Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve heat radiation performance with a simpler structure.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a body part having an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium, a reading part for reading a document, a loading part for loading the recording medium on which the image is formed, and a connection part for connecting the body part and the reading part and supporting the reading part. The coupling portion has a first opening in addition to the top surface, the bottom surface, the first wall, and the second wall. The first opening is provided in a bottom surface of the coupling portion and allows an internal space existing between the first wall and the second wall to communicate with the main body portion. The first wall has a first vent hole that allows an internal space and an external space of the coupling portion to communicate with each other. The second wall has a second vent hole that allows an internal space and an external space of the coupling portion to communicate with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] An image forming apparatus uses a fixing device, which is a heat source, to fix a toner image on a sheet. Patent Document 1 proposes forming an air passage near the fixing device and discharging heat from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside through this air passage. Patent Document 2 proposes providing an image forming apparatus equipped with an image reading device with a fan that forcibly discharging heat that accumulates in the gap between the main body of the image forming apparatus and the image reading device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-255868 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-065105 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes providing an exhaust section between the image forming unit and the reading unit formed above it or in the reading unit, and further providing a fan within the exhaust section. Installing a fan requires space for the fan. When space is limited, only a small fan with low wind power can be attached to the exhaust section, making it difficult to sufficiently dissipate heat from the image forming device. In particular, the exhaust section of Patent Document 2 has only a single exhaust port and poor heat dissipation performance. Therefore, in order to use the connecting section connecting the image forming unit and the reading unit as an exhaust section, it is necessary to improve heat dissipation efficiency without installing a fan or the like in the connecting section. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve heat dissipation performance with a simpler structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention is, for example, a main body having an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; a reading unit disposed above the main body unit and configured to read a document; a loading section disposed between the main body section and the reading section, for loading the recording medium on which the image is formed by the main body section; a connecting portion that connects the main body portion and the reading portion and supports the reading portion, The connecting portion is a top surface that supports the reading unit; a bottom surface supported by the main body; a first wall extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface; a second wall extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface; a first opening provided on the bottom surface, the first opening communicating an internal space between the first wall and the second wall with the main body portion; the first wall has a first ventilation port that connects an internal space of the connecting portion with an external space, The image forming apparatus may further include a second ventilation port in the second wall that connects the internal space of the connecting portion with the external space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve heat dissipation performance with a simpler structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view illustrating a method for removing the process cartridge. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a state in which the cartridge cover is open. [Figure 4] Front perspective view explaining how to remove the toner cartridge [Figure 5]Transparent perspective view of an image forming apparatus [Figure 6] Front view of the image forming apparatus [Figure 7] 1 is a rear view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 1 is a rear perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] Transparent perspective view of an image forming apparatus [Figure 10] 1 is a rear perspective view showing a first modified example; [Figure 11] 10 is a rear perspective view showing a second modified example. [Figure 12] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a rear perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 14] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a rear perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0009] Example 1 1. Structure of image forming device As shown in FIG. 1, image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic copying machine. In FIG. 1, the directions on the paper are defined as follows: The top of the paper is referred to as the top of image forming apparatus 100. The bottom of the paper is referred to as the bottom of image forming apparatus 100. The left side of the paper is referred to as the back side (rear side B) of image forming apparatus 100. The right side of the paper is referred to as the front side (front side F) of image forming apparatus 100. The front side of the paper is referred to as the left side (left side L) of image forming apparatus 100. The back side of the paper is referred to as the right side (right side R) of image forming apparatus 100. In FIG. 1 and subsequent drawings, the letters F, B, L, and R are written along with arrows. This indicates the front side, rear side, left side, and right side of image forming apparatus 100.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 comprises a main body 1, a feeder 2, a main transporter 3, an image forming unit 4, a fixing unit 5, a discharge unit 6, a stacker 7, a reading unit 8, and a sub-transporter 9. The main body 1 is equipped with a mechanism for forming an image on a recording medium S. The feeder 2 is located at the bottom of the main body 1 and feeds the recording medium S. The main transporter 3 is located at the front of the main body 1 and transports the recording medium S from the feeder 2 to the image forming unit 4. The image forming unit 4 is located in the center of the main body 1 and forms an image on the recording medium S with toner. The fixing unit 5 and the discharge unit 6 are located at the rear of the main body 1. The fixing unit 5 is a fixing mechanism that fixes the toner image to the recording medium S. The discharge unit 6 discharges the recording medium S from inside the main body 1 to the outside. Arrow 177 indicates the discharge direction of the recording medium S. The stacker 7 is located at the top of the main body 1 and holds the recording medium S. The reading unit 8 is located above the main body 1 and the stacker 7.

[0011] 2. Feeding section and transport section The feeding unit 2 includes a cassette 20 and a pickup roller 21. The cassette 20 is a storage container that stores a plurality of recording media S. The pickup roller 21 picks up one recording medium S from the plurality of recording media S stored in the cassette 20 and feeds it to the main transport unit 3.

[0012] The main transport unit 3 includes a transport guide 30 and a transport roller pair 31. The transport guide 30 is a guide that regulates the movement trajectory of the recording medium S. The transport roller pair 31 is a roller pair that transports the recording medium S to the image forming unit 4. Furthermore, the transport roller pair 31 aligns the toner image and the recording medium S.

[0013] 3. Image forming section The image forming unit 4 includes a laser scanner unit 40, a process cartridge 41, a toner cartridge 42, and a transfer roller 43. The laser scanner unit 40 is an exposure light source that irradiates a photosensitive drum 411 with laser light to form a latent image. The process cartridge 41 includes the photosensitive drum 411, a charging member 412, a developing unit 413, and a cleaning member 414. The process cartridge 41 and the toner cartridge 42 may be collectively referred to as a process unit. The photosensitive drum 411 is an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image and rotates while carrying a toner image. The charging member 412 is a charging wire or charging roller that charges the surface (image forming surface) of the photosensitive drum 411. The developing unit 413 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 411 using toner to generate a toner image. The cleaning member 414 is a cleaning means (e.g., a blade-shaped resin plate or a resin brush) that cleans off residue (e.g., toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 411.

[0014] The developing unit 413 includes a developing roller 4131, a developing blade 4132, a supply roller 4133, and an agitating member 4134. The agitating member 4134 agitates the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 42 to the developing unit 413. The supply roller 4133 supplies the toner contained inside the developing unit 413 to the developing roller 4131. The developing blade 4132 is a regulating member that regulates the thickness of the toner layer adhering to the surface of the developing roller 4131. The developing roller 4131 is a toner carrying means that rotates while carrying toner. The toner carried by the developing roller 4131 adheres to the photosensitive drum 411, thereby forming a toner image.

[0015] The toner cartridge 42 includes a toner storage unit 421 and a transport paddle 422. The toner storage unit 421 is a toner storage container that stores toner. The transport paddle 422 is a transport member that transports the toner stored in the toner storage unit 421 to the developing unit 413.

[0016] The transfer roller 43 is a transfer member that transfers the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 411 to the recording medium S. The transfer roller 43 may be replaced with a member of another form, such as a transfer brush or a transfer blade. The contact portion formed between the transfer roller 43 and the photosensitive drum 411 may be called a transfer nip.

[0017] 4. Fixing section The fixing unit 5 includes a heating roller 51, a pressure roller 52, and a heating member 53. The heating roller 51 is disposed opposite and in contact with the pressure roller 52. The heating member 53 is disposed on the inner periphery of the heating roller 51. The heating member 53 heats the heating roller 51. The heating member 53 is, for example, a halogen heater or a ceramic heater. The heating roller 51 may be a cylindrical endless film with an internal space. The pressure roller 52 is a rotating body that presses the recording medium S and the toner image against the heating roller 51. The recording medium S and the toner image pass through a nip formed by the contact between the heating roller 51 and the pressure roller 52. As a result, the toner image is heated and pressurized, and fixed to the recording medium S.

[0018] 5. Discharge section, loading section The discharge section 6 includes a transport guide 60 and a pair of discharge rollers 61. The stacking section 7 includes a discharge opening 70 and a stacking tray 71. The transport guide 60 is a guide member that exists from the fixing section 5 to the discharge opening 70 and guides the recording medium S. The pair of discharge rollers 61 is a rotating body that discharges the recording medium S that has been transported along the transport guide 60 to the stacking section 7. The discharge opening 70 is provided in part of the housing 10 and is an opening for discharging the recording medium S on which the toner image has been fixed to the outside of the main body 1. The stacking tray 71 is a stacking member (e.g., a support plate) on which the recording medium S on which the toner image has been fixed is stacked.

[0019] 6. Document reading section The reading unit 8 has a platen glass 81, a pressure plate 82, and an image sensor 83. The platen glass 81 is a light-transmitting flat plate on which an original document is placed. The pressure plate 82 presses the original document against the platen glass 81. The image sensor 83 reads the original document placed on the platen glass 81 and generates an image signal. The image forming unit 4 generates a toner image based on this image signal.

[0020] 7. Sub-transport unit The image forming apparatus 100 has a single-sided printing mode in which an image is formed on one side of the recording medium S, and a double-sided printing mode in which images are formed on both sides of the recording medium S. When the double-sided printing mode is selected by the user, the sub-conveyor 9 is used. When the recording medium S with an image formed on one side arrives at the discharge unit 6, the discharge roller pair 61 stops while holding the recording medium S. Next, the discharge roller pair 61 starts reverse rotation, sending the recording medium S into the sub-conveyor 9. The conveyance roller pair 91 and the conveyance roller pair 92 provided in the sub-conveyor 9 convey the recording medium S, so that the recording medium S is again conveyed to the image forming unit 4. As the recording medium S is conveyed through the sub-conveyor 9, the second side of the recording medium S faces the photosensitive drum 411. The image forming unit 4 forms a toner image on the second side, and the fixing unit 5 fixes the toner image on the second side. The discharge unit 6 discharges the recording medium S, after double-sided printing, to the stacking unit 7.

[0021] 8. Process Cartridges and Toner Cartridges The toner cartridge 42 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the process cartridge 41. When the toner contained in the toner containing section 421 becomes low, the used toner cartridge 42 is separated from the process cartridge 41. A new toner cartridge 42 is attached to the process cartridge 41.

[0022] Repeated image formation operations gradually deteriorate each part of the process cartridge 41, including the photosensitive drum 411. In the first embodiment, the process cartridge 41 is configured to be detachable from the main body 1. The deteriorated process cartridge 41 is replaced with a new process cartridge 41.

[0023] 9. Support structure for reading unit The connecting unit 13 is a structure that connects the image forming unit 4 and the reading unit 8 and supports a bottom surface 84 of the reading unit 8 with a top surface 133 of the connecting unit 13. The connecting unit 13 is disposed above the fixing unit 5 and has a top surface 133 that supports the reading unit 8. The bottom surface of the connecting unit 13 is supported by the main body 1. The internal space of the connecting unit 13 communicates with the internal space of the main body 1 via an opening 143. The connecting unit 13 has multiple side walls. One of the multiple side walls, located on the rear side B of the image forming apparatus 100, has a ventilation opening 141. One of the multiple side walls, located on the front side A of the image forming apparatus 100, has a ventilation opening 142. The ventilation opening 141 communicates with the internal space of the connecting unit 13 and a space (loading space) that holds the recording medium S and is located between the main body 1 and the reading unit 8.

[0024] As indicated by arrows 171 and 172, air heated by heat generated in the fixing unit 5 rises from the main body 1 toward the connecting unit 13 and is discharged through the ventilation opening 141. As indicated by arrows 173 and 172, air heated by the recording media S loaded in the stacking unit 7 enters the internal space of the connecting unit 13 through the ventilation opening 142 and is discharged to the external space of the connecting unit 13 via the ventilation opening 141.

[0025] By employing such a connecting portion 13, it becomes possible to efficiently discharge heat generated by the fixing unit 5 to the outside without installing a fan in the connecting portion 13. It becomes possible to not install a fan in the connecting portion 13, or to install a small fan in the connecting portion 13. This makes it possible to miniaturize the connecting portion 13. By miniaturizing the connecting portion 13, the height of the connecting portion 13 may be reduced. As a result, even if the ventilation holes 141, 142 are provided in the connecting portion 13, the connecting portion 13 can maintain sufficient rigidity.

[0026] When heated, the moisture contained in the recording medium S turns into water vapor. This water vapor tends to accumulate in the loading space between the main body 1 and the reading unit 8. This is because the rear, right, and left sides of the loading space are shielded by the connecting unit 13, and only the front side is connected to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100. According to the first embodiment, the air (hot air, water vapor) that tends to accumulate between the main body 1 and the reading unit 8 is efficiently discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 through the connecting unit 13. That is, water vapor released into the loading space from the recording medium S or the discharge unit 6 enters the connecting unit 13 through the ventilation opening 142 and is discharged to the outside of the connecting unit 13 through the ventilation opening 141. This suppresses the occurrence of condensation due to water vapor. This will also reduce electrical device failures, such as short circuits caused by water droplets due to condensation. This will also reduce mechanical problems, such as metal rust. This will also prevent deterioration in image quality caused by water droplets adhering to the recording medium S.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 of the main body 1 has a front surface 191F and a rear surface 191. The housing 10 further has a left side surface 191L ​​(FIG. 2) and a right side surface 191R (FIG. 8). At least one of the left side surface 191L ​​and the right side surface 191R may be provided with a ventilation opening 151. The ventilation opening 151 connects the inside and outside of the main body 1. As will be described later, a fan for drawing in or discharging air may be attached to the ventilation opening 151.

[0028] 10. Installing and Removing Cartridges As shown in FIG. 2, the reading unit 8 is rotatably supported on the main body 1 via a hinge 139. In this example, the reading unit 8 is integrated with the connecting unit 13, the upper cover 18, and the laser scanner unit 40 to form a lid unit 90. The hinge 139 allows the lid unit 90 to rotate relative to the main body 1 so that the lid unit 90 opens or covers the main body 1. As is clear from FIG. 1, the discharge unit 6 may also be integrated into the lid unit 90. In this manner, the connecting unit 13 may be fixed to the top of the upper cover 18. The laser scanner unit 40 is fixed below the upper cover 18. By moving the upper cover 18 from the closed state to the open state, the user can remove or install the process cartridge 41 from the main body 1. A finger hook 181 may be provided on the front side F of the main body 1. The user can easily lift the upper cover 18 by inserting their finger into the finger hook 181.

[0029] The finger hook 181 may be covered by a cartridge cover 11 provided on the front side F of the main body 1. The cartridge cover 11 is also movable between an open state and a closed state. Therefore, in order to open the upper cover 18, it may be necessary to first open the cartridge cover 11.

[0030] By removing the process cartridge 41 from the main body 1, the user can easily remove the recording medium S that has become jammed inside the main body 1. 2, the toner cartridge 42 is separable from the process cartridge 41. The toner cartridge 42 can be removed from the main body 1 on its own, or can be attached to the main body 1. In this way, the toner cartridge 42 and the process cartridge 41 are an example of a plurality of separable assemblies. Here, an assembly means an assembly of a plurality of parts.

[0031] 3, a detachable opening 111 may be provided on the front side F of the main body 1. When the cartridge cover 11 is opened, the user can see the toner cartridge 42 through the detachable opening 111 and can access the toner cartridge 42.

[0032] 4, the user can remove the toner cartridge 42 through the removal opening 111 even with the upper cover 18 closed. This improves the ease of removal and installation of the toner cartridge 42.

[0033] 11. Exhaust section As shown in FIG. 1, ventilation holes 151 may be provided on each of left side surface 191L ​​and right side surface 191R of housing 10. As shown in FIG. 5, an electric fan 175 is provided on right side surface 191R of housing 10. Electric fan 175 draws air into the internal space of main body 1 through ventilation hole 151 and exhausts the air to the outside of image forming apparatus 100 along the airflow indicated by arrow 174. An exhaust hole 152 is provided on rear surface 191B of main body 1, and exhausts the air transported by electric fan 175. As a result, heat is released to the outside of image forming apparatus 100 along with the air.

[0034] Here, electric fan 175 is an intake fan that draws in air from inside main body 1, but this is merely an example. Electric fan 175 may also be a fan that draws air from outside main body 1 into the inside of main body 1. This cools the inside of main body 1. Furthermore, the air drawn into the inside of main body 1 can push water vapor from the inside of main body 1 to the outside.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows that the horizontal cross section of the connecting portion 13 is U-shaped. The connecting portion 13 is a support structure having a first support 135 and a second support 136 that extend parallel to the ejection direction of the recording medium S. The connecting portion 13 further has a third support 137 that extends perpendicular to the ejection direction of the recording medium S. The third support 137 is a connecting portion in the narrow sense. The first support 135 and the second support 136 are connected via the third support 137. This may increase the rigidity of the connecting portion 13. The loading portion 7 is disposed between the first support 135 and the second support 136.

[0036] Because the horizontal cross section of the connecting portion 13 is U-shaped, the top, bottom, rear, left, and right sides of the stacking space are closed, and only the front is open. Therefore, water vapor emitted from the recording media S loaded in the stacking portion 7 tends to accumulate in the stacking space. According to the first embodiment, the airflow indicated by the arrows 173 and 172 efficiently releases water vapor from the stacking space to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, a release path for water vapor is secured behind the stacking space. As indicated by the arrow 171, water vapor generated in the fixing portion 5 also merges with water vapor from the stacking space and is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0037] 12. Details of the heat dissipation mechanism The heat generated by the heating member 53 of the fixing unit 5 is transmitted to the recording medium S and the toner image, and is also transmitted as unnecessary heat to the fixing unit 5 itself and the internal space of the main body 1. Much of the heat generated in the fixing unit 5 heats the air, and the heated air rises above the fixing unit 5. Above the fixing unit 5 is a connecting unit 13 that is integrated with the upper cover 18. The upper cover 18 supports the bottom surface 134 of the connecting unit 13. The bottom surface 134 of the connecting unit 13 has an opening 143. The connecting unit 13 communicates with the interior of the main body 1 through the opening 143.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a front view of image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 7 is a rear view of image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 9 is a perspective view with a portion of image forming apparatus 100 see-through. As shown in FIG. 6, ventilation opening 142 may have louver 149. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, ventilation opening 141 may also have louver 148. Louvers 148 and 149 each have multiple blades and can control the direction of air flow. Furthermore, louvers 148 and 149 have multiple blades arranged diagonally so that the air is discharged diagonally downward, which can reduce the intrusion of dust into connecting portion 13.

[0039] 6 to 9, the connecting portion 13 has an outer wall 131 and an inner wall 132 that face each other as the two side surfaces described above. The outer wall 131 and the inner wall 132 are connected to a top surface 133. The outer wall 131 and the inner wall 132 may also be called vertical walls.

[0040] The outer wall 131 has a ventilation opening 141 that functions as an exhaust port or an intake port to communicate between the outside and the inside of the main body 1. The ventilation opening 141 helps to release heat inside the main body 1 by natural convection. The inner wall 132 is a side wall that faces the loading section 7 or the loading space. The inner wall 132 has a ventilation opening 142 that functions as an exhaust port or an intake port. The ventilation opening 142 communicates between the space above the loading tray 71 (loading space) and the internal space of the connecting section 13.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, heat generated by heating member 53 of fixing unit 5 is applied to recording medium S and simultaneously propagates to the air surrounding fixing unit 5. As indicated by arrow 171, the heated air rises above fixing unit 5. Connecting unit 13 is located above fixing unit 5. Air enters connecting unit 13 through opening 143 in connecting unit 13. As indicated by arrow 172, this air is exhausted to the outside of image forming apparatus 100 through ventilation opening 141 provided in outer wall 131.

[0042] 9, air present in the loading space is attracted by natural convection indicated by arrows 171 and 172 and enters the connecting part 13 through ventilation openings 142 provided in the inner wall 132. Furthermore, this air is also discharged from ventilation openings 141 provided in the rear surface 191B of the main body 1.

[0043] In this way, the heat generated by the fixing unit 5 is transmitted to the air, and the heated air begins to rise. The air moves from the main body 1 to the connecting unit 13, and is exhausted from the connecting unit 13 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 through the ventilation opening 141. The heat generated from the recording medium S is also transmitted to the air in the stacking space, and this air enters the connecting unit 13 through the ventilation opening 142, merges with the air from the main body 1, and is exhausted to the outside through the ventilation opening 141. In other words, unnecessary heat is efficiently exhausted to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 through natural convection.

[0044] 10, ventilation opening 141 may have a plurality of through holes. Similarly, ventilation opening 142 may have a plurality of through holes. The shape of the through holes may be circular or rectangular.

[0045] 11, ventilation opening 141 may be a single opening. Ventilation opening 142 may also be a single opening. Note that one of ventilation openings 141 and 142 may have multiple through holes, and the other may have a single opening or an opening with a louver.

[0046] According to the first embodiment, it is possible to improve heat dissipation performance with a simpler structure. The bottom surface 134 of the connecting portion 13, which is located above the fixing portion 5, which is a heat source, has an opening 143. Furthermore, the connecting portion 13 has a U-shape in plan view. By having the opening 143 in the connecting portion 13, it is possible to cool the inside of the main body portion 1 by natural convection while maintaining the rigidity of the connecting portion 13. Furthermore, it is possible to discharge heated air that is trapped between the main body portion 1 and the reading portion 8 with a simple structure. The reading portion 8 and the connecting portion 13 are integrated with the upper cover 18. Therefore, by opening the upper cover 18, it is easy to replace consumables. Opening the upper cover 18 also makes it easy to remove a recording medium S that has jammed inside the main body portion 1.

[0047] In FIG. 1, ventilation opening 141 functions as an exhaust opening (exhaust opening) that exhausts air, and ventilation opening 142 functions as an intake opening (intake opening) that draws in air. However, this is just one example. Ventilation opening 141 may also function as an intake opening. Ventilation opening 142 may also function as an exhaust opening. The roles of ventilation openings 141 and 142 (intake opening / exhaust opening) are not fixed, and may change depending on the natural convection of air. For example, at one time ventilation opening 142 may function as an exhaust opening that exhausts air heated by fixing unit 5, and at another time ventilation opening 142 may function as an intake opening.

[0048] In FIG. 1 , the outer wall 131 and the inner wall 132 are shown facing each other, but this is merely an example. The outer wall 131 and the inner wall 132 do not have to face each other. For example, the outer wall 131 may be the outer wall of at least one of the first support 135 and the second support 136. The inner wall 132 may be the inner wall of at least one of the first support 135 and the second support 136. In this case, the outer wall 131 and the inner wall 132 would be perpendicular to each other. Alternatively, the outer wall 131 may be provided on one of the first support 135 and the second support 136, and the inner wall 132 may be provided on one of the first support 135 and the second support 136.

[0049] An electric fan 175 is provided in the ventilation opening 151, but this is merely one example. A plurality of ventilation openings 151 may be provided in the main body 1. The ventilation opening 151 may function as an air intake port that takes air from the outside of the main body 1 into the internal space of the main body 1. The ventilation opening 151 may also function as an exhaust port that discharges air from the internal space of the main body 1 to the outside of the main body 1.

[0050] <Example 2> In the second embodiment, the air heated in the main body 1 and the air heated in the loading unit 7 are exhausted from a ventilation hole provided in the reading unit 8. In the second embodiment, the explanation of the matters already explained in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0051] FIG. 12 is a simplified cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to a second embodiment. The top surface 133 of the connecting portion 13 has an opening 144. The reading unit 8 has a first chamber 180 that houses an image sensor 83 and other components, and a second chamber 160 that is isolated from the first chamber 180. The second chamber 160 is located above the connecting portion 13. The bottom surface of the second chamber 160 has an opening 161. The positions, sizes, and shapes of the opening 161 in the second chamber 160 and the opening 144 in the connecting portion 13 are determined so that air in the internal space of the connecting portion 13 can easily flow into the second chamber 160. In this way, the connecting portion 13 and the second chamber 160 are in communication with each other through the opening 144 and the opening 161.

[0052] The air that flows into the connecting section 13 from the main body section 1 or the loading section 7 joins together at the connecting section 13 and flows into the second chamber 160. The direction of the air changes from upward to backward in the second chamber 160. As indicated by arrow 176, the air is exhausted from the second chamber 160 to the outside through the ventilation opening 162.

[0053] 13, the vent 162 may have louvers. However, this is by way of example only. As described above, the vent 162 may be a single opening or may have multiple through-holes.

[0054] According to the second embodiment, the reading unit 8 is provided with a ventilation hole 162 instead of the ventilation hole 141. This makes it possible to improve heat dissipation performance with a simple structure. In addition, the rigidity of the connecting part 13 is maintained. Natural convection suppresses temperature rise inside the main body 1. Furthermore, hot air remaining in the loading space between the main body 1 and the reading unit 8 can also be discharged with a simple structure.

[0055] Example 3 Example 3 is a combination of Example 1 and Example 2. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, second chamber 160 communicates with connecting portion 13 through openings 161 and 144, and second chamber 160 has ventilation opening 162. Furthermore, connecting portion 13 has ventilation opening 141 described in detail in Example 1.

[0056] In this way, since the ventilation opening 162 is provided in addition to the ventilation opening 141, it becomes possible to efficiently discharge heated air from the main body 1 and heated air from the stacking unit 7 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 with a simple structure. In other words, the third embodiment makes it possible to improve heat dissipation performance with a simple structure.

[0057] <Technical ideas derived from examples> (Item 1) a main body having an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; a reading unit disposed above the main body unit and configured to read a document; a loading section disposed between the main body section and the reading section, for loading the recording medium on which the image is formed by the main body section; a connecting portion that connects the main body portion and the reading portion and supports the reading portion, The connecting portion is a top surface that supports the reading unit; a bottom surface supported by the main body; a first wall extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface; a second wall extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface; a first opening provided on the bottom surface, the first opening communicating an internal space between the first wall and the second wall with the main body portion; the first wall has a first ventilation port that connects an internal space of the connecting portion with an external space, The second wall has a second ventilation port that connects the internal space of the connecting portion with the external space. (Item 2) Item 1. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein the first ventilation port functions as an exhaust port for exhausting air rising from the main body portion through the first opening into the internal space of the connecting portion and air entering the internal space of the connecting portion from the second ventilation port. (Item 3) 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 1 or 2, wherein the first wall and the second wall face each other. (Item 4) the second ventilation port communicates with a loading space formed between the loading section provided above the main body section and a bottom surface of the reading section, and serves as an air intake port that draws air from the loading space that has been heated by heat emitted from the recording media loaded on the loading section into the internal space of the connecting section; 4. The image forming apparatus according to item 3, wherein the first ventilation port functions as an exhaust port that exhausts the air drawn from the loading space into the internal space to the outside. (Item 5) 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the second ventilation port functions as an exhaust port for exhausting air rising from the main body portion through the first opening into the internal space of the connecting portion. (Item 6) The reading unit a first room in which an image sensor for reading the document is located; a second chamber communicating with the internal space of the connecting portion, 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the second chamber has a third ventilation port that exhausts air rising from the connecting portion to the second chamber to the outside of the reading unit. (Item 7) the second ventilation port is in communication with a loading space formed between the loading section provided above the main body section and a bottom surface of the reading section, and serves as an air intake port that draws air from the loading space that has been heated by heat emitted from the recording media loaded on the loading section into the internal space of the connecting section; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the third ventilation port functions as an exhaust port that exhausts the air drawn from the loading space into the internal space of the connecting portion to the outside. (Item 8) 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the connecting portion is provided above the main body portion and is part of a structure that supports the reading portion, and the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the structure is U-shaped. (Item 9) the structure includes a first support and a second support extending parallel to the ejection direction of the recording medium, and a third support connecting the first support and the second support and extending perpendicular to the ejection direction of the recording medium; the loading section is disposed between the first support body and the second support body, 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the connecting portion includes the third support. (Item 10) 10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein at least one of the first ventilation opening and the second ventilation opening is provided with a louver. (Item 11) 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein at least one of the first ventilation opening and the second ventilation opening is formed by a plurality of through holes. (Item 12) Item 12. The image forming apparatus according to item 11, wherein each of the plurality of through holes has a circular or rectangular shape. (Item 13) 13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the main body has a fourth ventilation port that takes in air from outside the main body into the internal space of the main body or exhausts air from the internal space to the outside of the main body. (Item 14) Item 14. The image forming apparatus according to item 13, wherein a fan is provided in the fourth ventilation opening. (Item 15) a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium to the stacking unit; a cover portion formed by integrating the discharge portion, the connection portion, and the reading portion; 15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 14, further comprising: a hinge that supports the lid portion rotatably relative to the main body portion. (Item 16) Item 16. The image forming apparatus according to item 15, wherein the loading section is integrated with the lid section. (Item 17) the main body portion has a process unit that is detachable from the main body portion and develops an electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image and transfers the toner image to the recording medium; Item 17. The image forming apparatus according to item 15 or 16, wherein the process unit is attached to or detached from the main body by changing the cover from a closed state to an open state. (Item 18) the process unit includes a plurality of separable assemblies; The main body has a back surface, a front surface, a right side surface, and a left side surface, Item 18. The image forming apparatus according to item 17, wherein the front surface has an opening for attaching or detaching at least one of the plurality of assemblies. (Item 19) the main body portion has a fixing mechanism that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium, Item 19. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 18, wherein the connecting portion is located above the fixing mechanism. (Item 20) a main body having an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; a reading unit disposed above the main body unit and configured to read a document; a loading section disposed between the main body section and the reading section, for loading the recording medium on which the image is formed by the main body section; a connecting portion that connects the main body portion and the reading portion and supports the reading portion, The connecting portion is a top surface that supports the reading unit; a bottom surface supported by the main body; a first wall extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface; a second wall extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface and facing the loading portion; a first opening provided on the bottom surface, the first opening communicating an internal space between the first wall and the second wall with the main body portion; The reading unit a first room in which an image sensor for reading the document is located; a second chamber communicating with the internal space of the connecting portion, the second wall has a first ventilation port that communicates the internal space of the connecting portion with the external space, The second room has a second ventilation port for discharging air rising from the connecting part to the second room to the outside of the reading part. (Item 21) Item 21. An image forming apparatus according to item 20, wherein the second ventilation port functions as an exhaust port for exhausting air rising from the main body portion through the first opening into the internal space of the connecting portion and air entering the internal space of the connecting portion from the first ventilation port. (Item 22) the first ventilation port communicates with a loading space formed between the loading section provided above the main body section and a bottom surface of the reading section, and serves as an air intake port that draws air from the loading space that has been heated by heat emitted from the recording media loaded on the loading section into the internal space of the connecting section; 22. The image forming apparatus according to item 20 or 21, wherein the second ventilation port functions as an exhaust port that exhausts the air drawn from the loading space into the internal space to the outside.

[0058] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10: main body, 8: reading unit, 7: loading unit, 13: connecting unit, 133: top surface, 131: outer wall, 132: inner wall, 134: bottom surface, 143: opening, 141: ventilation hole, 142: ventilation hole

Claims

1. a main body having an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; a reading unit disposed above the main body unit and configured to read a document; a loading section disposed between the main body section and the reading section, for loading the recording medium on which the image is formed by the main body section; a connecting portion that connects the main body portion and the reading portion and supports the reading portion, The connecting portion is a top surface that supports the reading unit; a bottom surface supported by the main body; a first wall extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface; a second wall extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface; a first opening provided on the bottom surface, the first opening communicating an internal space between the first wall and the second wall with the main body portion; the first wall has a first ventilation port that connects an internal space of the connecting portion with an external space, The second wall has a second ventilation port that connects the internal space of the connecting portion with the external space.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first ventilation port functions as an exhaust port for exhausting air rising from the main body portion through the first opening into the internal space of the connecting portion and air entering the internal space of the connecting portion from the second ventilation port.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first wall and the second wall face each other.

4. the second ventilation port communicates with a loading space formed between the loading section provided above the main body section and a bottom surface of the reading section, and serves as an air intake port that draws air from the loading space that has been heated by heat emitted from the recording media loaded on the loading section into the internal space of the connecting section; The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the first ventilation opening functions as an exhaust opening for exhausting the air drawn from the loading space into the internal space to the outside.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second ventilation port functions as an exhaust port for exhausting air rising from the main body portion through the first opening into the internal space of the connecting portion.

6. The reading unit a first room in which an image sensor for reading the document is located; a second chamber communicating with the internal space of the connecting portion, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second chamber has a third ventilation port for discharging air rising from the connecting portion to the second chamber to the outside of the reading portion.

7. the second ventilation port is in communication with a loading space formed between the loading section provided above the main body section and a bottom surface of the reading section, and serves as an air intake port that draws air from the loading space that has been heated by heat emitted from the recording media loaded on the loading section into the internal space of the connecting section; The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the third ventilation port functions as an exhaust port for exhausting the air drawn from the loading space into the internal space of the connecting portion to the outside.

8. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is provided above the main body portion and is a part of a structure supporting the reading portion, the structure having a U-shaped horizontal cross section.

9. the structure includes a first support and a second support extending parallel to the ejection direction of the recording medium, and a third support connecting the first support and the second support and extending perpendicular to the ejection direction of the recording medium; the loading section is disposed between the first support body and the second support body, The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the connecting portion includes the third support.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first ventilation opening and the second ventilation opening is provided with a louver.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first ventilation opening and the second ventilation opening is formed by a plurality of through holes.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of through holes has a circular or rectangular shape.

13. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion has a fourth ventilation port that takes in air from outside the main body portion into an internal space of the main body portion or discharges air from the internal space to outside the main body portion.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the fourth ventilation opening is provided with a fan.

15. a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium to the stacking unit; a cover portion formed by integrating the discharge portion, the connection portion, and the reading portion; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a hinge that supports the cover portion rotatably relative to the main body portion.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the loading section is integrated with the lid section.

17. the main body portion has a process unit that is detachable from the main body portion and develops an electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image and transfers the toner image to the recording medium; The image forming apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the process unit is attached to or detached from the main body by changing the cover from a closed state to an open state.

18. the process unit includes a plurality of separable assemblies; The main body has a back surface, a front surface, a right side surface, and a left side surface, 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the front surface has an opening for mounting or removing at least one of the plurality of assemblies.

19. the main body portion has a fixing mechanism that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is located above the fixing mechanism.

20. a main body having an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; a reading unit disposed above the main body unit and configured to read a document; a loading section disposed between the main body section and the reading section, for loading the recording medium on which the image is formed by the main body section; a connecting portion that connects the main body portion and the reading portion and supports the reading portion, The connecting portion is a top surface that supports the reading unit; a bottom surface supported by the main body; a first wall extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface; a second wall extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface and facing the loading portion; a first opening provided on the bottom surface, the first opening communicating an internal space between the first wall and the second wall with the main body portion; The reading unit a first room in which an image sensor for reading the document is located; a second chamber communicating with the internal space of the connecting portion, the second wall has a first ventilation port that communicates the internal space of the connecting portion with the external space, The second room has a second ventilation port for discharging air rising from the connecting part to the second room to the outside of the reading part.

21. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the second ventilation port functions as an exhaust port for exhausting air rising from the main body portion through the first opening into the internal space of the connecting portion and air entering the internal space of the connecting portion from the first ventilation port.

22. the first ventilation port communicates with a loading space formed between the loading section provided above the main body section and a bottom surface of the reading section, and serves as an air intake port that draws air from the loading space that has been heated by heat emitted from the recording media loaded on the loading section into the internal space of the connecting section; The image forming apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the second ventilation port functions as an exhaust port for exhausting the air drawn from the loading space into the internal space to the outside.

Images