Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming device that can suppress accuracy in forming an image on a recording material from deteriorating.SOLUTION: The image forming device is configured to comprise an image forming part that discharges ink to a recording material being conveyed, a recording material heating part arranged at an upstream side of the image forming part, an enclosure covering the recording material heating part, and a blocking member that blocks air ejected from a recording material ejection port arranged between the enclosure and the image forming part from flowing into the image forming part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] There are image forming apparatuses that eject ink onto a recording material to form an image on the recording material. Many of the inks used in image forming apparatuses have final states, such as color and gloss, that differ depending on the temperature state after landing on the recording material. In such cases, temperature control for heating the recording material to an appropriate temperature is important. As a method for heating a recording material to an appropriate temperature before ink lands on it, a configuration in which a contact-type heating section using a heating roller or the like is provided upstream of an image forming section is widely used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this heating section, the recording material to which ink is to be ejected is brought into contact with the heating roller, and the recording material is heated to an appropriate temperature in advance before ink lands on it.

[0003] Also, an image forming apparatus has been proposed that, after ejecting ink to form an image, heats the recording material in a heating section to dry the ink that has landed on it (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This image forming apparatus uses a non-contact heating section to prevent damage to the formed image and the surface of the recording material caused by contact with a heating roller or the like. Furthermore, in an image forming apparatus having a non-contact heating unit, the heated air used to dry the ink in the heating unit is likely to flow into the image forming unit located upstream of the heating unit. When the heated air flows into the image forming unit, the ink head unit is heated, causing an increase in the temperature of the ink head unit, deterioration in the accuracy of the ink landing position, clogging of the nozzles due to drying of the ink, etc. As a countermeasure to this, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 has a windshield provided between the image forming unit and the non-contact heating unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-104198 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-162701 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the configurations of the image forming apparatuses described in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, if a non-contact heating section is used to heat the recording material before image formation in order to control the temperature of the recording material, air heated by the heating section is likely to flow into the image forming section, and a temperature rise in the ink head section can cause a deterioration in the accuracy of the landing position, etc. In the cited document 2, a windshield plate is provided for the purpose of preventing backflow into the image forming section, but no configuration is described for preventing the heated air from the heating section arranged upstream of the image forming section. Therefore, in the configuration of the image forming apparatus described in the above-mentioned patent document 2, the inflow of heated air into the image forming section causes deterioration in the accuracy of the landing position, etc. As a result, the accuracy of image formation on the recording material in the image forming apparatus decreases. In particular, in recent years, due to the increase in the recording medium conveyance speed and the miniaturization of the device, the heating section and the image forming section are easily placed close to each other, so a configuration that suppresses the decrease in accuracy of image formation on the recording material is required.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a decrease in the accuracy of image formation on a recording material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a transport section which transports a recording material on a transport path, an image forming section which ejects ink onto the transported recording material, a recording material heating section which heats the recording material and is arranged upstream of the image forming section in the recording material transport direction, a housing which covers the recording material heating section and has a recording material inlet provided upstream in the recording material transport direction and a recording material outlet provided downstream, and a shielding member which is arranged above the transport path, between the recording material outlet and the image forming section, and which blocks air discharged from the recording material outlet from flowing into the image forming section. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a decrease in the accuracy of image formation on a recording material. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus in which a shielding member is not provided between a heating unit and an image forming unit. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus; [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram showing a heating unit, a shielding member, and a part of an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing a heating unit, a shielding member, and a part of an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing a heating unit, a shielding member, and a part of an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing a heating unit, a shielding member, and a part of an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a heating unit, a shielding member, and a part of an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 9]13 is a diagram showing a heating unit, a shielding member, and a part of an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. The explanation will be given in the following order. 1. First embodiment of image forming apparatus 2. Second embodiment of image forming apparatus 3. Third embodiment of image forming apparatus 4. Fourth embodiment of image forming apparatus 5. Fifth embodiment of image forming apparatus 6. Sixth embodiment of image forming apparatus 7. Seventh embodiment of image forming apparatus

[0011] 1. First embodiment of image forming apparatus Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a recording material supplying section 10, a heating section 20, a shielding member 70, an image forming section 30, a recording material discharging section 40, and a control section 50 (not shown) (see Fig. 3). The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 is also a side view of the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the recording material conveying direction. In the figure, the air flow in the heating section 20 and the image forming section 30 is indicated by arrows.

[0012] [Recording material supply section] The recording material supplying section 10 includes a loading tray 11 and a delivery roller 12. The recording material supplying section 10 stores the recording material S on the loading tray 11, and drives the delivery roller 12 at an appropriate timing when performing image formation to supply the recording material S to the heating section 20 in order.

[0013] The loading tray 11 is a plate-like member on which recording materials S can be stacked and sends the uppermost recording material S to the heating section 20. The recording material S loaded on the loading tray 11 is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include films, acrylic plates, resin plates such as PET, sheets of paper, thick paper, and corrugated cardboard. The loading tray 11 is movable in the vertical direction, and here, the position is maintained such that the uppermost recording material S is held at a sending position to the heating section 20 according to the total weight of the loaded recording materials S, etc.

[0014] The delivery rollers 12 sandwich the recording material S from above and below and deliver it to the heating unit 20. The recording material supply unit 10 has a guide member (not shown) that limits the recording material S to a predetermined range in a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the delivery direction (conveyance direction) within the conveyance surface of the recording material S. The delivery rollers 12 deliver the recording material S at an appropriate position and orientation.

[0015] [Heating section] The heating section 20 has a first recording material heating section 22 that heats the image forming surface side of the recording material S being conveyed, and a second recording material heating section 23 that heats the back side of the recording material S. The heating section 20 also has a housing 21 that covers the first recording material heating section 22 and the second recording material heating section 23. The heating section 20 also includes a temperature sensor 226 (FIG. 3) not shown. The temperature sensor 226 measures the air temperature inside the housing 21 and outputs the result to the control section 50 (FIG. 3). As the temperature sensor 226, a conventionally known semiconductor temperature sensor or the like can be used.

[0016] (Housing) The housing 21 is a member that covers the first recording material heating section 22 and the second recording material heating section 23 and retains air inside. The housing 21 is provided with a recording material entrance 24, which is a slit-shaped opening that allows the recording material S to pass, at an upstream end (receiving end) in the conveying direction of the recording material S. The housing 21 is also provided with a recording material discharge port 25, which is a slit-shaped opening that allows the recording material S to pass, at a downstream end (sending end) in the conveying direction of the recording material S.

[0017] It is preferable that the housing 21 is sealed except for the recording material inlet 24 and the recording material outlet 25. This prevents air from entering the housing 21. Although not particularly limited, the housing 21 can be configured to further prevent heat from entering or leaving by using a well-known material with high thermal insulation properties. The inside of the housing 21 may or may not be visible.

[0018] (First recording material heating section, second recording material heating section) The first recording material heating section 22 and the second recording material heating section 23 heat, in a non-contact manner, the recording material S passing between the first recording material heating section 22 and the second recording material heating section 23. The first recording material heating section 22 and the second recording material heating section 23 are not particularly limited as long as they are configured to be able to heat the recording material S in a non-contact manner, and for example, a non-contact heating device such as a sheath heater, a carbon heater, or a cartridge heater can be applied.

[0019] The heating of the recording material S in the heating section 20 is for the purpose of controlling the state of the ink after it lands on the recording material S, and is aimed at controlling the temperature of the image forming surface of the recording material S. For this reason, the heating section 20 heats the recording material S so that the temperature is appropriate when the ink lands. The output of the heating section 20 is controlled by the control section 50 (FIG. 3) based on the temperature of the air inside the housing 21 measured by a temperature sensor 226 (FIG. 3).

[0020] The first recording material heating section 22 and the second recording material heating section 23 are each independently controlled by a control section 50 (FIG. 3). By independently controlling the first recording material heating section 22 and the second recording material heating section 23, it is possible to heat the image forming surface and the back surface of the recording material S to different temperatures. In particular, the temperature of the back surface side of the recording material S may be set to a different temperature from that of the image forming surface, taking into account the heat transfer of the recording material S for temperature control of the image forming surface. In this way, by having the control unit 50 independently control the output of the first recording material heating section and the output of the second recording material heating section, it is possible to control the temperature of the image forming surface of the recording material S with greater precision.

[0021] [Image forming section] The image forming section 30 is provided downstream of the heating section 20 in the conveying direction of the recording material S. The image forming section 30 ejects and fixes ink onto the surface of the recording material S conveyed from the heating section 20 to form an image, and sends the recording material S with the fixed ink to a recording material discharge section 40. The image forming section 30 includes a conveying section 31, support sections 321, 322, and 323, an image forming operation section 33, a fixing section 34, a reading section 35, and the like.

[0022] The conveying section 31 includes a conveying belt 311, a driving roller 312, and a driven roller 313. The conveying belt 311 is an endless belt-like member that is longer than the recording material S and is stretched between the driving roller 312 and the driven roller 313. Although there is no particular limitation, a resin or steel belt is used as the conveying belt 311. The conveying belt 311 moves in a circular motion when the driving roller 312 is rotated and driven by a conveying motor 315 (see FIG. 3). As a result, the recording material S placed on the outer circumferential surface (conveying surface) of the conveying belt 311 is conveyed at the circular movement speed of the conveying belt 311. Note that, in this example, a single conveying belt 311 conveys the recording material S from the heating section 20 to the recording material discharge section 40, but the recording material S may be conveyed by being handed over by a plurality of conveying belts.

[0023] The support parts 321, 322, and 323 are provided along the conveyor belt 311 on the inner circumferential surface side of the conveyor belt 311. The support part 321 is provided in a range including a range corresponding to the ink ejection range of the image forming operation part 33. The support part 322 is provided in a range including a range corresponding to the ink fixing range of the fixing part 34. The support part 323 is provided in a range including a range corresponding to the reading range by the reading part 35. The support parts 321, 322, and 323 support the conveyor belt 311 moving in a circumferential direction, thereby supporting the recording material S placed on the conveyor belt 311 and keeping the recording material S at an appropriate position in the ink ejection range, the ink fixing range, and the reading range, respectively. Preferably, the support parts 321, 322, and 323 have fine holes, and can be configured to more stably adsorb the recording material S to the conveyor belt 311 by sucking from the opposite side of the contact surface with the conveyor belt 311.

[0024] The image forming operation unit 33 has an inkjet head 331 provided with nozzles, etc. The image forming operation unit 33 forms a two-dimensional image on the recording material S by sequentially ejecting ink from the inkjet head 331 onto the recording material S placed on the conveyor belt 311 and conveyed in the conveying direction. The image forming operation unit 33 is capable of ejecting ink at once across a predetermined image formation width onto the conveyed recording material S. The image forming operation unit 33 also ejects ink from the nozzles of the inkjet head 331 within an ink ejection range at appropriate timing.

[0025] The image forming operation unit 33 shown in FIG. 1 shows an example having four inkjet heads 331 that respectively eject four colors of ink: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The order of arrangement of the inkjet heads 331 is appropriately changed in an order that is preferable for image formation. The image forming operation unit 33 may also have inkjet heads that eject ink of other colors (including transparent ink) in addition to these four colors of ink. The image forming operation unit 33 uses, for example, ultraviolet-curable ink that changes phase between a sol state and a gel state due to a change in temperature and is fixed and cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays. The inkjet head 331 has an ink heating unit 332 (FIG. 3) that keeps the ink in a sol state with an appropriate viscosity, an ejection drive unit 333 (FIG. 3) that applies a pressure change to eject the ink, and the like.

[0026] The fixing unit 34 fixes the ink that has landed on the recording material S by irradiating a fixing area with ultraviolet light. The fixing unit 34 includes an ultraviolet light irradiation unit 341 (FIG. 3). The light source of the ultraviolet light in the fixing unit 34 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an LED (light emitting diode) lamp that emits ultraviolet light.

[0027] The reading unit 35 captures and reads the image on the recording material S on which the ink has been fixed, and outputs a reading signal to the control unit 50 (FIG. 3). As the reading unit 35, for example, an imaging unit 351 (FIG. 3) having a line sensor is used. The line sensor is capable of capturing images across the width of the recording material S, and obtains a two-dimensional image by sequentially performing imaging operations as the recording material S is transported. A CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, or the like can be used as each imaging element of the line sensor.

[0028] [Shielding material] The shielding member 70 is provided between the housing 21 of the heating unit 20 and the image forming operation unit 33 of the image forming unit 30 in the transport path of the recording material S. In addition, the shielding member 70 is disposed above the image forming surface side of the recording material S in the transport path of the recording material S. The shielding member 70 is provided to prevent air from flowing from the housing 21 of the heating unit 20 to the image forming operation unit 33.

[0029] The heating section 20 uses a first recording material heating section 22 and a second recording material heating section 23 that do not contact the recording material S. Therefore, not only the recording material S but also the air inside the housing 21 is heated (hereinafter, also referred to as heated air). Since the housing 21 is provided with a recording material inlet 24 and a recording material outlet 25, heated air flows out through the recording material inlet 24 and the recording material outlet 25. When the air heated inside the housing 21 flows into the image forming unit 30 from the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording material S, the inkjet head 331 of the image forming operation unit 33 is heated. Such a rise in temperature of the inkjet head 331 leads to a deterioration in the accuracy of the landing position of the ink ejected during image formation, etc.

[0030] In particular, when the recording material S is conveyed out of the housing 21, heated air flows out of the housing 21 so as to be caught in the recording material S being conveyed. For example, FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which a shielding member 70 is not provided between the heating unit 20 and the image forming unit 30. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the heating unit 20 and a part of the image forming unit 30 in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 shows a state in which the recording material S is conveyed from the housing 21 to the image forming unit 30. Also, FIG. 2 shows only the image forming operation unit 33 and the support unit 321 as the image forming unit 30.

[0031] 2, the recording material S is discharged from the recording material discharge port 25. At this time, heated air 82 inside the housing 21 flows out of the housing 21 from the recording material discharge port 25 so as to be caught up in the discharge of the recording material S. Then, heated air 83 flowing out of the housing 21 flows between the image forming operation unit 33 and the support unit 321. The heated air 83 flowing into the image forming unit 30 heats the inkjet head 331 of the image forming operation unit 33. This causes the temperature of the inkjet head 331 to rise, which can lead to a deterioration in the accuracy of the landing position of the ink ejected during image formation, clogging of the nozzles due to drying of the ink, and the like.

[0032] For this reason, as in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1, a shielding member 70 is provided between the housing 21 of the heating section 20 and the image forming operation section 33 of the image forming section 30, to suppress the inflow of heated air 80 from the housing 21 to the image forming operation section 33. The shape, material, and the like of the shielding member 70 are not particularly limited as long as the shielding member 70 has a configuration capable of blocking the heated air 80. The shielding member 70 is preferably formed of a material having sufficient heat resistance against the heated air 80.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an example in which the shielding member 70 is formed of a highly rigid flat plate-like member. When the shielding member 70 is formed of a highly rigid flat plate-like member, damage is likely to occur to the surface of the recording material S when the shielding member 70 comes into contact with the recording material S. For this reason, as shown in Fig. 1, the shielding member 70 is disposed at a position where it does not come into contact with the conveyed recording material S, leaving a space between the shielding member 70 and the conveying path through which the recording material S passes.

[0034] The shielding member 70 is disposed on the image forming surface side of the conveyed recording material S. The heated air 80 flowing out from the opposite side (rear side) of the housing 21 to the image forming surface is blocked by the recording material S and the support portion 321, and is therefore unlikely to flow into the image forming operation portion 33. For this reason, it is sufficient that the shielding member 70 is disposed only on the image forming surface side of the recording material S.

[0035] The shielding member 70 is disposed obliquely such that the end on the transport path side of the recording material S is located upstream in the recording material transport direction relative to the end on the opposite side to the transport path side. In other words, the shielding member 70 is disposed such that the end on the transport path side is closer to the heating unit 20, and the end on the opposite side to the transport path is closer to the image forming unit 30.

[0036] The heated air 80 discharged from the housing 21 has a higher temperature and a lower specific gravity than the surrounding air, and therefore tends to rise along the shielding member 70. For this reason, by arranging the shielding member 70 as shown in FIG. 1, the heated air 80 tends to rise along the shielding member 70. As a result, the heated air 80 is less likely to flow into the image forming unit 30 from between the shielding member 70 and the transport path. Then, surrounding unheated air 81 is drawn into the transport of the recording material S and flows into the image forming unit 30.

[0037] Therefore, by providing the shielding member 70, the image forming apparatus 1 can suppress the inflow of heated air 80 into the image forming unit 30 and suppress heating of the image forming operation unit 33. As a result, deterioration in the accuracy of the landing position during image formation can be suppressed, and deterioration in the accuracy of image formation on the recording material in the image forming apparatus can be suppressed.

[0038] The size of the shielding member 70 in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording material S (width direction) is not particularly limited. For example, the shielding member 70 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the width of the recording material discharge port 25 provided in the housing 21. Also, the shielding member 70 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the maximum width of the recording material S used in the image forming apparatus 1. Also, the shielding member 70 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the width at which the image forming operation unit 33 is disposed in the conveying unit 31 in the image forming unit 30.

[0039] Further, the size of the shielding member 70 above (in the height direction) the image forming surface of the recording material S is not particularly limited. The shielding member 70 may be formed at a height that makes it difficult for heated air to flow into the image forming operation unit 33. For example, it is preferable that the shielding member 70 is formed at a height in the image forming unit 30 that is equal to or higher than the height at which the image forming operation unit 33 is disposed in the conveying unit 31.

[0040] [Recording material ejection section] The recording material discharge section 40 places and holds the recording material S delivered from the transport section 31 until the user removes it. The recording material discharge section 40 includes a discharge tray 41 and guide rollers 42. The guide rollers 42 sandwich the recording material S delivered from the transport section 31 from above and below, transport it, and place it on the discharge tray 41. As with the loading tray 11, the discharge tray 41 may move up and down according to the total weight of the loaded recording material S, thereby reducing the amount of descent in the vertical direction of the recording material S sent by the guide rollers 42.

[0041] [Image forming device configuration] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 50, a memory unit 61, an input / output interface 62, a display operation reception unit 63, a bus 69, a conveying motor 315, a first recording material heating unit 22, a second recording material heating unit 23, a temperature sensor 226 (temperature measurement unit), an ink heating unit 332, an ejection driving unit 333, an ultraviolet irradiation unit 341, an imaging unit 351, a blower unit 75, and a roller heating unit 79. The control unit 50 includes a main control unit 51, a transport control unit 52, a recording material heating control unit 53, a head control unit 54, a fixing control unit 55, a reading control unit 56, an air blowing control unit 57, and a roller heating control unit 58.

[0042] The main control unit 51 centrally controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The main control unit 51 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 511, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 512, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 513. The CPU 511 performs various calculation processes and performs various control operations based on a control program or the like. The RAM 512 provides a working memory space for the CPU 511 and stores temporary data. The operation of the main control unit 51 (CPU 511) includes a process of appropriately processing image data acquired as a target for image formation and converting the image data into final data for driving the discharge driving unit 333.

[0043] The ROM 513 stores various control programs executed by the CPU 511, initial settings, and the like. The ROM 513 may have a rewritable and updatable flash memory or the like. In this case, the ROM 513 can store not only the initial settings, but also updated or added control programs and setting data, and the like. The setting data includes settings of the heating temperature by the first recording material heating section 22 and the second recording material heating section 23 according to the type (material) and thickness of the recording material, the air volume (air pressure) by the blower section 75, the heating temperature by the roller heating section 79, and the conveying speed by the conveying section 31 as necessary. These setting data may be stored in a non-volatile memory of the storage section 61, or the like.

[0044] The transport control unit 52 controls the rotational operation of the transport motor 315, and performs control related to the transport state of the recording material S. The recording material heating control section 53 controls the outputs of the first recording material heating section 22 and the second recording material heating section 23 based on the measured temperature data (measurement results) input from the temperature sensor 226 and the like. The head control unit 54 controls the operation of the ink heating unit 332 and the ejection driving unit 333, and causes the ink to land at an appropriate position on the recording material S based on the image data. The fixing control unit 55 controls the operation of the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 341 regarding the ultraviolet ray irradiation. The reading control unit 56 controls the operation of the imaging unit 351 . The air blowing control unit 57 controls the operation of the air blowing unit 75, which will be described later, to thereby control the output of the air blowing unit 75, such as the air volume and air pressure. The roller heating control unit 58 controls the output and temperature of a roller heating unit 79, which will be described later.

[0045] The main control unit 51, the transport control unit 52, the recording material heating control unit 53, the head control unit 54, the fixing control unit 55, the reading control unit 56, the air blowing control unit 57, and the roller heating control unit 58 are connected to one another via a bus 69. The control operations of the control units constituting the control unit 50 may be centrally performed by each component of the main control unit 51. Furthermore, each component of the control unit 50 may have its own CPU or dedicated hardware circuit.

[0046] The storage unit 61 temporarily stores image data to be used for image formation and processed data thereof. The storage unit 61 is configured, for example, by a non-volatile memory. The input / output interface 62 controls communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the outside in accordance with a communication standard. The input / output interface 62 includes, for example, a network card, and is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from an external computer terminal, a print server, and the like via a LAN (Local Area Network; which may include not only wired connection but also wireless LAN). Received data includes print jobs, that is, commands and settings related to the image forming operation, and image data to be formed on. Transmitted data includes status information of the image forming operation, and the like.

[0047] The display operation reception unit 63 performs display operations on the display unit based on the control of the main control unit 51, and also receives input operations from the outside, converts them into signals, and outputs them to the main control unit 51. As the display unit, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display is used. To receive the input operations, a touch panel (touch sensor) or the like provided over the display unit is used. Furthermore, the display-related configuration may include an LED lamp or the like in addition to the display unit. Furthermore, the operation reception configuration may include a numeric keypad, push button switches, or the like in addition to the touch panel.

[0048] 2. Second embodiment of image forming apparatus Next, a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, an example in which the shielding member is configured with one flat plate-shaped member has been described, but the shielding member may be configured by combining a plurality of flat plate-shaped members. Therefore, as an image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, an example in which a shielding member configured with a plurality of flat plate-shaped members is provided will be described. Note that, in the second embodiment, a configuration similar to that of the above-described first embodiment can be applied, except for the configuration of the shielding member. Therefore, detailed description of the configuration similar to that of the above-described first embodiment will be omitted.

[0049] [Shielding material] Fig. 4 shows the configuration of the heating unit 20, the shielding member 71, and a part of the image forming unit 30 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 4, only the image forming operation unit 33 and the support unit 321 are shown as the image forming unit 30. In the image forming apparatus 1, the configuration other than the shielding member 71 can be the same as that of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0050] 4 is a diagram showing the heating unit 20, the shielding member 71, and a part of the image forming unit 30, as viewed from the image forming surface side (upper side) of the conveyed recording material S. In Fig. 4, in the conveyance path of the recording material S between the housing 21 of the heating unit 20 and the image forming operation unit 33 of the image forming unit 30, the shielding member 71 is provided so as to prevent air from flowing from the housing 21 of the heating unit 20 to the image forming operation unit 33.

[0051] The shielding member 71 shown in Fig. 4 has a configuration in which two highly rigid flat plate members are combined. Since the shielding member 71 is formed from a highly rigid flat plate member, it is disposed with a space between the shielding member 71 and the conveying path through which the recording material S passes, similar to the configuration shown in Fig. 1. For this reason, the shielding member 71 is disposed at a position where it does not come into contact with the recording material S being conveyed.

[0052] The shielding member 71 has a shape in which a flat plate member is bent at the center in the width direction of the conveying path of the recording material S, and is disposed so that the center is located upstream of the side ends. That is, the shielding member 71 is configured so that the center is closest to the heating unit 20 and the side ends are farther away from the heating unit 20. The shielding member 71 may be configured of a single bent flat plate member, or may be configured by joining two flat plate members together.

[0053] The heated air 84 discharged from the housing 21 flows from the heating unit 20 in the direction toward the image forming unit 30 so as to be caught up in the transport of the recording material S. At this time, since the shielding member 71 has the above-mentioned shape, the heated air 84 discharged from the housing 21 is more likely to flow along the shielding member 71 in the width direction of the transport path. In addition, since the heated air 84 is higher in temperature and has a lower specific gravity than the surrounding air, it rises while flowing in the width direction along the shielding member 71. As a result, the heated air 84 is less likely to flow into the image forming unit 30 from between the shielding member 71 and the transport path.

[0054] Therefore, the shielding member 71 can prevent the inflow of heated air 84 into the image forming unit 30 and can prevent the image forming operation unit 33 from being heated. As a result, deterioration in the accuracy of the landing position during image formation can be prevented, and deterioration in the accuracy of image formation on the recording material in the image forming apparatus can be prevented.

[0055] The height and width of the shielding member 71 are not particularly limited. For example, the shielding member 71 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the width of the recording material discharge port 25 provided in the housing 21. The shielding member 71 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the maximum width of the recording material S used in the image forming apparatus 1. The shielding member 71 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the width at which the image forming operation unit 33 is disposed in the conveying unit 31 in the image forming unit 30. The shielding member 71 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the height at which the image forming operation unit 33 is disposed in the conveying unit 31 in the image forming unit 30.

[0056] 3. Third embodiment of image forming apparatus Next, a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus will be described. In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, examples using a flat plate-shaped member as a shielding member have been described, but the shielding member is not limited to a flat plate-shaped member as long as it is configured to block heated air. Therefore, as an image forming apparatus of the third embodiment, an example having a shielding member configured by a roller will be described. Note that, in the third embodiment, a configuration similar to that of the above-mentioned first embodiment can be applied, except for the configuration of the shielding member. Therefore, detailed description of the configuration similar to that of the above-mentioned first embodiment will be omitted.

[0057] [Shielding material] Fig. 5 shows the configuration of the heating unit 20, the shielding member 72, and a part of the image forming unit 30 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 5, only the image forming operation unit 33 and the support unit 321 are shown as the image forming unit 30. In the image forming apparatus 1, the configuration other than the shielding member 72 can be the same as that of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0058] 5 is disposed at a position where it contacts the conveyed recording material S, and is formed of a roller member that is held so as to be freely rotatable. The shielding member 72 formed of a roller member sandwiches the recording material S between itself and a support portion 321, and sends it out to the heating portion 20.

[0059] The shielding member 72 rotates in accordance with the conveyance of the recording material S by driving a conveyance motor 315 (FIG. 3) controlled by a conveyance control unit 52 of the control unit 50. This allows the recording material S conveyed from the heating unit 20 to the shielding member 72 to be conveyed to the image forming unit 30. In addition, the shielding member 72 is configured with a roller member and is rotated in accordance with the conveyance of the recording material S, which makes it difficult for damage to occur on the surface of the recording material S. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, the shielding member 72 can be disposed at a position where it comes into contact with the conveyed recording material S.

[0060] The air heated in the housing 21 (heated air 82) flows out of the housing 21 from the recording material discharge port 25 so as to be caught up in the transport of the recording material S. At this time, the heated air 83 discharged from the housing 21 is blocked by the shielding member 72. That is, since the shielding member 72 is made of a roller member and the recording material S is transported in a state of contact with the shielding member 72, it is possible to block the passage of the heated air 83 from between the shielding member 72 and the recording material transport path (support portion 321). Therefore, the shielding member 72 can block the flow of the heated air 83 into the inkjet head 331 of the image forming operation unit 33 while transporting the recording material S.

[0061] Therefore, the shielding member 72 can prevent the inflow of heated air 83 into the image forming unit 30 and can prevent heating of the image forming operation unit 33. As a result, deterioration in the accuracy of the landing position during image formation can be prevented, and deterioration in the accuracy of image formation on the recording material in the image forming apparatus can be prevented.

[0062] Furthermore, the shielding member 72 includes a roller heating unit 79 inside the roller member that heats the contact portion of the roller member with the recording material S. The output of the roller heating unit 79 is controlled by a roller heating control unit 58 (FIG. 3) of the control unit 50. By heating the roller member of the shielding member 72 with the roller heating unit 79 and bringing the heated shielding member 72 into contact with the recording material S, it is possible to adjust the temperature of the recording material S with higher accuracy.

[0063] There are no particular limitations on the shape or material of the roller member in the shielding member 72. It is preferable that the roller member of the shielding member 72 is made of a flexible material that is capable of transporting the recording material S and does not damage the recording material S during transport. It is also preferable that the roller member of the shielding member 72 is made of a material that is heat resistant to the heat of the roller heating unit 79 and has excellent thermal conductivity to the recording material S.

[0064] In the shielding member 72, the height and width of the roller member are not particularly limited. For example, the roller member constituting the shielding member 72 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the width of the recording material discharge port 25 provided in the housing 21. The roller member is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the maximum width of the recording material S used in the image forming apparatus 1. In the image forming section 30, the roller member is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the width at which the image forming operation section 33 is disposed in the conveying section 31. In the image forming section 30, the roller member is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the height at which the image forming operation section 33 is disposed in the conveying section 31.

[0065] 4. Fourth embodiment of image forming apparatus Next, a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus will be described. In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, examples in which a highly rigid flat plate member is used as the shielding member have been described, but the shielding member is not limited to a highly rigid flat plate member as long as it is configured to block heated air. Therefore, as an image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment, an example in which a shielding member made of a flexible member is provided will be described. Note that, in the fourth embodiment, a configuration similar to that of the above-mentioned first embodiment can be applied, except for the configuration of the shielding member. Therefore, detailed description of the configuration similar to that of the above-mentioned first embodiment will be omitted.

[0066] [Shielding material] Fig. 6 shows the configuration of the heating unit 20, the shielding member 73, and a part of the image forming unit 30 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 6, only the image forming operation unit 33 and the support unit 321 are shown as the image forming unit 30. In the image forming apparatus 1, the configuration other than the shielding member 73 can be the same as that of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0067] 6 is a side view of the image forming apparatus 1, showing the heating unit 20, the shielding member 73, and a part of the image forming unit 30, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transported recording material S. In FIG. 6, in the transport path of the recording material S between the housing 21 of the heating unit 20 and the image forming operation unit 33 of the image forming unit 30, the shielding member 73 is provided so as to prevent air from flowing from the housing 21 of the heating unit 20 to the image forming operation unit 33.

[0068] The shielding member 73 shown in Fig. 6 is made of a highly flexible member (flexible member). Since the shielding member 73 is made of a flexible member, the surface of the recording material S is less likely to be damaged even if the shielding member 73 comes into contact with the recording material S being transported, unlike the configuration shown in Fig. 1. For this reason, the shielding member 73 can be disposed at a position where it comes into contact with the recording material S being transported.

[0069] The air heated in the housing 21 (heated air 82) flows out of the housing 21 from the recording material discharge port 25 so as to be caught in the transport of the recording material S. At this time, the heated air 83 discharged from the housing 21 is blocked by the shielding member 73. Therefore, the shielding member 73 can block the inflow of the heated air 83 into the inkjet head 331 of the image forming operation unit 33.

[0070] Further, the shielding member 73 is held in a state in which the end on the transport path side is in contact with the support portion 321 and is bent toward the downstream side in the transport direction. By holding the shielding member 73 in this state, the shielding member 73 is more likely to come into contact with the recording material S being transported. Since the contact area between the shielding member 73 and the recording material S increases, it is possible to block the passage of heated air 83 between the shielding member 73 and the recording material transport path (support portion 321). Furthermore, by bending the shielding member 72, the stress on the recording material S at the portion where the recording material S starts to come into contact with the shielding member 72 tends to decrease, so that damage to the surface of the recording material S can be further reduced.

[0071] Therefore, the shielding member 73 can prevent the inflow of heated air 83 into the image forming unit 30 and can prevent heating of the image forming operation unit 33. As a result, deterioration in the accuracy of the landing position during image formation can be prevented, and deterioration in the accuracy of image formation on the recording material in the image forming apparatus can be prevented.

[0072] The height and width of the shielding member 73 are not particularly limited. For example, the shielding member 73 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the width of the recording material discharge port 25 provided in the housing 21. The shielding member 73 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the maximum width of the recording material S used in the image forming apparatus 1. The shielding member 73 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the width at which the image forming operation unit 33 is disposed in the conveying unit 31 in the image forming unit 30. The shielding member 73 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the height at which the image forming operation unit 33 is disposed in the conveying unit 31 in the image forming unit 30.

[0073] 5. Fifth embodiment of image forming apparatus Next, a fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus will be described. In the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, a configuration in which the shielding member blocks the heated air has been described, but the shielding member may be configured to not only block the heated air but also exhaust it to the outside. For this reason, as an image forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment, an example is described in which a plate-shaped member that blocks the heated air and a blower section for exhausting the heated air are provided. Note that, in the fifth embodiment, a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment described above can be applied, except for the configuration of the shielding member. For this reason, detailed description of the configuration similar to that of the first embodiment described above will be omitted.

[0074] [Shielding material] Fig. 7 shows the configuration of the heating unit 20, the shielding member 74, the blower unit 75, and a part of the image forming unit 30 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 7, only the image forming operation unit 33 and the support unit 321 are shown as the image forming unit 30.

[0075] 7 is a side view of the image forming apparatus 1, showing the heating section 20, the shielding member 74, the blower section 75, and a part of the image forming section 30, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transported recording material S. In FIG. 7, in the transport path of the recording material S between the housing 21 of the heating section 20 and the image forming operation section 33 of the image forming section 30, the shielding member 74 is provided so as to prevent air from flowing from the housing 21 of the heating section 20 to the image forming operation section 33.

[0076] The shielding member 74 is composed of multiple flat plate-like members with high rigidity. The shielding member 74 has a flat first shielding member 741 that is obliquely arranged so that the end of the recording material S on the conveying path side is more upstream in the recording material conveying direction than the end of the opposite side to the conveying path side. The shielding member 74 also has a flat second shielding member 742 that is arranged at a position facing the first shielding member 741 on the upstream side of the first shielding member 741 in the conveying direction of the recording material S. The shielding member 74 also has a third shielding member and a fourth shielding member (not shown) that are arranged in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the recording material S and connect the widthwise ends of the first shielding member 741 and the second shielding member 742.

[0077] In this way, the shielding member 74 is composed of the first shielding member 741, the second shielding member 742, the third shielding member, and the fourth shielding member on the downstream side of the housing 21, and forms a gas flow path 76 into which the heated air 85 discharged from the recording material discharge port 25 flows. The gas flow path 76 has openings near the downstream side of the recording material discharge port 25 of the housing 21 and outside the exterior body 65, and is a tubular member surrounded by the shielding member 74. Note that as long as the gas flow path 76 can be formed on the downstream side of the housing 21 by the shielding member 74, the shape of the gas flow path 76 is not limited to the above. A member other than a flat plate may be used for the shielding member 74, and the shape of the gas flow path 76 may be other polygonal or circular, etc.

[0078] A blower 75 is provided in the gas flow path 76. For example, a blower or an air compressor can be used as the blower 75. The drive and output of the blower 75 are controlled by the blower control unit 57 of the control unit 50 (FIG. 3). The blower control unit 57 controls the drive and output of the blower 75, thereby controlling the flow rate and air pressure of the heated air 85 passing through the gas flow path 76. By driving the blower 75, the heated air 85 can be drawn into the gas flow path 76, the heated air 85 can be moved within the gas flow path 76, and the heated air 85 can be exhausted to the outside of the exterior body 65.

[0079] In addition, since the shielding member 74 is formed of a highly rigid flat plate-like member, it is disposed with a space between the shielding member 74 and the conveying path through which the recording material S passes, similar to the configuration shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, the shielding member 74 is disposed at a position where it does not come into contact with the recording material S being conveyed.

[0080] The gas flow path 76 defined by the shielding member 74 is disposed at an angle such that the end on the transport path side is located upstream in the recording material transport direction relative to the end on the opposite side to the transport path side. In other words, the gas flow path 76 is disposed such that the end on the transport path side is close to the heating unit 20, and the end on the opposite side to the transport path is close to the image forming unit 30.

[0081] The gas flow passage 76 allows the heated air 85 to flow in from an opening on the recording material discharge port 25 side, and discharges the heated air 85 from an opening on the outside of the exterior body 65 . The heated air 85 discharged from the housing 21 flows in the direction from the heating unit 20 to the image forming unit 30 so as to be caught in the conveyance of the recording material S. At this time, the shielding member 74 forms the gas flow path 76 having the above-mentioned shape, so that the heated air 85 discharged from the housing 21 easily flows into the gas flow path 76 along the shielding member 74. In addition, since the heated air 85 has a higher temperature and a lower specific gravity than the surrounding air, it easily rises in the gas flow path 76 along the shielding member 74. Furthermore, by driving the blower 75 provided in the gas flow path 76, the heated air 85 discharged from the housing 21 can be drawn into the gas flow path 76. Then, the heated air 85 taken in by the gas flow path 76 can be exhausted to the outside of the exterior body 65 through the gas flow path 76. As a result, the heated air 85 is less likely to flow into the image forming unit 30 from between the shielding member 74 and the transport path.

[0082] Therefore, the shielding member 74 and the blower 75 can prevent the inflow of heated air 85 into the image forming unit 30 and prevent the image forming operation unit 33 from being heated. As a result, deterioration in the accuracy of the landing position during image formation can be prevented, and deterioration in the accuracy of image formation on the recording material in the image forming apparatus can be prevented.

[0083] The height and width of the gas flow path 76 formed by the shielding member 74 are not particularly limited. For example, the gas flow path 76 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the width of the recording material discharge port 25 provided in the housing 21. The gas flow path 76 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the maximum width of the recording material S used in the image forming apparatus 1. The gas flow path 76 is preferably formed to be equal to or larger than the width of the image forming operation unit 33 disposed in the conveying unit 31 in the image forming unit 30.

[0084] 6. Sixth embodiment of image forming apparatus Next, a sixth embodiment of the image forming apparatus will be described. In the above-mentioned fifth embodiment, a configuration in which the shielding member and the blower unit block the heated air and exhaust it to the outside has been described, but the heated air may not be exhausted to the outside of the image forming device. Therefore, as the image forming device of the sixth embodiment, a configuration in which the heated air from the blower unit is circulated within the device, together with a shielding member that blocks the heated air, will be described. Note that, in the sixth embodiment, the same configurations as those of the above-mentioned first and fifth embodiments can be applied, except for the configuration of the shielding member. Therefore, detailed description of the same configurations as those of the above-mentioned first and fifth embodiments will be omitted.

[0085] [Shielding material] Fig. 8 shows the configuration of the heating unit 20, the shielding member 77, the blower unit 75, and a part of the image forming unit 30 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 8, only the image forming operation unit 33 and the support unit 321 are shown as the image forming unit 30.

[0086] 8 is a side view of the image forming apparatus 1, showing the heating section 20, the shielding member 77, the blower section 75, and a part of the image forming section 30, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transported recording material S. In FIG. 8, in the transport path of the recording material S between the housing 21 of the heating section 20 and the image forming operation section 33 of the image forming section 30, the shielding member 77 is provided so as to prevent air from flowing from the housing 21 of the heating section 20 to the image forming operation section 33.

[0087] The shielding member 77 is composed of multiple flat plate-like members with high rigidity. The shielding member 77 has a flat first shielding member 771 that is obliquely arranged so that the end of the recording material S on the conveying path side is more upstream in the recording material conveying direction than the end of the recording material S on the opposite side to the conveying path side. The shielding member 77 also has a second shielding member 772 that is connected to the first shielding member 771 and covers a part of the housing 21. The second shielding member 772 continuously covers from the upper end of the first shielding member 771 to the upper surface side of the housing 21. Furthermore, the second shielding member 772 continuously covers from the side end of the first shielding member 771 to the upper surface or side surface of the housing 21.

[0088] The housing 21 is also provided with a gas inlet 27 on the top side thereof, through which heated air 85 flows in from the gas flow path 76. The gas inlet 27 is provided in a position separate from the recording material feed-in port 24 and the recording material discharge port 25. The gas flow path 76 has openings near the downstream side of the recording material discharge port 25 of the housing 21, and on the top side of the housing 21.

[0089] For this reason, a gas flow path 76 is formed by the shielding member 77 (first shielding member 771 and second shielding member 772) and the housing 21, into which the heated air 85 discharged from the recording material discharge port 25 flows. The gas flow path 76 is a tubular member surrounded by the shielding member 77 and the housing 21. Note that the shape of the gas flow path 76 is not limited to the above, as long as the gas flow path 76 can be formed on the downstream side of the housing 21 by the shielding member 77. A member other than a flat plate may be used for the shielding member 77, and the shape of the gas flow path 76 may be another polygonal or circular shape, for example.

[0090] In addition, since the shielding member 77 is formed of a highly rigid flat plate-like member, it is disposed with a space between the shielding member 77 and the conveying path through which the recording material S passes, similar to the configuration shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, the shielding member 77 is disposed at a position where it does not come into contact with the recording material S being conveyed.

[0091] The first shielding member 771 of the shielding member 77 is disposed obliquely so that the end on the transport path side of the recording material S is located upstream in the recording material transport direction relative to the end on the opposite side to the transport path side. In other words, the end on the transport path side of the gas flow path 76 is disposed close to the heating unit 20, and the end on the opposite side to the transport path is disposed close to the image forming unit 30.

[0092] Further, a blower unit 75 is provided in the gas flow path 76. By driving the blower unit 75, heated air 85 flowing out from the recording material discharge port 25 of the housing 21 is introduced into the gas flow path 76. Then, by driving the blower unit 75, the heated air 85 that has flowed into the gas flow path 76 moves inside the gas flow path 76, passes through the blower unit 75, and is introduced from the gas flow path 76 into the housing 21. As a result, the heated air 85 is less likely to flow into the image forming unit 30 from between the shielding member 77 and the transport path.

[0093] Therefore, the shielding member 77 and the blower 75 can prevent the inflow of heated air 85 into the image forming unit 30 and prevent the image forming operation unit 33 from being heated. As a result, deterioration in the accuracy of the landing position during image formation can be prevented, and deterioration in the accuracy of image formation on the recording material in the image forming apparatus can be prevented. Furthermore, by circulating the heated air 85 between the inside of the housing 21 and the gas flow path 76, the temperature inside the housing 21 is more likely to be stabilized than when air is introduced from outside the housing 21. This makes it easier to improve the heating stability of the recording material in the heating unit 20.

[0094] 7. Seventh embodiment of image forming apparatus Next, a seventh embodiment of the image forming apparatus will be described. In the above-mentioned sixth embodiment, the configuration in which the heated air is blocked by a shielding member and a blower unit, and the heated air is directly introduced into the housing of the heating unit has been described, but the configuration in which the heated air is not directly introduced into the housing may be used. Therefore, as an image forming apparatus of the seventh embodiment, a configuration in which the heated air from the blower unit is introduced to the upstream side of the housing, together with a shielding member that blocks the heated air, will be described. Note that, in the seventh embodiment, the same configurations as those of the above-mentioned first, fifth, and sixth embodiments can be applied, except for the configuration of the shielding member. Therefore, detailed description of the same configurations as those of the above-mentioned first, fifth, and sixth embodiments will be omitted.

[0095] [Shielding material] Fig. 9 shows the configuration of the heating unit 20, the shielding member 78, the blower unit 75, and a part of the image forming unit 30 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 9, only the image forming operation unit 33 and the support unit 321 are shown as the image forming unit 30.

[0096] 9 is a side view of the image forming apparatus 1, showing the heating section 20, the shielding member 78, the blower section 75, and a part of the image forming section 30, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transported recording material S. In FIG. 9, in the transport path of the recording material S between the housing 21 of the heating section 20 and the image forming operation section 33 of the image forming section 30, the shielding member 78 is provided so as to prevent air from flowing from the housing 21 of the heating section 20 to the image forming operation section 33.

[0097] The shielding member 78 is composed of multiple, highly rigid, flat plate-like members. The shielding member 78 also has a flat plate-like first shielding member 781 that is obliquely arranged so that the end of the recording material S on the conveying path side is more upstream in the recording material conveying direction than the end of the opposite side to the conveying path side. The shielding member 78 also has a second shielding member 782 that is connected to the first shielding member 781 and covers the entire housing 21 together with the first shielding member 781. The second shielding member 782 continuously covers the top and side surfaces from the top end of the first shielding member 781 to the upstream side of the housing 21 in the conveying direction of the recording material S.

[0098] For this reason, a gas flow path 76 is formed, which is constituted by the shielding member 78 (first shielding member 781 and second shielding member 782) and the housing 21, and into which the heated air 85 discharged from the recording material discharge port 25 flows. The gas flow path 76 is a tubular member surrounded by the shielding member 78 and the housing 21. The gas flow path 76 has an opening near the downstream side of the recording material discharge port 25 of the housing 21 and an opening near the upstream side of the recording material inlet 24 of the housing 21 . Note that the shape of the gas flow path 76 is not limited to the above-mentioned shape as long as the gas flow path 76 can be formed on the downstream side of the housing 21 by the shielding member 78. A member other than a flat plate may be used for the shielding member 78, and the shape of the gas flow path 76 may be another polygonal shape, a circle, or the like.

[0099] 1, the shielding member 78 is disposed at a position where it does not come into contact with the recording material S being transported, and a space through which the recording material S passes is provided between the first shielding member 781 and the transport path. The shielding member 78 is disposed at a position where an end of the second shielding member 782 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording material S does not come into contact with the recording material S being transported, and a space through which the recording material S passes is provided between the second shielding member 782 and the transport path.

[0100] Therefore, the recording material S passes between the end of the second shielding member 782 and the transport path, and is transported from the recording material entrance 24 into the housing 21. Then, the recording material S heated inside the housing 21 is discharged from the recording material exit 25, passes between the first shielding member 781 and the transport path, and is transported to the image forming unit 30.

[0101] The first shielding member 781 of the shielding member 78 is disposed obliquely so that the end on the transport path side of the recording material S is located upstream in the recording material transport direction relative to the end on the opposite side to the transport path side. In other words, the end on the transport path side of the gas flow path 76 is disposed close to the heating unit 20, and the end on the opposite side to the transport path is disposed close to the image forming unit 30.

[0102] Further, a blower unit 75 is provided in the gas flow path 76. By driving the blower unit 75, heated air 85 flowing out from the recording material discharge port 25 of the housing 21 is introduced into the gas flow path 76. Then, by driving the blower unit 75, the heated air 85 that has flowed into the gas flow path 76 moves inside the gas flow path 76 and passes through the blower unit 75, and the heated air 85 is introduced from the gas flow path 76 to the upstream side of the recording material introduction port 24 of the housing 21. As a result, the heated air 85 is less likely to flow into the image forming unit 30 from between the shielding member 78 and the transport path.

[0103] Therefore, the shielding member 78 and the blower 75 can prevent the inflow of heated air 85 into the image forming unit 30 and prevent the image forming operation unit 33 from being heated. As a result, deterioration in the accuracy of the landing position during image formation can be prevented, and deterioration in the accuracy of image formation on the recording material in the image forming apparatus can be prevented. Furthermore, by circulating the heated air 85 between the inside of the housing 21 and the gas flow path 76, the temperature inside the housing 21 is more likely to be stabilized than when air is introduced from outside the housing 21. This makes it easier to improve the heating stability of the recording material in the heating unit 20.

[0104] The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 Image forming apparatus, 2 Cited literature, 10 Recording material supply section, 11 Loading tray, 12 Delivery roller, 20 Heating section, 21 Housing, 22 First recording material heating section, 23 Second recording material heating section, 24 Recording material entrance, 25 Recording material discharge port, 27 Gas inlet, 30 Image forming section, 31 Conveying section, 33 Image forming operation section, 34 Fixing section, 35 Reading section, 40 Recording material discharge section, 41 Discharge tray, 42 Guide roller, 50 Control section, 51 Main control section, 52 Conveying control section, 53 Recording material heating control section, 54 Head control section, 55 Fixing control section, 56 Reading control section, 57 Air blowing control section, 58 Roller heating control section, 61 Memory section, 62 Input / output interface, 63 Display operation reception section, 65 Exterior body, 69 Bus, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77, 78 shielding member, 75 blower section, 76 gas flow path, 79 roller heating section, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85 heated air, 81 air, 226 temperature sensor, 311 conveyor belt, 312 driving roller, 313 driven roller, 315 conveyor motor, 321, 322, 323 support section, 331 inkjet head, 332 ink heating section, 333 ejection drive section, 341 ultraviolet ray irradiation section, 351 imaging section, 511 CPU, 512 RAM, 513 ROM, 741, 771, 781 first shielding member, 742, 772, 782 second shielding member

Claims

1. a conveying section that conveys the recording material on a conveying path; an image forming unit that ejects ink onto the recording material being conveyed; a recording material heating section arranged upstream of the image forming section in a conveying direction of the recording material, the recording material heating section heating the recording material; a housing that covers the recording material heating unit and has a recording material inlet provided on the upstream side in a recording material conveying direction and a recording material outlet provided on the downstream side; a shielding member disposed above the transport path between the recording material discharge port and the image forming unit, the shielding member blocking air discharged from the recording material discharge port from flowing into the image forming unit, the shielding member is a plate-like member that is disposed at a position not in contact with the recording material on the image forming surface side of the recording material in the transport path, In a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording material, a center of the plate-shaped member is disposed upstream of an end of the plate-shaped member in the conveying direction of the recording material. Image forming device.

2. The recording material heating section has a non-contact heating device that heats the recording material without contacting the recording material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The end of the plate-like member on the side of the transport path is inclined toward the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording material with respect to the end of the plate-like member on the opposite side to the transport path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. The shielding member constitutes a gas flow path into which air discharged from the recording material discharge port is introduced.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A blower for moving air introduced into the gas flow path is provided in the gas flow path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 .

6. The gas flow path has a shape that allows air to be introduced into the housing from the gas flow path.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

7. The gas flow path has a shape that introduces air from the gas flow path to an upstream side of the housing in a conveying direction of the recording material.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

8. The recording material heating section includes a first recording material heating section disposed on an image forming surface of the recording material, and a second recording material heating section disposed on the opposite surface to the image forming surface.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

9. a control unit for controlling driving of the recording material heating unit, The control unit controls an output of the first recording material heating unit and an output of the second recording material heating unit independently of each other. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

10. a conveying section that conveys the recording material on a conveying path; an image forming unit that ejects ink onto the recording material being conveyed; a recording material heating section arranged upstream of the image forming section in a conveying direction of the recording material, the recording material heating section heating the recording material; a housing that covers the recording material heating unit and has a recording material inlet provided on the upstream side in a recording material conveying direction and a recording material outlet provided on the downstream side; a shielding member disposed above the transport path between the recording material discharge port and the image forming unit, the shielding member blocking air discharged from the recording material discharge port from flowing into the image forming unit, the shielding member is a roller member that is disposed above an image forming surface of the recording material on the transport path and is rotatably supported in contact with the recording material, The roller member includes a roller heating section that heats a contact portion of the roller member with the recording material. Image forming device.

11. The recording material heating section includes a first recording material heating section disposed on an image forming surface of the recording material, and a second recording material heating section disposed on the opposite surface to the image forming surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

12. a control unit for controlling driving of the recording material heating unit, The control unit controls an output of the first recording material heating unit and an output of the second recording material heating unit independently of each other. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.

Images