Image forming system

Abstract

To secure efficiency of maintenance and heat exhaust efficiency from the inside of an image forming system.SOLUTION: In an image forming system, a print module (2000), a dry module 3000, a fixation module (4000) are connected, and the print module (2000) and the dry module 3000 are connected by a connection cable 3520. The print module (2000) and the fixation module (4000) are connected by a connection cable 4520. The connection cable 4520 is disposed between the dry module 3000 and an external electric module (3800) corresponding to the dry module 3000.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system that forms an image on a recording material by an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, an image forming system used for commercial printing or the like may be configured by combining multiple modules with different functions. Each module has an electrical unit for controlling the operation of the built-in components. The electrical units of the multiple modules are electrically connected to each other via connection cables, for example, to send and receive control signals and supply power. The electrical units are provided with dedicated protective covers in addition to the rear cover to protect the electrical units and connection cables. Providing dedicated protective covers is costly. Users must attach and detach protective covers in addition to the rear cover when installing or performing maintenance on the image forming apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-88820 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Since an image forming system includes multiple modules, the number of cables connecting them can increase. Patent Document 1 provides a dedicated protective cover separate from the rear cover to protect the cables, ensuring space for arranging the cables. However, with this prior art, there is a possibility that there will not be enough space to arrange more cables. Furthermore, depending on the cable arrangement, maintenance efficiency and internal heat dissipation efficiency may decrease.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that can ensure an appropriate space for arranging cables. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming system of the present invention is an image forming system having a plurality of connected modules, and includes a first module, a second module arranged alongside the first module in the sheet conveying direction in the first module, a first electrical module detachably connected to the first module in a cross direction intersecting the conveying direction, a main body side electrical unit provided in the first module, a first electrical unit provided in the first electrical module, and a connection cable wired between the first module and the first electrical module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately arrange cables even in a large-scale image forming system. With this configuration, it is possible to achieve both efficient maintenance and efficient heat exhaust from the inside. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an inkjet printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet recording system viewed from above and in front. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inkjet recording system from above and behind. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the drying module and the external electrical module from above the rear. [Figure 5] (a) and (b) are perspective views from above the rear of the drying module without the external electrical module. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-section of the duct and its surrounding area, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 7] 4(a) to 4(c) are explanatory diagrams of the connection relationship of the electrical module. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a connection configuration of a conventional inkjet printing system. [Figure 9] (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the drying module. [Figure 10] 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration in which the connection cable is wired inside the housing of the drying module. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the main control board and the board support plate. [Figure 12] (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the drying module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an inkjet recording system 100 according to this embodiment. The inkjet recording system 100 is a sheet-fed image forming system that produces a finished product by forming an ink image on a sheet using two liquids, a reaction liquid and ink. In this embodiment, the side on which a user stands when operating the inkjet recording system 100 is referred to as the "front side," and the opposite side is referred to as the "rear side." The "left-right direction" when a user standing in front of the inkjet recording system 100 looks at the inkjet recording system 100 is the main sheet transport direction in each module. The direction connecting the "front side" and the "rear side" is the "intersecting direction" that intersects with the sheet transport direction. The "intersecting direction" is sometimes referred to as the "front-rear direction."

[0011] The inkjet recording system 100 includes a paper feed module 1000, a print module 2000, a drying module 3000, a fixing module 4000, a cooling module 5000, an inverting module 6000, and a paper discharge stacking module 7000. The paper feed module 1000, the print module 2000, the drying module 3000, the fixing module 4000, the cooling module 5000, the inverting module 6000, and the paper discharge stacking module 7000 are aligned in the sheet transport direction. A sheet, which is a cut-sheet recording material on which an image is printed, is supplied from the paper feed module 1000, undergoes predetermined processing related to image formation in each module, and is then discharged to the paper discharge stacking module 7000.

[0012] The paper feed module 1000 includes multiple (three tiers in this embodiment) storage cabinets 1100a-1100c. Each of the storage cabinets 1100a-1100c can store sheets. Each of the storage cabinets 1100a-1100c can be pulled out toward the front of the device, and is pulled out toward the front of the device to store sheets. The paper feed module 1000 feeds sheets one by one to the print module 2000. To achieve this, each of the storage cabinets 1100a-1100c is provided with a separation belt and a transport roller. Note that the number of storage cabinets 1100a-1100c is an example, and there may be one, two, four or more tiers.

[0013] The print module 2000 forms an image on a sheet fed from the paper feed module 1000. The print module 2000 includes a pre-imaging registration correction unit (not shown), a print belt unit 2200, and a recording unit 2300. The pre-imaging registration correction unit corrects the inclination and position of the sheet fed from the paper feed module 1000 and conveys the sheet to the print belt unit 2200.

[0014] The print belt unit 2200 and the recording unit 2300 are disposed facing each other across the sheet transport path, downstream of the pre-imaging registration correction unit in the sheet transport direction. The print belt unit 2200 adsorbs and transports the sheet transported from the pre-imaging registration correction unit. The recording unit 2300 is a sheet processing unit that forms an image by performing a recording process (printing) on ​​the sheet transported by the print belt unit 2200 from above using a recording head. The recording head prints by ejecting ink onto the sheet. As the sheet is adsorbed and transported by the print belt unit 2200, a constant clearance is maintained between the sheet and the recording head.

[0015] A plurality of recording heads are arranged along the sheet transport direction. The recording heads of this embodiment are five line-type recording heads corresponding to the four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), as well as the reaction liquid. The number of colors and recording heads is not limited to five. The inkjet method can employ a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, or the like. Ink of each color is supplied to the recording head from an ink tank (not shown) via an ink tube.

[0016] The sheet printed by the recording unit 2300 is transported by the print belt unit 2200. An inline scanner (not shown) is disposed downstream in the transport direction from the recording unit 2300. The inline scanner is used to detect misalignment and color density of the image formed on the sheet and correct the printed image.

[0017] The drying module 3000 dries the sheet on which an image has been formed by the print module 2000. By drying the sheet, the drying module 3000 reduces the liquid component contained in the ink and improves the fixation of the ink to the sheet. The drying module 3000 includes a decoupling unit 3200, a drying belt unit 3300, and a hot air blowing unit 3400.

[0018] The sheet printed by the recording unit 2300 of the print module 2000 is transported to the decoupling unit 3200 in the drying module 3000. The decoupling unit 3200 weakly holds the sheet by air pressure from above and belt friction while transporting it. This prevents the portion of the sheet remaining on the print belt unit 2200 from shifting, while the sheet straddles the decoupling unit 3200 and the print belt unit 2200.

[0019] The sheet conveyed from the decoupling section 3200 is attracted to and conveyed by the drying belt unit 3300, and at the same time, hot air is blown onto the ink-applied surface (image printed surface) from the hot air blowing section 3400 arranged above the belt, drying the ink-applied surface. Note that the drying method may be configured by combining a method of applying hot air, a method of irradiating the sheet surface with electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, etc.), or a conductive heat transfer method by contact with a heating element.

[0020] The fixing module 4000 heats the sheet dried in the drying module 3000 to dry the ink, thereby fixing the image to the sheet. The fixing module 4000 includes a fixing belt unit 4100 having an upper belt unit and a lower belt unit. The fixing module 4000 passes the sheet conveyed from the drying module 3000 between the heated upper belt unit and lower belt unit, thereby allowing the ink solvent to sufficiently penetrate (fix) the sheet.

[0021] The cooling module 5000 cools the sheet on which the image has been fixed by the fixing module 4000, solidifying the ink softened by heating and suppressing changes in the temperature of the sheet caused by downstream devices. The cooling module 5000 includes multiple cooling units 5100. The multiple cooling units 5100 cool the high-temperature sheet conveyed from the fixing module 4000. Each cooling unit 5100 is configured to increase the pressure inside the cooling box by drawing in outside air with a fan into the cooling box, and to cool the sheet by blowing air from nozzles formed in the conveyance guide onto the sheet. The multiple cooling units 5100 are arranged on both sides of the conveyance path, allowing the sheet to be cooled from both sides.

[0022] A transport path switching unit is provided inside the cooling module 5000. The transport path switching unit switches the transport path of the sheet depending on whether the sheet is transported to the reversing module 6000 or to a double-sided transport path used for double-sided printing.

[0023] During double-sided printing, the sheet is transported to a transport path below the cooling module 5000 and then transported through a double-sided transport path including the fixing module 4000, the drying module 3000 (returning transport unit 3450), the print module 2000, and the paper feed module 1000. The double-sided transport section of the fixing module 4000 is provided with a first reversing unit 4200 that reverses the front and back sides of the sheet. The sheet is transported to the first reversing unit 4200, then reversed and transported toward the drying module 3000, thereby reversing the print side of the image. By passing through the first reversing unit 4200, printing on the back side of the sheet becomes possible. The sheet is then transported again to the pre-imaging registration correction unit, print belt unit 2200, and recording unit 2300 of the print module 2000, where it is printed.

[0024] The inversion module 6000 includes a second inversion unit 6400. The inversion module 6000 can invert the front and back sides of the conveyed sheet using the second inversion unit 6400. This allows the orientation of the front and back sides of the discharged sheet to be changed. The discharge stacking module 7000 includes a top tray 7200 and a stacking unit 7500. The discharge stacking module 7000 aligns and stacks the sheets conveyed from the inversion module 6000 on the top tray 7200 or the stacking unit 7500.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inkjet recording system 100 from above the front. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inkjet recording system 100 from above the rear. External electrical modules 1800, 2800, 3800, and 4800 are attached to the outside of the rear sides of the housings of the paper feed module 1000, print module 2000, drying module 3000, and fixing module 4000, respectively. Each module and its corresponding external electrical module are shipped in a separated state and are combined and connected at the installation site. In other words, each module and its corresponding external electrical module can be separated even after being combined and connected. Four casters may be attached to the bottom of each of the external electrical modules 1800, 2800, 3800, and 4800. Casters are attached to the external electrical modules 1800, 2800, 3800, and 4800, allowing the external electrical modules 1800, 2800, 3800, and 4800 to be easily moved even when separated. Hereinafter, a description will be given using an example of a combination of a specific module and its corresponding external electrical module. In such cases, the same applies to other modules and their corresponding external modules unless otherwise specified.

[0026] The frames of the external electrical modules 1800, 2800, 3800, and 4800 are fastened with screws to the housings of the corresponding paper feed module 1000, print module 2000, drying module 3000, and fixing module 4000. The external electrical modules 1800, 2800, 3800, and 4800 mainly house power supplies and control units that cannot be installed inside the housings of the paper feed module 1000, print module 2000, drying module 3000, and fixing module 4000. The external electrical modules 1800, 3800, and 4800 receive AC power from a distribution board in the building where they are installed via power cables 1810, 3810, and 4810. The power supplies and control units are specific examples of electrical units provided in the external electrical modules.

[0027] The reversing module 6000 and the discharge stacking module 7000 are equipped with internal power supplies and do not have external electrical modules, so AC power is supplied to the reversing module 6000 and the discharge stacking module 7000 via power cables 6810 and 7810 connected directly to the inside of the rear side.

[0028] AC power is supplied to the print module 2000 and the cooling module 5000 from external electrical modules provided in the adjacent modules. First, a power cable 2810 (indicated by a dashed line) that supplies AC power to the print module 2000 will be described. Openings are provided on the opposing side surfaces of the external electrical module 2800 of the print module 2000 and the external electrical module 3800 of the adjacent drying module 3000. The power cable 2810 is routed through these openings. The power cable 2810 is connected to the power supply unit of the external electrical module 3800 and supplies AC power to the print module 2000 and the external electrical module 2800. Similarly, AC power is supplied to the cooling module 5000 from the external electrical module 4800 of the fixing module 4000 using a power cable 5810 (indicated by a dashed line). In this way, the power cables 2810, 5810 are arranged inside the external electrical modules and do not pass between the drying module 3000 and the corresponding external electrical module 3800. Since the power cables only need to be connected to the adjacent module, they are arranged to pass through openings on the side of the modules to shorten their length.

[0029] (Drying module) 4 is a detailed perspective view of the drying module 3000 and the external electrical module 3800 corresponding to the drying module 3000, viewed from above on the rear side. The external electrical module 3800 has a bottom plate 3820 and covers on each side disposed on the bottom plate 3820. The cover on the rear side of the external electrical module 3800 is provided with multiple louvers 3830 (three in this example). The louvers 3830 are air inlets.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drying module 3000 from above on the rear side without the external electrical module 3800. FIG. 5(a) shows the drying module 3000 without the external electrical module 3800, and FIG. 5(b) shows the drying module 3000 with some elements removed from FIG. 5(a). The drying module 3000 has a bottom plate 3001 and a rear-right support column 3002 and a rear-left support column 3003 supported by the bottom plate 3001. The rear-right support column 3002 and the rear-left support column 3003 are each welded to a corner on the rear side of the bottom plate 3001. A rear side plate 3004 is fixed perpendicularly to the bottom plate 3001 at a position sandwiched between the rear-right support column 3002 and the rear-left support column 3003. Multiple electrical units are arranged on the rear side of the rear side plate 3004. That is, the electrical unit of the drying module 3000 is disposed on the side of the external electrical module 3800 (i.e., on the rear side) in a direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction. An electric cable 3504 connected to the external electrical module 3800 is connected to a connector base 3050 on the right side when viewed from the rear side. AC power is supplied from the external electrical module 3800 to the drying module 3000 via the electric cable 3504.

[0031] The AC power supplied from the electrical cable 3504 is converted to a predetermined voltage by the power supply board 3503 and distributed to each electrical board. The main electrical boards, from left to right when viewed from the rear, are the main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, and the second sub-control board 3502. The first sub-control board 3501 and the second sub-control board 3502 mainly control the motor drive of the transport unit 3100 for paper transport and the various units for the drying function, which are located on the front side of the drying module 3000, and perform detection control of the sensors. The various units for the drying function are the decoupling unit 3200, the drying belt unit 3300, and the hot air blowing unit 3400. The main control board 3500 instructs each board on its operation timing. The main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, the second sub-control board 3502, and the power supply board 3503 are all located on the rear side of the drying module 3000. Therefore, the main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, the second sub-control board 3502, the power supply board 3503, etc. are electrical components on the main body side (main body side electrical components).

[0032] At least one main control board is provided in each module other than the drying module 3000, and controls the operation of the corresponding module. Furthermore, the print module 2000 is provided with an overall control unit (described later) either in the print module 2000 body or in the external electrical module 2800. The overall control unit controls the main control boards of the multiple modules that make up the inkjet recording system 100, and controls the inkjet recording system 100 as a whole.

[0033] (Electrical connection of the electrical module) 6 is an explanatory diagram of the connection relationships of the electrical modules mounted on each module. Connection cables from other modules are collectively connected to the overall control unit of the print module 2000. Here, an example is described in which an overall control unit 2801 is disposed in an external electrical module 2800. Connection cables from the main control boards of each module are collectively connected to the connection ports of the overall control unit 2801.

[0034] 5(a), a plurality of connection cables 3520, 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 are provided to connect overall control unit 2801 to each of the plurality of main control boards. These connection cables are used to transmit various signals, such as control signals, and are communication cables that electrically connect modules together.

[0035] The main control board 3500 of the drying module 3000 is connected to the overall control unit of the print module 2000 by a connection cable 3520. As shown in FIG. 5(a), a connector port 3500C to which the connection cable 3520 is connected is located on the top of the main control board 3500. The connection cable 3520 is supported by a wire saddle attached to the left edge when viewed from the back of the main control board 3500 and guided downward, and is then supported by a wire saddle attached to the bottom of the rear right support column 3002 and routed toward the print module 2000. The connection cable 3520 is attached after the modules are connected during installation.

[0036] Similarly, the main control boards of the other modules are connected to the overall control unit 2801 by one of multiple connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520. For example, one connection cable 4520 connects the main control board arranged in the fixing module 4000 to the overall control unit 2801. Note that the paper feed module 1000 is arranged on the opposite side of the print module 2000 from the drying module 3000. For this reason, the connection cable connecting the paper feed module 1000 and the overall control unit 2801 is not shown in FIG.

[0037] 6, the overall control unit 2801 and the main control board of each module are connected by individual connection cables, but the electrical units of each external electrical module may be connected to the overall control unit 2801. For example, the electrical units provided in the external electrical module 3800 of the drying module 3000 may be connected by connection cables to the overall control unit 2801 provided in the external electrical module 2800 of the print module 2000.

[0038] 3, the drying module 3000 is disposed between the print module 2000 and the fixing module 4000. Therefore, a connection cable 4520 connecting the overall control unit 2801 and the main control board disposed in the fixing module 4000 is disposed so as to pass through the drying module 3000. The portion of the connection cable 4520 passing through the drying module 3000 is disposed between the drying module 3000 and an external electrical module 3800 connected to the rear side of the drying module 3000. The connection cable 4520 is disposed below the lower end of the main control board of the drying module 3000 in the vertical direction intersecting both the conveyance direction and the intersecting direction. The connection cable connecting the overall control unit 2801 and the electrical unit provided in the external electrical module 4800 of the fixing module 4000 is also disposed so as to pass through the drying module 3000. The connection cable is also routed between the drying module 3000 and the external electrical module 3800 connected to the rear side of the drying module 3000 so as to pass below the lower end of the main control board of the drying module 3000.

[0039] In this way, space for the connection cables can be provided between the module main body and the external electrical module. As a result, multiple connection cables can be appropriately arranged, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b). Various considerations can be considered for appropriate cable arrangement, including avoiding excessive bending and excessive excess length required to bypass structures. The same applies to connection cables 5520, 6520, and 7520 connected to other main control boards. For example, the connection cable 5520 connected to the cooling module 5000 is arranged so as to pass through the drying module 3000 and the fixing module 4000. The portion passing through the fixing module 4000 is located between the fixing module 4000 and the external electrical module 4800 connected to the rear side of the fixing module 4000, below the bottom end of the main control board of the fixing module 4000.

[0040] When seven modules are connected as in this embodiment, the total length of the inkjet recording system 100 in the longitudinal direction is nearly 9 m, but the connection cable directly connects the main control board and the overall control unit without a repeater. This is because using a repeater changes the waveform of the signal transmitted through the connection cable, causing a delay in the transfer of the signal. For example, a 1 Gbps class LAN (Local Area Network) cable is suitable as the connection cable. LAN cables of this class can be thick. Therefore, the effects of this embodiment are more pronounced when using a LAN cable with a communication speed of 1 Gbps or more.

[0041] Connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, 7520 passing through drying module 3000 are held by a cable guide provided at the bottom of rear-left support column 3003 and a cable guide provided at the bottom of rear-right support column 3002. The area between rear-left support column 3003 and rear-right support column 3002 is regulated and held by multiple cable guides on guide support plate 3005 fixed on bottom plate 3001.

[0042] Multiple fans 3503a are arranged below the main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, and the second sub-control board 3502. These fans 3503a blow air onto the mounting surfaces of the electrical components of the main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, and the second sub-control board 3502, cooling the electrical components on the mounting surfaces. The fans 3503a are fixed to cooling ducts 3506 that are arranged vertically below the main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, and the second sub-control board 3502. The ducts 3506 are fixed to the rear side panel 3004 so as to occupy the entire width between the rear-left support column 3003 and the rear-right support column 3002.

[0043] Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the cross section of the duct 3506 and its surrounding area as viewed obliquely from above. Fig. 7(a) shows the enlarged cross section of the duct 3506 and its surrounding area, Fig. 7(b) shows the state in which the plate portion of the bottom plate 3001 has been removed from Fig. 7(a), and Fig. 7(c) shows the state in which the external electrical module 3800 and the connection cable 4520 have been removed from Fig. 7(b).

[0044] External electrical module 3800 is provided with louvers 3830 as air intake ports. Air drawn in through louvers 3830 passes through the interior of external electrical module 3800 and flows into inlet opening 3506a of duct 3506. Axial flow fan 3503a forcibly discharges air from outlet opening 3506b provided above the area below duct 3506, and blows the air onto main control board 3500, first sub-control board 3501, and second sub-control board 3502. In this manner, an airflow path is formed.

[0045] Furthermore, air flowing in from the front side of the drying module 3000 (the side opposite to the external electrical module 3800) is blown downwards within the drying module 3000 by the axial flow fan 3503b (FIG. 7(b)). In other words, an airflow path is formed that blows air downwards from the front side of the drying module 3000 through the interior of the drying module 3000.

[0046] The dashed arrows in Figures 7(a) and (b) indicate the airflow paths. Connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 are routed below the bottom surface of duct 3506. Therefore, connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 do not affect the airflow generated by axial fans 3503a and 3503b, and do not impair the cooling effect. In addition, as shown in Figure 7(c), space is secured below duct 3506 for routing connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520.

[0047] (Variation) Here, the connection configuration of another embodiment of the inkjet recording system 200 will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the connection configuration of another embodiment of the inkjet recording system 200. Components similar to those in the inkjet recording system 100 are assigned the same reference numerals. Connection cables 1520, 3520, 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 from each module are routed outside the inkjet recording system 2000 and are connected together to the print module 2000. FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the drying module 3000 at cross-section A, viewed from the direction of the print module 2000. FIG. 9(a) is a cross-sectional view viewed from the direction of the print module 2000, and FIG. 9(b) is a diagram of FIG. 9(a) with the airflow paths indicated by arrows added.

[0048] To access the main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, and the second sub-control board 3502, it is necessary to separate the external electrical module 3800 from the drying module 3000. To do this, as shown in FIG. 9, it is necessary to move the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 in the direction of the arrows. The external electrical module 3800 can be separated from the drying module 3000 by disconnecting the electrical cable 3504 that electrically connects the external electrical module 3800 to the drying module 3000 and by removing the screws that physically connect them. This allows access to the electrical units (such as the main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, and the second sub-control board 3502) inside the drying module 3000.

[0049] Before moving the external electrical module 3800, it is necessary to move the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520. The connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 are each connected from the rear of the print module 2000 to the rear of each module with a single cable without using a repeater. In order to move the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520, it is necessary to separate one of the connection points of each connection cable 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520. However, the process of connecting and disconnecting the connection points of each connection cable 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 is very cumbersome.

[0050] Another method is to leave some excess length in the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520, and then move the external electrical module 3800 by letting the excess length escape. However, this method requires securing a place to store the excess length of the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520. As described above, in the inkjet recording system 200, the task of separating the external electrical module 3800 is difficult.

[0051] Therefore, in the inkjet recording system 200, the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 are wired inside the housing of each module. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 are wired inside the housing of the drying module 3000. Figure 10(a) shows the wiring state of the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520, and Figure 10(b) is a diagram in which the airflow paths are added by arrows to Figure 10(a).

[0052] Connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, 7520 are arranged in a region between external electrical module 3800 and the rear side of main control board 3500, first sub-control board 3501, and second sub-control board 3502. The region between external electrical module 3800 and main control board 3500, first sub-control board 3501, and second sub-control board 3502 forms an airflow path for cooling heat generated from components mounted on the mounting surfaces of the boards. Therefore, the presence of connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, 7520 in this region affects efficient cooling of the electrical boards.

[0053] If any of the main control board 3500, first sub-control board 3501, and second sub-control board 3502 fails, the failed part is replaced. For example, if the main control board 3500 fails, the main control board 3500 and its fixing member are replaced as a unit. Figure 11 is a structural diagram of the main control board 3500 and board support plate 3504, which is the fixing member for the main control board 3500.

[0054] Board support plate 3504 has a vertical dimension L and a horizontal dimension W. When replacing main control board 3500, it is preferable that there are no obstacles in the area behind drying module 3000 within the range of vertical dimension L and horizontal dimension W. If connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, 7520 are arranged in this area, the work of removing and installing connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, 7520 will be added to the work of replacing main control board 3500. This will significantly increase maintenance time and reduce maintenance efficiency.

[0055] (Relative comparison of the two systems) Both the inkjet recording system 100 and the inkjet recording system 200 have the same technical advantage of being able to properly arrange cables. However, the inkjet recording system 100 is superior to the inkjet recording system 200 in terms of the difficulty of moving the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520, the efficient cooling of the electrical boards, and the efficiency of part replacement. Additional elements that bring about the superiority of the inkjet recording system 100 will now be described.

[0056] 5(a) and 5(b), the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 are routed below the projection area on the rear side of the electrical unit (main body-side electrical unit) of the drying module 3000. This makes it possible to easily replace the main body-side electrical unit inside the housing of the drying module 3000 by moving the external electrical module 3800 outside the rear side of the drying module 3000, without moving the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520. This improves maintenance efficiency.

[0057] Furthermore, a path for connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 is secured below duct 3506 inside the housing of drying module 3000, ensuring sufficient space for an airflow path for cooling the main body electrical unit. The connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 do not affect efficient airflow cooling of the main body electrical unit.

[0058] All modules of the inkjet recording system 100 are equipped with a function for transporting sheets on which images are printed. For example, the drying module 3000 has a decoupling unit 3200, a drying belt unit 3300, and a hot air blowing unit 3400 in its upper part, and a return transport function for double-sided printing in its lower part.

[0059] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the drying module 3000 taken along section B in FIG. 3, viewed from the print module 2000 side. FIG. 12(a) is a cross-sectional view of the drying module 3000 taken along section B, and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram of FIG. 12(a) with the airflow path indicated by arrows added. The decoupling unit 3200, drying belt unit 3300, and warm air blowing unit 3400 are provided in the upper region of the drying module 3000. The return transport unit 3450 used for double-sided printing is provided in the lower region. The electrical unit (main control board 3500, first sub-control board 3501, and second sub-control board 3502) is disposed on the rear side of the rear side panel 3004. The motor 3310 of the drying belt unit 3300 and the motor 3451 of the return transport unit 3450 are disposed on the front side of the rear side panel 3004.

[0060] Heat generated by the motor 3451 of the return transport unit 3450 needs to be controlled so that the temperature inside the drying module 3000 does not rise. The heat generated by the motor 3451 is discharged by providing an airflow path from the front side to the rear side of the drying module 3000. To this end, as shown in FIG. 5(a), an axial fan 3503b is provided in a lower portion of the rear panel 3004 near a duct 3506 provided at the bottom of the main body side electrical unit of the drying module 3000. The air discharged by the axial fan 3503b passes through a gap 3900 between the drying module 3000 and the external electrical module 3800 and is discharged from under the bottom panel 3820 of the external electrical module 3800.

[0061] The cooling air flow path of the main body side electrical unit of the drying module 3000 and the cooling air flow path of the motor 3451 of the return transport unit 3450 are separated by a duct 3506. This allows efficient exhaust of heat from each, enabling efficient cooling.

[0062] The wiring path for the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 is isolated from the airflow path of the main body electrical unit of the drying module 3000 by a duct 3506. The cooling airflow path for the motor 3451 of the return transport unit 3450 and the wiring path for the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 share some space. This eliminates the need to secure additional space, preventing the device from becoming larger. If the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 are routed near the exhaust port of the axial fan 3503b, efficient exhaust cannot be achieved. For efficient exhaust, it is preferable to route the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 as far back as possible from the rear panel 3004.

[0063] The above description focuses on the configuration of the drying module 3000, which is equipped with the external electrical module 3800. However, the above configuration can also be applied to other modules when they are equipped with an external electrical module (external unit). In other words, the above configuration is effective in an image forming system configured by connecting multiple modules, in which connection cables from other modules and external units are connected to a specific module in a concentrated manner and an external module is installed in one of the modules. When the module to which the connection cables are connected in a concentrated manner is considered the most upstream module, the module located upstream, which is physically closer to the module, has connection cables from modules and external units connected downstream routed inside the housing. By adopting the above configuration in such cases, the connection cables from downstream modules and external units do not affect the heat dissipation from the upstream module. Furthermore, even if an external unit is installed on the rear side of the upstream module, access to the electrical module within the module does not affect the connection cables from downstream modules. This improves the ease of maintenance within the module, and efficiently dissipates heat from within the module. This configuration is also effective when other modules and other external units are connected in a concentrated manner to one external unit.

[0064] In this embodiment, the inkjet recording system 100 has been described as an image forming system, but the image forming system may be configured to form images by other methods, such as an electrophotographic method, not limited to the inkjet method. In any case, the configuration of this embodiment is effective as long as the system is configured to include multiple modules and a predetermined module is connected to each of the other modules by a connection cable.

Claims

1. 1. An imaging system comprising a plurality of linked modules, a first module; a second module arranged to be aligned with the first module in a sheet conveying direction in the first module; a first electrical module detachably connected to the first module in a direction intersecting the conveying direction; a main body side electrical unit provided in the first module; a first electrical unit provided in the first electrical module; a connection cable wired between the first module and the first electrical module, An image forming system comprising:

2. the connection cable is disposed below a lower end of the main body side electrical unit in a vertical direction that intersects both the conveying direction and the intersecting direction, The image forming system according to claim 1 .

3. a duct for supplying air for cooling the main body side electrical unit is disposed below the main body side electrical unit in the vertical direction; The connecting cable is disposed below the lower surface of the duct.

3. The image forming system according to claim 2.

4. the first electrical module is provided with an intake port for drawing in air for cooling the first electrical unit, 4. The image forming system according to claim 3.

5. the first electrical module is provided with an intake port for drawing in air for cooling the first electrical unit, The image forming system according to claim 1 .

6. a second electrical module detachably connected to the second module in the cross direction; a second electrical unit provided in the second electrical module; a third module arranged to be aligned with the first module in the conveying direction; a third electrical module detachably connected to the third module in the crossing direction, a third electrical unit provided in the third electrical module, The connection cable connects the second electrical unit and the third electrical unit. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

7. the second electrical unit includes an overall control unit that controls the first to third modules as a whole, a main control board that controls the third electrical unit and the third module; The connection cable connects the overall control unit and the main control board.

7. The image forming system according to claim 6.

Images