid preparation mode and outputs a second signal; A display unit for displaying information; and a control unit that causes the display unit to display information prompting the closing of the door when the second signal is input from the input unit and the first signal is not input from the door sensor. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. (Appendix 5) the image forming unit includes a first photoconductor on which a first yellow toner image is formed, a second photoconductor on which a second magenta toner image is formed, a third photoconductor on which a third cyan toner image is formed, a fourth photoconductor on which a fourth black toner image is formed, and an intermediate transfer belt onto which the first to fourth toner images are transferred; when the second signal is input from the input unit and the first signal is input from the door sensor, the control unit separates the first-third photoconductor from the intermediate transfer belt and charges the first-third photoconductor to generate the ozone. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. (Appendix 6) a door for opening and closing the container; a door sensor that detects that the door is in a closed position and outputs a first signal; a lock mechanism that locks the door in a closed position based on the first signal. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. (Appendix 7) an ozone concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of ozone contained in the liquid contained in the container; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. (Appendix 8) A display unit for displaying information; and a control unit that, when an ozone concentration contained in the liquid contained in the container exceeds a predetermined value, releases the locking of the door by the locking mechanism and causes the display unit to display information that the door can be opened. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. (Appendix 9) a hose for delivering the gas from the duct to the container; A pump provided on the hose. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. (Appendix 10) a hook provided on a door for opening and closing the container, capable of engaging with the container, and disengaging from the container by an operation from outside the container; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

[0069] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, there is provided a switching mechanism 70 that switches the destination of the gas from the fan 21 between the filter 22 and the duct 32. This makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus having a variety of functions.

[0070] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] DY...first photosensitive drum (first photosensitive drum), DM...second photosensitive drum (second photosensitive drum), DC...third photosensitive drum (third photosensitive drum), DK...fourth photosensitive drum (fourth photosensitive drum), F...image forming unit, M...image forming device, 6...control unit, 8...control panel (input unit, display unit), 17...intermediate transfer belt, 21...fan, 22...filter, 32...duct, 34...hose, 35...pump, 36...container, 37...ozone concentration sensor, 38...door, 40...locking mechanism, 50...door sensor, 67...hook, 70...switching mechanism, 72...connecting body, 73...first spring (urging member), 74...wire (connecting member).

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms a toner image on a charged photoconductor; A fan that sucks in gas containing ozone generated by electrostatic charging; a filter for capturing the ozone; A container capable of containing a liquid; a duct for delivering the gas to the vessel; A switching mechanism that switches the destination of the gas from the fan between the filter and the duct. Image forming device.

2. the switching mechanism includes a connector in which the filter and the duct are connected side by side in a first direction, The connector is slidable in the first direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The switching mechanism includes: a biasing member that biases the connector to a first side in the first direction so that the filter is disposed downstream of the fan; a connecting member that connects a door for opening and closing the container and the connecting body, and when the opposite side of the first side in the first direction is defined as a second side in the first direction, slides the connecting body to the second side in the first direction in conjunction with an operation of closing the door, and disposes the duct downstream of the fan. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .

4. a door for opening and closing the container; a door sensor that detects that the door is in a closed position and outputs a first signal; An input unit that receives an input of an instruction to start the ozone liquid preparation mode and outputs a second signal; A display unit for displaying information; and a control unit that causes the display unit to display information prompting the closing of the door when the second signal is input from the input unit and the first signal is not input from the door sensor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. the image forming unit includes a first photoconductor on which a first yellow toner image is formed, a second photoconductor on which a second magenta toner image is formed, a third photoconductor on which a third cyan toner image is formed, a fourth photoconductor on which a fourth black toner image is formed, and an intermediate transfer belt onto which the first to fourth toner images are transferred; When the second signal is input from the input unit and the first signal is input from the door sensor, the control unit separates the first-third photoconductor from the intermediate transfer belt and charges the first-third photoconductor to generate the ozone. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 .

Images