Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To allow cooling to the depth side of a space extending from a wall surface to the inside of an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus (U) comprises: a first inclined part (19) that is inclined upward from one side face toward the other side face; a second inclined part (49) that is inclined downward toward one side face; means (57) to be cooled that is arranged in a space (51) sandwiched between the first inclined part (19) and the second inclined part (49); a first wall member (18) that is arranged above the first inclined part (19) and formed with first ventilation means (18a); and a second wall member (48) that is arranged below the second inclined part (49) and formed with second ventilation means (48a).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and FAX machines, the technique described in the following Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-107478 as Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a vertical substrate placement space (100) is provided on the side of an image forming apparatus, and air is passed between a lower intake port (140) and an upper exhaust port (150) to generate a vertical air flow, thereby flowing air along a circuit board (200).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable cooling up to the back side of a space extending inward from the wall surface of an image forming apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above technical problem, the image forming apparatus according to the invention described in claim 1 includes a main body of the image forming apparatus, from the side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus The other party toward the side surface, a first inclined portion that inclines upward as it goes, One party and a second inclined portion that inclines downward as it goes from the inner end portion of the first inclined portion toward the one side surface. Cooling means disposed in the space sandwiched between the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion, and arranged at intervals in the direction from one side surface to the other side surface A plate-shaped cooling means arranged along the vertical direction and a first wall member disposed above the first inclined portion and having first ventilation means formed thereon, a second wall member disposed below the second inclined portion and having second ventilation means formed thereon, characterized by comprising.

[0008] Claim 2 The invention according to According to Claim 1 In the image forming apparatus described, Among the plurality of cooling means, the cooling means that requires the most cooling is arranged on the side closer to the one side surface characterized by.

[0009] Claim 3 The invention according to claim 1 Or 2 In the image forming apparatus described, The first ventilation means and the second ventilation means formed to extend beyond the width of the cooling means in the width direction of the cooling means, which intersects the direction from one side surface to the other side surface and the vertical direction characterized by comprising.

[0010] Claim 4 The invention according to claim 1 to 3 In the image forming apparatus according to any one of, The first wall member and the second wall member constituted by a connecting member that connects the parts on one end side and the other end side of the main body of the image forming apparatus with respect to the width direction of the cooling means characterized by comprising.

[0011] Claim 5 The invention according to Claim 4 In the image forming apparatus described, The first ventilation means and the second ventilation means constituted by a plurality of round holes characterized by comprising.

[0012] Claim 6 The invention described in [reference] is, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that it comprises transfer means disposed in at least one of the first ventilation means and the second ventilation means for transferring gas.

[0013] Claim 7 The invention described in [reference] is Claim 6 in the image forming apparatus described in [reference], characterized in that it comprises transfer means disposed at the position of the first ventilation means for transferring gas outward from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to cool up to the back side of the space extending inward from the wall surface of the image forming apparatus. Also, Claim 1 According to the invention described in [reference], the gas flow can be smoothed and the cooling efficiency can be enhanced as compared with the case where the means to be cooled extends along the horizontal direction. Claim 2 According to the invention described in [reference], the cooling efficiency of the means to be cooled can be enhanced as compared with the case where the means to be cooled that most requires cooling is disposed on the side far from one side surface.

[0015] Claim 3 According to the invention described in [reference], it is possible to cool the entire width direction of the means to be cooled. Claim 4 According to the invention described in [reference], the strength and rigidity of the main body of the image forming apparatus can be improved as compared with the case where no connecting member is provided. Claim 5 According to the invention described in [reference], a decrease in the strength of the wall member can be suppressed as compared with the case where the ventilation means is not a round hole. Claim 6 According to the invention described in [reference], stable cooling can be achieved as compared with the case where no transfer means is provided. Claim 7According to the invention described in , compared with the case of not having a transfer means for transferring outward from the outside of the image forming apparatus, it is easier to stably exhaust the heated air inside the narrow space to the outside.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Next, with reference to the drawings, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as Examples) will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples. For the sake of easy understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and the directions or sides indicated by the arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, Z, -Z are the front, rear, right, left, upper, lower, or front side, rear side, right side, left side, upper side, lower side, respectively. In addition, in the drawings, those with "·" in "○" mean arrows from the back to the front of the paper surface, and those with "×" in "○" mean arrows from the front to the back of the paper surface. In the description using the following drawings, illustrations other than the members necessary for the description are appropriately omitted for the sake of easy understanding.

Examples

[0018] FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of the image forming apparatus according to Example 1. In FIG. 1, a copying machine U as an example of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention has a printer unit U1 as an example of image recording means. Above the printer unit U1, a scanner unit U2 as an example of reading means and also as an example of an image reading apparatus is supported. Above the scanner unit U2, an auto feeder U3 as an example of a document conveying apparatus is supported.

[0019] Above the auto feeder U3, an original tray TG1 as an example of medium accommodating means is arranged. A plurality of originals Gi to be copied can be stacked and accommodated in the original tray TG1. Below the original tray TG1, an original discharge tray TG2 as an example of an original discharge portion is formed. Between the original tray TG1 and the original discharge tray TG2, an original conveying roller U3b is arranged along an original conveying path U3a.

[0020] On the upper surface of the scanner unit U2, a platen glass PG as an example of a transparent original table is arranged. In the scanner unit U2 of Embodiment 1, a reading unit U2a as an example of a reading portion is arranged below the platen glass PG. The reading unit U2a of Embodiment 1 is supported so as to be movable in the left - right direction as an example of the sub - scanning direction along the lower surface of the platen glass PG. Note that the reading unit U2a is electrically connected to an image processing unit GS.

[0021] The image processing unit GS is electrically connected to a writing circuit DL of the printer unit U1. The writing circuit DL is electrically connected to exposure devices LHy, LHm, LHc, LHk as an example of latent image forming means. The exposure devices LHy - LHk of Embodiment 1 are, for example, constituted by an LED head in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in the main scanning direction. The exposure devices LHy - LHk are configured to be able to output writing light corresponding to each of the colors Y, M, C, K according to a signal input from the writing circuit DL. The writing circuit DL and the power supply circuit E are controlled in terms of writing timing and power supply timing according to a control signal from a control unit C as an example of control means. In FIG. 1, above the exposure apparatuses LHy to LHk, photoreceptors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk, which are an example of image holding means, are arranged. In FIG. 1, writing regions Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k are formed by regions irradiated with writing light on the respective photoreceptors PRy to PRk.

[0022] With respect to the rotation directions of the respective photoreceptors PRy to PRk, charging rollers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk, which are an example of charging means, are arranged on the upstream side of the writing regions Q1y to Q1k. The charging rollers CRy to CRk in the first embodiment are supported so as to be in contact with the photoreceptors PRy to PRk and rotatable in a driven manner. With respect to the rotation directions of the photoreceptors PRy to PRk, developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk, which are an example of developing means, are arranged on the downstream side of the writing regions Q1y to Q1k. Developing regions Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k are formed by regions where the respective photoreceptors PRy to PRk face the respective developing devices Gy to Gk.

[0023] With respect to the rotation directions of the photoreceptors PRy to PRk, primary transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k, which are an example of primary transfer means, are arranged on the downstream side of the developing devices Gy to Gk. Primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are formed by regions where the respective photoreceptors PRy to PRk face the respective primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k. With respect to the rotation directions of the photoreceptors PRy to PRk, photoreceptor cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk, which are an example of cleaning means, are arranged on the downstream side of the primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k.

[0024] An example of a Y-color image forming unit Uy as a Y-color visible image forming means of Example 1 for forming a Y-color toner image is configured by the Y-color photoreceptor PRy, charging roller CRy, exposure device LHy, developing device Gy, primary transfer roller T1y, and photoreceptor cleaner CLy. Similarly, the M, C, and K-color image forming units Um, Uc, and Uk are configured by the respective photoreceptors PRm, PRc, PRk, charging rollers CRm, CRc, CRk, exposure devices LHm, LHc, LHk, developing devices Gm, Gc, Gk, primary transfer rollers T1m, T1c, T1k, and photoreceptor cleaners CLm, CLc, CLk.

[0025] Above the photoreceptors PRy to PRk, a belt module BM is arranged as an example of an intermediate transfer device. The belt module BM is an example of an image holding means and has an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer means. The intermediate transfer belt B is constituted by an endless belt-like member. The intermediate transfer belt B of Example 1 is rotatably supported by a tension roller Rt as an example of a stretching means, a walking roller Rw as an example of a deviation correction means, an idler roller Rf as an example of a driven means, a backup roller T2a as an example of an opposing means in the secondary transfer region, the primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k, and a driving roller Rd as an example of a driving means. In Example 1, when driving is transmitted to the driving roller Rd, the intermediate transfer belt B rotates.

[0026] At a position facing the backup roller T2a with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween, a secondary transfer roller T2b is arranged as an example of a secondary transfer means. The backup roller T2a, the secondary transfer roller T2b, etc. constitute a secondary transfer device T2 of Example 1 as an example of a transfer device. Also, a secondary transfer region Q4 is constituted by a region where the secondary transfer roller T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B are in contact. On the downstream side of the secondary transfer region Q4 with respect to the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt cleaner CLb is arranged as an example of a cleaning device for the intermediate transfer body. The transfer device T1+T2+B of Example 1 as an example of the transfer means is constituted by the primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer device T2, etc. Further, the image recording unit Uy to Uk+T1+T2+B of Example 1 is constituted by the image forming units Uy to Uk and the transfer device T1+T2+B.

[0027] In Example 1, with respect to the backup roller T2a as an example of the first support means, the walking roller Rw as an example of the second support means is disposed above in the direction of gravity. That is, the walking roller Rw disposed immediately downstream of the backup roller T2a is disposed above in the direction of gravity. Also, in Example 1, the driving roller Rd is disposed above the walking roller Rw in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the intermediate transfer belt B of Example 1 is inclined upward as it goes downstream on the downstream side of the secondary transfer region Q4 as an example of the final transfer region with respect to the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt B. In Example 1, the angle θ1 formed by the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B after passing through the secondary transfer region Q4 with respect to the horizontal is set to 15° as an example.

[0028] The belt cleaner CLb of Example 1 is disposed to face the driving roller Rd. In the first embodiment, the walking roller Rw is illustrated as being disposed between the backup roller T2a and the driving roller Rd, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It is also possible to dispose the walking roller Rw at the position of the idler roller Rf or to provide another mechanism for correcting the offset and not provide the walking roller Rw. In these cases, the second supporting means becomes the driving roller Rd, and the driving roller Rd also serves as the second supporting means and the driving means. When the driving roller Rd also serves as the second supporting means and the driving means, there is an advantage that the number of parts can be reduced. On the other hand, as in the first embodiment, by separately disposing the second supporting means (walking roller Rw) and the driving means (driving roller Rd), it becomes possible to move the positions of the second supporting means and the driving means respectively, improving the degree of freedom in design and making it easier to cope with the posture of the intermediate transfer belt B and the constraints of the internal space of the copying machine U, etc.

[0029] In FIG. 1, below the image forming units Uy to Uk, paper feed trays TR1 and TR2, which are an example of paper feed means, are disposed. The paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are supported so as to be insertable and removable in the front-rear direction. Recording paper S, which is an example of a medium, is accommodated in the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2. In the first embodiment, the upper first paper feed tray TR1 is disposed so as to be inclined upward as it goes from the right side, which is the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper S, to the left side, which is the downstream side. In the first embodiment, the inclination angle θ2 of the bottom surface of the first paper feed tray TR1 with respect to the horizontal is set to 35°. The lower second paper feed tray TR2 is disposed horizontally along the conveyance direction of the recording paper. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the upper first paper feed tray TR1 has a larger maximum size of the recording paper S that can be accommodated than the second paper feed tray TR2.

[0030] Above the upper left of the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2, a pickup roller Rp is arranged as an example of the picking means. In the conveyance direction of the recording paper S, a leveling roller Rs is arranged on the downstream side of the pickup roller Rp as an example of the leveling means. In the conveyance direction of the recording paper S, on the downstream side of the leveling roller Rs, a paper feed path SH1 extending upward is formed as an example of the conveyance path of the medium. A plurality of conveyance rollers Ra are arranged in the paper feed path SH1 as an example of the conveyance means.

[0031] At the lower left of the copying machine U, a manual feed tray TR0 is arranged as an example of the paper feed means. A pickup roller Rp0 is arranged at the upper right of the manual feed tray TR0, and a manual paper feed path SH0 extends. The manual paper feed path SH0 merges into the paper feed path SH1. In the paper feed path SH1, a registration roller Rr is arranged as an example of the conveyance timing adjustment means on the upstream side of the secondary transfer area Q4. A conveyance path SH2 extends from the registration roller Rr toward the secondary transfer area Q4.

[0032] In the conveyance direction of the recording paper S, on the downstream side of the secondary transfer area Q4, a fixing device F is arranged as an example of the fixing means. The fixing device F includes a heating roller Fh as an example of the fixing member for heating and a pressure roller Fp as an example of the fixing member for pressurization. A fixing area Q5 is formed by the contact area between the heating roller Fh and the pressure roller Fp. On the upper surface of the printer unit U1, a lower paper discharge tray TRh is formed as an example of the discharge part of the medium. Above the fixing device F, a paper discharge path SH3 extends toward the lower paper discharge tray TRh as an example of the conveyance path. A paper discharge roller Rh is arranged at the downstream end of the paper discharge path SH3 as an example of the conveyance means of the medium.

[0033] Above the lower paper discharge tray TRh, an upper paper discharge tray TRh2 is arranged as an example of the discharge part of the medium. Above the fixing device F, an upper conveyance path SH4 is formed which branches from the paper discharge path SH3 and extends toward the upper paper discharge tray TRh2. In the upper conveyance path SH4, a reversible roller Rb, which is an example of a medium conveyance means capable of forward and reverse rotation, is arranged. Above the branch position between the paper discharge path SH3 and the upper conveyance path SH4, an inversion path SH6, which is an example of a medium conveyance path, branches from the upper conveyance path SH4 to the lower left. A gate GT1, which is an example of a switching means, is arranged so as to straddle the branch portion between the paper discharge path SH3 and the upper conveyance path SH4 and the branch portion between the upper conveyance path SH4 and the inversion path SH6. The gate GT1 guides the recording paper S from the fixing device F toward the lower paper discharge tray TRh, and is supported so as to be switchable between a first guiding position (second position) for guiding the recording paper S from the upper conveyance path SH4 to the inversion path SH6 and a second guiding position (first position) for guiding the recording paper S from the fixing device F to the upper conveyance path SH4. In the inversion path SH6, a plurality of conveyance rollers Ra, which are an example of a medium conveyance means, are arranged. The downstream end of the inversion path SH6 merges with the paper feed path SH1 upstream of the registration roller Rr.

[0034] (Description of the image forming operation) In the copying machine U of Example 1 having the above configuration, when an operator places the original Gi manually on the platen glass PG for copying, the reading unit U2a moves in the left - right direction from the initial position, and the original Gi on the platen glass PG is scanned while being exposed. Also, when automatically conveying the original Gi using the auto - feeder U3 for copying, the plurality of originals Gi accommodated in the original tray TG1 are sequentially conveyed to and pass through the reading position of the original on the platen glass PG, and are discharged to the original paper discharge tray TG2. Each original Gi passing through the reading position on the platen glass PG is exposed to and scanned by the reading unit U2a. The reflected light from the original Gi is received by the reading unit U2a. The reading unit U2a converts the received reflected light of the original Gi into an electrical signal. When double - sided reading of the original Gi is performed, the original Gi is also read by the reading sensor.

[0035] The image processing unit GS receives the electrical signal output from the reading unit U2a. The image processing unit GS converts the electrical signals of the R, G, and B color images read by the reading unit U2a into image information of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) for latent image formation. The image processing unit GS outputs the converted image information to the writing circuit DL of the printer unit U1. Note that when the image is a single-color image, i.e., a so-called monochrome image, the image processing unit GS outputs only the image information of black K to the writing circuit DL. The writing circuit DL outputs a control signal corresponding to the input image information to the exposure devices LHy to LHk. The exposure devices LHy to LHk output writing light corresponding to the control signal.

[0036] Each photoreceptor PRy to PRk is rotationally driven when image formation starts. A charging voltage is applied from the power supply circuit E to the charging rollers CRy to CRk. Therefore, the surfaces of the photoreceptors PRy to PRk are charged by the charging rollers CRy to CRk. The charged photoreceptors PRy to PRk have an electrostatic latent image formed on their surfaces by the exposure devices LHy to LHk in the writing regions Q1y to Q1k. The electrostatic latent images on the photoreceptors PRy to PRk are developed into toner images, which are an example of an image, by the developing devices Gy to Gk in the developing regions Q2y to Q2k.

[0037] The developed toner images are conveyed to the primary transfer regions Q3y to Q3k that contact the intermediate transfer belt B, which is an example of an intermediate transfer member. In the primary transfer regions Q3y to Q3k, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied from the power supply circuit E to the primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k. Therefore, the toner images on each photoreceptor PRy to PRk are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k. Note that in the case of multi-color toner images, the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B in the upstream primary transfer region is overlaid with the toner image transferred in the downstream primary transfer region. The residues and attachments on the photoreceptors PRy to PRk after primary transfer are cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaners CLy to CLk. The surfaces of the cleaned photoreceptors PRy to PRk are recharged by the charging rollers CRy to CRk. The monochromatic or multicolor toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B by the first transfer rollers T1y to T1k in the first transfer areas Q3y to Q3k is conveyed to the second transfer area Q4.

[0038] The recording paper S on which an image is to be recorded is taken out by the pickup rollers Rp of the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 to be used. When a plurality of sheets of recording paper S are taken out stacked, the recording paper S taken out by the pickup roller Rp is separated one by one by the separating roller Rs. The recording paper S separated by the separating roller Rs is conveyed through the paper feed path SH1 by the conveying roller Ra. The recording paper S conveyed through the paper feed path SH1 is sent to the registration roller Rr. The recording paper S stacked on the manual feed tray TR0 is also sent to the paper feed path SH1 through the manual paper feed path SH0 by the pickup roller Rp0. The registration roller Rr conveys the recording paper S to the second transfer area Q4 in synchronization with the timing when the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to the second transfer area Q4. A second transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the second transfer roller T2b by the power supply circuit E. Therefore, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt B to the recording paper S.

[0039] After the second transfer, the intermediate transfer belt B is cleaned by the belt cleaner CLb of deposits and the like adhering to the surface. The recording paper S on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is heat-fixed when passing through the fixing area Q5. When the recording paper S on which the image is fixed is discharged to the lower discharge tray TRh, the gate GT1 moves to the first guiding position. Therefore, the recording paper S sent out from the fixing device F is conveyed through the discharge path SH3. The recording paper S conveyed through the discharge path SH3 is discharged to the lower discharge tray TRh by the discharge roller Rh.

[0040] When the recording paper S is discharged to the upper discharge tray TRh2, the gate GT1 moves to the second guiding position and is discharged to the upper discharge tray TRh2. When the recording paper S is double-sided printed, the gate GT1 moves to the second guiding position. Then, when the trailing edge of the recording paper S passes through the gate GT1, the gate GT1 moves to the first guiding position and the reversing roller Rb rotates reversely. Therefore, the recording paper S is guided by the gate GT1 and sent to the reversing path SH6.

[0041] (Explanatory drawing of the frame body) FIG. 2 is an explanatory drawing of the frame body part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory drawing of the air flow in the narrow space part of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory drawing of the wall member of the first embodiment, FIG. 4A is an explanatory drawing of the first wall member, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory drawing of the second wall member. In FIG. 2, in the copying machine U of the first embodiment, there are an upper frame body 1 in which the image recording parts Uy to Uk + T1 + T2 + B, the fixing device F, etc. are accommodated inside, and a lower frame body 2 in which the paper feed trays TR1, TR2, etc. are accommodated inside.

[0042] The upper frame body 1 has upper vertical frames 11 to 14 as an example of vertical frames arranged corresponding to the four corners of the front, rear, left, and right. The upper vertical frames 11 to 14 extend in the vertical direction. Between the lower part of the left front upper vertical frame 11 and the lower end part of the right front upper vertical frame 12, a front horizontal frame 16F as an example of a horizontal frame body is supported. Also, between the right front upper vertical frame 12 and the right rear upper vertical frame 14, a right horizontal frame 17 as an example of a horizontal frame body is supported. Between the left rear upper vertical frame 13 and the right rear upper vertical frame 14, a rear horizontal frame 16R is supported. Although illustration and description are omitted, a horizontal frame body is also supported between the left front upper vertical frame 11 and the left rear upper vertical frame 13.

[0043] Between the upper vertical frame 12 on the right front side and the upper vertical frame 14 on the right rear side, below the right horizontal frame 17, an upper tie bar 18 as an example of a first wall member is supported. The upper tie bar 18 is composed of a plate-shaped metal member, that is, so-called sheet metal. In FIG. 4A, upper punch holes 18a as an example of a first ventilation means are formed in the upper tie bar 18. The upper punch holes 18a are formed in a round hole shape and are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. The upper punch holes 18a of the first embodiment are formed to have a width longer than the width in the front-rear direction of circuit boards (57a to 57c) described later.

[0044] At the lower part of the upper frame body 1, a plate-shaped bottom plate 19 is arranged as an example of a first inclined portion. The plate-shaped bottom plate 19 is supported between the front and rear horizontal frames 16F and 16R. The bottom plate 19 of the first embodiment is arranged to be inclined upward from the left side (the other side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus) to the right side (one side surface) corresponding to the inclination angle θ1 where the intermediate transfer belt B and the photoreceptors PRy to PRk are arranged. Further, on the upper side of the bottom plate 19, a high-voltage power supply board 20 as an example of a circuit board is supported.

[0045] In the lower frame body 2, corresponding to the upper vertical frames 11 to 14, lower vertical frames 41 to 44 as an example of vertical frames are arranged. The lower vertical frames 41 to 44 extend in the vertical direction. Between the upper end portions of the left front lower vertical frame 41 and the right front lower vertical frame 42, a front lower frame 46 as an example of a horizontal frame is supported. Also, between the right front lower vertical frame 42 and the right rear lower vertical frame 44, a right lower frame 47 as an example of a horizontal frame is supported. Although detailed description is omitted, horizontal frames are also supported at the lower ends between the left front lower vertical frame 41 and the left rear lower vertical frame 43, and between the left rear lower vertical frame 43 and the right rear lower vertical frame 44.

[0046] Between the lower vertical frame 42 on the right front side and the lower vertical frame 44 on the right rear side, above the lower right frame 47, a lower tie bar 48, which is an example of a second wall member, is supported. The lower tie bar 48 is composed of a plate-shaped metal member, namely, sheet metal. In FIG. 4B, lower punch holes 48a, which are an example of second ventilation means, are formed in the lower tie bar 48. Similar to the upper punch holes 18a, a plurality of the lower punch holes 48a are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction and are formed to have a width longer than the width in the front-rear direction of circuit boards (57a to 57c) described later.

[0047] On the upper part of the lower frame body 2, a plate-shaped ceiling plate 49, which is an example of a second inclined portion, is arranged. The ceiling plate 49 is supported by the front lower frame 46, the lower vertical frame 42 on the right front side, the lower vertical frame 44 on the right rear side, and the like. The ceiling plate 49 of the first embodiment is arranged to be inclined upward as it goes leftward corresponding to the inclination angle θ2 of the first paper feed tray TR1. Note that the left end (inner end) of the ceiling plate 49 extends toward the left end of the bottom plate 19. Therefore, inside the copying machine U of the first embodiment, a space 51 surrounded by the bottom plate 19 and the ceiling plate 49 is formed. The space 51 has a shape in which the vertical interval becomes narrower as it goes from right to left. Therefore, the space 51 is a space having a shape that narrows as it goes from the right side to the back side (left side). In other words, when viewed from the front, the space 51 is composed of a wedge-shaped space. At the right end of the space 51, an opening / closing cover 52 capable of opening and closing the inside of the space 51 is arranged. Therefore, the opening / closing cover 52 opens and closes an opening 51a surrounded by the tie bars 18 and 48, the vertical frames 12 and 42 on the right front side, and the vertical frames 14 and 44 on the right rear side. In the first embodiment, the punch holes 18a and 48a are not formed in the opening / closing cover 52.

[0048] Also, an attachment frame 56 as an example of an attachment member is supported above the ceiling plate 49. Three sets of a pair of front and rear attachment frames 56 (only the front side is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. The right attachment frame 56a corresponding to the right part of the space 51 has a longer length in the vertical direction, and the length in the vertical direction becomes shorter toward the central attachment frame 56b and the left attachment frame 56c.

[0049] A main board 57a as an example of a first cooling means is detachably attached to the right (frontmost) attachment frame 56a. A fixing board 57b as an example of a second cooling means is detachably attached to the central attachment frame 56b. A print server board 57c as an example of a third cooling means is detachably attached to the left (rearmost) attachment frame 56c. Each of the boards 57a to 57c is composed of a plate-shaped board and is attached in a state along the vertical direction. Note that the upper and lower ends of each of the boards 57a to 57c are arranged at an interval (gap) from the bottom plate 19 and the ceiling plate 49. In the first embodiment, the rear print server board 57c is configured to have the smallest area, and the front main board 57a is configured to have the largest area. In the first embodiment, the main board 57a is composed of a board that generates the most heat and requires the highest cooling, and the print server board 57c is composed of a board that requires the lowest cooling.

[0050] (Operation of the First Embodiment) In the copying machine U of Example 1 having the above configuration, it is possible to open the opening / closing cover 52 and detach the internal substrates 57a to 57c. When the copying machine U operates with the substrates 57a to 57c attached and the opening / closing cover 52 closed, each of the substrates 57a to 57c generates heat when energized. When the air in the space 51 is heated and rises during heat generation, it is guided upward and rightward along the bottom surface of the bottom plate 19 and exhausted from the upper punch hole 18a. Along with the exhaust of the gas through the upper punch hole 18a, outside air flows into the space 51 from the outside through the lower punch hole 48a. The outside air that has flowed into the space 51 is guided leftward along the ceiling plate 49, flows into the space between the substrates 57a to 57c, and cools the substrates 57a to 57c. Therefore, the outside air that has flowed into the space 51 can flow along the space narrowed toward the back side as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 3 and cool up to the back side of the narrowed space 51.

[0051] Particularly, in a configuration where a plurality of substrates 57a to 57c are arranged, in a configuration that is not narrowed toward the back side as described in Patent Document 1, only the frontmost main substrate 57a is easily cooled, and it is difficult to cause an air flow to the substrates 57b and 57c that are far from the opening / closing cover 52, making cooling difficult. On the other hand, in Example 1, the space 51 has a configuration that is narrowed toward the back side. That is, in Example 1, the lower wall (ceiling plate 49) of the space 51 is inclined upward as it goes toward the back side, and the upper wall (bottom plate 19) of the space 51 is inclined downward as it goes toward the back side. Therefore, in Example 1, by making the space 51 a narrowed space, an air flow easily flows toward the back side, and the back-side substrates 57b and 57c are easily cooled.

[0052] Particularly, in Example 1, the substrates 57a to 57c are arranged along the vertical direction, the space 51 is partitioned by the substrates 57a to 57c, and air is easily guided along the substrates 57a to 57c. Therefore, compared with the case where the substrates 57a to 57c are arranged side by side along the horizontal direction, the air flow becomes smoother and the cooling efficiency is improved. Also, in Example 1, a plurality of substrates 57a to 57c are accommodated in the space 51, and the space 51 is effectively utilized compared with the case where only one substrate is accommodated. Furthermore, in Example 1, among the plurality of substrates 57a to 57c, the main substrate 57a with the highest cooling requirement is arranged on the outside (the side of the opening 51a), that is, at a position close to the lower punch hole 48a. After the cold outside air flows into the space 51, the air will be heated on the way to the back side of the space 51, and the closer to the outside, the lower the air temperature and the higher the cooling efficiency. Therefore, compared with the case where the member with a high cooling requirement is arranged on the back side of the narrow space 51, the cooling efficiency is higher in Example 1.

[0053] Also, in Example 1, with respect to the front-rear direction which is the width direction of the plurality of substrates 57a to 57c, each punch hole 18a, 48a is formed with a width longer than the width of the substrates 57a to 57c, that is, extending to the outside. Therefore, the gas flowing in from the punch holes 18a, 48a can cool the entire width direction of the substrates 57a to 57c. Thus, the cooling efficiency is higher compared with the case where the punch holes 18a, 48a are formed only inside the width of the substrates 57a to 57c. Also, in Example 1, instead of the opening / closing cover 52, punch holes 18a, 48a are formed in the tie bars 18, 48 which are members having the strength of the copying machine U and are strong. Therefore, compared with the case where the punch holes 18a, 48a are formed in the opening / closing cover 52 without providing the tie bars 18, 48, it is possible to improve the overall strength and rigidity of the copying machine U.

[0054] Also, in Example 1, round-hole-shaped punch holes 18a, 48a are formed as an example of the ventilation means. As the ventilation means, it is also possible to use a slit shape or a square-hole shape. However, compared with the case of forming a slit or a square hole, it is easier to suppress the decrease in the strength of the tie bars 18, 48 in the case of round holes. Therefore, in Example 1, it is easier to ensure the strength of the tie bars 18, 48 compared with the case of forming a slit or a square hole.

[0055] In Example 1, transfer means for transferring the gas in space 51, such as a fan or a blower, is not provided. Therefore, compared with the case of using a fan or the like, the manufacturing cost and power consumption can be reduced. It is also possible to provide transfer means such as a fan or a blower for exhausting the gas heated in space 51 or introducing outside air into space 51. When a fan, a blower, or the like is provided, the cooling performance can be stabilized by the gas transfer amount of the fan or the like. Further, the fan or the like can be arranged on both the upper punch hole 18a and the lower punch hole 48a, or can be arranged on one side. When arranged on one side, it is easier to exhaust the heated gas inside and more efficient if it is installed corresponding to the upper punch hole 18a.

[0056] (Modified Example) As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Modification examples (H01) to (H04) of the present invention are illustrated below. (H01) In the above embodiment, the copying machine U as an example of the image forming apparatus is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it can be applied to a FAX or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a FAX, a printer, and a copying machine. Further, the present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus for multicolor development, and it can also be configured by a monochromatic, so-called monochrome image forming apparatus.

[0057] (H02) In the above embodiment, the specific numerical values illustrated can be appropriately changed according to changes in design and specifications. Therefore, the inclination angle θ1 of the intermediate transfer belt B can also be changed accordingly if the adhesion of paper dust to the intermediate transfer belt B changes depending on the material of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt. Further, the inclination angle θ2 of the first paper feed tray TR1 can also be appropriately changed according to the maximum size of the usable recording paper S and the lateral width of the copying machine U. (H03) In the above embodiment, the case of using the intermediate transfer belt B as the image holding means is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is also applicable to the case of using an image holding means such as a photoreceptor belt. (H04) In the above embodiment, the substrates 57a to 57c, which are an example of the means to be cooled, are illustrated as being detachable one by one, but are not limited thereto. For example, it is possible to arbitrarily change to a configuration in which the three substrates 57a to 57c are detachably grouped together (integrally), or a configuration in which the two substrates 57b and 57c on the back side are detachably grouped together. Note that the number of substrates can also be changed to two or less or four or more.

Explanation of Signs

[0058] 18…First wall member, 18, 48…Connecting member, 18a…First ventilation means, 19…First inclined portion, 48…Second wall member, 48a…Second ventilation means, 49…Second inclined portion, 51…Space, 51a…Opening, 57…Means to be cooled, 57a…Means to be cooled that requires the most cooling, U…Image forming apparatus, U1…Main body of the image forming apparatus.

Claims

1. The main body of the image forming apparatus, A first inclined portion that inclines upward from the other side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus toward one side surface, A second inclined portion that inclines downward from the inner end portion of the first inclined portion toward the one side surface, Cooling means that is disposed in the space sandwiched between the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion and is arranged at intervals in the direction from the one side surface to the other side surface, and is plate-shaped cooling means arranged along the vertical direction, A first wall member disposed above the first inclined portion and having first ventilation means formed therein, A second wall member disposed below the second inclined portion and having second ventilation means formed therein, An image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising these components.

2. Among the plurality of cooling means, the cooling means that requires the most cooling is arranged closer to the one side surface. The image forming apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The first ventilation means and the second ventilation means that are formed to extend beyond the width of the cooling means in the width direction of the cooling means, which intersects the direction from the one side surface to the other side surface and the vertical direction. The image forming apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising these components.

4. The first wall member and the second wall member, which are constituted by a connecting member that connects the parts on one end side and the other end side of the main body of the image forming apparatus in the width direction of the cooling means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by comprising these components.

5. The first ventilation means and the second ventilation means, which are constituted by a plurality of round holes. The image forming apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized by comprising these components.

6. Transfer means that is disposed in at least one of the first ventilation means and the second ventilation means and transfers gas. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized by comprising these components.

7. Transfer means that is disposed at the position of the first ventilation means and transfers gas toward the outside of the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized by comprising these components.

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