Image forming system

Abstract

To provide an image forming system including a highly reliable airflow structure.SOLUTION: In an image forming system, a print module (2000), a dry module 3000, and a fixation module (4000) are connected. The image forming system includes: the dry module 3000; the fixation module 4000 which is disposed so as to be arranged side by side with the dry module 3000 in a sheet transport direction in the dry module 3000; a first electrical module which is separably connected to the dry module 3000 in an intersection direction intersecting with the transport direction; a body side electrical unit provided at the dry module 3000; and a duct which sends air for cooling the body side electrical unit. The duct is disposed below the body side electrical unit in a vertical direction and includes a duct opening connected to a suction port which is provided at the first electrical module to suction outdoor air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

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] Image forming systems tend to consume more power internally as they achieve higher productivity, higher image quality, higher stability, longer lifespans, and more advanced functionality. This leads to an increase in the amount of heat generated by the electrical components within the image forming system. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an airflow system within the image forming system to cool the electrical components and dissipate heat. Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which an airflow system is provided on the rear side of the device to efficiently cool the electrical unit having a circuit board.

[0003] Depending on the intake position and airflow path, the airflow that cools the circuit boards of the electrical components may collect floating particles such as paper dust and dirt and blow them onto the circuit boards. Such floating particles pose a risk of short circuits in the electrical components and reduce system reliability. Patent Document 2 describes an image forming apparatus that uses a duct installed in the airflow path to reduce floating particles such as paper dust and dirt and cools the electrical circuit boards. Patent Document 3 describes an image forming apparatus that has a dust filter installed on the outside air intake side of the fan that cools the power supply unit to prevent the intrusion of conductive debris and other particles.

[0004] Incidentally, as disclosed in Patent Document 4, image forming systems used for commercial printing and the like are sometimes configured by combining multiple modules with different functions. When multiple modules are connected, the connection interface is configured so that airflow is established between each module when connected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-94206 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-107511 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-176149 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-88820 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In an image forming system consisting of multiple modules, when configuring independent airflows that do not interfere with each other, each module must be equipped with an intake / exhaust port and fans and ducts that configure the airflow. In this case, there is a risk of reduced intake / exhaust efficiency due to restrictions on the placement of intake / exhaust ports and restrictions on the device size. On the other hand, when configuring airflow in a single, connected state of multiple modules, efficiency can be improved by sharing intake / exhaust ports and airflow paths. However, conditions such as temperature, humidity, and the presence of foreign matter often do not match between modules with different functions, making it difficult to establish an airflow configuration that satisfies each module.

[0007] In particular, when connecting modules equipped with electrical components, it is difficult to arrange the intake and exhaust ports for the airflow that cools the electrical components, especially the intake ports and air intake paths. This is because the electrical components are often arranged on the rear side of the modules for ease of maintenance, and when another module is connected to the rear side of the module, the electrical components on the rear side of the module are sandwiched between the two modules.

[0008] If an air intake is provided in the module itself, the electrical components on the back of the module can be cooled using ventilation air from the sheet transport path drawn in from the front of the device. In this case, air containing floating particles such as paper dust is blown onto the electrical components. The measures described in Patent Documents 2 and 3 can be used to remove floating particles. However, while the configuration described in Patent Document 3 can reduce floating particles, its dust prevention measures are insufficient for image forming systems used in commercial printing, which require high reliability, durability, and long life. The dust filter described in Patent Document 4 can adequately remove floating particles. However, considering the maintenance work (cleaning and replacement) of the dust filter, incorporating a dust filter into the inter-module connection section inside the device is not appropriate.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an imaging system having a highly reliable airflow configuration that uses intake air with less suspended matter while maintaining a cooling effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The image forming system of the present invention is an image forming system having a plurality of connected modules, comprising 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 first electrical unit provided in the first module, a duct arranged vertically below the first electrical unit and taking in air to cool the first electrical unit, and a duct opening taking in air to cool the first electrical unit, wherein the first electrical module is provided with an intake port for taking in air to cool the first electrical unit, and the duct opening is connected to the intake port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a highly reliable airflow configuration that uses intake air with less suspended matter while maintaining cooling effectiveness. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [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] FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of 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] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram 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] Cross-sectional view of the drying module. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which a 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] Cross-sectional view of the drying module. [Figure 13] (a) and (b) are detailed diagrams of the drying module and external electrical module. [Figure 14] (a) and (b) are diagrams of the external electrical module. [Figure 15] (a) and (b) are diagrams of the drying module. [Figure 16] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the air path. [Figure 17] 10(a) and 10(b) are detailed configuration diagrams of the fixing module and the external electrical module. [Figure 18](a) and (b) are diagrams of the external electrical module. [Figure 19] (a) and (b) are block diagrams of the fixing module. [Figure 20] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the air path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] (First embodiment) 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."

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] (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.

[0034] 5 is a perspective view of the drying module 3000 from above on the rear side without the external electrical module 3800. 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. A plurality of electrical units are arranged on the rear side of the rear side plate 3004. That is, the electrical units of the drying module 3000 are arranged on the side of the external electrical module 3800 (i.e., the rear side) in a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction. An electric cable 3504 connected to the external electrical module 3800 is connected to the 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 through the electric cable 3504.

[0035] 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).

[0036] 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.

[0037] (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.

[0038] In order to connect overall control unit 2801 to each of the multiple main control boards, multiple connection cables 3520, 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 are provided, as shown in Fig. 5. These connection cables are used to transmit various signals, such as control signals, and are communication cables that electrically connect modules together.

[0039] 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 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 FIG. 5. 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, connection cable 5520 connected to cooling module 5000 is arranged so as to pass through drying module 3000 and fixing module 4000. The portion passing through fixing module 4000 is located between fixing module 4000 and external electrical module 4800 connected to the rear side of fixing module 4000, below the lower end of the main control board of fixing module 4000.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the duct 3506 and its surrounding area, viewed obliquely from above. The external electrical module 3800 is provided with a louver 3830 as an air intake. Air drawn in through the louver 3830 passes through the interior of the external electrical module 3800 and flows into the inlet opening 3506a of the duct 3506. The axial flow fan 3503a forcibly discharges air from the outlet opening 3506b, which is provided above the area below the duct 3506, and blows the air toward the main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, and the second sub-control board 3502. In this manner, an airflow path is formed. The dashed arrows in FIG. 7 indicate the airflow path. The connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 are routed below the bottom surface of the duct 3506. Therefore, the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 do not affect the airflow caused by the axial fan 3503a, and do not impair the cooling effect.

[0048] (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. The same components as 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Therefore, the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 are wired inside the housing of each module in the inkjet recording system 200. Fig. 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] If any of main control board 3500, first sub-control board 3501, and second sub-control board 3502 fails, the failed part is replaced. For example, if main control board 3500 fails, main control board 3500 and its fixing member are replaced as a unit. Figure 11 is a structural diagram of main control board 3500 and board support plate 3508, which is a fixing member for main control board 3500.

[0055] Board support plate 3508 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.

[0056] (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.

[0057] 5, the connection cables 4520, 5520, 6520, and 7520 are wired 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the drying module 3000 taken at cross section B in FIG. 3, viewed from the print module 2000 side. The decoupling unit 3200, drying belt unit 3300, and hot air blowing unit 3400 are provided in the upper region of the drying module 3000. A return transport unit 3450 for double-sided printing is provided in the lower region. The electrical units (main control board 3500, first sub-control board 3501, and second sub-control board 3502) are 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.

[0061] 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 dissipated by providing an airflow path from the front side to the rear side of the drying module 3000. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 5, 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] (Second embodiment) The overall configuration of the inkjet recording system 100 of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] (Drying module) Fig. 13 is a detailed configuration diagram of the drying module 3000 and the external electrical module 3800 corresponding to the drying module 3000. Fig. 13(a) shows a perspective view, and Fig. 13(b) shows the external electrical module 3800 in an exploded state. The external electrical module 3800 is disposed on the rear side of the drying module 3000, and an electrical component inner cover 3060 is provided on the connection surface between the two modules. The electrical component inner cover 3060 protects the electrical component unit, described below, disposed on the rear side of the drying module 3000.

[0068] Fig. 14 is a configuration diagram of an external electrical module 3800 corresponding to the drying module 3000. Fig. 14(a) is a perspective view of the external electrical module 3800 from above the rear, and Fig. 14(b) is an exploded perspective view.

[0069] The external electrical module 3800 has a frame structure made up of an annex bottom plate 3820 at the bottom, an annex right support column 3821, an annex left support column 3822, a top stay 3823, and an annex front side plate 3824. The annex right support column 3821 is disposed to the right of the bottom plate 3820. The annex left support column 3822 is disposed to the left of the bottom plate 3820. The top stay 3823 faces the bottom plate 3820 and connects the annex right support column 3821 and the annex left support column 3822. The annex front side plate 3824 is disposed on the front side of the device of the bottom plate 3820, the top stay 3823, the annex right support column 3821, and the annex left support column 3822.

[0070] The external electrical module 3800 includes a power cord base / breaker unit 3840 that branches the AC power supplied from outside to the print module 2000 and the drying module 3000 and has a breaker for each electrical load system. The external electrical module 3800 also includes a power filter unit 3841, a relay / terminal unit 3842, and a DC power supply unit 3843. The power filter unit 3841 prevents power noise from entering from outside and leaking to the outside. The relay / terminal unit 3842 branches and distributes the power according to its destination. The DC power supply unit 3843 converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage of 24 V or 38 V.

[0071] To protect these units, an annex rear cover 3825 is provided on the rear side of the external electrical module 3800. During service and maintenance, the annex rear cover 3825 can be attached or detached to access each unit inside the external electrical module 3800. Note that particularly high voltages are applied inside the power cord stand / breaker unit 3840, power filter unit 3841, and relay / terminal unit 3842. Therefore, to protect users and service personnel, these units are configured with individual covers.

[0072] The annex rear cover 3825 is provided with multiple ventilation louvers that are used for both the external electrical module and the front-side drying module. The louvers for the external electrical module are annex intake louvers 3831 and annex exhaust louvers 3832 for airflow that cools the internal DC power supply unit 3843. The louvers for the drying module penetrate the external electrical module 3800 to intake and exhaust outside air, as the rear side of the drying module 3000 is covered by the external electrical module. The airflow louvers 3830 that cool the rear electrical component of the drying module 3000, which will be described later, are also included in the louvers for the drying module. The annex exhaust louvers 3832 also serve as exhaust louvers for the entire drying module 3000.

[0073] FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of the drying module 3000 with the external electrical module 3800 disconnected. FIG. 15(a) is a perspective view of the drying module 3000 from above the rear, and FIG. 15(b) is an exploded perspective view and a partially enlarged view of the drying module 3000 from above the rear. 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.

[0074] The AC power supplied from the electric cable 3504 is converted to DC by a DC power supply unit (not shown) provided inside the drying module, and then converted to a predetermined voltage by a power supply board 3503 and distributed to each electric board. The main electric boards are, from left to right when viewed from the rear side, a main control board 3500, a first sub-control board 3501, and a 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 units 3100 (see FIG. 5) for paper transport located on the front side of the drying module 3000 and the various units for the drying function, and perform detection control of 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 (see FIG. 1, respectively).

[0075] 6, each module other than the drying module 3000 is provided with at least one main control board, and the operation of the corresponding module is controlled by the main control board. Furthermore, the print module 2000 is provided with an overall control unit 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.

[0076] As described above, the main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, and the second sub-control board 3502 are connected to the electrical loads provided in each unit of the drying module 3000, and currents corresponding to their respective operations are passed through them. As a result, the driver elements mounted on the boards generate heat. Therefore, multiple board cooling fans 3505 are arranged vertically below the main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, and the second sub-control board 3502. The multiple board cooling fans 3505 cool the driver elements mounted on each board by blowing air onto them (air path A3). The board cooling fans 3505 are fixed to a duct 3506 for isolation and shielding, which is arranged vertically below the main control board 3500, the first sub-control board 3501, and the second sub-control board 3502.

[0077] The duct 3506 has two main roles. One is to shield the space above the duct 3506, where the main control board 3500, first sub-control board 3501, and second sub-control board 3502 are located, from the space below. Directly below the duct 3506, a return transport section exhaust fan 3450a is installed (air path B), which ventilates the space inside the device where the return transport unit 3450 of the drying module 3000 is located. The air exhausted by the return transport section exhaust fan 3450a may contain moisture, paper dust, and other foreign matter (floating matter) that has been brought into the device along with the sheets being transported. The duct 3506 shields this moisture and foreign matter from being directed directly toward the group of control boards above. For this reason, the duct 3506 is fixed to the rear side panel 3004 so as to occupy almost the entire width between the rear left support column 3003 and the rear right support column 3002.

[0078] When attached, the lower part of electrical component inner cover 3060 is fixed to duct 3506. As a result, electrical component inner cover 3060 forms a closed space together with duct 3506 and rear side panel 3004, and shields and protects main control board 3500, first sub-control board 3501, and second sub-control board 3502 arranged inside from the outside.

[0079] Another role of duct 3506 is to form an air path. Duct 3506 separates the intake paths of multiple board cooling fans 3505 from the lower space which may be contaminated by foreign matter, and draws in outside air from an air path which communicates with the outside via external electrical module 3800 on the rear side of the device. Inlet openings 3506a are provided on the rear side of duct 3506 as multiple openings. Inlet openings 3506a are duct openings which communicate with inner cover openings 3060a provided in electrical component inner cover 3060 and the air path which passes through external electrical module 3800, and form the air intake path for board cooling fan 3505.

[0080] 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the air path provided to penetrate the external electrical module 3800. The air path A1 is formed at a position vertically different from the inlet opening 3506a and the inner cover opening 3060a provided on the drying module 3000 side. This is because, as described above, the units provided in the external electrical module 3800, particularly the lower units, are each provided with a protective cover, and the openings that form the air path cannot be opened.

[0081] Therefore, air path A1 passing through external electrical module 3800 needs to be formed between the units inside external electrical module 3800. For example, air path A1 is formed between power cord stand / breaker unit 3840, power filter unit 3841, and relay / terminal unit 3842, and DC power supply unit 3843. Air path A1 does not have a duct that forms an air passage, but is formed as a space surrounded by the housings of each unit and vertical shielding members 3844 (see FIG. 14) partially provided in the width direction of the device.

[0082] In response to a vertical positional difference at the connection between the drying module 3000 and the external electrical module 3800, the space sandwiched between the electrical component inner cover 3060 and the annex front side panel 3824 becomes the connection portion air path A2. The connection portion air path A2 passes through the annex air intake 3824a and the inlet opening 3506a, and its upper and lower surfaces are sealed by lateral shielding members 3062 provided on the electrical component inner cover 3060.

[0083] The connection air path A2 is narrow in the front-to-rear direction of the device, but has a sufficient width in the width direction of the device, ensuring a sufficient air flow area. Because the duct 3506 is formed long in the width direction of the device, it is possible to provide multiple inlet openings 3506a on the rear side. The inlet openings 3506a can be connected to the connection air path A2, which is also wide in the width direction of the device. The connection air path A2 forms cooling air (air path A3) for the rear side electrical component of the drying module 3000, and makes it possible to draw in outside air by passing through the external electrical module 3800.

[0084] In this way, board cooling fan 3505 passes through external electrical module 3800 (air path A1), and exhausts the air taken in via connection air path A2 and duct 3506 from outlet opening 3506b provided on the upper surface of duct 3506. In this way, board cooling fan 3505 blows air onto main control board 3500, first sub-control board 3501, and second sub-control board 3502 to cool them (air path A3).

[0085] The air blown onto the group of electrical boards flows vertically through the space shielded by the electrical component inner cover 3060 toward the top of the device, and is exhausted to the rear side of the device by the electrical component exhaust fan 3070 (air path A4: see Figure 15).

[0086] An exhaust path that passes through the external electrical module 3800, similar to the intake path, is provided at a position on the external electrical module 3800 opposite the electrical exhaust fan 3070. The air exhausted through air path A4 passes through the exhaust path and is further discharged to the outside by annex exhaust louvers 3832 provided on the annex rear cover 3825 described above.

[0087] (fixing module) FIG. 17 is a detailed configuration diagram of the fixing module 4000 and the external electrical module 4800 corresponding to the fixing module 4000. FIG. 17(a) shows a perspective view, and FIG. 17(b) shows an exploded view. The external electrical module 4800 is disposed on the rear side of the fixing module 4000, and an electrical component inner cover 4060 that protects the electrical component unit disposed on the rear side of the fixing module 4000 is provided on the connection surface between the two modules. The positional relationship between the fixing module 4000 and the external electrical module 4800 is the same as the positional relationship between the drying module 3000 and the external electrical module 3800 described above. Similarly, the electrical component inner cover 4060 is provided on the fixing module 4000 side between the fixing module 4000 and the external electrical module 4800.

[0088] Fig. 18 is a configuration diagram of an external electrical module 4800 corresponding to the fixing module 4000. Fig. 18(a) is a perspective view of the external electrical module 4800 from above on the rear side, and Fig. 18(b) is an exploded perspective view.

[0089] The external electrical module 4800 has a frame structure made up of an annex bottom plate 4820 at the bottom, an annex right support column 4821, an annex left support column 4822, a top stay 4823, and an annex front side plate 4824. The annex right support column 4821 is disposed to the right of the annex bottom plate 4820. The annex left support column 4822 is disposed to the left of the annex bottom plate 4820. The top stay 4823 faces the annex bottom plate 4820 and connects the annex right support column 4821 and the annex left support column 4822. The annex front side plate 4824 is disposed on the front side of the device of the annex bottom plate 4820, the top stay 4823, the annex right support column 4821, and the annex left support column 4822.

[0090] Like the external electrical module 3800, the external electrical module 4800 has a power cord base / breaker unit 4840 and a power filter unit 4841 arranged inside. Two upper and lower stays (an upper stay 4826 and a middle stay 4827) are arranged above these. A relay / terminal unit 4842 and a DC power supply unit 4843 are arranged on the middle stay 4827. Above the upper part of these, a heater driver board unit 4844 is arranged, which adjusts the temperature of the fixing heater provided inside the fixing belt unit 4100 of the fixing module 4000.

[0091] To protect these units, an annex rear cover 4825 is provided on the rear side of the external electrical module 4800. During service and maintenance, the annex rear cover 4825 can be attached or detached to allow access to each unit inside the external electrical module 4800. Note that particularly high voltages are applied inside the power cord stand / breaker unit 4840, power filter unit 4841, and relay / terminal unit 4842. Therefore, to protect users and service personnel, these units are configured with individual covers.

[0092] The annex rear cover 4825 is provided with multiple ventilation louvers that are used for both the external electrical module and the fixing module on the front side. The louvers for the external electrical module are intake louvers 4830 for airflow that cools the internal DC power supply unit 4843. The louvers for the fixing module penetrate the external electrical module 4800 to intake and exhaust outside air, since the rear side of the fixing module 4000 is covered by the external electrical module 4800. The louvers 3830 are also included in the louvers for the fixing module.

[0093] FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of the fixing module 4000 with the external electrical module 4800 disconnected. FIG. 19(a) is a perspective view of the fixing module 4000 from above the rear, and FIG. 19(b) is an exploded perspective view and partial enlarged view of the fixing module 4000 from above the rear. The fixing module 4000 has a bottom plate 4001 and a rear-right support column 4002 and a rear-left support column 4003 supported by the bottom plate 4001. The rear-right support column 4002 and the rear-left support column 4003 are each welded to a corner on the rear side of the bottom plate 4001. A rear side plate 4004 is fixed perpendicularly to the bottom plate 4001 at a position sandwiched between the rear-right support column 4002 and the rear-left support column 4003. Multiple electrical units are arranged on the rear side of the rear side plate 4004. That is, the electrical unit of the fixing module 4000 is disposed on the side of the external electrical module 4800 (that is, on the rear side) in the direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction.

[0094] The electrical component section provided on the rear side of the fixing module 4000 includes a main control board 4500, a first sub-control board 4501, and a second sub-control board 4502, which are positioned in the same manner as in the drying module 3000. The fixing module 4000 is provided with a board cooling fan 4505 that cools these boards, and a separation shielding duct 4506 that supports the board cooling fan 4505.

[0095] Similarly, a return transport section exhaust fan 4450a is provided below the separation shielding duct 4506 to ventilate the double-sided transport path along which sheets are transported during double-sided printing, which is provided inside the fixing module 4000. The role of the separation shielding duct 4506 is the same as that of the duct 3506 provided in the drying module 3000. Therefore, the intake path of the board cooling fan 4505 also becomes a path (air paths A1 (described below), A2, A3) that passes through the external electrical module 4800 connected to the separation shielding duct 4506.

[0096] The external electrical module 4800 disposed on the rear side of the fixing module 4000 differs from the external electrical module 3800 of the drying module 3000 in terms of the power supply destination and some functions, and therefore has different internal components. Fig. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an air path provided through the external electrical module 4800. The air path A1 is formed at a different position in the vertical direction from the inlet opening 4506a and the inner cover opening 4060a provided on the fixing module 4000 side. This is because, as described above, the units provided within the external electrical module 4800, particularly the lower units, are each provided with a protective cover, and it is not possible to open the openings that form the air passage.

[0097] The air intake path of the board cooling fan 4505 that passes through the external electrical module 4800 uses the space between the power cord stand / breaker unit 4840 arranged in the lower row and the DC power supply unit 4843 arranged in the middle row as a path (air path A1). Unlike the external electrical module 3800 of the drying module 3000, the space between the power supply filter unit 4841 and the relay / terminal unit 4842 of the external electrical module 4800 is narrow, so this part is not used as an air intake path.

[0098] Furthermore, since the exhaust fan and intake port of the DC power supply unit 4843 are located close to each other in the central through-path, a dedicated through-path 4845 is provided to prevent exhaust air from circulating inside the external electrical module 4800. Air path A1, which is the through-path on the right side when viewed from the rear of the device, serves as an intake path through the space surrounded by the housings between the power cord stand / breaker unit 4840 and the DC power supply unit 4843. These through-paths communicate with an intake louver 4830 provided on the annex rear cover 4825 of the external electrical module 4800, allowing outside air to be drawn in.

[0099] The fixing module 4000 side of air path A1 is connected to connection air path A2, which has the same configuration as the drying module 3000, and the path is formed so as to align vertically with the separation shielding duct 4506, which is the intake port of the board cooling fan 4505. In this way, the board cooling fan 4505 can draw in outside air through the air path that passes through the external electrical module 4800, and blow air onto the main control board 4500, first sub-control board 4501, and second sub-control board 4502 to cool them (air path A3).

[0100] The air blown onto these electrical boards flows vertically toward the top of the device through the space shielded by the electrical component inner cover 4060, similar to the drying module 3000. Because the electrical component exhaust fan 4070 (see FIG. 19) of the fixing module 4000 faces toward the top of the device, the air is exhausted to the rear side of the device by the rear side louver 4080 above the fixing module 4000 without passing through the external electrical component module 4800 (air path A5).

[0101] As described above, in an image forming system composed of multiple modules, it is possible to cool the internal electrical unit using an airflow that uses outside air with little suspended matter, thereby providing an image forming system that meets the requirements for high reliability, high durability, and long life without sacrificing ease of installation and maintenance.

[0102] In the above description, an inkjet recording system 100 employing an inkjet method is used as the image forming system. The image forming system of this embodiment is not limited to the inkjet method, and may be configured to form images using other methods such as electrophotography. In any case, the configuration of this embodiment is effective as long as the system is configured with multiple modules and other modules are arranged on the rear side of the device.

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 first electrical unit provided in the first module; a duct disposed vertically below the first electrical unit and configured to take in air for cooling the first electrical unit; a duct opening for taking in air for cooling the first electrical unit, the first electrical module is provided with an intake port for drawing in air for cooling the first electrical unit, The duct opening is connected to the intake port. Imaging system.

2. the first electrical module includes a cover on a surface that contacts the first module; The cover has a cover opening communicating with the intake port, the duct opening and the cover opening are located at different positions at a connection portion between the first module and the first electrical module, an air passage connecting the duct opening and the cover opening is provided in a portion sandwiched between the first module and the first electrical module; The image forming system according to claim 1 .

3. the duct opening and the cover opening are located at different vertical positions on a surface where the first module and the first electrical module contact each other. The image forming system according to claim 2 .

4. the first module includes an electrical component inner cover on a surface that contacts the first electrical component module; the electrical equipment inner cover is disposed so as to be in contact with the duct at a lower portion thereof and to cover the first electrical equipment unit, At least a portion of the air path is formed by the cover and the electrical equipment inner cover.

4. The image forming system according to claim 2 or 3.

Images