Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To further develop a conventional technique.SOLUTION: The image forming device for forming an image on a recording material includes an air flow generating body 90, a motor for driving the air flow generating body 90, and a device body side 20a for supporting the motor, and can be opened / closed with respect to the device body side 20a. And an opening and closing body side 20b that supports the airflow generating body 90, in which the opening and closing body side 20b includes an accommodating portion in which the airflow generating body 90 is accommodated, a cover portion that covers a part of the airflow generating body 90 accommodated in the accommodating portion, an intake port that communicates with the accommodating portion, and an exhaust port that communicates with the accommodating portion, and in a case where the airflow generating body is driven by the motor in a state where the opening and closing body side 20b is closed with respect to the device main body, air is taken into the accommodating portion from the outside of the main body housing via the intake port. The air is exhausted from the exhaust port toward the inside of the main body housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses have been known that include an airflow generating means such as a blower that generates an airflow that takes in air from outside a housing that forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus and sends the air into the inside of the housing.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration including a device main body, an opening / closing body that can be opened and closed relative to the device main body, and an axial fan as airflow generating means attached to the opening / closing body. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a crossflow fan that is long in the width direction of the recording medium is provided inside the device main body as airflow generating means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6658618 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-99819 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention aims to further develop the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, an airflow generator; a motor configured to drive the airflow generator; a main body housing including a device main body supporting the motor and an opening / closing body that is openable and closable relative to the device main body and supports the airflow generator; Equipped with the opening / closing body has a housing section in which the airflow generator is housed, a cover section that covers a part of the airflow generator housed in the housing section, an air intake port that communicates with the housing section, and an air exhaust port that communicates with the housing section, When the opening / closing body is closed relative to the device main body and the airflow generating body is driven by the motor, air is taken into the storage section from the outside of the main body housing through the air intake port, and the air is exhausted from the exhaust port toward the inside of the main body housing. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention allows further development of conventional techniques. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment when the door is open. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the airflow generating element according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an airflow generating element according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the door member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an air flow according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a driving configuration of the airflow generating body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an airflow generating element according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an airflow generating element according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the invention is applied. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0010] In the following description, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic image forming type that forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming process will be described. Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses include, for example, electrophotographic copying machines, electrophotographic printers (LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), electrophotographic facsimile machines, etc.

[0011] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. A printer 1 according to the first embodiment is an electrophotographic color laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet S as a recording material.

[0012] [Printer] The configuration of the printer 1 will be described using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment. In the following description and drawings, the front-to-rear direction of the printer 1 is referred to as the x direction, the width direction as the y direction, and the up-down direction as the z direction. In Figure 1, the x direction is the left-to-right direction in the figure, the y direction is the depth direction in the figure, and the z direction is the up-to-down direction in the figure. The front side of the printer 1 is the right side in Figure 1, and the back side is the left side in Figure 1.

[0013] The printer 1 includes a main body 20a and a main body housing 20 having an opening / closing body 20b that can be opened and closed relative to the main body 20a. The printer 1 also includes a scanner 2, a control unit 3, a sheet feeding unit 30, a transfer unit 40, a cartridge unit 50, and a fixing device 80. These units are housed inside the main body 20a.

[0014] An opening that connects the inside and outside of device body 20a is formed at the end on the front side of device body 20a. Opening / closing body 20b is an opening / closing door that can be opened and closed relative to the opening of device body 20a. Opening / closing body 20b is configured to be able to swing around swinging support shaft 22 attached to the bottom of device body 20a between an open position that opens the opening of device body 20a and a closed position that closes the opening.

[0015] The sheet feeding section 30 has a cassette 31 that holds sheets S as recording media (recording materials), and a first supply roller 32 that supplies the sheets S held in the cassette 31. The cassette 31 is configured to be removable from the front side (the side where the opening / closing body 20b is provided) of the device main body 20a. Because the cassette 31 is configured to be removable in the front-rear direction of the printer 1, the user can remove the cassette 31 and refill the sheets S.

[0016] Inside the main body housing 20, a conveying path is formed along which the sheet S sent from the sheet feeding unit 30 is conveyed, and the sheet S is conveyed inside the conveying path by a plurality of conveying rollers. In this embodiment, the conveying path includes a first conveying path 10, a second conveying path 11, a third conveying path 12, a fourth conveying path 13, and a fifth conveying path 14. The rotation axis direction of the conveying roller is parallel to the width direction (y direction) of the printer 1.

[0017] The cartridge unit 50 has a tray 51 and cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK. A tray handle 52 is provided on the front side of the tray 51 in the front-rear direction. The cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are removably attached to the tray 51 and serve as developer storage units that store toner as developer inside.

[0018] Each of the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK can be attached to and detached from the tray 51 independently of one another. Cartridge PY contains yellow (Y) toner, cartridge PM contains magenta (M) toner, cartridge PC contains blue (C) toner, and cartridge PK contains black (K) toner. Cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK have the same configuration except for the toner colors they contain. Therefore, in the following explanation, the configuration and operation of only one of cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK will be explained, and explanations of the others may be omitted. Furthermore, when it is not necessary to distinguish between cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK, cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK may be simply referred to as cartridge P.

[0019] The cartridge unit 50 has four photosensitive drums (image carriers) 61, four charging rollers (charging members) 62, and four developing rollers (developer carriers) 71. When the cartridge unit 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 20a, the rotational axis directions of the photosensitive drums 61, the developing rollers 71, and the charging rollers 62 are all parallel to the width direction (y direction) of the printer 1.

[0020] The portion where a black (K) image is formed is called the black station (first station), the photosensitive drum 61 of the first station is called the first photosensitive drum, the developing roller 71 is called the first developing roller, and the charging roller 62 is called the first charging roller.

[0021] The portion where a cyan (C) image is formed is called a cyan station (second station), the photosensitive drum 61 of the second station is called a second photosensitive drum, the developing roller 71 is called a second developing roller, and the charging roller 62 is called a second charging roller.

[0022] The portion where a magenta (M) image is formed is called the magenta station (third station), the photosensitive drum 61 of the third station is called the third photosensitive drum, the developing roller 71 is called the third developing roller, and the charging roller 62 is called the third charging roller.

[0023] The portion where a yellow (Y) image is formed is called the yellow station (fourth station), the photosensitive drum 61 of the fourth station is called the fourth photosensitive drum, the developing roller 71 is called the fourth developing roller, and the charging roller 62 is called the fourth charging roller.

[0024] The photosensitive drum 61, the charging roller 62, and the developing roller 71 may be provided in either the cartridge P or the tray 51. In this embodiment, the cartridge P has the photosensitive drum 61, the charging roller 62, and the developing roller 71.

[0025] The transfer unit 40 includes a belt 41, a primary transfer roller 42, a cleaning unit 43, a drive roller 46 that drives the belt 41, and a tension roller (driven roller) 47. The printer 1 in this embodiment also includes an optical sensor 44 that detects the toner image transferred onto the belt 41. In this embodiment, the belt 41 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 61 and can come into contact with the photosensitive drum 61 so as to form a primary transfer unit (primary transfer nip). The printer 1 also has a secondary transfer roller 45 that contacts the belt 41 so as to form a secondary transfer section (secondary transfer nip). The rotational axis directions of the primary transfer roller 42, the drive roller 46, the tension roller 47, and the secondary transfer roller 45 are all parallel to the width direction (y direction) of the printer 1. A pair of registration rollers 4 is arranged in front of the secondary transfer section.

[0026] The fixing device 80 has a fixing section 81 and a discharge / reversal section 5. The fixing device 80 is configured to pressurize and heat the sheet S when it is in the use position. In this embodiment, the fixing section 81 is a heating device that includes a heating section (heating roller) 82 including a heater, and a pressure section (pressure roller) 83. The fixing device 80 is provided on the front side and upper side of the apparatus main body 20a.

[0027] The opening / closing body 20b has a first end 20c at the base end when it swings, in a direction perpendicular to the swing axis (axis extending in the y direction), and a second end 20d at the tip end opposite the first end 20c. The swing support shaft 22 is positioned closer to the first end 20c than the second end 20d. When the opening / closing body 20b is in the closed position, the second end 20d is located at the top end of the printer 1.

[0028] An airflow generator 90 is provided inside the opening / closing body 20b. The airflow generator 90 is attached to a position closer to the second end 20d of the opening / closing body 20b than to the first end 20c. When the opening / closing body 20b is in the closed position, the airflow generator 90 is located above the swing support shaft 22 and on the upper end side of the printer 1. Therefore, when the opening / closing body 20b is in the closed position, the airflow generator 90 is located near the fixing device 80.

[0029] The printer 1 further includes an environmental sensor 9. The environmental sensor 9 can detect the temperature and humidity of the environment in which the printer 1 is installed.

[0030] 2(a) and (b) are schematic cross-sectional views of the opening / closing member of the printer 1 when it is open. The opening / closing body 20b has an opening / closing tray 21 that can be opened and closed relative to the opening / closing body main body 27 of the opening / closing body 20b. In other words, the opening / closing body 20b is made up of the opening / closing body main body 27, which is a first opening / closing cover that opens and closes relative to the device main body 20a, and the opening / closing tray 21, which is a second opening / closing cover that opens and closes relative to the opening / closing body main body 27. FIG. 2(a) shows the opening / closing tray 21 in an open state. FIG. 2(b) shows the opening / closing body 20b in an open state (in the open position).

[0031] The open-close tray 21 is supported by the opening-closing body 20b so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 21a, and is configured to be openable and closable relative to the opening-closing body main body 27 of the opening-closing body 20b. The rotation shaft 21a is located at the lower end of the open-close tray 21 when the open-close tray 21 is closed relative to the opening-closing body 20b.

[0032] The openable tray 21 is a manual feed tray member that can hold a plurality of recording media when it is open relative to the openable body main body 27. The openable body main body 27 of the openable body 20b is provided with a paper feed opening 26 through which the recording media placed on the openable tray 21 enter the inside of the device main body 20a. When the openable tray 21 is open, the user can place a sheet S on the openable tray 21 and feed the sheet S into the device main body 20a through the paper feed opening 26.

[0033] [Image formation operation] 1, the image forming operation of the printer 1 will be described. The control unit 3 of the printer 1 starts the image forming operation on the sheet S based on an image signal received from an external host device 400. The external host device 400 is, for example, a personal computer, an image reader, or a facsimile machine.

[0034] First, a charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 62, and the photosensitive drum 61 rotates. A laser corresponding to image information is irradiated from the scanner 2 onto the photosensitive drum 61, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 charged by the charging roller 62 is exposed to the laser. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0035] The developing roller 71 carries toner. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roller 71, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 61 is developed with toner supplied from the developing roller 71, forming a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. In this embodiment, the developing roller 71 develops the electrostatic latent image while in contact with the photosensitive drum 61, but the developing roller 71 may also be configured to develop the electrostatic latent image while there is a gap between the developing roller 71 and the photosensitive drum 61.

[0036] When a full-color image is formed, a toner image of each color is formed on each photosensitive drum 61 .

[0037] In this embodiment, the developing roller 71 is movable between a contact position where it contacts the photosensitive drum 61 and a spaced position where it is spaced from the photosensitive drum 61. Specifically, a switching device (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 20a switches between a state where the developing roller 71 is in the contact position and a state where the developing roller 71 is in the spaced position. This allows the developing roller 71 to be spaced from the photosensitive drum 61 when no image forming operation is being performed.

[0038] The printer 1 can perform monochrome printing when the developing roller 71 corresponding to the cartridge PK is in contact with the photosensitive drum 61 and the developing rollers 71 corresponding to the cartridges PY, PM, and PC are spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 61. The printer 1 can also perform full-color printing when the photosensitive drums 61 corresponding to the cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are in contact with the belt 41.

[0039] The toner images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 61 are transferred onto the belt 41 by the primary transfer roller 42 and are conveyed toward a secondary transfer portion formed by the belt 41 and the secondary transfer roller 45 .

[0040] In the sheet feeding unit 30, one sheet S is separated and fed by the first supply roller 32 at a predetermined timing from the sheets S stacked in the cassette 31. The sheet S fed from the sheet feeding unit 30 is transported through the first transport path 10 toward the secondary transfer unit and the fixing device 80. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, one sheet S may be separated and fed by the second supply roller 33 at a predetermined timing from the sheets S stacked on the openable tray 21 when the openable tray 21 is open. At this time, the sheet S is transported through the second transport path 11 toward the secondary transfer unit and the fixing device 80.

[0041] In the secondary transfer portion, the toner image is transferred from the belt 41 to the sheet S. Note that the toner that has not been transferred to the sheet S is removed from the belt 41 by a cleaning blade (cleaning member) 43A provided in the cleaning portion 43.

[0042] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred in the secondary transfer section is transported toward the fixing device 80. In the fixing device 80, the sheet S is heated and pressed in a fixing section 81, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet S.

[0043] A flapper 84, which is a conveying path switching means, is provided downstream in the conveying direction of the fixing unit 81. The flapper 84 can be switched by an actuator (not shown) between a first guide position indicated by a solid line in the drawing and a second guide position indicated by a dashed line.

[0044] When printing is performed on only one side of the sheet S, the flapper 84 is held at the first guide position and guides the sheet S to the third conveying path 12. A pair of discharge rollers 6 is provided downstream in the conveying direction of the third conveying path 12, and the sheet S is discharged and stacked onto the stacking tray 7 through a discharge opening 88 by the pair of discharge rollers 6.

[0045] On the other hand, when printing on both sides of the sheet S, the flapper 84 is held at the second guide position and guides the sheet S, with the image fixed on one side, to the fourth conveying path 13, which is a reversing conveying path. The sheet S that passes through the fourth conveying path 13 is first conveyed to the pair of reversing rollers 8. When the trailing edge of the sheet S is conveyed to the vicinity of the nip of the pair of reversing rollers 8, the flapper 84 is switched from the second guide position to the first guide position, and the rotation direction of the pair of reversing rollers 8 is reversed. As a result, the sheet S is conveyed to the fifth conveying path 14, which is a double-sided conveying path. The sheet S then passes through the pair of registration rollers 4 again and is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit. After a toner image is transferred to the second side of the sheet S in the secondary transfer unit, the sheet S is heated and pressurized in the fixing unit 81, where the toner image is fixed to the sheet S. Then, with the flapper 84 held at the first guide position, the sheet S passes through the third conveying path 12 and is ejected and stacked on the stacking tray 7.

[0046] [How to remove jammed sheets] A method for handling a jammed sheet will now be described. The opening / closing body 20b rotates about the swing support shaft 22, moving to the open position shown in FIG. 2B and opening. At this time, the secondary transfer roller 45, the air flow generator 90, and other components attached to the opening / closing body 20b move integrally with the opening / closing body main body 27 of the opening / closing body 20b to the open position. In other words, moving the opening / closing body 20b to the open position opens the area around the registration roller pair 4, the conveyance path around the secondary transfer unit, and the fifth conveyance path 14. Therefore, if a sheet S jams in the conveyance path around the secondary transfer unit or the fifth conveyance path 14, the jammed sheet can be collected and handled by opening the opening / closing body 20b.

[0047] [How to replace the cartridge] A method for replacing the cartridge P will now be described. In this embodiment, the fixing device 80 is configured to be movable upward (in the +z direction) from the position shown in FIG. 2(b) by an elevator (not shown). By moving the fixing device 80 upward, a space is opened in which the cartridge unit 50 moves from the inside to the outside of the apparatus main body 20a. In other words, with the fixing device 80 moved upward, the user can grasp the tray handle 52 of the cartridge unit 50 and pull it out from the apparatus main body 20a in the front direction (in the +x direction).

[0048] The cartridge unit 50 is configured to be movable to a position where the cartridge PK, which is located furthest to the rear of the cartridges P, can be replaced. With the cartridge unit 50 pulled out, the user can replace the old cartridge that has run out of toner with a new cartridge. After that, by returning the cartridge unit 50 to its initial position, returning the fixing device 80 to its initial position, and closing the opening / closing body 20b, the printer 1 can resume recording (printing).

[0049] [Airflow generator and airflow] The structure of the airflow generator 90 and the airflow generated by the airflow generator 90 will now be described. The airflow generator 90 according to this embodiment is a crossflow exhaust fan that is arranged so that its longitudinal direction (direction of rotation axis) is parallel to the width direction (y direction, direction of rotation axis of the conveying rollers). Figure 3 is a perspective view of the airflow generator 90 according to the first embodiment.

[0050] The airflow generating body 90 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the width direction (y direction). The airflow generating body 90 comprises an air blowing section 91 provided with a plurality of blades 93 for blowing air; The airflow generating unit 90 has a rotating shaft 92 protruding in the width direction from both ends of the rotating shaft 92 in the width direction, and generates an airflow in the direction of the rotation by rotating. The vanes 93 extend along the direction of the rotation axis of the airflow generating unit 90, and a plurality of vanes 93 are provided along the rotation direction. The vanes 93 move as the rotating shaft 92 rotates, sending air.

[0051] The airflow generator 90 is formed long in the rotational axis direction, with the length in the rotational axis direction being greater than its diameter (length in the radial direction). The blades 93 extend from one end of the airflow generator 90 in the rotational axis direction to the other end. Specifically, the length in the rotational axis direction of the air blower 91 (blade 93) is configured so that it is equal to or greater than the width of the largest sheet having the greatest width (length in the y direction) among the recording media transported in the transport path within the printer 1. With this configuration, air can be blown into the sheet transport path across the entire width of the sheet.

[0052] This type of crossflow exhaust fan has the advantage of being able to send air evenly and efficiently to a wide object to be cooled, preventing uneven cooling from side to side in the width direction. Furthermore, by lengthening the blades 93 in the width direction, the total area of ​​the blades 93 can be increased, ensuring a large air volume even at low rotation speeds. In other words, there is no need to rotate the airflow generator 90 quickly, making it possible to reduce operating noise.

[0053] The length of the airflow generator 90 in the rotational axis direction does not necessarily have to be greater than the width of the largest sheet. However, from the viewpoint of suppressing uneven cooling, it is preferable that at least both ends of the airflow generator 90 (air blower 91) in the rotational axis direction are positioned outside the smallest sheet, which is the recording medium with the smallest width that is transported in the transport path inside the printer 1.

[0054] A drive gear 94 is provided at one end of the rotation shaft 92 in the width direction. The device main body 20a is also provided with a motor 100 (shown in FIG. 8) as a drive source configured to drive the airflow generator 90. The drive gear 94 is a gear that receives the driving force of the motor 100 provided in the device main body 20a and rotates the airflow generator 90. The airflow generator 90 has the rotation shafts 92 at both ends rotatably supported by the opening / closing body main body 27 of the opening / closing body 20b. For example, a configuration can be adopted in which a bearing member is provided in the opening / closing body 20b and the rotation shaft 92 is rotatably held by the bearing member.

[0055] 4(a) and 4(b) are explanatory diagrams of the airflow generator 90 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view showing the airflow generator 90 and a cover member 95. FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the airflow generator 90 and the housing 210 that houses the airflow generator 90, taken along a cross section perpendicular to the width direction. The airflow generator 90 is covered by a cover (housing) 110 that is made up of a door member 23 and a cover member 95. The door member 23 and the cover member 95 are attached to the opening / closing body main body 27 of the opening / closing body 20b, and the airflow generator 90 moves together with the opening / closing body 20b in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening / closing body 20b. The positional relationships of the various components will be described below, with the opening / closing body 20b in the closed position as a reference.

[0056] The airflow generating body 90 rotates in the clockwise direction in Figure 4(b) by receiving the driving force of the motor 100. The cross-sectional shape of the blade 93 is such that the central part in the radial direction is gently convex towards the upstream side in the direction of rotation.

[0057] The opening / closing body 20b has a housing section 110 in which the airflow generator 90 is housed, and a cover section that covers a part of the airflow generator 90 housed in the housing section 110. The housing section 110 is a space formed by the door member 23 and the cover member 95. The cover section is made up of the door member 23 and the cover member 95. The cover member 95 is provided with an upper cover section 95a at a position above the blower section 91 facing the blower section 91, which covers the upper part of the blower section 91 together with the door member 23. The cover member 95 has a plurality of upper cover sections 95a arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction. The container 110 and the airflow generating body 90 move integrally with the opening / closing body 20b.

[0058] The door member 23 is a member that constitutes part of the opening / closing body 20b, and in this embodiment has a conveying guide 24 that forms the fifth conveying path (double-sided conveying path) 14. Furthermore, the door member 23 serves as part of the accommodating section 110 that covers the airflow generator 90. The cover member 95 is attached to the door member 23 and serves as part of the accommodating section 110 that covers the airflow generator 90.

[0059] The opening / closing body 20b has a first air intake port 97 and a second air intake port 98 which serve as paths for air drawn into the airflow generating body 90, and an exhaust port 96 which serves as a path for air blown from the airflow generating body 90. The first air intake port 97 and the exhaust port 96 each communicate with the accommodation section 110. The second air intake port 98 communicates with the outside of the main body housing 20. In other words, as shown in FIG. 4(b), an air passage formed by the first air intake port 97 and the second air intake port 98 is formed in the opening / closing body 20b by the door member 23 and the cover member 95.

[0060] When the airflow generator 90 is rotationally driven with the opening / closing body 20b closed relative to the device main body 20a, air is taken into the storage section 110 from the outside of the main body housing 20 through the second air intake port 98 and the first air intake port 97. The air taken into the storage section 110 is then exhausted toward the inside of the device main body 20a through the exhaust port 96. As the airflow generator 90 rotates, it generates airflows in the directions from the second air intake port 98 to the first air intake port 97 and from the first air intake port 97 to the exhaust port 96.

[0061] The first air intake port 97 is provided directly above the air flow generator 90 and opens upward. The first air intake port 97 is an air intake port formed between two upper cover portions 95a adjacent to each other in the width direction. FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of a cross section passing through the first air intake port 97. The second air intake port 98 is provided above the first air intake port 97 and opens toward the front. The second air intake port 98 is formed by the door member 23 and the cover member 95.

[0062] The exhaust port 96 is an air outlet that opens downward and toward the rear, and communicates with the transport path of the apparatus main body 20a. The exhaust port 96 is formed by cutting out a portion of the door member 23, and is located below the first air intake port 97. In this manner, the accommodation section 110 is provided to cover the airflow generator 90. Both ends of the airflow generator 90 in the direction of the rotation axis and a portion of its circumferential direction are covered by the door member 23 and the cover member 95. Portions of the door member 23 and the cover member 95 are cut out to form openings that serve as the first air intake port 97 and the exhaust port 96, which communicate with the accommodation section 110.

[0063] 5(a) and 5(b) are perspective views of the printer 1 as seen from the front side. Fig. 5(a) shows the openable tray 21 in an open state, and Fig. 5(b) shows the openable tray 21 in a closed state.

[0064] 5(a), when the openable tray 21 is open, the cover member 95 and the second air intake port 98 of the storage section 110 are exposed. Therefore, the airflow generating body 90 can take in outside air through the second air intake port 98.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 5(b), when the openable / closable tray 21 is closed, the openable / closable tray 21 covers the second air intake port 98. Furthermore, when the openable / closable tray 21 is closed, a gap is formed between the openable / closable tray 21 and the opening / closing body 20b. This gap functions as a third air intake port 99 that communicates with the second air intake port 98. In this embodiment, the third air intake ports 99 are formed on the upper side and on both sides in the width direction of the openable / closable tray 21. Outside air is drawn into the airflow generator 90 by passing through the third air intake port 99, the second air intake port 98, and the first air intake port 97 in that order.

[0066] 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the door member 23, a component of the opening / closing body 20b, as viewed from the fifth transport path 14 side (inside the device body 20a). The door member 23 has a plurality of transport guides 24 arranged side by side in the width direction (y direction). Furthermore, exhaust ports 96 are provided between the transport guides 24. In this embodiment, a plurality of exhaust ports 96 are provided along the width direction.

[0067] Although not shown in Fig. 6, the air blower 91 of the air flow generator 90 is provided on the front side of the exhaust port 96 (the back side of the paper in Fig. 6). The conveying guide 24 is arranged and configured so that the sheet S being conveyed through the fifth conveying path 14 does not get caught in the air blower 91 and cause a jam.

[0068] 7(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the flow of air blown from the exhaust port 96. The air blown from the exhaust port 96 passes through the transport path inside the main body housing 20 and is exhausted to the outside of the printer 1 (outside the main body housing 20).

[0069] Figure 7(a) is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the width direction showing the air flow generator 90, the fixing unit 81, the discharge and reversal unit 5, and their surroundings. In Figure 7(a), thick arrows indicate the flow of intake air to the air flow generator 90 and the flow of exhaust air from the air flow generator 90 to the outside of the machine.

[0070] 7(b) is a view of the flapper 84 and the branching conveying guide 86 as seen from the front side (the right side of FIG. 7(a)). The paper-passing ribs of the flapper 84 and the branching conveying guide 86 are formed in a comb-like shape. The paper-passing ribs of the flapper 84 and the branching conveying guide 86 are arranged so that they partially overlap each other when viewed in the width direction and are staggered in the width direction. In addition, there are gaps between each paper-passing rib that are large enough to allow air to pass through.

[0071] An exhaust port 96 formed in the opening / closing body 20b communicates with the fifth conveying path 14. The fifth conveying path 14 is a portion of the conveying path for the sheet S formed in the main body housing 20 that is downstream of the fixing device 80 in the conveying direction, and is a double-sided conveying path through which a recording medium that has passed through the fixing device 80 and has an image fixed on one side passes.

[0072] The air sent out from the exhaust port 96 by the air flow generator 90 passes through the fifth conveyance path 14 and the fourth conveyance path 13, and is then exhausted from the reverse exhaust port 85 provided beyond the reverse roller pair 8. The air sent out from the exhaust port 96 by the air flow generator 90 passes through the gap between the branch conveyance guide 86 and the flapper 84, passes through the third conveyance path 12, and is then exhausted from the discharge port 88 provided with the discharge roller pair 6. The discharge roller pair 6, the discharge port 88, the reverse roller pair 8, and the reverse exhaust port 85 are all located above the air flow generator 90 when the opening / closing body 20b is in the closed position.

[0073] The flapper 84 and the branching conveying guide 86 are configured to have gaps between their respective paper-passing ribs through which air can pass, so that the air sent from the air flow generator 90 can be divided and flow into the fourth conveying path 13 and the third conveying path 12, regardless of the position of the flapper 84. That is, in the first embodiment, the air is sent by the air flow generator 90 to the third conveying path 12, the fourth conveying path 13, and the fifth conveying path 14, which are the conveying paths downstream of the fixing unit 81 in the conveying direction.

[0074] The airflow generator 90 is attached to the opening / closing body 20b provided at the end on the front side of the printer 1, and is therefore located near the outside of the device main body 20a when the opening / closing body 20b is in the closed position. Furthermore, the fixing unit 81, the third transport path 12, the fourth transport path 13, and the fifth transport path 14 are also located at the end on the front side of the device main body 20a. Therefore, the distance from outside the device to the airflow generator 90 and the distance from the airflow generator 90 to each transport path can be shortened, which prevents the air from being heated inside the device and allows fresh air drawn in from outside the device to flow into each transport path. Furthermore, fresh air can be drawn in from outside the printer and circulated through the conveyance path exposed to water vapor generated from the sheet S heated in the fixing unit 81, and the printer 1 can be prevented from becoming larger in size.

[0075] It is also possible to provide an exhaust path (indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 7(a)) through which a hole serving as an air vent is opened in the sheet passing surface of the reversing section conveying guide 87, and through which the air is exhausted from the reversing exhaust port 85. It is also possible to provide a configuration in which a hole serving as an exhaust port is opened in the door member 23 and the top cover 25 at a location above the reversing section conveying guide 87, and the air is exhausted from the hole.

[0076] [Air flow generator driving method] The method of driving the airflow generator 90 will now be described. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the drive transmission mechanism of the airflow generator 90, showing the drive transmission mechanism as viewed in the width direction. The drive transmission mechanism is disposed at the end on the side where the drive gear 94 is provided in the width direction.

[0077] As described above, a drive gear 94 is provided on one rotation shaft 92 of the airflow generating body 90 (see FIG. 3). Also, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the door member 23 of the opening / closing body 20b is provided with a plurality of gears that constitute a drive transmission mechanism. Specifically, the door member 23 is provided with a first idler gear 101, a second idler gear 102, a connecting shaft 103, a swing fulcrum gear 104, a swing gear 105, and a swing holder 106.

[0078] The first idler gear 101 meshes with the drive gear 94 of the airflow generator 90 and the second idler gear 102. The second idler gear is attached to one axial end of a connecting shaft 103. The connecting shaft 103 is an axis extending in the width direction (y direction), and has a swing fulcrum gear 104 attached to the other end. In other words, the second idler gear 102, connecting shaft 103, and swing fulcrum gear 104 rotate integrally. The swing fulcrum gear 104 is configured to be able to mesh with a swing gear 105 supported by a swing holder 106.

[0079] The swing holder 106 and the swing gear 105 are supported so as to be swingable about the rotation axis of the swing fulcrum gear 104 (connecting shaft 103). That is, the swing axis direction of the swing gear 105 is parallel to the rotation axis direction. The swing holder 106 is also biased in the clockwise direction in FIG. 8 by a biasing member (elastic member) (not shown).

[0080] The device main body 20a is fitted with an interface gear 107 and a plurality of idler gears 108 that constitute a drive transmission mechanism, and a motor 100 that is configured to drive the airflow generator 90. The interface gear 107 is connected to the motor 100 via the plurality of idler gears 108, and the driving force of the motor 100 is transmitted to the interface gear 107.

[0081] When the opening / closing body 20b is in the closed position, an interface gear 107 (first connecting gear) provided on the device main body 20a meshes with a swing gear 105 (second connecting gear) provided on the opening / closing body 20b. When the swing gear 105 meshes with the interface gear 107, the drive transmission mechanism enters a drive transmission state in which the driving force of the motor 100 can be transmitted to the airflow generating body 90. The motor 100 rotates the airflow generating body 90 via this drive transmission mechanism.

[0082] When the opening / closing body 20b is in the open position, the interface gear 107 and the oscillating gear 105 are spaced apart from each other. The connection between the interface gear 107 and the oscillating gear 105 is released, and the drive transmission mechanism is in a non-drive transmission state in which the driving force of the motor 100 is not transmitted to the air flow generating body 90.

[0083] The various gears constituting the drive transmission mechanism, such as the swing gear 105 provided in the opening / closing body 20b, are arranged at the first end 20c (root end) of the opening / closing body 20b in a direction perpendicular to the swing axis of the opening / closing body 20b. ) is located closer to the second end 20d (tip) than the first end 20c of the opening / closing body 20b. Furthermore, when the opening / closing body 20b is in the closed position, the interface gear 107, the plurality of idler gears 108, and the motor 100 provided on the device main body 20a are located closer to the second end 20d than the first end 20c of the opening / closing body 20b. In this way, by arranging the motor 100 and the drive transmission mechanism on the second end 20d side, which is closer to the airflow generating body 90, the drive transmission mechanism can be made shorter.

[0084] In this way, the drive transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the motor 100 to the air flow generator 90 switches between a drive transmission state and a non-drive transmission state in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening-closing body 20b. That is, in conjunction with the opening operation of the opening-closing body 20b relative to the device body 20a, the oscillating gear 105 moves away from the interface gear 107, and the distance between the air flow generator 90 and the motor 100 increases. Conversely, in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening-closing body 20b relative to the device body 20a, the oscillating gear 105 moves closer to the interface gear 107, and the distance between the air flow generator 90 and the motor 100 decreases.

[0085] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the oscillating gear 105 is oscillatably supported by the opening / closing body 20b. Therefore, even if the relative positions of the device main body 20a and the opening / closing body 20b deviate slightly from the designed positions due to component tolerances or the like, the inter-axial distance between the oscillating gear 105 and the interface gear 107 is guaranteed, and drive can be transmitted reliably. Note that instead of the oscillating gear 105 provided on the opening / closing body 20b, the interface gear 107 provided on the device main body 20a may be configured to be oscillating.

[0086] The motor 100 is connected to a drive train (not shown) separate from the drive train that drives the air flow generator 90, and is also used as a drive source that rotates the pressure unit (pressure roller) 83 of the fixing device 80. Therefore, when the pressure unit 83 is rotated during printing or before and after printing, the air flow generator 90 rotates in conjunction with the rotation, and fresh air is sent to the conveyance path downstream of the fixing unit 81.

[0087] As described above, the configuration of the first embodiment makes it possible to send fresh air from outside the printer to the transport path inside the printer while preventing the printer 1 from becoming larger. Furthermore, because a rotating air blower that is long in the width direction is used as the airflow generator 90, fresh air can be sent evenly in the width direction. Furthermore, because the motor 100 that drives the airflow generator 90 is attached to the device main body 20a and is also used as the drive source for other drive units, the number of drive sources can be reduced, preventing the printer 1 from becoming larger and its costs from increasing.

[0088] [Variations] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above as examples, the shapes of the components described in the embodiments, their relative positions, etc., may be modified as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, modifications of the first embodiment will be described below.

[0089] In the first embodiment, the device main body 20a is provided with the discharge roller pair 6 and the reversing roller pair 8, but the device may be configured not to include the reversing roller pair 8. In such a configuration, the sheet S can be conveyed to the fifth conveying path 14 (double-sided conveying path) by rotating the discharge roller pair 6 forward and backward.

[0090] Furthermore, a part of the airflow from the airflow generator 90 may be used to cool objects (for example, electrical components) other than the conveyance path of the sheet S. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the motor 100 is used as a drive source for driving the fixing device 80 (pressure unit 83), but the airflow generator 90 may be driven by a drive means for driving a drive unit other than the fixing device 80. The drive unit other than the fixing device 80 may include, for example, a conveyance roller that comes into contact with the sheet S. Which rollers (rotating bodies) are included?

[0091] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the airflow generator. Only the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below. Components in the second embodiment that are similar to those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0092] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an airflow generator 190 according to the second embodiment. Figs. 10(a) and (b) are explanatory views of the airflow generator 190 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 10(a) is a perspective view showing the airflow generator 190 and the cover member 95. Fig. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of the airflow generator 190 and the housing section 110 that houses the airflow generator 190, taken along a cross section perpendicular to the width direction.

[0093] 10(a), the airflow generator 190 has a rotation shaft 192, which serves as the center of rotation of the airflow generator 190, provided across the entire longitudinal direction (width direction). The airflow generator 190 has an air blowing section 191 which is composed of four blades 193 which extend radially from the rotation shaft 192. Five air blowing sections 191 are provided along the direction of the rotation shaft.

[0094] A drive gear 94 similar to that in the first embodiment is provided on one end of the rotation shaft 192. That is, the airflow generating unit 190 is connected to a motor 100 provided in the device main body 20a via the drive gear 94 and a drive transmission mechanism, similar to the first embodiment, and is rotated by the driving force of the motor 100.

[0095] The accommodation section 110 that accommodates the airflow generator 190 therein is composed of a door member 23 and a cover member 95. The cover member 95 according to the second embodiment is provided with an upper cover section 95a that covers the upper part of the air blower 191 together with the door member 23, at a position facing the air blower 191 above the air blower 191. A first air intake port 97 is formed between the upper cover sections 95a in the width direction. Note that FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line passing through the first air intake port 97.

[0096] The blades 193 have the shape of a turbofan blade. Specifically, the blades 193 are twisted spirally so that the widthwise ends of the blades 193 (portions close to the first air intake port 97) are located downstream in the direction of rotation compared to the center portion. By giving the blades 193 a blade shape similar to that of a propeller fan, it is possible to accelerate the air taken in widthwise from the first air intake port 97, enabling air to be blown at a higher pressure. Furthermore, the shape of the airflow generator 190 in this embodiment, excluding the drive gear 94, can be produced as a single component by mold injection molding.

[0097] The shape and number of blades 193 and the widthwise length and number of blower sections 191 are not limited to those shown in this embodiment and may be changed as appropriate. Also, airflow generator 190 does not necessarily have to be formed as a single component, and may be formed by connecting several blower sections 191 together.

[0098] As described above, according to the configuration of the second embodiment, the airflow generator 190 has a shape that can be manufactured by mold injection molding, so that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained while reducing the cost of the airflow generator.

[0099] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the power source is provided exclusively for the airflow generator. Hereinafter, only the differences between the configuration of the third embodiment and the configuration of the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components as those of the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted.

[0100] In the first embodiment, the motor 100 that drives the air flow generator 90 was also used as a drive means for drive sections other than the air flow generator 90 (for example, a pressure roller, a pair of discharge rollers, a pair of reversing rollers, etc.). On the other hand, in this embodiment, the motor 100 is provided as a dedicated drive means that drives only the air flow generator 90. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the printer 1 is provided with a drive control means (not shown) for controlling the drive of the motor 100. The configuration of the air flow generator 90 and the drive transmission mechanism that connects the air flow generator 90 and the motor 100 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0101] By assigning a dedicated motor 100 to the airflow generator 90, it is possible to provide flexibility in the drive control of the airflow generator 90. For example, if it is detected based on the detection results (temperature and humidity information) of the environmental sensor 9 that the environment in which the printer 1 is installed is a low-humidity environment in which water vapor is unlikely to be generated during the fixing operation by the fixing unit 81, the rotation speed of the airflow generator 90 can be set low. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption and the operating noise generated when the airflow generator 90 is rotated. Conversely, if it is detected that the printer is placed in a high-humidity environment in which water vapor is likely to be generated during the fixing operation by the fixing unit 81, the rotation speed of the airflow generator 90 can be set high and the air volume can be increased, thereby more effectively preventing water droplets from adhering to the sheet transport path.

[0102] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, by driving only the airflow generator 90 before and after printing and blowing air toward the sheet transport path, it is also possible to blow away water droplets remaining in the transport path of the sheet S. In this case, since the pressure unit 83 is not driven, there is no need to heat the heating unit 82, which makes it possible to reduce power consumption and extend the life of the fixing device 80.

[0103] [Variations] In addition, when the motor 100 is provided as a dedicated drive source for the airflow generator 90, as in the third embodiment, the motor 100 may be provided in the opening / closing body 20b rather than the device main body 20a. In such a configuration, for example, the motor 100 may be disposed at the position of the first idler gear 101 (see FIG. 6 ), and a drive transmission mechanism connecting the drive gear 94 and the motor 100 may be attached to the opening / closing body 20b. Power for driving the motor 100 can be supplied from the device main body 20a to the opening / closing body 20b by, for example, connecting a bundled wire extending from the motor 100 to an electrical unit (not shown) inside the device main body 20A via a path near the swing support shaft 22. This configuration simplifies the configuration of the drive transmission mechanism connecting the motor 100 and the airflow generator 90. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of eliminating wiring members, a configuration in which the motor 100 is provided in the device main body 20a and the drive force is transmitted from the device main body 20a to the opening / closing body 20b, as in the above-described embodiments, is preferable.

[0104] The configurations shown in the above-described embodiments can be combined as needed.

[0105] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, an airflow generator; a motor configured to drive the airflow generator; a device body that supports the motor; a device that can be opened and closed relative to the device body; a main body housing having an opening / closing body that supports the living body; Equipped with the opening / closing body has a housing section in which the airflow generator is housed, a cover section that covers a part of the airflow generator housed in the housing section, an air intake port that communicates with the housing section, and an air exhaust port that communicates with the housing section, When the opening / closing body is closed relative to the device main body and the airflow generating body is driven by the motor, air is taken into the storage section from the outside of the main body housing through the air intake port, and the air is exhausted from the air exhaust port toward the inside of the main body housing. An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Configuration 2) a drive transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force of the motor to the airflow generating body, the drive transmission mechanism being in a drive transmission state in which the driving force is transmitted when the opening / closing body is closed relative to the device body, and being in a non-drive transmission state in which the driving force is not transmitted when the opening / closing body is opened relative to the device body; Further comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, (Configuration 3) the drive transmission mechanism includes a first connecting gear provided in the device body and a second connecting gear provided in the opening / closing body, When the drive transmission mechanism is in the drive transmission state, the first connecting gear and the second connecting gear mesh with each other, and when the drive transmission mechanism is in the drive non-transmission state, the first connecting gear and the second connecting gear are separated from each other. 3. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2. (Configuration 4) One of the first connecting gear and the second connecting gear is supported so as to be swingable around a swing axis line parallel to the rotation axis direction thereof. 4. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 3. (Configuration 5) The distance between the airflow generating body and the motor increases in association with the opening operation of the opening / closing body relative to the device body. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4. (Configuration 6) The opening / closing body has an opening / closing body main body, an opening / closing tray that can be opened and closed relative to the opening / closing body main body and that can hold a plurality of recording media when the opening / closing body main body is open, and a paper feed port through which the recording media loaded on the opening / closing tray enter the inside of the device main body. 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 7) When the air intake port is a first air intake port, the opening / closing body has the first air intake port and a second air intake port communicating with the first air intake port, the opening / closing tray covers the second air intake port when closed relative to the opening / closing body main body; 7. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 6, (Configuration 8) When the opening / closing body is closed relative to the device body, the second air intake port is located above the first air intake port, and the exhaust port is located below the first air intake port. 8. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 7. (Configuration 9) When the opening / closing tray is closed relative to the opening / closing body main body, the opening / closing tray covers the second air intake port, and a space connected to the second air intake port is provided between the opening / closing tray and the opening / closing body main body. A third intake port is formed through which air passes. 9. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8, (Configuration 10) a transport path through which a recording medium is transported is formed inside the device body, and the exhaust port is in communication with the transport path; 10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein: (Configuration 11) a heating unit for heating the recording medium; the exhaust port communicates with a portion of the transport path downstream of the heating unit in the transport direction of the recording medium; 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, (Configuration 12) When the opening / closing body is closed relative to the device body, the airflow generating body is located above the heating unit. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, (Configuration 13) the apparatus body has an outlet for discharging the recording medium on which an image has been formed to the outside, the outlet being located above the air flow generator when the opening / closing body is closed; 13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 10 to 12. (Configuration 14) The opening / closing body is provided with a conveyance guide that guides the sheet passing through the conveyance path. 14. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 10 to 13. (Configuration 15) a conveying roller provided in the device body, which rotates around a rotation axis to convey the recording medium; The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 10 to 14, characterized in that both ends of the air flow generator in the rotation axis direction along the rotation axis are positioned outside a smallest sheet, which is the recording medium having the smallest width among the recording media transported in the transport path, in the rotation axis direction. (Configuration 16) a conveying roller provided in the device body, which rotates around a rotation axis to convey the recording medium; a length of the air flow generator in the direction of the rotation axis along the rotation axis is equal to or greater than the width of a largest sheet among the recording media transported in the transport path; 16. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 10 to 15. (Configuration 17) a conveying roller provided in the device body, which rotates around a rotation axis to convey the recording medium; The airflow generating body includes a rotating shaft extending along the rotation axis and driven to rotate by the motor, and a plurality of blades provided along the rotation direction of the rotating shaft, the plurality of blades extending in the rotation axis direction of the rotating shaft. 17. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 16. (Configuration 18) The length of the airflow generating body in the direction of the rotation axis is greater than the diameter of the airflow generating body. 18. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 17. (Configuration 19) the opening / closing body is configured to be swingable around a swing support shaft relative to the device body, the opening / closing body has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in a direction perpendicular to the swing axis of the opening / closing body, the swing support shaft is closer to the first end than to the second end, and the airflow generating body is closer to the second end than to the first end; 19. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 18. (Configuration 20) Further, a drive unit driven by the motor is provided, the driving unit is a roller that contacts the recording medium; 20. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 19, wherein: [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1... printer (image forming apparatus), 20... main body housing, 20a... apparatus main body, 20b... opening / closing body, 90... air flow generating body, 95a... cover portion, 96... exhaust port, 97... first intake port (intake port), 110... storage portion

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, an airflow generator; a motor configured to drive the airflow generator; a main body housing including a device main body supporting the motor and an opening / closing body that is openable and closable relative to the device main body and supports the airflow generator; Equipped with the opening / closing body has a housing section in which the airflow generator is housed, a cover section that covers a part of the airflow generator housed in the housing section, an air intake port that communicates with the housing section, and an air exhaust port that communicates with the housing section, When the opening / closing body is closed relative to the device main body and the airflow generating body is driven by the motor, air is taken into the storage section from the outside of the main body housing through the air intake port, and the air is exhausted from the air exhaust port toward the inside of the main body housing. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. a drive transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force of the motor to the airflow generating body, the drive transmission mechanism being in a drive transmission state in which the driving force is transmitted when the opening / closing body is closed relative to the device body, and being in a non-drive transmission state in which the driving force is not transmitted when the opening / closing body is opened relative to the device body; Further comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. the drive transmission mechanism includes a first connecting gear provided in the device body and a second connecting gear provided in the opening / closing body, When the drive transmission mechanism is in the drive transmission state, the first connecting gear and the second connecting gear mesh with each other, and when the drive transmission mechanism is in the drive non-transmission state, the first connecting gear and the second connecting gear are spaced apart from each other.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. One of the first connecting gear and the second connecting gear is supported so as to be swingable about a swing axis line parallel to the rotation axis direction thereof.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. The distance between the airflow generating body and the motor increases in association with the opening operation of the opening / closing body relative to the device body.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

6. The opening / closing body has an opening / closing body main body, an opening / closing tray that can be opened and closed relative to the opening / closing body main body and that can hold a plurality of recording media when the opening / closing body main body is open, and a paper feed port through which the recording media loaded on the opening / closing tray enter the inside of the device main body.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

7. When the air intake port is a first air intake port, the opening / closing body has the first air intake port and a second air intake port communicating with the first air intake port, the opening / closing tray covers the second air intake port when closed relative to the opening / closing body main body; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. When the opening / closing body is closed relative to the device body, the second air intake port is located above the first air intake port, and the exhaust port is located below the first air intake port.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

9. When the opening / closing tray is closed relative to the opening / closing body main body, the opening / closing tray covers the second air intake port, and a third air intake port communicating with the second air intake port is formed between the opening / closing tray and the opening / closing body main body.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

10. a transport path through which a recording medium is transported is formed inside the device body, and the exhaust port is in communication with the transport path; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

11. a heating unit for heating the recording medium; the exhaust port communicates with a portion of the transport path downstream of the heating unit in the transport direction of the recording medium; 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

12. When the opening / closing body is closed relative to the device body, the airflow generating body is located above the heating unit.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.

13. the apparatus body has an outlet for discharging the recording medium on which an image has been formed to the outside, the outlet being located above the air flow generator when the opening / closing body is closed; 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

14. The opening / closing body is provided with a conveyance guide that guides the sheet passing through the conveyance path.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

15. a conveying roller provided in the device body, which rotates around a rotation axis to convey the recording medium; 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein both ends of the air flow generator in the rotational axis direction along the rotational axis are positioned outside a smallest sheet having a smallest width among the recording media transported in the transport path in the rotational axis direction.

16. a conveying roller provided in the device body, which rotates around a rotation axis to convey the recording medium; a length of the air flow generator in the direction of the rotation axis along the rotation axis is equal to or greater than the width of a largest sheet among the recording media transported in the transport path; 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

17. a conveying roller provided in the device body, which rotates around a rotation axis to convey the recording medium; The airflow generating body includes a rotating shaft extending along the rotation axis and driven to rotate by the motor, and a plurality of blades provided along the rotation direction of the rotating shaft, the plurality of blades extending in the rotation axis direction of the rotating shaft.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

18. The length of the airflow generating body in the direction of the rotation axis is greater than the diameter of the airflow generating body.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17.

19. the opening / closing body is configured to be swingable around a swing support shaft relative to the device body, the opening / closing body has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in a direction perpendicular to the swing axis of the opening / closing body, the swing support shaft is closer to the first end than to the second end, and the airflow generating body is closer to the second end than to the first end, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

20. Further, a drive unit driven by the motor is provided, the driving unit is a roller that contacts the recording medium; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

Images