Electrophotographic image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a channel switching device that allows attachment and detachment of a unit without reducing productivity of a main body device.SOLUTION: A channel switching device comprises: a storage part 215 that stores a unit in an attachable and detachable manner; a first channel; a second channel that passes through the storage part 215; and a switching part 300 that has a first communication part 391 and a second communication part 393 communicating with the first channel and the second channel, and switches the communication part to communicate with the channel according to the attachment and detachment of the unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow path switching device, an image forming apparatus, and a device for ejecting liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] In image forming devices, there is known a technique for sucking in scattered toner and ozone generated in the developing unit and transfer unit, separating the toner in a collection unit and collecting it in a storage unit, and collecting the toner and ozone that cannot be separated in a filter. For example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a toner separation unit, a toner storage unit, and a filter unit are integrated into one unit, and the unit is replaceable. However, since the operation of the image forming apparatus must be temporarily stopped when replacing a unit, there is a problem in that productivity drops during the stoppage period. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a flow path switching device that allows units to be attached and detached without reducing the productivity of the main device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention One aspect of teeth, The unit and a flow path switching device; and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, The flow path switching device is a storage section for detachably storing the unit; a first flow path that takes in air into the flow path switching device; a second flow path passing through the storage section; a switching unit including a first communication portion and a second communication portion that communicate with the first flow path and the second flow path, and that switches the communicating portion by attaching or detaching the unit; a blower that generates a flow of air from the first flow path to the second flow path; Equipped with 、 the first communication portion is a flow path that communicates with the first flow path and the second flow path when the unit is attached, The second communication portion has a filter and is an opening that communicates with the first flow path and the second flow path via the filter when the unit is removed. It shall be. Another aspect of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention is The unit and a flow path switching device; and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, The flow path switching device is a storage section for detachably storing the unit; a first flow path that takes in air into the flow path switching device; a second flow path passing through the storage section; a switching unit including a first communication portion and a second communication portion that communicate with the first flow path and the second flow path, and that switches the communicating portion by attaching or detaching the unit; a blower that generates a flow of air from the first flow path to the second flow path, the second communication portion has a filter, When the unit is removed, the switching section switches the communicating section from the first communicating section to the second communicating section, and connects the second flow path to the first flow path via the filter provided in the second communicating section, so that the air flows through the filter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a flow path switching device that allows units to be attached and detached without reducing the productivity of the main device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a collection unit removed; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a collection unit attached; [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a flow path switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of a switching section when a collection unit is attached to the flow path switching device of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection relationship between the slide plate and the flexible shutter. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views illustrating the periphery of the second communication portion, where FIG. 10A shows an example of a state in which the auxiliary filter is removed, and FIG. 10B shows an example of a state in which the auxiliary filter is attached. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a collection unit. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the flow path switching device taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 3. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a state in which a collection unit is attached to the flow path switching device of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state before a cover is attached to the flow path switching device of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state after a cover is attached to the flow path switching device of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the slide plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings for explaining the embodiments of the present invention, components such as members and components having the same function or shape are designated by the same reference numerals as far as they can be distinguished, and descriptions thereof will be omitted once they have been described.

[0008] The following describes an example of the configuration of a flow path switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus using the flow path switching device of the present embodiment. Here, the description will be made as an example of a case where a collection unit that collects predetermined substances such as toner and ozone from the air is used as a unit that can be attached to the flow path switching device. An outline of a configuration example of an image forming apparatus to which the flow path switching device of this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a collection unit removed. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a collection unit attached.

[0009] The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment forms an image on paper by electrophotography and is a tandem color image forming apparatus that overlays four colors of toner: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Hereinafter, the four colors of toner will be referred to as Y, M, C, and K.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming device 1 has, for example, an approximately rectangular parallelepiped device main body 1A that forms the exterior, and the device main body 1A is provided with a paper storage section 10, an image reading section 20, an image forming section 30, a fixing section 40, a control section 50, and a flow path switching device 200.

[0011] The paper storage unit 10 is disposed at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper storage unit 10 is provided with a plurality of trays (not shown) corresponding to the sizes and types of paper. The paper is fed from the trays and sent to the conveying unit 12, which then conveys the paper to the image forming unit 30 and the fixing unit 40.

[0012] The image reading unit 20 reads an image of a document and generates image data. The image reading unit 20 also performs various processes, such as correction and compression, on the image data generated by A / D conversion, and stores the data in a storage means of the control unit 50. The image data is not limited to data output from the image reading unit 20, but may be data received from an external device such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 or another image forming apparatus.

[0013] The image forming unit 30 forms an image on a sheet based on an image forming job. The image forming section 30 includes four sets of image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K corresponding to the color components Y, M, C, and K, respectively, an intermediate transfer belt 33, a primary transfer section 34, and a secondary transfer roller 35.

[0014] Each of the image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member 31, a developing unit 32 arranged around the photosensitive member 31, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a cleaning unit, and the like (not shown).

[0015] The exposure unit irradiates and exposes the photoreceptor 31, the surface of which has been charged by the charging unit, with laser light, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 31. The developing unit 32 supplies toner of a predetermined color (one of Y, M, C, and K) onto the exposed photosensitive member 31 using a developing roller 32a, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member 31.

[0016] Images (monochromatic images) formed with Y, M, C, and K toners on the four photoconductors 31 corresponding to Y, M, C, and K, respectively, are transferred from each photoconductor 31 to an intermediate transfer belt 33. The intermediate transfer belt 33 is an endless belt wound around a plurality of conveying rollers, and rotates in accordance with the rotation of each of the conveying rollers. A primary transfer unit 34 is provided at a position facing each photoconductor 31 of each of the image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K on the inner circumferential side of the intermediate transfer belt 33. The primary transfer unit 34 transfers the toner adhering to the photoconductor 31 onto the intermediate transfer belt 33 by applying a voltage of the opposite polarity to that of the toner to the intermediate transfer belt 33.

[0017] As the intermediate transfer belt 33 rotates, the toner images formed by the four image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are sequentially transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 33. That is, toner images having Y, M, C, and K color components are superimposed on each other on the intermediate transfer belt 33 to form a color image.

[0018] A secondary transfer roller 35 is disposed at a position facing the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 33. The nip where the secondary transfer roller 35 and the intermediate transfer belt 33 come into contact is the transfer position, and the secondary transfer roller 35 brings the paper conveyed by the conveying unit 12 into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 33, and transfers the toner image formed on the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 33 onto the paper.

[0019] A fixing unit 40 is provided on the paper discharge side of the secondary transfer roller 35. The fixing unit 40 includes a pair of rollers consisting of a heating roller and a pressure roller. The paper is subjected to heat and pressure as it passes through the nip between the pair of rollers, melting and fixing the toner image onto the paper. The paper with the melted and fixed toner image is then transported to a discharge section (not shown).

[0020] Furthermore, a suction duct 36 is disposed above each developing section 32 of the four image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. Toner-containing air containing toner scattered by the corresponding image forming unit 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K passes through each suction duct 36.

[0021] The air that has passed through the four suction ducts 36 is taken into the flow path switching device 200 . 1 and 2, the flow of air that has passed through the suction duct 36 and is then discharged via the flow path switching device 200 is shown by dashed dotted lines.

[0022] The flow path switching device 200 changes the flow of the taken-in air when the collection unit 100 is removed (FIG. 1) and when the collection unit 100 is attached (FIG. 2) and then discharges the air. The flow path switching device 200 has a switching section 300 that includes two communication sections. The switching section 300 defines the flow path through which the taken-in air flows up to the switching section 300 as a first flow path, and the flow path from the switching section to the discharge section as a second flow path. By attaching or detaching the collection unit 100, the flow of air is changed by switching the communication section that communicates with the first flow path and the second flow path. The flow path switching device 200 will be described in detail later.

[0023] The control unit 50 is configured with, for example, storage means such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The CPU of the control unit 50 reads out, for example, various programs stored in the ROM, loads them into the RAM, and executes various processes such as image formation processing and toner collection processing in accordance with the loaded programs.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a storage unit, an operation display unit, etc., which are not shown in the figure. The storage unit is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor nonvolatile memory. The storage unit stores various programs, including system programs and processing programs, executed by the control unit 50, as well as data required for executing these programs. The operation display unit includes a display screen that displays various types of information on the screen, and an operation unit that is used by the user to input various instructions.

[0025] Next, a configuration example of the flow path switching device of this embodiment will be described. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a flow path switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of a state in which the collection unit 100 is not attached to the flow path switching device. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state of the switching section when a collection unit is attached to the flow path switching device of Fig. 3. For ease of explanation, Fig. 4 illustrates an example of the state of the flow path switching device excluding the collection unit.

[0026] The flow path switching device 200 includes a case 210, an intake section 211, an outlet section 213, a storage section 215, a first duct 231, and a common duct 233 provided therein. The flow path switching device 200 also includes a fan 250 , an auxiliary filter 270 , a door unit 291 , and a switching unit 300 . In flow path switching device 200, the first flow path is a flow path that guides air from intake section 211 to switching section 300, and the second flow path is a flow path that guides air from switching section 300 to outlet section 213. Therefore, the second flow path is a flow path that passes through storage section 215, and when collection unit 100 is attached, it becomes a flow path that passes through storage section 215 via collection unit 100.

[0027] Intake section 211 is an opening that takes in air into the device. In FIG. 4, four intake sections 211Y, 211M, 211C, and 211K are formed corresponding to the four toners (Y, M, C, and K). Note that intake section 211 may be provided with only one opening instead of four openings. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the four intake sections 211Y, 211M, 211C, and 211K, they will be referred to as intake section 211.

[0028] The outlet portion 213 is an outlet for the air taken in from the intake portion 211 . The storage section 215 is a space having an opening for detachably storing the collection unit 100. The collection unit 100 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0029] The first duct 231 is a duct that forms a first flow path that guides the air taken in from the intake portion 211 to the switching portion 300. The common duct 233 is a duct that forms a flow path (part of the second flow path) that guides the air that has passed through the storage section 215 to the outlet section 213 via the fan 250.

[0030] Fan 250 is an example of a blower that generates a flow of air from intake portion 211 to outlet portion 213, and is provided near outlet portion 213.

[0031] The auxiliary filter 270 is an example of an auxiliary part that replaces the collection unit 100 and supplements the processing performed by the collection unit 100. The auxiliary filter 270 is preferably configured so that it can be replaced or cleaned when the flow path switching device 200 is cleaned.

[0032] Door section 291 is attached to case 210 by upper and lower hinges, and opens and closes when collection unit 100 is attached or detached. Door section 291 closes when collection unit 100 is removed, and becomes the outer wall of case 210. On the other hand, when collection unit 100 is attached, door section 291 opens as collection unit 100 is inserted, and is sandwiched between case 210 and collection unit 100.

[0033] The switching section 300 has two communication sections that communicate with the first flow path and the second flow path, and switches the communication section that communicates with the first flow path by attaching or detaching the collection unit 100. The switching unit 300 has a slide plate 310, a flexible shutter 330, an opening / closing shutter 350, and a tension unit 370 shown in FIG. 6, and has two communication units, a first communication unit 391 and a second communication unit 393.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection relationship between the slide plate and the flexible shutter. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views illustrating the periphery of the second communication part, where (A) is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the auxiliary filter is removed, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the auxiliary filter is attached. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the second communication part 393 shown in Fig. 3. The switching unit will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0035] Sliding plate 310 is a square-shaped plate that slides when collection unit 100 is attached or detached. Groove 217 is provided in case 210, and sliding plate 310 is configured to fit into groove 217 and slide along groove 217. The slide plate 310 is also formed with holes 311 through which air passes.

[0036] The flexible shutter 330 is a shutter made of a flexible, gas-impermeable material (such as Mylar), and is attached to the end of the slide plate 310 by being clamped with a spring clip 331, as shown in FIG. 5. The case 210 is provided with a guide wall 395 , and the flexible shutter 330 is attached along the guide wall 395 .

[0037] The opening / closing shutter 350 has an opening 351. The opening 351 communicates with the first communication part 391 when switched to the first flow path. The opening / closing shutter 350 has a hole 353 formed in a portion close to the flexible shutter 330. The end of the flexible shutter 330 on the opening / closing shutter 350 side passes through the hole 353, is folded back, and is attached to the main body of the flexible shutter 330 to form a folded back portion 333, which is connected to the opening / closing shutter 350. The case 210 is provided with a groove 219 into which the opening / closing shutter 350 is fitted.

[0038] The lower end of the opening / closing shutter 350 has a hook portion 355 that is bent in an L-shape and shaped to be hooked. Pulling portion 370 is an elastic member formed of an elastic body such as a spring, and one end is hooked onto hook portion 355 and the other end is hooked onto fulcrum 371 provided on case 210. The hook 355 is movable up and down within the length of the slit 397 .

[0039] First communication portion 391 is a flow path that communicates with the first flow path and the second flow path when collection unit 100 is attached. Second communication part 393 is an opening that communicates with the first flow path and the second flow path when collection unit 100 is removed. Second communication part 393 is formed with slit hole 397 and opening 399 to allow air to flow.

[0040] Auxiliary filter 270 is installed so as to be able to process the air passing through second communication portion 393 and to ensure an area for expansion and contraction of tension portion 370. Auxiliary filter 270 is preferably installed so as to cover opening 399.

[0041] Here, an example of the collection unit 100 that can be attached to and detached from the storage section 215 of the flow path switching device 200 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the collection unit. The collection unit 100 has, for example, a case 110 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the case 110 has an inlet 111, an outlet 113, and a pressing rib 115 formed therein. The collection unit 100 includes a separation section 121, a storage section 123, a filter section 125, and flow path sections 127 and 129 within a case 110.

[0042] The inlet 111 is an opening through which air flows in from the first communication portion 391 of the flow path switching device 200 . The outlet 113 is an opening through which air flows out from the collection unit 100 to the auxiliary duct 237 of the flow path switching device 200 .

[0043] When the collection unit 100 is attached to the flow path switching device 200, the pressing rib 115 comes into contact with the sliding plate 310 and slides the sliding plate 310. The pressing rib 115 has fitting means, such as a leaf spring, that fits with the end of the sliding plate 310 when the collection unit 100 is attached, and is configured so that the fitting means separates from the sliding plate 310 when the collection unit 100 is removed.

[0044] The separating section 121 separates the toner from the air that flows in from the inlet 111. The separating section 121 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape, and is provided so that the axial direction coincides with the up-down direction. The storage unit 123 stores the toner separated by the separation unit 121. Filter unit 125 has a filter that purifies the air that flows from separation unit 121. Filter unit 125 may be provided with multiple types of filters, such as a toner dust filter that filters out toner remaining in the air, and an ozone catalyst filter that removes ozone. Flow path section 127 is a flow path that guides the air that has flowed out from separation section 121 to filter section 125, and flow path section 129 is a flow path that guides the air that has flowed out from filter section 125 to an outlet.

[0045] Separation section 121 swirls air drawn in from the bottom of the cylindrical body to separate the toner. The separated toner falls under its own weight and is stored in storage section 123, and is collected when collection unit 100 is removed. The filter section 125 purifies the air that has flowed in through the flow path section 127 and discharges it from the outlet 113 through the flow path section 129 . Here, a detailed description of the collection unit 100 will be omitted. The flow path switching device 200 of this embodiment can use units that perform the functions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example.

[0046] Next, an example of the operation of the switching section 300 when the collection unit 100 is attached to or detached from the storage section 215 of the flow path switching device 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the flow path switching device taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a state in which a collection unit is attached to the flow path switching device of FIG. 8 and 9, the air flow is indicated by dashed lines. 9, the components provided inside case 110 of collection unit 100 are omitted.

[0047] When the collection unit 100 is removed When the collection unit 100 is removed from the flow path switching device 200, the state transitions from that shown in Figures 4 and 9 to that shown in Figures 3 and 8. Specifically, the sliding plate 310 moves in the direction of arrow A12. The flexible shutter 330 and the opening / closing shutter 350 are also pulled by the pulling section 370 in the direction of arrow A22 and move accordingly.

[0048] 3 and 8, the first communication portion 391 is blocked by the flexible shutter 330 and is in a closed state. On the other hand, with collection unit 100 removed, second communication section 393 allows air to pass through slit hole 397 and opening 399, and communicates with the first flow path and the second flow path. Air also passes between storage section 215 and common duct 233 through hole 311 provided in slide plate 310. Furthermore, door section 291 closes and becomes the outer wall of case 210.

[0049] In this manner, when the collection unit 100 is removed, the air taken in from the intake section 211 passes through the first duct 231, the auxiliary filter 270, the second communication section 393, and is guided to the storage section 215, passes through the common duct 233, and is discharged to the outlet section 213.

[0050] When the collection unit 100 is installed When the collection unit 100 is attached to the flow path switching device 200, the state transitions from that shown in Figures 3 and 8 to that shown in Figures 4 and 9. Specifically, when the collection unit 100 is stored in the storage section 215, the slide plate 310 is pushed and moved in the direction of arrow A11 by the pressing rib 115 provided on the collection unit 100. Furthermore, as the slide plate 310 slides and moves, the flexible shutter 330 and the opening / closing shutter 350 are pulled and moved in the direction of arrow A21.

[0051] 4 and 9, the first communication part 391 is opened by the opening 351 provided in the opening / closing shutter 350, and communicates with the first flow path and the second flow path. In addition, the movement of the slide plate 310 opens the space between the storage part 215 and the common duct 233. On the other hand, in second communication portion 393, the flow of air between slit hole 397 and opening 399 is stopped by attached collection unit 100.

[0052] In this manner, when the collection unit 100 is attached, the air taken in from the intake section 211 passes through the first duct 231 and the first communication section 391, is guided to the collection unit 100, passes through the common duct 233, and is discharged to the outlet section 213.

[0053] As described above, the switching unit 300 is configured such that, when the sliding plate 310 slides, the flexible shutter 330 moves along the guide wall 395, and the opening / closing shutter 350 slides along the groove 219. As the sliding plate 310 slides, the opening / closing shutter 350 moves, thereby closing and opening the first communication portion 391.

[0054] In this way, in flow path switching device 200 of this embodiment, either first communication portion 391 or second communication portion 393 communicates with the first flow path or the second flow path due to the sliding movement of slide plate 310 caused by attachment or detachment of collection unit 100. In this way, flow path switching device 200 installed in image forming apparatus 1 as a main body device switches between the flow path that passes through collection unit 100 and the flow path that passes through auxiliary filter 270.

[0055] The final configuration of the flow path switching device 200 is completed by attaching a cover 293 to the flow path switching device 200, as shown in FIGS. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state before the cover is attached to the flow path switching device of FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state after a cover is attached to the flow path switching device of FIG. The cover 293 may be configured to be a part of the outer wall surface of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0056] 10 and 11, when the collection unit 100 is removed, the flow path switching device 200 surrounds the storage section 215 with the lid 293 and the door section 291, forming a flow path from the second communication section 393 to the hole 311 in the sliding plate 310. In the above embodiment, the sliding plate 310 is a rectangular plate having the hole 311 formed therein, but this is not limited to this. For example, the sliding plate 310 may have an outer shape having a recess (notch) that forms a gap between the sliding plate 310 and the lid 293. Furthermore, the sliding plate 310 may be configured so that a gap is formed between the sliding plate 310 and the case 210 within its sliding range (the range of movement in the direction of arrow A12 in FIGS. 8 and 9).

[0057] In the above embodiment, it is preferable that the flow path switching device 200 is configured so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0058] As described above, when the collection unit 100 is removed from the flow path switching device 200 provided in the image forming apparatus 1, the flow path switching device 200 of this embodiment automatically switches from the first communication part 391 to the second communication part 393, and connects the first flow path and the second flow path via the auxiliary part (auxiliary filter 270) that supports the function of the collection unit 100. This allows the collection unit 100 to be replaced without degrading the quality of the air discharged from the apparatus and without temporarily stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus (degrading productivity).

[0059] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which an airflow path toward a first filter and an airflow path toward a second filter are electrically switched by a switching device in order to prevent a decrease in the cooling effect. In contrast, the flow path switching device 200 of this embodiment prevents malfunction of electrical components and controls by switching the airflow path not through electrical components (motors, clutches, sensors, circuit boards, etc.) or control related to the switching, but through the mechanical operation of removing and attaching the collection unit 100. In addition, it is possible to reduce the frequency of path changes due to filter contamination, by reducing the cost increase due to the installation of electrical switching devices (motors, clutches, sensors, etc.) and the costs and labor required to ensure the reliability of the control.

[0060] Furthermore, in the flow path switching device 200 of this embodiment, exhaust-related functions including the collection unit and airflow switching device are integrated into the flow path switching device 200 and made removable from the image forming apparatus 1, making it possible to easily clean the inside of the exhaust (duct) section (improving cleanability) without removing the exterior of the image forming apparatus 1, etc.

[0061] In the above embodiments, the collection unit 100 is used as a unit that can be attached or detached to the flow path switching device, but the unit is not limited to this and other units that perform other processes to separate or remove any substance from the air may be used. However, the process performed by the unit can be supplemented by an auxiliary unit instead of the unit. The unit is not limited to removing any substance from the air, but may also mix or add any substance to the air.

[0062] Although the above-described flow path switching device 200 is provided with the fan 250 as a blower, the present invention is not limited to this. The blower may be provided in a main body device in which the flow path switching device of the present embodiment is installed, for example, to generate an air flow in the flow path switching device.

[0063] In the above embodiment, a configuration example in which the flow path switching device 200 is used in the image forming apparatus 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The main body device using the flow path switching device of this embodiment is not limited to the image forming apparatus described above, but can also be used in an apparatus that ejects liquid using an inkjet method. In the case of an inkjet method, the liquid ejected from the recording head floats as mist, so the flow path switching device 200 can be configured to use a recovery unit that recovers the floating mist as a detachable unit.

[0064] In the above example, the hole 311 is formed in the slide plate 310, but the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the slide plate. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the flow path switching device 200a may be provided with a plate (fixed plate) 313 that is fixed in position on the sliding plate 310a, and the sliding plate 310a may not have a hole 311 formed therein. In the example of Fig. 12, an opening 312 is formed between the right end of the sliding plate 310a and the duct auxiliary wall 117. Unlike the above-described example, the sliding plate 310a has a short length in the left-right width direction. In addition, the right end of the sliding plate 310a is configured to be positioned so that the opening 312 is open when the collection unit 100 is not attached.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope of the present invention, the elements of the above-described embodiments can be modified, added, or converted in ways that would be easily conceivable to a person skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100 collection units 110 cases 111 Inlet 113 Outlet 115 Pressing Rib 117 Duct auxiliary wall 121 Separation section 123 Storage Section 125 Filter section 127, 129 Flow path section 200, 200a Flow path switching device 210 cases 211, 211Y, 211M, 211C, 211K intake section 213 Exit section 215 Storage section 217, 219 Groove 231 First Duct 233 Common Duct 250 Fan 270 Auxiliary filter (auxiliary part) 291 Door section 293 Lid 300 Switching section 310, 310a slide plate Holes 311 and 353 330 Flexible Shutter 331 Spring Clip 333 Folded section 350 Open / Close Shutter 351, 399 opening 355 Hook 370 Pulling section 371 Fulcrum 391 First connecting part 393 Second connecting part 395 Guide Wall 397 Slit Hole [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0067] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-160843 [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-97099 A [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-282314

Claims

1. The unit and a flow path switching device; and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, The flow path switching device is a storage section for detachably storing the unit; a first flow path that takes in air into the flow path switching device; a second flow path passing through the storage section; a switching unit including a first communication portion and a second communication portion that communicate with the first flow path and the second flow path, and that switches the communicating portion by attaching or detaching the unit; a blower that generates a flow of air from the first flow path to the second flow path, the first communication portion is a flow path that communicates with the first flow path and the second flow path when the unit is attached, The second communication portion has a filter, and is an opening that communicates with the first flow path and the second flow path via the filter when the unit is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

2. The unit and a flow path switching device; and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, The flow path switching device is a storage section for detachably storing the unit; a first flow path that takes in air into the flow path switching device; a second flow path passing through the storage section; a switching unit including a first communication portion and a second communication portion that communicate with the first flow path and the second flow path, and that switches the communicating portion by attaching or detaching the unit; a blower that generates a flow of air from the first flow path to the second flow path, the second communication portion has a filter, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein when the unit is removed, the switching unit switches the communicating portion from the first communicating portion to the second communicating portion, and causes the second flow path to communicate with the first flow path via the filter provided in the second communicating portion, and the air flows through the filter.

3. The switching unit has a slide plate that slides when the unit is attached or detached.

2. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The switching unit switches between opening and closing the first communication unit by sliding the slide plate.

4. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. When the unit is attached, the switching unit switches the first communication portion from the closed state to the open state, thereby communicating the first flow path with the unit and switching the second flow path to a flow path that passes through the storage portion via the unit.

5. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. When the unit is removed, the switching section switches the first communication section from the open state to the closed state, thereby switching the second flow path to a flow path that communicates with the first flow path and the second flow path via the filter provided in the second communication section, and the air flows through the filter.

6. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The switching unit has a slide plate that slides when the unit is attached or detached.

3. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

8. The storage compartment further includes a door that opens and closes when the unit is attached or detached, and closes the storage compartment when the unit is removed.

8. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is a roller.

9. The unit has a filter that collects predetermined substances.

9. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is a roller.

10. The unit stores the separated toner.

10. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is a roller.

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