Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing scattering of particles from a filter.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: a housing 2 including a first louver 24; a first fan 71 that discharges air inside the housing 2 to the outside of the housing 2 and is disposed upstream of the first louver 24 in a first discharging direction of air by the first fan 71, the first fan 71 including a first downstream end 71a positioned at a downstream end in a first discharging direction; a first duct 27 that extends along the first discharging direction, has a second downstream end 27a positioned at the downstream end in the first discharging direction, and accommodates the first fan 71; a first discharge filter 73 positioned between the first fan 71 and the first louver 24 in the first discharging direction; and a first elastic body 76 that is positioned between the first duct 74 and the first fan 71 and the first discharge filter 73 in the first discharging direction, and is in contact with the first discharge filter 73 and at least one of the second downstream end 27a of the first duct 27 and the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, there has been known an image forming apparatus that includes a fan for exhausting air from within the apparatus body, a duct that guides the exhaust air from the fan to an exhaust port formed in an exterior member of the apparatus body, and a filter that is arranged downstream in the exhaust direction of the fan, and that is configured to remove dust particles and the like in the air exhausted by the fan using the filter.

[0003] In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the filter is held by being sandwiched between the duct and the exterior member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-134522 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the image forming device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the downstream end of the duct in the exhaust direction is abutted against the filter, and when force acts on the exterior member from outside the device body, the filter is pressed against the downstream end of the duct, causing powder such as catalyst powder contained in the filter to scatter, which may have an adverse effect on parts inside the device body.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can suppress the scattering of powder from the filter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming apparatus that solves the above problem has the following features.

[0008] That is, the image forming apparatus comprises a housing having a louver, a fan that exhausts air inside the housing to the outside of the housing, the fan being positioned upstream of the louver in the direction in which the air is exhausted by the fan and having a first downstream end located at the downstream end in the exhaust direction, a duct that extends along the exhaust direction and has a second downstream end located at the downstream end in the exhaust direction and that houses the fan, a filter that is located between the fan and the louver in the exhaust direction, and a first elastic body that is located between the duct, the fan, and the filter in the exhaust direction and that contacts the filter and at least one of the second downstream end of the duct and the first downstream end of the fan.

[0009] As a result, when an external force is applied to the housing, the pressure applied to the filter by the duct is absorbed by the first elastic body, thereby preventing the powder contained in the filter from scattering. Also, when an external force is applied to the housing, the filter can be prevented from moving.

[0010] The duct has a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the exhaust direction, and the first elastic bodies are disposed only at two opposing corners of the rectangular shape of the duct.

[0011] This makes it possible to minimize the arrangement of the first elastic body, suppress the scattering of powder from the filter, and prevent the filter from moving.

[0012] The fan also includes a cushioning material having a buffer portion located between the outer periphery of the fan and the inner periphery of the duct, and an extension portion extending from the buffer portion downstream of the first downstream end of the fan and the second downstream end of the duct in the exhaust direction, and the first elastic body is the extension portion of the cushioning material.

[0013] This eliminates the need to provide the first elastic body, which is located between the duct and the filter, separately from the cushioning material, which is located between the outer periphery of the fan and the inner periphery of the duct, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0014] The first elastic body is a sponge.

[0015] This allows the filter to be held down stably, preventing the filter from moving and suppressing powder scattering.

[0016] The exhaust gas supply system further includes a grounding member that contacts the filter and grounds the filter, and the grounding member presses the filter toward the downstream side in the exhaust direction.

[0017] This makes it possible to prevent the filter from moving when an external force is applied to the housing, while reducing the scattering of powder from the filter.

[0018] The first elastic body is bonded to the filter.

[0019] This improves the workability when arranging the first elastic body between the filter and the duct and between the filter and the fan.

[0020] The device further includes a second elastic body, the housing includes a housing wall that houses the filter, and the filter and the second elastic body are housed within the housing wall.

[0021] This prevents the filter from moving and coming into contact with the duct and the fan when the housing is assembled with the duct and the fan, thereby preventing powder from scattering from the first exhaust filter.

[0022] The second elastic body is bonded to the filter.

[0023] This improves the workability when assembling the housing, the duct, and the fan.

[0024] The second elastic body is bonded to the housing wall.

[0025] This improves the workability when accommodating the filter and the second elastic body within the accommodating wall.

[0026] The housing also has a storage wall that stores the filter, the filter has a notch, and the housing has a protrusion that protrudes within the storage wall toward the filter in the exhaust direction and engages with the notch.

[0027] This makes it possible to easily grasp the orientation of the filter relative to the housing when assembling the filter to the housing, and to easily assemble the filter to the housing in the correct orientation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the present invention, when an external force is applied to the housing, it is possible to prevent the powder contained in the filter from scattering and also to prevent the filter from moving. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a central cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a fan fitted to the right frame, an exhaust filter, and a louver formed on the right side wall. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the first louver on the right side wall. [Figure 8]10 is a side cross-sectional view of the first exhaust filter housed in the housing wall on the right side wall and the first duct, as viewed from inside the housing. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line B-B. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first duct formed in the right frame as viewed from inside the housing. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional view showing the first louver on the right wall and the first duct of the right frame. [Figure 12] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 3. [Figure 13] 10 is a side view showing first elastic bodies arranged at two opposing corners of a rectangular first duct. FIG. [Figure 14] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 3. [Figure 15] 10 is a side view of the first exhaust filter and the second elastic body housed in the housing wall on the right side wall, as viewed from the inside of the housing. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a perspective view of the first exhaust filter and the second elastic body housed in the housing wall on the right side wall, as seen from inside the housing. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing a buffer material according to a modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cushioning material according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] [Image forming device] An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is one embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and is a color laser printer that forms a multicolor image on a sheet S by electrophotography.

[0032] In the following description, the left side in Fig. 1 is defined as the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, the right side in Fig. 1 is defined as the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 is defined as the right side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the back side of the paper in Fig. 1 is defined as the left side of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the upper and lower sides in Fig. 1 are defined as the upper and lower sides of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively.

[0033] The image forming device 1 includes a housing 2, a paper feed unit 3 having a paper feed tray 10 that supports sheets S and a sheet conveying unit 30 that conveys sheets S, and an image forming unit 5 that forms an image on sheets S conveyed by the paper feed unit 3.

[0034] The housing 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and houses the paper feed unit 3 and the image forming unit 5. A front opening 2A is formed in the front of the housing 2, and the housing 2 is provided with a front cover 21 that can open and close the front opening 2A.

[0035] The front cover 21 is configured to be rotatable around a pivot axis 21a at the lower end, and by rotating around the pivot axis 21a, it can move between a closed position in which the front opening 2A is closed and an open position in which the front opening 2A is opened.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a top cover 22 is disposed on the top surface of the housing 2, and the top cover 22 is provided with a paper discharge tray 221 that slopes downward from the front side to the rear side.

[0037] The paper feed unit 3 is disposed at the bottom of the housing 2, and transports the sheets S supported on the paper feed tray 10 to the image forming unit 5 by the sheet transport unit 30. The paper feed tray 10 is configured to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction, and is configured to be movable between a storage position where it is stored in the housing 2 and a separation position where it is pulled out forward from the storage position.

[0038] The sheet conveying section 30 includes a paper feed roller 32, a separation roller 33, a separation pad 33a, a conveying roller pair 34, and a registration roller pair 35. Within the housing 2, a conveying path P for the sheet S is configured, which runs from the paper feed tray 10 to the paper discharge tray 221 via the image forming section 5.

[0039] The sheets S supported on the paper feed tray 10 are separated one by one by the paper feed roller 32, separation roller 33, and separation pad 33a and sent out to the conveying path P. The paper feed roller 32 is a roller that conveys the sheets S from the paper feed tray 10 toward the image forming unit 5. The separation roller 33 and separation pad 33a constitute a separating means that separates the sheets S supported on the paper feed tray 10 one by one.

[0040] The sheet S sent to the conveying path P is conveyed toward the image forming unit 5 by a pair of conveying rollers 34 and a pair of registration rollers 35. The pair of registration rollers 35 regulates the movement of the leading edge of the sheet S being conveyed, stops the sheet S temporarily, and then conveys the sheet S toward the image forming unit 5 at a predetermined timing.

[0041] The image forming unit 5 is disposed above the paper feeding unit 3 and includes four toner cartridges 50 arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction, and a photosensitive drum 51 corresponding to each toner cartridge 50. Each toner cartridge 50 is provided corresponding to one of the colors: black, yellow, magenta, and cyan. Each toner cartridge 50 includes a developing roller 52.

[0042] The toner cartridge 50 is detachably supported in a drawer 59. The drawer 59 can be attached to and detached from the housing 2 through a front opening 2A in the housing 2 by opening the front cover 21. The drawer 59 can be moved between a first position where it is disposed inside the housing 2 and a second position where at least a portion of the drawer 59 is disposed outside the housing 2.

[0043] The photosensitive drum 51 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with its axis extending in the left-right direction, and is rotatably supported by a drawer 59. The developing roller 52 extends in the left-right direction, and is rotatably supported by a toner cartridge 50. Toner is an example of a developer. The developing roller 52 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 51.

[0044] The housing 2 includes an exposure device 56 that exposes the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 51. The exposure device 56 includes a laser diode, a polarizer, a lens, and a mirror (not shown). The exposure device 56 is configured to emit a light beam toward each photosensitive drum 51 to expose the surface of each photosensitive drum 51.

[0045] A transfer belt 41 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 51, facing the photosensitive drum 51 across the transport path P. The transfer belt 41 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 51. The transfer belt 41 is stretched between a drive roller 42 and a driven roller 43 disposed in front of the drive roller 42. A transfer roller 44 is disposed at a position facing each photosensitive drum 51 across the transfer belt 41. In the image forming unit 5, a belt device 40 is configured by the transfer belt 41, the drive roller 42, the driven roller 43, the transfer roller 44, etc.

[0046] The image forming unit 5 is equipped with a charger 54 for charging each photosensitive drum 51. The charger 54 is supported by a drawer 59. The photosensitive drums 51, which have been uniformly charged by the charger 54, are selectively exposed to light by an exposure device 56. This exposure selectively removes charge from the surface of the photosensitive drum 51, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.

[0047] The toner contained in the toner cartridge 50 is positively charged and carried on the surface of the developing roller 52. A developing bias is applied to the developing roller 52, and when the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 51 faces the developing roller 52, the potential difference between the electrostatic latent image and the developing roller 52 causes toner to be supplied from the developing roller 52 to the electrostatic latent image. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.

[0048] When the sheet S transported toward the image forming unit 5 reaches the transfer belt 41, it is transported by the transfer belt 41 and passes sequentially between the transfer belt 41 and each photosensitive drum 51. Then, when the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 faces the sheet S, it is transferred onto the sheet S by a transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 44.

[0049] In this embodiment, the transfer belt 41 is configured as a conveying belt that conveys the sheet S onto which the toner image is transferred, but it can also be configured as an intermediate transfer belt in which the toner image is transferred to the belt itself and the toner image transferred to the belt is further transferred to the sheet S.

[0050] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to a fixing device 60. The fixing device 60 includes a heating roller 61 and a pressure roller 62 that is in pressure contact with the heating roller 61, and the toner image on the sheet S transported to the fixing device 60 is thermally fixed while the sheet S passes between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 62. In other words, the fixing device 60 fixes the toner image on the sheet S.

[0051] The sheet S on which the toner image has been thermally fixed is transported downstream in the transport direction from the fixing device 60, and further transported by a pair of intermediate paper discharge rollers 63 and a pair of paper discharge rollers 64 arranged downstream in the transport direction of the pair of intermediate paper discharge rollers 63, and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 221.

[0052] 1 to 3, a discharge frame 29 is disposed behind the discharge tray 221 in the top cover 22 of the housing 2. A discharge opening 2B that communicates in the front-rear direction and extends in the left-right direction is formed in the discharge frame 29, and the sheet S conveyed by the discharge roller pair 64 is discharged onto the discharge tray 221 through the discharge opening 2B.

[0053] In the image forming apparatus 1, a process unit PU that forms a toner image on a sheet S is configured by the drawer 59, the toner cartridge 50 supported by the drawer 59, the photosensitive drum 51, the charger 54, and the like.

[0054] The process unit PU is only required to include at least the photosensitive drum 51 and the charger 54, and may also include the transfer belt 41 or the fixing unit 60. In the process unit PU, the drawer 59 may support the photosensitive drum 51 as in this embodiment, or the toner cartridge 50 may support the photosensitive drum 51.

[0055] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a power supply board 11 on which a power supply circuit is formed, and a board cover 12 that covers the power supply board 11. The board cover 12 is disposed between the paper feed tray 10 and the belt device 40 at the rear of the housing 2. The housing 2 houses the process unit PU and the board cover 12.

[0056] The image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a first fan 71 and a second fan 72 that exhaust air inside the housing 2 to the outside of the housing 2. The first fan 71 is disposed to the right and rear of the process unit PU inside the housing 2, and is configured to exhaust air that has passed through the process unit PU inside the housing 2 to the outside of the housing 2. This allows the first fan 71 to effectively exhaust air that has passed through the process unit PU.

[0057] The second fan 72 is disposed to the right of the board cover 12 inside the housing 2, and at a position where a plane of projection of the second fan 72 toward the board cover 12 in the left-right direction overlaps with the rear of the board cover 12, and is configured to exhaust air inside the board cover 12 inside the housing 2 to the outside of the housing 2. The second fan 72 is located below the first fan 71.

[0058] 2, a right frame 26 is housed in the right end portion of the housing 2, and the housing 2 has a right side wall 23 that covers the right side of the right frame 26. The right side wall 23 has a first opening 23a and a second opening 23b that penetrate the right side wall 23 in the left-right direction. The first opening 23a and the second opening 23b are located at the rear of the right side wall 23, and the first opening 23a is located above the second opening 23b.

[0059] The first fan 71 is supported by the right frame 26 and is disposed at a position where a plane of projection of the first fan 71 onto the right wall 23 in the left-right direction overlaps with the first opening 23a. When the first fan 71 is driven, an airflow is generated from the left to the right, and the airflow created by the first fan 71 exhausts the air inside the process unit PU to the outside of the housing 2 through the first opening 23a.

[0060] The first fan 71 is an example of a fan that exhausts air inside the housing to the outside, and the exhaust direction of the air exhausted by the first fan 71 is a first exhaust direction. In this embodiment, the first exhaust direction, which is the exhaust direction of the first fan 71, is the left-right direction. The first exhaust direction is an example of the direction in which air is exhausted by a fan. The right side wall 23 is located downstream of the first fan 71 in the first exhaust direction.

[0061] The second fan 72 is supported by the right frame 26 and is disposed at a position where the plane of projection of the second fan 72 toward the right wall 23 in the left-right direction overlaps with the second opening 23b. When the second fan 72 is driven, an airflow is generated in a direction from left to right, and the airflow created by the second fan 72 exhausts the air inside the board cover 12 to the outside of the housing 2 through the second opening 23b.

[0062] The second fan 72 is an example of a fan that exhausts air inside the housing to the outside of the housing, and the exhaust direction of the air exhausted by the second fan 72 is a second exhaust direction. In this embodiment, the second exhaust direction is the left-right direction. The second exhaust direction is an example of the direction in which air is exhausted by a fan. The right side wall 23 is located downstream of the second fan 72 in the second exhaust direction.

[0063] [First fan, first duct, first exhaust filter, and first louver] 4 to 6, the right frame 26 is provided with a first duct 27 that penetrates in the left-right direction. The first duct 27 extends along the first exhaust direction and is configured to allow air to circulate in the first exhaust direction.

[0064] The first duct 27 has a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the first exhaust direction. In other words, the first duct 27 is formed so that its shape when viewed from the left and right is rectangular. The first fan 71 is fitted into the first duct 27. The first duct 27 houses the first fan 71. The first duct 27 is an example of a duct that houses a fan.

[0065] The first fan 71 has a first downstream end 71a located at the downstream end in the first exhaust direction. The first duct 27 has a second downstream end 27a located at the downstream end in the first exhaust direction. In this embodiment, the second downstream end 72a of the first duct 27 protrudes downstream in the first exhaust direction beyond the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71.

[0066] However, the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71 may be configured to protrude downstream in the first exhaust direction further than the second downstream end 72a of the first duct 27. Alternatively, the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71 and the second downstream end 72a of the first duct 27 may be configured to be located at the same position in the first exhaust direction.

[0067] The right side wall 23 of the housing 2 is provided with a first louver 24 that covers the first opening 23a. The first louver 24 communicates between the inside and the outside of the housing 2. In this embodiment, the first louver 24 is formed by being integrally molded with the right side wall 23, but the first louver 24 may also be configured to be detachably attached to the right side wall 23.

[0068] The first louver 24 is located to the right of the first fan 71. In other words, the first louver 24 is disposed downstream of the first fan 71 in the first exhaust direction. The first fan 71 is disposed upstream of the first louver 24 in the first exhaust direction. The first louver 24 protrudes rightward from the right side wall 23.

[0069] 4 to 7, the first louver 24 formed on the right side wall 23 includes a frame body 240, a first crosspiece 241, and an opening 242. The frame body 240 is formed in a rectangular shape along the periphery of the first opening 23a, and protrudes rightward from the outer surface of the right side wall 23.

[0070] The first bars 241 extend in the front-rear direction within an area surrounded by the frame body 240. A plurality of first bars 241 are arranged at intervals in the up-down direction. The first bars 241 are inclined upward from left to right, and the air flowing from left to right is changed in its flow direction to an obliquely upward direction by passing through the first louvers 24. The openings 242 are formed at the lower ends of the first louvers 24 and penetrate in the left-right direction. The openings 242 communicate between the inside and outside of the housing 2.

[0071] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a first exhaust filter 73 located between the first fan 71 and the first louver 24 in the first exhaust direction. The first exhaust filter 73 is an example of a filter. The first exhaust filter 73 is formed so that its shape when viewed from the left and right is rectangular. The first exhaust filter 73 includes a first surface 73a facing to the right and a second surface 73b facing to the left.

[0072] The first exhaust filter 73 is made of, for example, a honeycomb filter formed by shaping a filter material into a honeycomb shape. The honeycomb filter that makes up the first exhaust filter 73 has a large number of cells separated by partition walls that extend along the first exhaust direction.

[0073] The filter material that can be used to form the first exhaust filter 73 may be, for example, paper carrying an ozone decomposition catalyst such as manganese dioxide or activated carbon, metal such as aluminum, or ceramics. The first exhaust filter 73 is formed in the shape of a rectangular sheet.

[0074] Ozone is generated in the housing 2 by components that generate discharge in the atmosphere, such as the charger 54 provided in the process unit PU. Also, toner contained in the toner cartridge 50 may become suspended in the housing 2.

[0075] The air inside the process unit PU is sucked toward the rear of the process unit PU by the first fan 71, then flows to the right and passes through the first exhaust filter 73. Ozone and dust such as toner are removed from the air that has passed through the first exhaust filter 73, and the air from which the dust has been removed is exhausted to the outside of the housing 2 through the first louver 24. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of ozone, dust, etc. contained in the air that has passed through the process unit PU and is exhausted by the first fan 71.

[0076] The first exhaust filter 73 may be any filter capable of removing at least toner and other particulate matter from the air. A filter capable of removing ozone from the air in addition to toner and other particulate matter may also be used as the first exhaust filter 73. By configuring the first exhaust filter 73 with a filter capable of removing ozone from the air exhausted by the first fan 71, it is possible to reduce the amount of ozone contained in the air exhausted by the first fan 71.

[0077] The housing 2 has a storage wall 231 that protrudes from the right side wall 23 toward the left side, which is the upstream side in the first exhaust direction. The storage wall 231 is formed so that its shape when viewed from the left and right direction is rectangular. The first exhaust filter 73 is stored within the storage wall 231. The storage wall 231 covers the outer periphery of the first exhaust filter 73.

[0078] 8, the housing wall 231 includes an upper wall 231A located above the first exhaust filter 73, a front wall 231B located in front of the first exhaust filter 73, a rear wall 231C located behind the first exhaust filter 73, and a lower wall 231D located below the first exhaust filter 73. The lower wall 231D supports the lower end of the first exhaust filter 73 housed within the housing wall 231. The lower wall 231D is an example of a support wall that supports a filter.

[0079] 5 and 6, first fan 71 is an axial fan that includes a rotating shaft 711 extending in the left-right direction, blades 712 fixed to rotating shaft 711, and a case 713 that rotatably supports rotating shaft 711, and sends out air in the axial direction of rotating shaft 711. The outer shape of case 713 of first fan 71 is formed in a rectangular shape. The outer shape of case 713 forms the outer shape of first fan 71.

[0080] The first duct 27 has an opening 27b located at the upstream end in the first exhaust direction. The air inside the housing 2 exhausted by the first fan 71 is introduced into the first duct 27 through the opening 27b.

[0081] As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 8, the first duct 27 comprises a duct upper wall 27A located above the first fan 71, a duct front wall 27B located in front of the first fan 71, a duct rear wall 27C located behind the first fan 71, and a duct lower wall 27D and a duct bottom wall 27E located below the first fan 71.

[0082] The peripheral wall of the first duct 27 is formed by the duct upper wall 27A, the duct front wall 27B, the duct rear wall 27C, and the duct lower wall 27D. The duct upper wall 27A, the duct front wall 27B, the duct rear wall 27C, and the duct lower wall 27D support a first fan 71 housed in the first duct 27. The peripheral wall of the first duct 27 covers the outer periphery of the first fan 71. The second downstream end 27a of the first duct 27 is the downstream end of the peripheral wall of the first duct 27.

[0083] Duct bottom wall 27E is formed midway in the front-to-rear direction of duct lower wall 27D, and is recessed downward from duct lower wall 27D. Duct lower wall 27D is positioned above lower wall 231D of storage wall 231, and duct bottom wall 27E is positioned below lower wall 231D of storage wall 231.

[0084] A gap G is formed between the peripheral wall of the first duct 27 and the first exhaust filter 73. A first elastic body 76 is disposed in the gap G between the peripheral wall of the first duct 27 and the first exhaust filter 73.

[0085] [Buffer between the first fan and the first duct] A buffer material 78 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the case 713 of the first fan 71 and the inner peripheral surface of the first duct 27. The buffer material 78 closes the gap that exists between the case 713 of the first fan 71 and the first duct 27. The buffer material 78 is made of a member having elasticity. The buffer material 78 is made of, for example, a sponge having elasticity.

[0086] In this way, by placing a buffer material 78 between the outer periphery of the first fan 71 and the inner periphery of the first duct 27 and filling the gap between the first fan 71 and the first duct 27, it is possible to prevent the air blown out by the first fan 71 from leaking out from between the first fan 71 and the first duct 27.

[0087] [Liquid flow path] 2, 3, and 9, a slit 2C that communicates in the vertical direction is formed between the discharge tray 221 and the discharge frame 29 in the housing 2. The slit 2C extends in the left-right direction. The discharge frame 29 has a discharge flow path 291 located below the slit 2C. The discharge flow path 291 extends from below the slit 2C toward the right of the slit 2C.

[0088] For example, if liquid such as water splashes onto the discharge tray 221 or discharge frame 29 of the housing 2, the splashed liquid flows downward through the slit 2C and penetrates into the inside of the housing 2. The liquid that flows downward through the slit 2C falls into the discharge flow path 291 and flows along the discharge flow path 291 to the right.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 10, the right frame 26 is provided with a frame flow path 261 through which a liquid can flow.

[0090] The frame flow path 261 is located in the front lower part of the peripheral part of the opening 27b of the first duct 27. The frame flow path 261 extends in the vertical direction and is inclined rearward from the top to the bottom. The front end of the frame flow path 261 is connected to the right end of the discharge flow path 291.

[0091] The lower end of the frame flow path 261 is connected to a duct bottom wall 27E of the first duct 27. The duct bottom wall 27E extends in the left-right direction. The duct bottom wall 27E is located below the first fan 71 and is formed from the upstream side of the first fan 71 to the downstream side of the first fan 71 in the first exhaust direction. The duct bottom wall 27E is located below the lower end of the first exhaust filter 73. In other words, the lower end of the first exhaust filter 73 is located above the upper surface of the duct bottom wall 27E.

[0092] 5, 6, 10, and 11, the right side wall 23 of the housing 2 includes a housing bottom wall 243. The housing bottom wall 243 is located below the lower wall 231D of the accommodation wall 231. The housing bottom wall 243 is also located below the lower end of the first exhaust filter 73. The housing bottom wall 243 is formed from the inside of the right side wall 23 of the housing 2 to the outside of the right side wall 23.

[0093] The opening 242 of the first louver 24 is formed between the lower wall 231D of the housing wall 231 and the housing bottom wall 243, with the lower wall 231D forming the upper edge of the opening 242 and the housing bottom wall 243 forming the lower edge of the opening 242. The opening 242 is located between the lower end of the first exhaust filter 73 and the housing bottom wall 243.

[0094] The upper surface of housing bottom wall 243 is located lower than the upper surface of duct bottom wall 27E. In the first exhaust direction, the downstream end of duct bottom wall 27E is located downstream of the upstream end of housing bottom wall 243, and duct bottom wall 27E and housing bottom wall 243 overlap when viewed from the up-down direction.

[0095] In the first exhaust direction, the downstream end of the duct bottom wall 27E protrudes downstream further than the second downstream end 27a of the duct upper wall 27A, duct front wall 27B, duct rear wall 27C, and duct lower wall 27D that form the peripheral walls of the first duct 27.

[0096] Lower wall 231D of housing wall 231 has notch 231Da at a location facing duct bottom wall 27E in the first exhaust direction, the notch 231D having an upstream end located downstream of the downstream end of duct bottom wall 27E. In the first exhaust direction, the upstream end of the portion of duct bottom wall 27E where notch 231Da is formed is located downstream of the upstream end of the portion where notch 231Da is not formed.

[0097] The housing 2 includes a side wall 244 that protrudes upward from the upstream end in the first exhaust direction of the housing bottom wall 243. In the first exhaust direction, the downstream end of the duct bottom wall 27E is located downstream of the side wall 244.

[0098] The liquid flowing along the discharge flow path 291 drops from the right end of the discharge flow path 291 into the frame flow path 261, and then flows along the frame flow path 261. The liquid that has flowed along the frame flow path 261 further flows along the duct bottom wall 27E, and then is passed on to the housing bottom wall 243. The liquid that has been passed on to the housing bottom wall 243 is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 through the opening 242 of the first louver 24 while flowing along the housing bottom wall 243.

[0099] The housing bottom wall 243 is an example of a first bottom wall that forms a flow path for liquid. The duct bottom wall 27E is an example of a second bottom wall that forms a flow path for liquid to flow in the first bottom wall of the housing.

[0100] In this way, in the right frame 26, a flow path through which liquid flows is formed by the frame flow path 261 and the duct bottom wall 27E, so when liquid that has splashed on the top cover 22 or the like of the housing 2 flows up to the first duct 27 portion of the right frame 26, the liquid can be circulated through the frame flow path 261 and the duct bottom wall 27E. In addition, because the housing 2 includes the housing bottom wall 243 and the opening 242, the liquid that has circulated along the frame flow path 261 and the duct bottom wall 27E can be discharged to the outside of the housing 2 through the housing bottom wall 243 and the opening 242.

[0101] Therefore, the liquid inside the housing 2 that flows along the housing bottom wall 243 can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the housing 2 through the opening 242 without passing through the first exhaust filter 73.

[0102] In this case, the upper surface of the housing bottom wall 243 is located lower than the upper surface of the duct bottom wall 27E, so that the liquid flowing along the duct bottom wall 27E can be smoothly transferred to the housing bottom wall 243.

[0103] Furthermore, in the first exhaust direction, the downstream end of duct bottom wall 27E is located downstream of the upstream end of housing bottom wall 243, so that liquid flowing down from the downstream end of duct bottom wall 27E falls onto the upper surface of housing bottom wall 243. This makes it possible for the liquid flowing along duct bottom wall 27E to be received by housing bottom wall 243 without leakage.

[0104] Furthermore, in the first exhaust direction, the downstream end of duct bottom wall 27E protrudes downstream further than second downstream ends 27a of duct upper wall 27A, duct front wall 27B, duct rear wall 27C, and duct lower wall 27D, which form the peripheral walls of first duct 27. This allows the downstream end of duct bottom wall 27E to be positioned downstream of the upstream end of housing bottom wall 243, while ensuring gap G, which is formed between the peripheral wall of first duct 27 and first exhaust filter 73 and in which first elastic body 76 is to be disposed.

[0105] In addition, since the housing 2 has a side wall 244 that protrudes upward from the upstream end of the housing bottom wall 243 in the first exhaust direction, the side wall 244 can prevent the liquid flowing along the housing bottom wall 243 from flowing inside the housing 2.

[0106] Furthermore, because the lower end of first exhaust filter 73 is located higher than the upper surface of duct bottom wall 27E, liquid flowing along duct bottom wall 27E does not come into contact with first exhaust filter 73. Therefore, the flow of liquid is not impeded by first exhaust filter 73. Furthermore, because first exhaust filter 73 does not get wet with liquid, the function of first exhaust filter 73 is not impeded.

[0107] Furthermore, the lower wall 231D of the storage wall 231 has a notch 231Da whose upstream end is located downstream of the downstream end of the duct bottom wall 27E in the first exhaust direction, so that the liquid flowing along the duct bottom wall 27E can be prevented from coming into contact with the lower wall 231D, and the flow of the liquid is not obstructed by the lower wall 231D.

[0108] [Elastic member] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 12, a gap G is formed between the first fan 71 and the first duct 27 and the first exhaust filter 73 in the first exhaust direction. A first elastic body 76 is disposed in the gap G between the first duct 27 and the first exhaust filter 73 in the first exhaust direction. The first elastic body 76 is made of a member having elasticity. The first elastic body 76 is made of, for example, a sponge having elasticity.

[0109] At the location where the first elastic body 76 is disposed between the first duct 27 and the first exhaust filter 73, a gap G is filled by the first elastic body 76. The first elastic body 76 is in contact with the second downstream end 72a of the first duct 27 and the second surface 73b of the first exhaust filter 73. The first elastic body 76 is not in contact with the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71.

[0110] However, if the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71 is configured to protrude downstream in the first exhaust direction further than the second downstream end 72a of the first duct 27, the first elastic body 76 will come into contact with the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71, but will not come into contact with the second downstream end 72a of the first duct 27.

[0111] Furthermore, when the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71 and the second downstream end 72a of the first duct 27 are configured to be located at the same position in the first exhaust direction, the first elastic body 76 comes into contact with the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71 and the second downstream end 72a of the first duct 27.

[0112] That is, the first elastic body 76 is located between the first duct 27, the first fan 71, and the first exhaust filter 73 in the first exhaust direction, and is in contact with at least one of the second downstream end 72a of the first duct 27 and the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71, and the first exhaust filter 73. The first elastic body 76 is an example of an elastic body that is in contact with at least one of the duct and the fan, and the filter.

[0113] The first elastic body 76 presses the first exhaust filter 73 downstream in the first exhaust direction by contacting the second surface 73b of the first exhaust filter 73 housed within the housing wall 231. This prevents the first exhaust filter 73 from moving upstream in the first exhaust direction and falling out of the housing wall 231 when, for example, an external force acts on the right side wall 23 of the housing 2.

[0114] Here, when an external force acts on the right side wall 23 of the housing 2, the first exhaust filter 73 is moved by the right side wall 23 toward the upstream side of the first exhaust direction, which is the direction toward the first duct 27 and the first fan 71.

[0115] However, in the image forming apparatus 1, the first elastic body 76 is located between the first duct 27 and the first exhaust filter 73, and therefore the pressing force applied to the first exhaust filter 73 by the first duct 27 can be absorbed by the first elastic body 76. This makes it possible to prevent powders of the ozone decomposition catalyst, activated carbon, and the like contained in the first exhaust filter 73 from scattering from the first exhaust filter 73.

[0116] 13, the first elastic bodies 76 are arranged only at two opposing corners of the rectangular shape of the first duct 27. Specifically, the first elastic bodies 76 are arranged at an upper front corner formed by the duct upper wall 27A and the duct front wall 27B of the first duct 27, and at a lower rear corner formed by the duct lower wall 27D and the duct rear wall 27C.

[0117] The first elastic body 76 is formed in a triangular shape, for example, a right-angled isosceles triangle, and is disposed in a position where the apex of the right angle of the triangle is aligned with the corner of the square shape of the first duct 27.

[0118] In this way, by arranging the first elastic body 76 only at two opposing corners of the rectangular shape of the first duct 27, it is possible to minimize the arrangement of the first elastic body 76, suppress the scattering of powder from the first exhaust filter 73, and prevent the first exhaust filter 73 from moving.

[0119] Furthermore, since the first elastic body 76 is formed from a sponge, the elastic force of the sponge can stably hold the first exhaust filter 73, making it possible to prevent the first exhaust filter 73 from moving while suppressing the scattering of powder.

[0120] Furthermore, the first elastic body 76 is disposed at a position offset from the duct bottom wall 27E in the front-to-rear direction, which is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first exhaust direction, and the position of the first elastic body 76 and the position of the duct bottom wall 27E in the front-to-rear direction do not overlap. Furthermore, the first elastic body 76 is located above the duct bottom wall 27E.

[0121] Therefore, the first elastic body 76 can be prevented from getting wet by the liquid flowing along the duct bottom wall 27E, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the force with which the first elastic body 76 presses against the first exhaust filter 73.

[0122] Furthermore, the first elastic body 76 can be configured to be adhered to the first exhaust filter 73. By adhering the first elastic body 76 and the first exhaust filter 73 in advance before accommodating the first exhaust filter 73 within the accommodating wall 231, it becomes possible to arrange the first elastic body 76 between the first exhaust filter 73 and the first duct 27 and the first fan 71 simply by performing the task of accommodating the first exhaust filter 73 within the accommodating wall 231. This improves the ease of arranging the first elastic body 76 between the first exhaust filter 73 and the first duct 27 and the first fan 71.

[0123] [Earth spring] 8, 13, and 14, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a grounded earth spring 75. The earth spring 75 is supported by the duct rear wall 27C of the first duct 27. The earth spring 75 is a coil spring formed by winding a wire having electrical conductivity and spring properties.

[0124] Ground spring 75 includes a first coil portion 751, a second coil portion 752, a first arm portion 753, and a second arm portion 754. First coil portion 751 and second coil portion 752 are formed into a cylindrical shape by winding a wire. First arm portion 753 extends from first coil portion 751 and connects first coil portion 751 and second coil portion 752. Second arm portion 754 extends from first coil portion 751 and is a separate arm portion. The direction in which first arm portion 753 extends from first coil portion 751 is different from the direction in which second arm portion 754 extends from first coil portion 751.

[0125] A boss 271 protrudes rearward from the duct rear wall 27C of the first duct 27, and the first coil portion 751 of the earth spring 75 is supported by the boss 271 so as to be rotatable.

[0126] First arm 753 extends diagonally downward to the left from first coil 751, then bends to the right and extends diagonally downward to the right. Second coil 752 is connected to the tip of first arm 753.

[0127] Second arm 754 extends rearward from first coil 751 and then bends upward to be grounded. Second arm 754 is grounded by being connected to, for example, a conductive metal frame provided in image forming apparatus 1.

[0128] A projection 273 that projects rearward is formed on the duct rear wall 27C of the first duct 27. The second arm 754 of the earth spring 75 is engaged with the projection 273 from below.

[0129] The earth spring 75 has a biasing force that urges the second coil portion 752 to the right, and the second coil portion 752 is in contact with the second surface 73b of the first ozone filter 73 due to the biasing force of the earth spring 75. The second coil portion 752 is stably pressed against the first ozone filter 73 by the biasing force of the earth spring 75. The second coil portion 752 presses the first ozone filter 73 downstream in the first exhaust direction.

[0130] The first ozone filter 73 is grounded by the second coil portion 752 coming into contact with the second surface 73b of the first ozone filter 73. The ground spring 75 is an example of a grounding member that grounds a filter. Grounding the first ozone filter 73 through the ground spring 75 prevents static electricity from building up in the first ozone filter 73 and can prevent discharge from the first ozone filter 73 to other components such as the first fan 71.

[0131] Furthermore, the contact position of the second coil portion 752 with the first ozone filter 73 is located on the second surface 73b of the first ozone filter 73, outside the area surrounded by the peripheral walls of the first duct 27 (the duct upper wall 27A, the duct front wall 27B, the duct rear wall 27C, and the duct lower wall 27D) (see FIG. 8).

[0132] In this way, the earth spring 75 presses the first ozone filter 73 toward the downstream side in the first exhaust direction, so that even if an external force acts on the housing 2, the first exhaust filter 73 housed within the housing wall 231 can be prevented from moving and falling out from within the housing wall 231.

[0133] Furthermore, since the earth spring 75 has spring properties, when an external force acts on the housing 2, the earth spring 75 can be prevented from pressing excessively against the first exhaust filter 73, thereby reducing the scattering of powder from the first exhaust filter 73.

[0134] In this embodiment, the earth spring 75 is supported on the duct rear wall 27C of the first duct 27, but the earth spring 75 can also be configured to be supported on the duct upper wall 27A, duct front wall 27B, or duct lower wall 27D of the first duct 27.

[0135] In addition, in this embodiment, the earth spring 75 is a coil spring having a first coil portion 751, a second coil portion 752, a first arm portion 753, and a second arm portion 754, but this is not limited to this, and the earth spring 75 can be formed into various shapes as long as it has conductivity and spring properties.

[0136] [Notch in the first exhaust filter and protrusion on the right side wall] 8, 15, and 16, the first exhaust filter 73 has a notch 731. The notch 731 is located on the upper side of the rectangular shape of the first exhaust filter 73, and is formed by cutting the upper side of the rectangular shape downward.

[0137] The right side wall 23 of the housing 2 has a protrusion 232 that protrudes toward the first exhaust filter 73 in the first exhaust direction within the housing wall 231. The first exhaust filter 73 side in the first exhaust direction is the upstream side in the first exhaust direction.

[0138] The protrusion 232 is formed at a position adjacent to the upper wall 231A within the housing wall 231. The position where the protrusion 232 is formed corresponds to the notch 731 of the first exhaust filter 73 housed within the housing wall 231, and the protrusion 232 engages with the notch 731 housed within the housing wall 231.

[0139] The first exhaust filter 73 can be housed in the housing wall 231 in a position where the notch 731 engages with the protrusion 232 on the right side wall 23. On the other hand, when the first exhaust filter 73 is in a position where the notch 731 does not engage with the protrusion 232 on the right side wall 23, the protrusion 232 abuts against the first surface 73a of the first exhaust filter 73, and the first exhaust filter 73 cannot be housed in the housing wall 231.

[0140] In this embodiment, the first exhaust filter 73 has a rectangular shape with short and long sides when viewed from the left and right. The first exhaust filter 73 is formed so that when it is housed in the housing wall 231 with its short sides aligned in the up-down direction, it is placed in the housing wall 231 in the correct position.

[0141] However, because the difference in length between the long and short sides of the first exhaust filter 73 is small, it may be difficult to determine whether the first exhaust filter 73 is oriented with its short side aligned vertically or its long side aligned vertically if the notch 731 is not formed. Furthermore, if the protrusion 232 and the notch 731 are not formed, the first exhaust filter 73 can be stored within the storage wall 231 even if its long side is oriented vertically.

[0142] Therefore, if the protrusion 232 and the notch 731 were not formed, the first exhaust filter 73 would be housed in the housing wall 231 in an improper position with its long side aligned in the vertical direction.

[0143] However, because the first exhaust filter 73 has a notch 731, and the right side wall 23 has a protrusion 232 in the housing wall 231 that engages with the notch 731, it is possible to easily grasp the assembly orientation of the first exhaust filter 73 relative to the housing 2 when assembling the first exhaust filter 73 to the housing 2. This makes it possible to easily assemble the first exhaust filter 73 to the housing 2 in the correct orientation where the protrusion 232 and the notch 731 engage.

[0144] [Second Elastic Body] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, a second elastic body 77 can be further housed within the housing wall 231 that houses the first exhaust filter 73. The second elastic body 77 is formed in the shape of a long rectangular parallelepiped. The second elastic body 77 is made of a member that has elasticity. The second elastic body 77 can be made of a sponge, for example.

[0145] The second elastic body 77 is disposed adjacent to the front wall 231B in an orientation in which its longitudinal direction is aligned with the up-down direction within the housing wall 231. The second elastic body 77 is located between the duct front wall 27B of the first duct 27 and the front wall 231B of the housing wall 231 in the front-rear direction.

[0146] The second elastic body 77 is located upstream of the first exhaust filter 73 in the first exhaust direction, and is in contact with the second surface 73b at the front end of the first exhaust filter 73. By contacting the second surface 73b of the first exhaust filter 73, the second elastic body 77 restricts the first exhaust filter 73 housed within the housing wall 231 from moving upstream in the first exhaust direction.

[0147] Therefore, when the right side wall 23, the first duct 27, and the first fan 71 are assembled, the first exhaust filter 73 is prevented from moving upstream in the first exhaust direction and coming into contact with the first duct 27 and the first fan 71. This makes it possible to prevent powder from scattering from the first exhaust filter 73.

[0148] Additionally, the second elastic body 77 is adhered to the front wall 231B of the storage wall 231 and is fixed to the storage wall 231. The first exhaust filter 73 is sandwiched between the second elastic body 77 and the first louver 24 in the first exhaust direction, and is in a state of being temporarily fixed within the storage wall 231.

[0149] Therefore, when assembling the first duct 27 and the first fan 71 to the right side wall 23 with the first exhaust filter 73 housed within the housing wall 231, the second elastic body 77 can prevent the first exhaust filter 73 from falling out from within the housing wall 231. This makes it possible to improve the workability when assembling the right side wall 23, the first duct 27, and the first fan 71.

[0150] Furthermore, the second elastic body 77 may be configured to be adhered to the first exhaust filter 73 rather than to the accommodating wall 231. In this case, when accommodating the first exhaust filter 73 and the second elastic body 77 within the accommodating wall 231, instead of accommodating the first exhaust filter 73 and the second elastic body 77 separately, it is possible to accommodate the first exhaust filter 73 and the second elastic body 77, which are bonded together and integrated, together within the accommodating wall 231. This improves the ease of accommodating the first exhaust filter 73 and the second elastic body 77 within the accommodating wall 231.

[0151] [Modified cushioning material] The buffer material 78 disposed between the first fan 71 and the first duct 27 may be formed as a buffer material 78A shown in FIGS.

[0152] The buffer material 78A includes a buffer portion 781 located between the outer periphery of the first fan 71 and the inner periphery of the first duct 27, and an extension portion 782 extending from the buffer portion 781 downstream of the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71 and the second downstream end 27a of the first duct 27 in the first exhaust direction.

[0153] The cushioning material 78A is made of a member having elasticity, such as a sponge having elasticity.

[0154] The buffer portion 781 of the buffer material 78A closes the gap that exists between the case 713 of the first fan 71 and the first duct 27.

[0155] The extension portion 782 is located in the first exhaust direction between the first fan 71 and the first duct 27 and the first exhaust filter 73. The upstream end of the extension portion 782 in the first exhaust direction is in contact with the first downstream end 71a of the first fan 71 and the second downstream end 27a of the first duct 27. In addition, the downstream end of the extension portion 782 in the first exhaust direction is in contact with the second surface 73b of the first exhaust filter 73 housed in the housing wall 231.

[0156] The extension 782 presses the first exhaust filter 73 downstream in the first exhaust direction by coming into contact with the second surface 73b of the first exhaust filter 73 housed within the housing wall 231. This prevents the first exhaust filter 73 from moving upstream in the first exhaust direction and falling out of the housing wall 231.

[0157] Furthermore, when an external force acts on the right side wall 23 of the housing 2, the right side wall 23 presses the first exhaust filter 73 toward the upstream side in the first exhaust direction.

[0158] 17 and 18, however, an extension 782 of the cushioning material 78A is located between the first duct 27 and the first exhaust filter 73. Therefore, the pressing force of the first exhaust filter 73 toward the first duct 27 can be absorbed by the extension 782. This prevents the first exhaust filter 73 from being strongly pressed by components such as the first duct 27, making it possible to prevent powders of the ozone decomposition catalyst and activated carbon contained in the first exhaust filter 73 from scattering from the first exhaust filter 73.

[0159] In this way, the extension 782 of the cushioning material 78A, which is located between the first fan 71 and the first duct 27 and the first exhaust filter 73 in the first exhaust direction and which contacts the second surface 73b of the first exhaust filter 73, plays the same role as the first elastic body 76. In other words, the extension 782 of the cushioning material 78A is the first elastic body.

[0160] By using the extension 782 of the cushioning material 78A as the first elastic body, there is no need to provide the first elastic body located between the first duct 27 and the first exhaust filter 73 separately from the cushioning material located between the outer periphery of the first fan 71 and the inner periphery of the first duct 27, making it possible to reduce the number of parts.

[0161] [Second fan, second duct, second exhaust filter, and second louver] As shown in Fig. 4, the right frame 26 is provided with a second duct 28 that penetrates in the left-right direction. The second duct 28 is located below the first duct 27. A second fan 72 is fitted into the second duct 28. The second duct 28 extends in the left-right direction and is configured to allow air to circulate in a second exhaust direction.

[0162] The second duct 28 has a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the second exhaust direction. In other words, the second duct 28 is formed so that its shape when viewed from the left and right is rectangular. The second fan 72 is fitted into the second duct 28. The second duct 28 houses the second fan 72. The second duct 28 is an example of a duct that houses a fan.

[0163] The second fan 72 has a first downstream end 72a located at the downstream end in the second exhaust direction. The second duct 28 has a second downstream end 28a located at the downstream end in the second exhaust direction.

[0164] The right side wall 23 of the housing 2 is provided with a second louver 25 that covers the second opening 23b. The second louver 25 communicates between the inside and outside of the housing 2. The second louver 25 is located to the right of the second fan 72. In other words, the second louver 25 is disposed downstream of the second fan 72 in the second exhaust direction. The second fan 72 is disposed upstream of the second louver 25 in the second exhaust direction. The second louver 25 protrudes rightward from the right side wall 23.

[0165] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a second exhaust filter 74 located between the second fan 72 and the second louver 25 in the second exhaust direction. The second exhaust filter 74 is an example of a filter. The second exhaust filter 74 is formed so that its shape when viewed from the left and right is rectangular. The second exhaust filter 74 has a first surface 74a facing the right side and a second surface 74b facing the left side.

[0166] The second exhaust filter 74 is configured, for example, by a honeycomb filter formed by shaping a filter material into a honeycomb shape. The honeycomb filter that constitutes the second exhaust filter 74 has a large number of cells separated by partition walls that extend along the second exhaust direction.

[0167] The filter material that can be used to form the second exhaust filter 74 may be, for example, paper carrying an ozone decomposition catalyst such as manganese dioxide or activated carbon, metal such as aluminum, or ceramics. The second exhaust filter 74 is formed in the shape of a rectangular sheet.

[0168] The second fan 72 is an axial fan configured similarly to the first fan 71. The outer shape of the second fan 72 is formed in a rectangular shape. The second fan 72 is disposed on the upstream side of the second louver 25 in the second exhaust direction.

[0169] The air inside the board cover 12 housed in the housing 2 is easily heated by the electronic components mounted on the power supply board 11 and rises in temperature. The air inside the board cover 12 is circulated from left to right by the second fan 72, passes through the second exhaust filter 74 to remove ozone, dust, etc., and is then exhausted to the outside of the housing 2 through the second louver 25. By exhausting the air inside the board cover 12 to the outside of the housing 2 by the second fan 72, it is possible to lower the temperature of the air inside the board cover 12.

[0170] The second exhaust filter 74 may be any filter that can at least remove toner and other particulate matter from the air. Alternatively, the second exhaust filter 74 may be a filter that can remove ozone from the air in addition to toner and other particulate matter.

[0171] The housing 2 is formed in the same manner as the housing wall 231 that houses the first exhaust filter 73, and includes a housing wall that houses the second exhaust filter 74. The second duct 28 includes a peripheral wall that covers the outer periphery of the second fan 72. A buffer material configured in the same manner as the buffer material 78 is arranged between the outer periphery of the second fan 72 and the inner periphery of the second duct 28.

[0172] In the second exhaust direction, a gap is formed between the second fan 72 and the second duct 28 and the second exhaust filter 74. A first elastic body configured similarly to the first elastic body 76 is disposed in the gap in the second exhaust direction between the second duct 28 and the second exhaust filter 74. A second elastic body configured similarly to the second elastic body 77 can be further accommodated within the housing wall that accommodates the second exhaust filter 74. [Explanation of symbols]

[0173] 1. Image forming device 2. Case 23 Right side wall 24 No. 1 Louver 25 Second louver 27 First Duct 27a 2nd downstream end 28 Second Duct 28a 2nd downstream end 71 First Fan 71a 1st downstream end 72 Second Fan 72a 1st downstream end 73 No. 1 exhaust filter 74 Second exhaust filter 75 Earth spring 76 First Elastic Body 77 Second Elastic Body 78A Cushioning material 231 Containment Wall 232 Protrusion 731 Notch 781 Buffer section 782 Extension

Claims

1. a housing having a louver; a fan that exhausts air from within the housing to the outside of the housing, the fan being disposed upstream of the louver in a direction in which air is exhausted by the fan, the fan having a first downstream end located at a downstream end in the exhaust direction; a duct that extends along the exhaust direction, has a second downstream end located at a downstream end in the exhaust direction, and accommodates the fan; a filter positioned between the fan and the louver in the exhaust direction; a first elastic body located between the duct, the fan, and the filter in the exhaust direction, and in contact with at least one of the second downstream end of the duct and the first downstream end of the fan, and the filter; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the duct has a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the exhaust direction, and the first elastic bodies are disposed only at two opposing corners of the rectangular shape of the duct.

3. a buffer material including a buffer portion located between an outer periphery of the fan and an inner periphery of the duct, and an extension portion extending from the buffer portion downstream of the first downstream end of the fan and the second downstream end of the duct in the exhaust direction, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic body is the extension of the buffer material.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic body is a sponge.

5. a grounding member that contacts the filter and grounds the filter; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the grounding member presses the filter toward the downstream side in the exhaust direction.

6. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic body is bonded to the filter.

7. Further provided with a second elastic body, the housing includes a housing wall that houses the filter; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter and the second elastic body are housed within the housing wall.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second elastic body is bonded to the filter.

9. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second elastic body is adhered to the storage wall.

10. the housing includes a housing wall that houses the filter; the filter includes a notch; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a protrusion that protrudes from within the housing wall toward the filter in the exhaust direction and engages with the notch.

Images