JP5404348B2 - Air cleaner and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air cleaner and an image forming apparatus using the same , and more particularly, to an air cleaner and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine including the air cleaner.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimiles are known. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photosensitive drum (toner image carrier), and develops the electrostatic latent image by supplying toner to the photosensitive drum by a developing device. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum by development is transferred to a recording paper or the like, and the toner image is fixed on the recording paper by a fixing device.

  In such an image forming apparatus, exhaust gas may be generated during image formation. The main component of the exhaust gas is longifolene or the like estimated to be generated from the recording paper. It is not preferable for the user of the image forming apparatus 100 to leave such exhaust gas.

  Therefore, as a countermeasure against such a problem, it is conceivable to attach an air cleaner to the image forming apparatus to improve the environmental condition in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus.

  In general, an air purifier responds by changing the number of rotations of a fan in order to blow away from or near the air purifier. And normally, the width | variety of the louver which ventilates is comprised constant.

  Moreover, in order to change the ventilation direction of an air cleaner, what was provided with the rotatable louver is disclosed as a prior art (refer patent document 1).

JP 2009-18221 A

  However, the method as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot be blown away from the air cleaner or cannot be blown nearby.

  Further, if the rotational speed of the fan is increased in order to blow far away from the air cleaner, there are problems that the sound becomes louder and the power consumption increases.

The present invention was made in view of the above problems, without increasing the operating noise of the air purifier, by increasing the air cleaning effect in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus can environmental conditions better, Another object of the present invention is to provide an air cleaner that can reduce an increase in power consumption of the air cleaner and an image forming apparatus using the air cleaner .

The air cleaner according to the present invention for solving the above-described problems is as follows.
The present invention relates to an air cleaner having a louver that controls the flow of air that is sent from a blower fan and blown out from a blowout section, and includes a plurality of ducts including a duct having a spiral shape and a duct having no spiral shape. As the structure of the blowout part, the duct having the spiral shape and the blowout side of the duct not having the spiral shape are joined so that the blowout side of the duct having the spiral shape is linear toward the blowout part. Arranged so as to blow out, and arranged to blow out the blowing side of the duct not having the helical shape from the lower side of the blowing side of the duct having the helical shape toward the blowing portion, and the louver, Any one of the duct having a spiral shape and the duct not having the spiral shape and the blower fan are provided so as to be able to communicate with each other, It is characterized in further comprising a louver control means for switching.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including an air purifier having a louver that controls a flow of air that is sent from a blower fan and blown from a blow-out unit, and the air purifier is disposed above the main body of the image forming apparatus. arrangement and, as the air cleaner, comprising a plurality of ducts comprising duct having no duct and the spiral shape having a spiral shape, the balloon portion, the duct having no duct and the helical shape having the spiral shape The outlet side of the duct having the spiral shape is arranged so that the outlet side of the duct having the spiral shape is linearly blown toward the outlet portion, and the outlet side of the duct having no spiral shape is arranged in the spiral shape. It is arranged so as to blow out from the lower side of the blowout side of the duct having the duct toward the blowout portion, and the louver is arranged with the duct having the spiral shape and the duct having no spiral shape. Provided and the blowing fan with any of duct of the bets in the switchable to communicate, is characterized in that there use the air purifier with a louver control means for switching said louvers.

According to the present invention, in an air purifier having a louver that controls the flow of air that is sent from a blower fan and blown out from a blowout portion, a plurality of ducts including a duct having a spiral shape and a duct having no spiral shape. As the structure of the blowout part, the duct having the spiral shape and the blowout side of the duct not having the spiral shape are joined so that the blowout side of the duct having the spiral shape is directed toward the blowout part. It arrange | positions so that it may blow out linearly, arrange | positions the blowing side of the duct which does not have the said helical shape so that it may blow out toward the said blowing part from the downward direction of the blowing side of the duct which has the said helical shape, The said louver The duct having the spiral shape and the duct not having the spiral shape and the blower fan are provided so as to be able to communicate with each other. By providing louver control means for switching the louver, when releasing air to the periphery, the louver is switched to send air to a duct having no spiral shape (for example, a straight duct), while far away, and When the air is released in a short time, the louver can be switched so as to send air to a duct having a spiral shape, and a plurality of types of air blowing can be controlled by one air blowing fan. Thereby, the air blowing state from the air cleaner can be changed without increasing the operating noise of the air cleaner, and the increase in power consumption of the air cleaner can be reduced.

According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus including an air cleaner having a louver that controls a flow of air that is sent from the blower fan and blown out from the blowing unit, the air cleaner is disposed on the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is disposed above, no as the air cleaner, comprising a plurality of ducts comprising duct having no duct and the spiral shape having a spiral shape, the balloon portion, the duct and the helical shape having the spiral shape The duct outlet side is provided so as to merge, and the duct outlet side having the spiral shape is arranged so as to linearly blow toward the outlet portion, and the duct outlet side having no spiral shape is arranged as described above. It arrange | positions so that it may blow out toward the said blowing part from the downward direction of the blowing side of the duct which has a spiral shape, The said louver has a duct which has the said spiral shape, and the said spiral shape And the blowing fan with any of duct of the stomach duct provided to be switched so as to communicate, that you are use the air purifier with a louver control means for switching the louvers, air cleaning throughout the peripheral image forming apparatus When releasing air from the machine, the air is blown over a wide range, and when releasing air in a short time, the air can be sent far away. Thereby, the air cleaning effect in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus can be improved to improve the environmental state.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the image forming apparatus provided with the air cleaner which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the state which blows around image forming apparatus by the said air cleaner, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the state which blows away from an image forming apparatus by the said air cleaner. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the said air cleaner. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the ion generating element of the ion generator which comprises the said air cleaner. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the state which narrowed the opening width of the blower outlet of the said air cleaner, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the state which widened the opening width of the said blower outlet, (c) is the said louver It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which set the blowing direction in parallel. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the air cleaner which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the image forming apparatus provided with the air cleaner which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an air blowing operation by an air cleaner of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the blowing operation of the air by the air cleaner of the modification of 3rd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an example of an embodiment for carrying out the invention, and is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus including an air cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus including an air purifier 71, and the air purifier 71 has a characteristic air purifier according to the present invention. The structure which controls the air cleaner 71 is provided.

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 records and forms a document image read by the document reading apparatus 101 or an image received from the outside in a color or single color on a recording sheet.

The document reading device 101 reads the document image conveyed by the document conveying unit 42.
In the document conveying section 42, when a document is set on the document set tray 41, the document pickup roller 44 is pressed against the document surface and rotated, the document is pulled out from the document set tray 41, and the document is pulled out from the suction roller 45 and the separation pad 46. After passing between the sheets, the sheets are separated one by one and then conveyed to the conveyance path 47.

  In the conveyance path 47, the leading edge of the document abuts on the document registration roller 49, the leading edge of the document is aligned in parallel with the document registration roller 49, and then the document is transported by the document registration roller 49 to read the reading guide 51 and the reading glass. Pass between 52. Further, the document is conveyed by the conveyance roller 57 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 59 via the paper discharge roller 58.

In the document reading device 101, when the document passes between the reading guide 51 and the reading glass 52, the light from the light source of the first scanning unit 53 is irradiated on the surface of the document through the reading glass 52, and the reflected light thereof is read glass 52. The reflected light is reflected by the mirrors of the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 and guided to the imaging lens 55, and the image of the original is converted by the imaging lens 55. An image is formed on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 56.
The CCD 56 reads a document image and outputs image data indicating the document image.

  The document reading device 101 can read a document placed on the document table glass 61.

  That is, the document conveying section 42 is pivotally supported on the back side of the document reading device 101 so that it can be opened and closed. When the document conveying section 42 is opened, the document table glass 61 is released and placed on the document table glass 61. Documents can be placed manually.

  When the document is placed and the document transport unit 42 is closed, the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 are moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the first scanning unit 53 moves the document surface on the document table glass 61. After the exposure, the reflected light from the document surface is guided to the imaging lens 55 by the first and second scanning units 53 and 54, and the image of the document is formed on the CCD 56 by the imaging lens 55.

  At this time, the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 are moved while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship with each other, and reflection of the document surface → the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 → the imaging lens 55 → the CCD 56 is performed. The positional relationship between the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 is always maintained so that the length of the optical path of the light does not change, whereby the focus of the original image on the CCD 56 is always maintained accurately.

  The entire image of the original read in this way is transmitted as image data to the laser exposure apparatus 1 of the image forming apparatus 100, and the image forming apparatus 100 records the image on a recording sheet.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 100 mainly includes a laser exposure device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a charger 5, a cleaner device 4, an intermediate transfer belt device 8, a fixing device 12, a paper transport path S, and a paper feed tray. 10 and a paper discharge tray 15 and the like.

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 uses data corresponding to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), or a single color (for example, black). This is in accordance with the monochrome image.

  Accordingly, four developing devices 2, photosensitive drums 3, chargers 5, and cleaner devices 4 are provided to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors, and black, cyan, magenta, and Four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are configured in association with yellow.

  The charger 5 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. In addition to the charger type as shown in FIG. 1, a contact type roller type or brush type charger etc. Is used.

  The laser exposure apparatus 1 is a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser diode and a reflection mirror, and responds to image data obtained by reading the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 3 from the outside or reading from a document. And an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the surface.

  The laser exposure apparatus 1 includes a polygon mirror that scans a laser beam and optical elements such as a lens and a mirror for guiding the laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror to the photosensitive drum 3.

  The developing device 2 develops the electrostatic latent images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 3 with (K, C, M, Y) toner.

  The photosensitive drum 3 has a cylindrical shape, and is disposed above the laser exposure apparatus 1 at approximately the center of the image forming apparatus 100. The surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is cleaned by the cleaner apparatus 4. The cleaned surface is charged by the charger 5. Uniformly charged.

  The cleaner device 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt device 8 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 7, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 21, a driven roller 22, an intermediate transfer roller 6, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9. I have. Four intermediate transfer rollers 6 are provided corresponding to the respective colors Y, M, C, and K.

  The intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21, the intermediate transfer roller 6, the driven roller 22, etc. stretch and support the intermediate transfer belt 7, and move the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the direction of arrow C.

  The intermediate transfer roller 6 is rotatably supported in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 7, is pressed against the photosensitive drum 3 via the intermediate transfer belt 7, and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7. A transfer bias is applied.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 is formed in an endless belt shape using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm, and is provided so as to be in contact with each photosensitive drum 3. Then, the toner images on the surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums 3 are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 so as to form a color toner image (each color toner image).

  The transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7 is performed by the intermediate transfer roller 6 that is in pressure contact with the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  Each intermediate transfer roller 6 applies a transfer bias for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 7 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 7. Specifically, a high-voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 6 in order to transfer the toner image.

  The intermediate transfer roller 6 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the recording paper. In this embodiment, the roller-shaped intermediate transfer roller 6 is used as the transfer electrode, but a brush or the like can also be used.

  As described above, the toner images visualized on the surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums 3 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 7 to become a color toner image indicated by the image data. The toner images of the respective colors stacked in this way are transported together with the intermediate transfer belt 7 and transferred onto the recording paper by the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 are pressed against each other to form a nip region. Further, a secondary transfer bias for transferring the toner images of the respective colors on the intermediate transfer belt 7 onto a recording sheet is applied to the transfer roller 11 a of the secondary transfer device 11. The secondary transfer bias is a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the charging polarity (−) of the toner.

  Further, in order to constantly obtain the nip region, either the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21 is made of a hard material (metal or the like), and the other is a soft material such as an elastic roller. (Elastic rubber roller, foaming resin roller, etc.).

  In addition, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 may not be completely transferred onto the recording paper by the secondary transfer device 11, and the toner may remain on the intermediate transfer belt 7. Causes color mixing. Therefore, the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9 is configured to remove and collect residual toner.

  The intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9 is provided on the downstream side of the transfer roller 11a and upstream of the photosensitive drum 3 in the intermediate transfer belt conveyance direction on the path along which the intermediate transfer belt 7 is conveyed.

  The intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9 is provided with, for example, a cleaning blade that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 7 and removes residual toner as a cleaning member. The back side of the belt 7 is supported.

  The paper feed tray 10 is a tray for storing recording paper, and is provided below the image forming unit (laser exposure apparatus 1) of the image forming apparatus 100 to supply the recording paper in the tray.

  The image forming apparatus 100 also has an S-shaped sheet conveyance path for feeding the recording sheet supplied from the sheet feeding tray 10 to the sheet discharge tray 15 via the secondary transfer apparatus 11 and the fixing apparatus 12. S is provided. Along the paper conveyance path S, a paper pickup roller 16, a paper registration roller 14, a fixing device 12, and a conveyance roller for conveying the recording paper are arranged.

  The paper pick-up roller 16 is a calling roller that is provided at the end of the paper feed tray 10 and supplies recording paper from the paper feed tray 10 to the paper transport path S one by one. The conveyance rollers are small rollers for promoting and assisting conveyance of the recording paper, and a plurality of conveyance rollers are provided.

  The paper registration roller 14 temporarily stops the recording paper that has been conveyed, aligns the leading edge of the recording paper, and is on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11 a of the secondary transfer device 11. The recording paper is conveyed with good timing in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3 and the intermediate transfer belt 7 so that the color toner image is transferred to a predetermined position on the recording paper.

  For example, the paper registration roller 14 detects the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 based on the detection output of a pre-registration detection switch (not shown). The recording paper is transported so that the leading edge is aligned with the leading edge of the image forming area of the recording paper.

  The fixing device 12 includes a heating roller 31, a pressure roller 32, and the like. The heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 sandwich and convey the recording paper that has passed through the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11.

  The heating roller 31 is controlled so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature based on the detection output of a temperature detector (not shown), and the toner transferred onto the recording paper by thermocompression bonding with the pressure roller 32. It has a function of fusing, mixing, and pressing an image to thermally fix the image on a recording sheet.

  The recording paper after the fixing of the toner images of the respective colors is discharged face down onto the paper discharge tray 15 by the transport roller.

Next, the characteristic configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2A is an explanatory view showing a state in which air is blown around the image forming apparatus by the air cleaner according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a state in which air is blown from the image forming apparatus by the air cleaner. It is explanatory drawing.

  The image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus provided with an air cleaner 71 above the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the image forming apparatus 100 has a support column 72 protruding from a corner 100 a on one side of the back surface of the apparatus body, and an air cleaner 71 is disposed at the upper end of the support column 72. Has been.

  In the air cleaner 71, a support shaft 71 a provided at one end of the air cleaner 71 is pivotally supported at the upper end of the column 72 so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow F. The support shaft 71 a is connected to the output shaft of the motor drive unit 73.

  In the air purifier 71, the support shaft 71a is driven to reciprocate by the motor drive unit 73, so that the positive ion and the negative ions discharged from the air purifier 71 are reciprocated in the direction of arrow F and in the opposite direction. Is changed to one of the arrow D direction and the arrow E direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the motor drive unit 73 is connected to a control unit 74 built in the image forming apparatus 100, and is driven and controlled by the control unit 74. Reference numeral 75 in the figure denotes an operation panel for performing an input operation, and 76 denotes an interface connected to the network.

  The control unit 74 not only controls the motor drive unit 73 but also controls the entire image forming apparatus 100. The controller 74 drives and controls the motor drive unit 73 in accordance with the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100, and FIG. As shown in (a) and (b), the rotational position of the air purifier 71 is controlled, and the discharge direction of the ions blown from the air purifier 71 is set to either the arrow D direction or the arrow E direction. To do.

  In this way, positive ions and negative ions are generated in the air cleaner 71, and as shown in FIG. 2A, the positive ions and negative ions are obliquely downward (in the direction of arrow D) from the air cleaner 71. By discharging, positive ions and negative ions mainly cover the front side of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 like an air curtain, and the odor of the exhaust gas from the image forming apparatus 100 can be removed.

  As described above, it has been experimentally confirmed that the influence of exhaust gas generated by the image forming apparatus 100 can be effectively suppressed by spraying positive ions and negative ions from the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 by the air cleaner 71. Yes.

  Further, since no exhaust gas is generated in the standby state of the image forming apparatus 100, the discharge direction of positive ions and negative ions from the air cleaner 71 is changed to the upward direction of the arrow E as shown in FIG. Then, positive ions and negative ions are allowed to flow and diffuse throughout the room, and airborne bacteria are removed by positive ions and negative ions to purify the air in a wide range.

  Next, the characteristic air cleaner 71 of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the air cleaner according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the ion generating element of the ion generator constituting the air cleaner.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air cleaner 71 is configured in the width direction in the top view of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the air cleaner 71 mainly includes a blower fan 711 that generates wind, an ion generator 712 that generates ions, a duct 713 that sends out wind, and a louver 714 that sends out wind. It is comprised by.

  Further, the air cleaner 71 has an air blowing part 715 formed at the upper part and an air intake port 716 formed at the rear side of the lower part. A filter 717 is provided at the intake port 716.

The blow-out part 715 is formed with a long opening along the longitudinal direction of the air cleaner 71.
The blowout part 715 is provided with a louver 714.
The louver 714 includes a pair of slats (plate-like members) 714a and 714b.

  The wing plates 714a and 714b are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the air purifier 71, and are spaced apart from each other to form an air outlet 714c between the wing plates 714a and 714b. Further, the wing plates 714a and 714b are provided so that the other end portions 714a2 and 714b2 can be rotated with their rotation axes in the same direction so that the opposed front end portions 714a1 and 714b1 can be displaced as free ends. ing.

  Displacement of the tip portions 714a1 and 714b1 of the slats 714a and 714b changes the opening width of the outlet 714c.

  The other end portions 714a2 and 714b2 of the slats 714a and 714b are connected to a drive motor (not shown) and controlled in operation by the control unit 74.

  The control unit 74 has a function as control means (louver control means) for changing the opening width of the outlet 714c by rotating the tip portions 714a1 and 714b1 of the slats 714a and 714b by a drive motor (not shown). A function of displacing the direction of the outlet 714c is provided.

  The ion generator 712 is provided in the duct 713 upstream of the louver 714 in the air blowing direction. The ion generator 712 includes an ion generating element 85 as shown in FIG.

  The ion generation element 85 is a plasma cluster ion (registered trademark) generation element (PCI), and in this embodiment, two ion generation elements 85 are arranged in parallel in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In the ion generating element 85, a pair of positive ion generating parts 85a that generate positive ions and a pair of negative ion generating parts 85b that generate negative ions are arranged.

Next, an air blowing operation (action) by the air cleaner 71 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 5A is an explanatory view showing a state in which the opening width of the outlet of the louver of the air cleaner according to the first embodiment is narrowed, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory view showing a state in which the opening width of the outlet is widened. (C) is explanatory drawing which shows the state which set the blowing direction by making the said louver in parallel.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air cleaner 71 rotates the slats 714 a and 714 b constituting the louver 714 to set the opening width and direction of the opening of the outlet 714 c, thereby blowing out air. The direction and strength are changed.

  Specifically, when the air from the air purifier 71 is blown away, as shown in FIG. 5A, the louver 714 is rotated to bring the tip portions 714a1 and 714b1 of the slats 714a and 714b closer to each other. To narrow the opening width of the outlet 714c. By doing in this way, the air containing ion can be sent out to a distant place quickly.

  After the ions are generated in the air cleaner 71, the ion effect decreases in a few seconds, so it is necessary to send out the air containing ions in a short time.

  Further, when air is blown out in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 5B, the tip portions 714a1 and 714b1 of the slats 714a and 714b are widened to widen the opening width of the blowout port 714c. By doing so, it is possible to blow out air containing ions over a wide range near the image forming apparatus 100.

  Further, when directing the blowout of air from the air purifier 71, as shown in FIG. 5C, the air blown from the blowout port 714c is caused by rotating the slats 714a and 714b substantially in parallel. The blowing direction can be directed. By setting the outlet 714c upward as shown in FIG. 5C, the air blown from the air cleaner 71 can be prevented from directly hitting a person.

  Since it comprised as mentioned above, according to 1st Embodiment, in the air cleaner 71, it is provided with a pair of wing board 714a, 714b as a structure of the louver 714, and the louver 714a, 714b of the louver 714 is provided according to a condition. By operating and changing the tilt angle, the opening width of the outlet 714c and the direction can be changed. Therefore, air containing ions in the periphery of the image forming apparatus 100 or in a place far away from the image forming apparatus 100. Can be sent out.

  Therefore, according to 1st Embodiment, since the blowing state of the air from the air cleaner 71 can be changed, without changing the output of the ventilation fan 711, without enlarging the operating sound of an air cleaner, It is possible to improve the environmental condition by increasing the air cleaning effect near the image forming apparatus, and to reduce the increase in power consumption of the air cleaner.

  In the first embodiment, the release direction of positive ions and negative ions released by the air cleaner 71 is set obliquely downward in the direction of arrow D as shown in FIG. The emission direction of ions and negative ions is not limited to the arrow D direction, and any positive ions and negative ions may be emitted in the direction toward the image forming apparatus 100 so as to cover the image forming apparatus 100. .

  In the first embodiment, the emission direction of positive ions and negative ions is set upward in the direction of arrow E as shown in FIG. 2B. This is not limited to the direction of arrow E. If positive ions and negative ions are released in the upper direction X indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2B, the emission direction of positive ions and negative ions is changed. May be. Furthermore, the positive ion and negative ion emission directions may be changed not only to the upper direction range X but also to the direction opposite to the image forming apparatus 100 that diffuses throughout the room.

  Moreover, according to 1st Embodiment, as shown to FIG.1 and FIG.2 (a), (b), the support | pillar 72 arrange | positions the air cleaner 71 in the corner 100a of the back side of a main body, and it is horizontal by the support | pillar 72. Thus, the upper space of the image forming apparatus 100 is opened, and the usability of the image forming apparatus 100 is not impaired.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, since the air cleaner 71 is provided on the back side of the image forming apparatus 100 by disposing the image forming apparatus 100 with its back side facing a wall or the like, air The cleaner 71 is disposed near the wall and does not interfere with the work.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the air purifier according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment except for the configuration of the air cleaner 81, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The air cleaner 81 according to the second embodiment is provided above the main body of the image forming apparatus, similarly to the air cleaner 71 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the air purifier 81 mainly does not have a blower fan 811 that generates wind, an ion generator 712 that generates ions, a first duct 813 a having a spiral shape, and a spiral shape. It is comprised by the 2nd duct 813b and the louver 814 which switches a ventilation path | route.

  The air cleaner 81 has an air blowing portion 815 formed at the top and an air intake port 816 formed at the bottom.

  The blower fan 811 is provided in the lower part of the air cleaner 81, and the blowout port 811 a communicates with the first duct 813 a or the second duct 813 b through the louver 814.

  The first duct 813a and the second duct 813b are provided so as to communicate the blowing portion 815 and the blower fan 811, respectively.

  In the blowing part 815, the blowing sides 813a1 and 813b1 of the first duct 813a and the second duct 813b are provided so as to merge. An ion generator 712 is provided at the junction 813c of the discharge sides 813a1 and 813b1 of the first duct 813a and the second duct 813b.

  The blowing side 813a1 of the first duct 813a having a spiral shape is arranged so as to blow linearly toward the blowing portion 815. On the other hand, the blowing side 813b1 of the second duct 813b having no spiral shape is arranged so as to blow toward the blowing portion 815 from below the blowing side 813a1.

  At the outlet 811a of the blower fan 811, the introduction sides 813a2 and 813b2 of the first duct 813a and the second duct 813b are provided so as to merge. A louver 814 is provided at the junction 813d of the introduction sides 813a2 and 813b2 of the first duct 813a and the second duct 813b.

  The louver 814 is rotatably provided with the other end 814b as a rotation fulcrum so that the tip 814a can be displaced as a free end. At the junction 813d, the tip 814a of the louver 814 is disposed in the vicinity of the outlet 811a of the blower fan 811, and the other end 814b is disposed in the vicinity of the counter outlet of the junction 813d. The first duct 813a side and the second duct 813b side are partitioned.

  The other end 814 b of the louver 814 is connected to a drive motor (not shown) and is controlled in operation by the controller 74.

  The control unit 74 has a function as a control unit (louver control unit) that rotates the louver 814 with a drive motor (not shown) to switch the air flow path.

  The louver 814 displaces the tip end portion 814a by rotating the other end portion 814b, and closes the air passage of either the first duct 813a or the second duct 813b by the louver 814, and the other air passage. By opening, the blowing path of the air blown from the blowing fan 811 is switched.

  Next, an air blowing operation (action) by the air cleaner 81 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the air cleaner 81 rotates the louver 814 so that the air blown from the blower fan 811 is blown out from the blowing unit 815 through the first duct 813 a or the second duct 813 b. The air flow path is switched.

  Specifically, when the air from the air purifier 81 is blown away, the wind force can be strengthened and blown away by the first duct 813a having a spiral shape.

  Further, when the air from the air cleaner 81 is blown out in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 100, the air blown out from the blowing portion 815 can be spread by the straight second duct 813 b having no spiral shape.

  Since it comprised as mentioned above, according to 2nd Embodiment, the air cleaner 81 is equipped with the 1st duct 813a which has a spiral shape, and the 2nd duct 813b which does not have a spiral shape, and it is from the ventilation fan 811 by the louver 814. Therefore, the air containing ions can be sent out to the periphery of the image forming apparatus or a place far away from the image forming apparatus according to the situation. Thus, the air blowing state from the air cleaner 81 can be changed without increasing the operating sound of the air cleaner 81, so that the air cleaning effect near the image forming apparatus is improved and the environmental state is improved. In addition, the increase in power consumption of the air cleaner can be reduced.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the ion generator 712 is provided at the confluence portion 813c of the first duct 813a upstream of the blowing portion 815 and the blowing side 813a1 and 813b1 of the second duct 813b. Even if the path is switched, ions can be effectively blown out from the blowing portion 815 by the ion generator 712 provided in one place.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus including an air cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment including the air cleaner 71, and the image forming apparatus 300 and the air cleaner 71. Are provided with human sensors 310a and 310b on the front side.

  When the control unit 74 (see FIG. 1) determines that there is a person near the image forming apparatus 300 based on the detection results of the human sensors 310a and 310b, the opening of the louver 714 is directed upward to clean the air. The air blown from the machine 71 is controlled to blow upward.

Next, an air blowing operation (action) by the air cleaner 71 in the image forming apparatus 300 will be described based on a flowchart.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the air blowing operation by the air cleaner of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  When air is blown by the air cleaner 71 in the image forming apparatus 300 of the third embodiment, detection is performed by human sensors 310a and 310b provided in the image forming apparatus 300 and the air cleaner 71 as shown in FIG. In step S1, it is determined whether or not there is a person near the image forming apparatus 300 (step S2).

  If it is determined in step S2 that there is a person near the image forming apparatus 300, the controller 74 controls the air outlet 714c of the louver 714 to face upward (step S3), and the air from the blower fan 711 is controlled. Is blown upward from the outlet 714c (step S4).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that there is no person in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 300, the operation is managed according to the operation time of the image forming apparatus 300, and it is determined whether the louver 714 is in the downward position or the center position. The air is switched alternately. Then, it is determined whether or not the operation of the image forming apparatus 300 has reached a predetermined time (step S5).

  If it is determined in step S5 that the operation of the image forming apparatus 300 has reached the predetermined time, the louver 714 is moved to the center position (the opening width of the outlet 714c is increased) (step S6). The air blown out from the air cleaner 71 is blown out in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 300 (step S7).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S5 that the operation of the image forming apparatus 300 has not reached the predetermined time, the louver 714 is moved downward (the opening width of the outlet 714c is narrowed) (step S8). The air blown from the air cleaner 71 is blown away (step S9).

Then, the energization state of the image forming apparatus 300 is determined (step S10).
If it is determined in step S10 that the image forming apparatus 300 is not powered off, the process returns to step S1 and the air blowing operation by the air cleaner 71 described above is repeated. If it is determined in step S10 that the image forming apparatus 300 is powered off, the process ends.

  Since it comprised as mentioned above, according to 3rd Embodiment, image sensor 300a, 310b is provided in the image forming apparatus 300 and the air cleaner 71, and image formation is based on the detection result of human sensor 310a, 310b. When there is a person near the apparatus 300, the blown air can be prevented from directly hitting the person by controlling the air blown from the air purifier 71 to blow upward.

  In the third embodiment, the detection accuracy is improved by providing the human sensors 310a and 310b in the image forming apparatus 300 and the air purifier 71, but it is provided in either the image forming apparatus 300 or the air purifier 71. You may do it.

(Modification of the third embodiment)
Next, a modified example of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment will be described.
This modification includes an air purifier 81 instead of the air purifier 71 in the configuration of the image forming apparatus 300, and the air by the air purifier 81 is based on the detection result of the human sensor as in the third embodiment. The blowout state is controlled.

  That is, in the third embodiment, the direction and opening width of the air outlet 714c are controlled by controlling the operation of the louver 714 of the air cleaner 71. However, in the modified example, the louver of the air cleaner 81 is controlled. By controlling the operation of 814, the air blowing paths by a plurality of ducts are switched.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the modification includes a configuration similar to that of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment, and includes human sensors 310 a and 310 b in front of the image forming apparatus 300 and the air purifier 81. is there.

  When the control unit 74 (see FIG. 1) determines that there is a person near the image forming apparatus 300 based on the detection results by the human sensors 310a and 310b, the opening of the louver 814 (not shown) is directed upward. Control is performed so that the air blown from the air cleaner 81 is blown upward.

Here, the air blowing operation (action) by the air cleaner 81 in the modification will be described based on a flowchart.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an air blowing operation by an air cleaner according to a modification of the third embodiment.

  In the modified example, when air is blown by the air cleaner 81, detection is performed by the human sensors 310a and 310b provided in the image forming apparatus 300 and the air cleaner 81 as shown in FIG. 9 (step S101). It is determined whether or not there is a person near the forming apparatus 300 (step S102).

  If it is determined in step S102 that there is a person in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 300, the louver 814 is rotated by the drive motor to communicate with the first duct 813a (step S103), and the air cleaner 81 is blown out. The air is blown far away (step S104).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that there is no person near the image forming apparatus 300, the louver 814 is rotated by the drive motor to communicate with the second duct 813b (step S105). The air that is blown out is blown out in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 300 (step S106).

Then, the energization state of the image forming apparatus 300 is determined (step S107).
If it is determined in step S107 that the power of the image forming apparatus 300 is not turned off, the process returns to step S101, and the air blowing operation by the air cleaner 81 described above is repeated. If it is determined in step S107 that the image forming apparatus 300 is powered off, the process ends.

  Since it comprised as mentioned above, according to the modification, the image forming apparatus 300 and the air cleaner 81 are provided with the human sensors 310a and 310b, and the image forming apparatus 300 is based on the detection results of the human sensors 310a and 310b. If there is a person in the vicinity, the louver 814 is switched to control the air to be sent to the first duct 813a having a spiral shape, so that the blown air is blown away so that it does not directly hit the person. Can be.

  In the modification, the detection accuracy is improved by providing the human sensors 310a and 310b in the image forming apparatus 300 and the air cleaner 81. However, it is provided in either the image forming apparatus 300 or the air cleaner 81. May be.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the respective technical means disclosed in the above embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a color image forming apparatus (multifunction machine, printer, etc.). The present invention can also be applied to other image forming apparatuses.

71, 81 Air purifier 74 Control unit (louver control means)
85 Ion generation element 85a Positive ion generation unit 85b Negative ion generation unit 100, 300 Image forming apparatuses 310a, 310b Human sensor 711 Blower fan 712 Ion generator 713 Duct 714 Louver 714a, 714b Blade (plate-like member)
714 a 1, 714 b 1 tip 714 a 2, 714 b 2 other end 714 c air outlet 715 air outlet 811 air blower fan 813 a first duct 813 b second duct 813 c, 813 d confluence part 814 louver 815 air outlet

Claims (2)

In an air cleaner having a louver that controls the flow of air that is sent from a blower fan and blown out from a blowout section,
A plurality of ducts including a duct having a spiral shape and a duct having no spiral shape;
The blowout part is provided so that a duct having the spiral shape and a blowout side of the duct not having the spiral shape merge.
The blowout side of the duct having the spiral shape is arranged to blow out linearly toward the blowout part,
The outlet side of the duct not having the spiral shape is arranged so as to blow toward the outlet portion from below the outlet side of the duct having the spiral shape,
The louver is provided so as to be able to switch between the duct having the spiral shape and the duct that does not have the spiral shape and the blower fan.
An air cleaner comprising louver control means for switching the louvers. In an image forming apparatus provided with an air cleaner having a louver that controls the flow of air that is sent from a blower fan and blown out from a blowout section,
The air cleaner is disposed above the image forming apparatus main body,
The air purifier includes a plurality of ducts including a duct having a spiral shape and a duct not having a spiral shape, and the outlet side of the duct having the spiral shape and the duct having no spiral shape merges. The duct having the spiral shape is arranged so that the blowing side of the duct having the spiral shape is linearly blown toward the blowing portion, and the duct having the spiral shape is arranged on the blowing side of the duct having no spiral shape. The louver is disposed so as to blow out from the lower side of the blower side toward the blowout portion, and the louver includes any one of the duct having the spiral shape and the duct not having the spiral shape, and the blower fan. switchable so provided as to communicate with the image forming apparatus characterized by there use the air purifier with a louver control means for switching said louvers.

Images