JP5682145B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which ozone and odor components can be generated inside a casing in association with image formation.

  Conventionally, various inventions have been made as inventions related to image forming apparatuses. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, ozone and odor components are generated inside the casing as the image is formed. Ozone may be generated inside the housing when discharging for image formation (for example, when charging the photosensitive member with a charger). The odor component includes volatile organic compounds (hereinafter referred to as VOC). The VOC heats the recording medium when the image is heat-fixed on the recording medium. Can occur. In such an image forming apparatus, it is necessary to remove ozone and odorous substances generated during image formation as much as possible and discharge them together with the air in the apparatus to the outside of the housing.

  As an invention related to this point, for example, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is known. Patent Document 1 describes an invention related to an image forming apparatus capable of removing ozone and VOC. Specifically, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the air containing ozone generated in the charger and the air containing VOC generated in the fixing unit are merged into a common path to the outside of the housing. It is configured to discharge. According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus discharges through the VOC oxidation catalyst filter or the ozone filter, and uses the generated ozone as an oxidizing agent, so that ozone and VOC are discharged from the air discharged outside the housing. Has been removed.

JP 2006-018240 A

  Here, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, ozone and VOC are mainly removed by a VOC oxidation catalyst filter and an ozone filter, and the point that ozone is used as an oxidizing agent is treated as a secondary one. It is. That is, in Patent Document 1, a configuration that further enhances the effect of the generated ozone as an oxidizing agent has not been adopted.

  As described above, odor components such as ozone and VOC are generated during image formation. Accordingly, there is a demand for an image forming apparatus that can more effectively utilize the effect of the generated ozone as an oxidant to remove ozone and odor components.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which ozone and odor components can be generated inside a housing during image formation, and provides an image forming apparatus that can efficiently remove ozone and odor components by effectively using the generated ozone. To do.

An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a housing, an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a mixing space, and an exhaust fan. The mixing space is partitioned by a plurality of partition walls between the image forming unit disposed on the front side inside the housing and the fixing unit disposed on the rear side inside the housing. The exhaust fan is connected to the mixing space and exhausts the gas in the mixing space to the outside of the casing in accordance with a predetermined exhaust direction. Then, the mixing space is provided with a first inlet, a second inlet is formed. The first gas contains ozone generated during image formation in the image forming unit, and the first partition wall is formed between the rear side surface of the image forming unit and the first partition wall via the first introduction port. After flowing along, it is introduced into the mixing space. The second gas contains an odor component (for example, VOC or the like) generated along with heat fixing in the fixing unit. When the second gas is introduced into the mixing space through the second introduction port, the second gas After flowing along the inner surface, the flow follows the flow of the first gas introduced from the first introduction port . Therefore, the gas introduced into the mixing space (that is, the first gas and the second gas) is exhausted to the outside of the housing by the exhaust fan while drawing a vortex along the inner surface of the partition wall constituting the mixing space. . Here, ozone contained in the first gas causes an oxidization / reduction reaction with an odor component contained in the second gas in a process of flowing in the exhaust direction while drawing a vortex in the mixed space. Thereby, the gas exhausted by the exhaust fan from the mixed space is the one from which ozone and odor components are removed. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus draws vortices in the mixing space and causes the first gas and the second gas to flow down toward the exhaust direction, thereby reducing the ozone in the first gas and the odor component in the second gas. The oxidation / reduction reaction can be promoted. As a result, the image forming apparatus can effectively remove ozone and odor components by effectively using ozone in the first gas.
Further, in the image forming apparatus, the first introduction port constitutes a partition wall located on the image forming unit side among the plurality of partition walls, and has a predetermined interval with the rear side surface of the image forming unit. And a first partition wall extending in a vertical direction across the first partition wall and a partition wall positioned at an upper portion of the mixing space, the partition wall positioned at the upper portion of the mixing space, and the first partition. It is formed between the upper end of the wall. The first gas flows between the rear side surface of the image forming unit and the first partition wall along the first partition wall, and then is introduced into the mixing space from the first inlet, and is perpendicular to the exhaust direction. Draw a vortex on a flat surface. The second introduction port is a corner formed by a partition wall located at a lower portion of the mixing space and a lower portion of the first partition wall among the plurality of partition walls, and a lower portion of the mixing space Ru is formed on the end portion of the partition wall located. When the second gas is introduced from the second introduction port into the mixing space, the second gas flows along the inner surface of the first partition wall and then flows according to the flow of the first gas introduced from the first introduction port. Draw a vortex without disturbing the flow in a plane perpendicular to the exhaust direction. Therefore, the image forming apparatus promotes the oxidation / reduction reaction of ozone in the first gas and the odor component in the second gas, and effectively uses the ozone in the first gas, so that ozone and odor are more efficiently used. Components can be removed.

  3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first gas introduced from the first introduction port is a vortex along the partition wall on a plane perpendicular to the exhaust direction of the exhaust fan in the mixing space. While drawing a flow, it flows down in the exhaust direction. The second introduction port is a partition wall different from the first partition wall, and the second gas is introduced in a direction tangential to the circumference of the spiral flow and along the flow of the spiral flow. It is formed at the position. Accordingly, when the second gas is introduced from the second introduction port, it flows down in the exhaust direction while drawing a spiral flow together with the first gas. Therefore, the image forming apparatus promotes the oxidation / reduction reaction of ozone in the first gas and the odor component in the second gas, and effectively uses the ozone in the first gas, so that ozone and odor are more efficiently used. Components can be removed.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a rectifying plate is erected in the mixing space from the section wall toward the mixing space. The current plate is erected so that the downstream side of the gas spiral flow in the mixing space is located on the exhaust fan connection side. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can promote the formation of a spiral flow in the mixing space by the baffle plate, and thus promote the oxidation / reduction reaction of ozone in the first gas and odor components in the second gas. Can do. As a result, the image forming apparatus can effectively remove ozone and odor components by effectively using ozone in the first gas.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the mixing space includes a shaft portion extending in the same direction as the exhaust direction, and a plurality of stationary blade portions erected radially from the shaft portion toward the partition wall. A stationary blade member having the following is arranged. The stationary blade portion is erected on the peripheral surface of the shaft portion so that the downstream side of the spiral flow is located on the connection side of the exhaust fan. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can promote the formation of a vortex flow in the mixing space by the stationary blade member, so that the oxidation / reduction reaction of the ozone in the first gas and the odor component in the second gas can be performed. Can promote. As a result, the image forming apparatus can effectively remove ozone and odor components by effectively using ozone in the first gas.

It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of a laser printer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of 1st gas in a laser printer, 2nd gas, and internal gas. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the gas in the mixing space which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the flow of the gas in the mixing space which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the baffle plate arrange | positioned in mixing space. It is explanatory drawing which shows the stationary blade member arrange | positioned in the mixing space which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the flow of the gas in the mixing space which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the flow of the gas in the mixing space which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the flow of the gas in the mixing space which concerns on 5th Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is embodied in a laser printer 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a description will be given using directions based on the user when the laser printer 1 is used. That is, in FIG. 1, the right side toward the paper surface is “front side”, the left side toward the paper surface is “rear side”, the front side toward the paper surface is “left side”, and the rear side toward the paper surface is “right side”. To do. Further, the vertical direction toward the paper surface is defined as “vertical direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 according to the first embodiment includes a paper feed unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a fixing unit 6, and the like inside a main body housing 2. The main body housing 2 constitutes the apparatus main body of the laser printer 1. The configuration of the paper feeding unit 3, the image forming unit 4, the fixing unit 6 and the like will be described in detail later.

  A front cover 21 is attached to the front side of the main housing 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. When the front cover 21 is opened, the inside of the main body housing 2 communicates with the outside of the main body housing 2. Therefore, when the front cover 21 is opened, the user can detachably attach a process cartridge 50 described later to a predetermined position inside the main body housing 2.

  Further, a paper discharge tray 22 is formed on the upper surface of the main body housing 2. The paper discharge tray 22 stores the paper P on which the image is formed by the paper feeding unit 3, the image forming unit 4, the fixing unit 6 and the like in a stacked state.

  The paper feed unit 3 of the laser printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. The paper feeding unit 3 feeds paper P, which is a recording medium in the laser printer 1, to the image forming unit 4 and the like. The paper feed unit 3 includes a paper feed tray 31, a pickup roller 34, a paper feed roller 35, a separation pad 36, a transport roller 37, and a registration roller 38.

  The paper feed tray 31 is detachably attached to the lower portion of the main body housing 2 and stores the paper P in a stacked state. The pickup roller 34 is rotatably mounted above the front side of the paper feed tray 31. The pickup roller 34 is in contact with the paper P stored in the paper feed tray 31 and feeds the paper P in the paper feed tray 31 by being driven to rotate.

  The paper feed roller 35 separates the paper P fed by the pickup roller 34 one by one in cooperation with the separation pad 36. The separation pad 36 is disposed near the lower side of the paper feed roller 35, and separates the paper P by applying a predetermined transport resistance to the paper P fed by the paper feed roller 35.

  The transport roller 37 contacts the paper P separated by the separation pad 36 and transports the paper P toward the registration roller 38. The registration roller 38 contacts the leading end of the paper P on the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P with respect to the transport roller 37, thereby transporting the paper P to the image forming unit 4 while correcting the skew of the paper P.

  Next, the image forming unit 4 of the laser printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. The image forming unit 4 includes an exposure device 40 and a process cartridge 50, and forms an image on the paper P fed by the paper feeding unit 3.

  The exposure apparatus 40 is disposed on the upper part of the main body casing 2 and includes a laser light emitting unit (not shown), a polygon mirror 41, a lens 42, and a reflecting mirror 44. Laser light emitted from the laser light emitting unit is based on an image formed on the paper P by the laser printer 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the laser light is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 52 constituting the process cartridge 50 through the polygon mirror 41, the lens 42, and the reflecting mirror 44. As will be described later, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 52 by the laser light.

  The process cartridge 50 is provided below the exposure device 40 and is detachably attached to the main body housing 2. The process cartridge 50 has a hollow casing 51. In the process cartridge 50, a photosensitive drum 52, a charger 53, a developing roller 54, a supply roller 55, a layer thickness regulating blade 56, a toner containing portion 57, and a transfer roller 58 are provided in the casing 51. Have.

  The photosensitive drum 52 is rotatably supported in the casing 51 and is constituted by a cylindrical drum body having conductivity. The photosensitive drum 52 has a chargeable photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of the drum body. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image is formed on the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 52 by the laser beam of the exposure device 40.

  The charger 53 is disposed behind the photosensitive drum 52 at a position facing the photosensitive drum 52 at a predetermined interval, and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 52.

  Along with the charging of the photosensitive drum 52 by the charger 53, ozone is generated inside the main body housing 2 by reacting with oxygen in the air. In the present specification, a gas containing ozone generated when the photosensitive drum 52 is charged by the charger 53 is referred to as a “first gas O”.

  The developing roller 54 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 52. The developing roller 54 is rotatably supported in front of the photosensitive drum 52 and is disposed so as to contact the photosensitive drum 52. The supply roller 55 is rotatably supported in front of the developing roller 54 and is disposed so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 54. The supply roller 55 supplies toner to the developing roller 54 by rotating while being in contact with the developing roller 54.

  The layer thickness regulating blade 56 is in sliding contact with the developing roller 54 and regulates the thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller 54. The toner accommodating portion 57 is formed in front of the supply roller 55 and accommodates toner supplied to the photosensitive drum 52 via the developing roller 54 and the supply roller 55. The toner container 57 is provided with an agitator (not shown) having a known configuration.

  The transfer roller 58 is rotatably supported below the photosensitive drum 52 and is disposed so as to face and contact the photosensitive drum 52. A transfer bias by constant current control is applied to the transfer roller 58 during transfer. Thus, when a transfer bias is applied, the transfer roller 58 transfers the toner on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 52 onto the paper P.

  The toner in the toner container 57 is supplied to the supply roller 55 by the rotation of the agitator. The toner supplied to the supply roller 55 is supplied onto the developing roller 54 as the supply roller 55 rotates while being in contact with the developing roller 54. The toner supplied onto the developing roller 54 enters between the layer thickness regulating blade 56 and the developing roller 54 by the rotation of the developing roller 54 and is carried on the developing roller 54 as a thin layer having a constant thickness. The toner carried on the developing roller 54 rotates in contact with the photosensitive drum 52 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, so that the toner is supplied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 52, and the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 52 can be obtained. Visualize.

  Next, the fixing unit 6 of the laser printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. The fixing unit 6 is provided behind the process cartridge 50 and a mixing space M (described later) (on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P), and includes a heating roller 61 and a pressure roller 62. The heating roller 61 conveys the paper P on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 4 while heating it. The pressure roller 62 is rotatably supported at a position facing the heating roller 61 and presses the paper P toward the heating roller 61. As a result, the fixing unit 6 heats and melts the toner transferred to the paper P, and heat-fixes the formed image on the paper P.

  Here, when the image is thermally fixed on the paper P, a volatile organic compound (hereinafter referred to as VOC) is generated as the paper P and the toner are heated and melted. VOC includes styrene and the like. In the present specification, a gas containing VOC generated by heat fixing of an image by the fixing unit 6 is referred to as “second gas V”.

  A paper discharge roller 65 is disposed above the fixing unit 6 so as to be rotatable along the rear end of the paper discharge tray 22. The paper discharge roller 65 discharges the paper P on which the image has been fixed by the fixing unit 6 to the paper discharge tray 22.

  Further, a communication port 78 is formed on a path along which the paper P on which an image is formed in the image forming unit 4 is conveyed. The communication port 78 is formed between the image forming unit 4 and the fixing unit 6, and communicates the space that forms the paper feeding unit 3 with the space that houses the image forming unit 4 and the fixing unit 6. . As will be described later, when driving of the exhaust fan 90 connected to the mixing space M is started and the air in the mixing space M is exhausted to the outside of the main body housing 2, it is positioned on the paper feed unit 3 side in the main housing 2. A gas (hereinafter referred to as internal gas I) flows toward the upper portion of the main body housing 2 through the communication port 78 and is introduced into the mixing space M. As a result, the gas heated by the fixing unit 6 (for example, the heating roller 61) is prevented from flowing toward the image forming unit 4 by the flow of the internal gas I introduced into the mixing space M from the communication port 78. It is done. As a result, the laser printer 1 can suppress the influence of the heat of the fixing unit 6 on the image forming unit 4.

  Next, the operation at the time of image formation of the laser printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. When image formation is performed, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper P in the paper feed tray 31 is sent out from the paper feed tray 31 as the pickup roller 34 rotates. The paper P delivered from the paper feed tray 31 is separated one by one by the paper feed roller 35 and the separation pad 36. Thereafter, the sheet P is conveyed to the registration roller 38 via the conveyance roller 37 while changing the path from the front to the rear. The registration roller 38 is brought into contact with the leading end of the paper P to correct the skew of the paper P and convey the paper P between the photosensitive drum 52 and the transfer roller 58.

  On the other hand, when the image formation is started, the charger 53 uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 52. When the leading edge of the paper P passes a predetermined position, the exposure device 40 irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 52 with laser light via the polygon mirror 41. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 52 is exposed, and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 52. The toner stored in the toner storage unit 57 is supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 52 by the rotational driving of the supply roller 55 and the developing roller 54. Thereby, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 52 is visualized and a toner image is formed.

  Thereafter, a transfer bias is applied to the transfer roller 58 when the sheet P passes through a position where the photosensitive drum 52 carrying the toner image on the surface and the transfer roller 58 face each other. As a result, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 52 is transferred to the paper P. Then, the sheet P on which the toner image is transferred passes between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 in the fixing unit 6. As a result, the toner image on the paper P is heat-fixed on the surface of the paper P. The sheet P conveyed from the fixing unit 6 is conveyed toward the sheet discharge roller 65 while changing the path from the rear to the front, and is discharged from the body housing 2 by the sheet discharge roller 65 (that is, on the sheet discharge tray 22). The paper is discharged.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, a mixing space M is formed inside the main body housing 2, and the first gas O, the second gas V, and the like are introduced. The mixed space M is partitioned by a plurality of partition walls 70 including a first partition wall 71 and a second partition wall 72, and is formed between the image forming unit 4 and the fixing unit 6. The first partition wall 71 is erected upward from the rear end of the image forming unit 4 (behind the charger 53). The second partition wall 72 is formed to hang downward from the paper discharge tray 22 (that is, the partition wall 70) constituting the upper surface of the mixing space M above the rear end of the fixing unit 6.

  In the present embodiment, the inner wall surface of the main body housing 2 constituting the back side of the paper discharge tray 22 functions as a partition wall 70 positioned on the upper surface of the mixing space M. Further, the upper surface of the fixing unit 6 functions as a partition wall 70 located on the lower surface of the mixing space M. The left and right sides of the mixing space M are closed by side frames (not shown) disposed in the main body housing 2.

  Further, in the mixed space M, there is a gap between the first partition wall 71 and the second partition wall 72 and other members (that is, the inner wall surface of the main body housing 2 and the outer surface of the fixing unit 6). In this case, it is desirable to dispose a sealing member that closes the gap and increases the airtightness of the mixing space M. Alternatively, in order to improve the sealing performance of the mixing space M, the partition wall 70 may be configured to have a labyrinth structure in the vicinity of the gap portion.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, an exhaust fan 90 is disposed on one side surface of the mixing space M (that is, the right side surface of the laser printer 1). The exhaust fan 90 exhausts the gas inside the main body housing 2 to the outside of the main body housing 2 through the mixing space M in accordance with a predetermined exhaust direction B. The predetermined exhaust direction B means a direction from the left side to the right side of the main body housing 2.

  A first introduction port 75 and a second introduction port 76 are formed in the mixing space M. The first introduction port 75 guides the first gas O to the mixing space M as the exhaust fan 90 is driven (see FIG. 2 and the like). The second introduction port 76 guides the second gas V to the mixing space M as the exhaust fan 90 is driven (see FIG. 2 and the like).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the first introduction port 75 according to the first embodiment is a corner portion of the mixing space M configured by the partition wall 70 and the first partition wall 71 that constitute the upper surface of the mixing space M. And it is formed at the upper end of the first partition wall 71. Further, the first introduction port 75 is formed at the upper end of the first partition wall 71 in the mixing space M and on the upstream side in the exhaust direction B (the left side surface side of the main body housing 2). Accordingly, when the exhaust fan 90 is driven, the first gas O generated in the vicinity of the charger 53 of the image forming unit 4 is introduced into the mixing space M through the first introduction port 75, and the upper surface of the mixing space M is Flows along the partition wall 70 (that is, the back surface of the paper discharge tray 22) (see FIGS. 3 and 4). After the first gas O flows along the partition wall 70 constituting the upper surface of the mixing space M, the second partition wall 72 and the partition wall 70 constituting the lower surface of the mixing space M (that is, the outer surface of the fixing unit 6). It flows along the partition wall 70 in this order. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first gas O draws a spiral flow (in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4) along the partition wall 70 in a plane perpendicular to the exhaust direction B. It flows down in the exhaust direction B.

  The second introduction port 76 according to the first embodiment is a corner portion of the mixing space M configured by the first partition wall 71 and the partition wall 70 (that is, the upper surface of the fixing unit 6) that forms the lower surface of the mixing space M. And it is formed in the partition wall 70 which comprises a lower surface (refer FIGS. 1-5). Further, the second introduction port 76 is a partition wall 70 constituting the lower surface of the mixing space M, and is upstream in the exhaust direction B (the left side surface side of the main body housing 2) along the lower end of the first partition wall 71. Is formed. Therefore, when the exhaust fan 90 is driven, the second gas V generated in the vicinity of the fixing unit 6 is introduced into the mixing space M through the second introduction port 76 and flows along the first partition wall 71 ( (See FIGS. 3 and 4). After the second gas V flows along the first partition wall 71, the partition wall 70 that configures the upper surface of the mixing space M, the second partition wall 72, and the partition wall 70 that configures the lower surface of the mixing space M are in this order. It flows along the partition wall 70. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second gas V is applied to the partition wall 70 in a plane perpendicular to the exhaust direction B, like the first gas O introduced from the first introduction port 75. It flows down in the exhaust direction B while drawing a spiral flow along (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4).

  In addition, the 2nd inlet 76 which concerns on 1st Embodiment functions as the 3rd inlet 77 into which the internal gas I which goes into the mixing space M from the communicating port 78 is introduce | transduced. In the first embodiment, when the driving of the exhaust fan 90 is started, the internal gas I flows toward the upper side of the main body housing 2 via the communication port 78, and the mixing space via the second introduction port 76. Introduced into M. In the mixing space M, the internal gas I flows down in the exhaust direction B while forming a spiral flow, like the second gas V introduced from the second introduction port 76.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the first embodiment, a plurality of rectifying plates 80 are erected in the mixing space M. The plurality of rectifying plates 80 are erected on the first partition wall 71, the second partition wall 72, and the partition wall 70 constituting the upper surface or the lower surface of the mixed space M. Each rectifying plate 80 is a plate-like member, and guides the flow of gas introduced into the mixing space M in the exhaust direction B while adjusting the flow so as to draw a spiral flow in the mixing space M. Each rectifying plate 80 is closer to the exhaust fan 90 (on the right side of the main body housing 2) toward the downstream side of the gas spiral flow (downstream side of the gas flow component along the plane perpendicular to the exhaust direction B). ) And is inclined with respect to the exhaust direction B. Accordingly, the laser printer 1 can promote the generation of a spiral flow including the first gas O and the second gas V in the mixed space M by the rectifying action of each rectifying plate 80. Each rectifying plate 80 is formed such that the rectifying plate 80 located on the downstream side in the exhaust direction B has a smaller angle formed by the exhaust direction B and the rectifying plate 80, and the downstream side in the exhaust direction B is along the exhaust direction B. It is formed in the state. Here, in the mixing space M, the exhaust resistance is higher on the downstream side in the exhaust direction B than on the upstream side in the exhaust direction B. By forming the angle formed by the exhaust direction B and the rectifying plate 80 smaller toward the downstream side in the exhaust direction B, the resistance acting on the gas on the downstream side in the exhaust direction B can be reduced, and exhaust can be performed smoothly and without loss.

  Next, the flow of the first gas O and the second gas V in the laser printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. When driving of the exhaust fan 90 is started, the gas in the mixed space M is exhausted to the outside of the main body housing 2. As the exhaust fan 90 is driven, the gas in the vicinity of the image forming unit 4 (particularly the charger 53) is introduced into the mixed space M through the first introduction port 75, and the gas in the vicinity of the fixing unit 6 is second. It is introduced into the mixing space M through the introduction port 76.

  Then, when the gas in the vicinity of the second introduction port 76 is introduced into the mixing space M, the gas in the vicinity of the communication port 78 also flows toward the second introduction port 76. Therefore, the internal gas I flows upward into the mixing space M through the communication port 78. The internal gas I is introduced into the mixing space M through the second introduction port 76 and flows down in the exhaust direction B while forming a spiral flow together with the first gas O and the second gas V.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first gas O containing ozone generated in the vicinity of the charger 53 of the image forming unit 4 is introduced into the mixing space M through the first introduction port 75 as the exhaust fan 90 is driven. Is done. Further, the second gas V including VOC generated in the fixing unit 6 is introduced into the mixing space M through the second introduction port 76 as the exhaust fan 90 is driven.

  Thereby, the first gas O and the second gas V exist in the mixed space M. That is, the gas in the mixed space M includes ozone generated by the charger 53 and VOC generated in the fixing unit 6. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gas flow in the mixing space M travels in the exhaust direction B while forming a spiral flow along the partition wall 70 in the mixing space M. Therefore, the laser printer 1 can stir the gas containing ozone and VOC in the mixing space M.

  More specifically, the first gas O is introduced from the first introduction port 75 along the partition wall 70 that forms the upper surface of the mixing space M, and generates a counterclockwise vortex in the vertical direction along the partition wall 70. It flows like drawing. The second gas V and the internal gas I are introduced from the second introduction port 76 along the first partition wall 71 and flow so as to draw a counterclockwise vortex in the vertical direction along the partition wall 70. At this time, since the driving of the exhaust fan 90 is continued, the gas in the mixed space M flows in the mixed space M in the exhaust direction B. That is, the gas in the mixing space M flows in the exhaust direction B while drawing a vortex in the mixing space M.

  By flowing in the mixing space M so as to draw a vortex, the ozone and VOC contained in the mixing space M are distributed substantially uniformly in the mixing space M, and oxidation and oxidation of the ozone and VOC in the mixing space M are performed. Reduction reaction is promoted. In addition, since the first introduction port 75 and the second introduction port 76 are formed on the upstream side in the exhaust direction B, it is possible to secure a sufficient period during which the oxidation / reduction reaction of ozone and VOC proceeds, and reliably Ozone and VOC can be removed.

  Further, in the mixing space M, a plurality of rectifying plates 80 are erected vertically from each partition wall 70 (including the first partition wall 71 and the second partition wall 72), and downstream of the gas spiral flow. The side (downstream side of the gas flow component along the plane perpendicular to the exhaust direction B) is located on the exhaust fan 90 side (downstream side in the exhaust direction B) and is inclined with respect to the exhaust direction B. Is formed. Thereby, the gas in the mixing space M can surely form a spiral flow, and ozone and VOC can be distributed substantially uniformly in the mixing space M. Therefore, the laser printer 1 can promote the oxidation / reduction reaction between ozone and VOC in the mixing space M by stirring the gas.

  Then, in the mixed space M, ozone and VOC are changed to different substances by an oxidation / reduction reaction between ozone and VOC. Therefore, the gas exhausted by the exhaust fan 90 is in a state where ozone and VOC are removed. That is, the laser printer 1 can efficiently remove ozone and VOC from the gas discharged from the laser printer 1 by further promoting the oxidation / reduction reaction between ozone and VOC in the mixing space M.

  As described above, the laser printer 1 according to the first embodiment forms the mixed space M between the image forming unit 4 and the fixing unit 6. The mixing space M has a first introduction port 75 and a second introduction port 76, and the mixing space M has an exhaust fan 90 and a rectifying plate 80.

  The first gas O containing ozone generated in the charger 53 is guided to the mixing space M through the first introduction port 75 as the exhaust fan 90 is driven. The second gas V containing VOC generated in the fixing unit 6 is guided into the mixing space M through the second introduction port 76 as the exhaust fan 90 is driven. Further, the internal gas I is also guided into the mixing space M through the second introduction port 76 as the exhaust fan 90 is driven.

  When the first gas O is introduced into the mixing space M along the partition wall 70 constituting the upper surface of the mixing space M through the first introduction port 75, the first gas O is exhausted while forming a spiral flow in the vertical section. Flow down in direction B. When the second gas V and the internal gas I are introduced into the mixing space M along the first partition wall 71 via the second introduction port 76, the second gas V and the internal gas I form a spiral flow in the vertical cross section while moving in the exhaust direction B. Flow down. With this configuration. The gas guided to the mixing space M flows in the exhaust direction B while drawing a vortex in the vertical section. Since the gas in the mixing space M flows in a vortex, the laser printer 1 can promote the oxidation / reduction reaction of ozone and VOC contained in the gas in the mixing space M. Thereby, the laser printer 1 can efficiently remove ozone and VOC from the gas exhausted from the mixed space M to the outside of the main body housing 2 by effectively using ozone in the first gas O.

  The rectifying plate 80 disposed in the mixing space M stirs the gas in the mixing space M while rectifying the air flow in the exhaust direction B by the exhaust fan 90 to promote the formation of a spiral flow. Thereby, the said laser printer 1 can accelerate | stimulate the oxidation / reduction reaction between ozone in gas and VOC. As a result, the laser printer 1 can effectively remove ozone and VOC from the gas exhausted outside the main body housing 2 by effectively using ozone in the first gas O.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, another embodiment (second embodiment) different from the first embodiment described above will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The laser printer 1 according to the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the laser printer 1 according to the first embodiment, and only the configuration of the mixing space M is different. Therefore, the mixed space M according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the mixing space M according to the second embodiment, the first introduction port 75 and the second introduction port 76 are formed in the same configuration as the mixing space M according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the gas in the mixing space M according to the second embodiment flows down in the exhaust direction B while forming a counterclockwise spiral flow as in the first embodiment. In this regard, in the first embodiment, the plurality of rectifying plates 80 are erected in the mixing space M, but in the second embodiment, the stationary blade member 85 is disposed in the mixing space M. (Refer to FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the stationary blade member 85 includes a shaft portion 86 and a plurality of stationary blade portions 87. The shaft portion 86 is a cylindrical member whose axis is the same direction as the exhaust direction B. The plurality of stationary blade portions 87 are stationary blades erected radially from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 86. Each stationary blade portion 87 is formed so as to be located on the downstream side in the exhaust direction B (exhaust fan 90 connection side) toward the downstream side of the spiral flow (see FIGS. 3 and 4) according to the second embodiment.

  As described above, the laser printer 1 according to the second embodiment includes the first gas O introduced from the first introduction port 75 formed in the mixing space M, the second, as in the first embodiment. The second gas V and the internal gas I introduced from the introduction port 76 can cause the gas in the mixing space M to flow down in the exhaust direction B while forming a spiral flow in the mixing space M (see FIGS. 3 and 4). ). Thereby, the laser printer 1 promotes an oxidation / reduction reaction between ozone in the gas and VOC, effectively uses the ozone in the first gas O, and is exhausted to the outside of the main body housing 2. Therefore, ozone and VOC can be efficiently removed. Furthermore, since the laser printer 1 can promote the formation of the spiral flow by the stationary blade member 85 disposed in the mixing space M, the ozone in the first gas O can be effectively used to make the main body casing 2 Ozone and VOC can be more efficiently removed from the gas exhausted to the outside.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, another embodiment (third embodiment) different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The laser printer 1 according to the third embodiment has the same basic configuration as the laser printer 1 according to the first and second embodiments, and only the configuration of the mixing space M is different. Therefore, the mixing space M according to the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the third embodiment, the first introduction port 75, the second introduction port 76, and the third introduction port 77 formed in the mixing space M are individually formed, and the second introduction port 76 is formed. The formation position is changed.

  The first introduction port 75 according to the third embodiment is formed at the same position as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Therefore, the first gas O is introduced along the partition wall 70 that forms the upper surface of the mixing space M, and forms a counterclockwise spiral flow in a vertical section along the partition wall 70 while moving in the exhaust direction B. Flow down.

  And in the mixing space M in 3rd Embodiment, the 2nd inlet 76 is a corner | angular part comprised by the 2nd partition wall 72 and the partition wall 70 which comprises the lower surface of the mixing space M, 2nd It is formed at the lower end of the partition wall 72. That is, the second introduction port 76 is formed at a position that is point-symmetric with the first introduction port 75 about the center of the vertical section in the exhaust direction B (see FIG. 7). Accordingly, the second gas V is introduced into the mixing space M along the partition wall 70 constituting the lower surface of the mixing space M through the second introduction port 76 as the exhaust fan 90 is driven. Then, the second gas V flows down in the exhaust direction B while forming a counterclockwise spiral flow in the mixing space M.

  In the third embodiment, a third introduction port 77 is formed at the same position as the second introduction port 76 in the first and second embodiments. Therefore, the internal gas I is introduced into the mixing space M from the third introduction port 77 as the exhaust fan 90 is driven. When introduced from the third introduction port 77, the internal gas I is exhausted while forming a counterclockwise spiral flow along the first partition wall 71 in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments. It flows down in the direction B.

  Also in the third embodiment, the first introduction port 75 to the third introduction port 77 are formed on the upstream side in the exhaust direction B in the mixing space M (the left side surface side of the main body housing 2). Therefore, also in the third embodiment, it is possible to sufficiently secure a period during which the oxidation / reduction reaction of ozone and VOC proceeds, and thus ozone and VOC can be reliably removed.

  As described above, even in the arrangement configuration (see FIG. 7) of the first introduction port 75 to the third introduction port 77 according to the third embodiment, the laser printer 1 is in the mixing space M in the first configuration. The gas is exhausted in the exhaust direction B while forming a spiral flow of the gas O, the second gas V, and the internal gas I. That is, the laser printer 1 according to the third embodiment can promote the oxidation / reduction reaction of ozone and VOC contained in the gas in the mixed space M, as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. By effectively using ozone in the first gas O, ozone and VOC can be efficiently removed from the gas exhausted from the mixed space M to the outside of the main body housing 2.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, another embodiment (fourth embodiment) different from the first to third embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The laser printer 1 according to the fourth embodiment has the same basic configuration as the laser printer 1 according to the first to third embodiments, and only the configuration of the mixing space M is different. Therefore, the mixed space M according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In 4th Embodiment, the formation position of the 1st inlet 75-the 3rd inlet 77 differs from 1st Embodiment-3rd Embodiment. Specifically, the first introduction port 75 is formed along the lower end of the first partition wall 71 at a corner portion constituted by the first partition wall 71 and the partition wall 70 located on the lower surface of the mixing space M. The Accordingly, the first gas O is introduced into the mixing space M along the partition wall 70 that constitutes the lower surface of the mixing space M through the first introduction port 75. As a result, in the fourth embodiment, the first gas O flows down in the exhaust direction B while forming a clockwise spiral flow along the partition wall 70 in the mixing space M (see FIG. 8).

  The second introduction port 76 according to the fourth embodiment has a partition wall that configures the lower surface of the mixing space M at a corner portion formed by the second partition wall 72 and the partition wall 70 positioned on the lower surface of the mixing space M. 70. Therefore, the second gas V is introduced along the second partition wall 72 via the second introduction port 76. Thereby, also in the fourth embodiment, the second gas V forms a clockwise spiral flow in the mixing space M without disturbing the flow of the first gas O introduced from the first introduction port 75, It flows down in the exhaust direction B.

  Further, the second introduction port 76 according to the fourth embodiment functions as the third introduction port 77 as in the first and second embodiments described above. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, when the driving of the exhaust fan 90 is started, the internal gas I flows toward the upper side of the main body housing 2 through the communication port 78 and through the second introduction port 76. It is introduced into the mixing space M. In the mixing space M, the internal gas I flows down in the exhaust direction B while forming a clockwise spiral flow, like the second gas V introduced from the second introduction port 76.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, the first introduction port 75 and the second introduction port 76 are formed on the upstream side in the exhaust direction B in the mixing space M (the left side surface side of the main body housing 2). Therefore, also in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to secure a sufficient period during which the oxidation / reduction reaction of ozone and VOC proceeds, and thus ozone and VOC can be removed reliably.

  As described above, even in the arrangement configuration (see FIG. 8) of the first introduction port 75 and the second introduction port 76 according to the fourth embodiment, the laser printer 1 is in the mixing space M in the first configuration. The gas is exhausted in the exhaust direction B while forming a spiral flow of the gas O, the second gas V, and the internal gas I. That is, the laser printer 1 according to the fourth embodiment can promote the oxidation / reduction reaction of ozone and VOC contained in the gas in the mixed space M, as in the first to third embodiments. By effectively using ozone in the first gas O, ozone and VOC can be efficiently removed from the gas exhausted from the mixed space M to the outside of the main body housing 2.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, another embodiment (fifth embodiment) different from the first to fourth embodiments described above will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The laser printer 1 according to the fifth embodiment has the same basic configuration as the laser printer 1 according to the first to fourth embodiments, and only the configuration of the mixing space M is different. Therefore, the mixed space M according to the fifth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In the fifth embodiment, the formation positions of the first introduction port 75 to the third introduction port 77 are different from those of the first to fourth embodiments described above. If it demonstrates concretely, the 1st inlet 75 in 5th Embodiment is formed in the same position as 4th Embodiment mentioned above. Accordingly, the first gas O flows down in the exhaust direction B while forming a clockwise spiral flow as in the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 9).

  And the 2nd inlet 76 in 5th Embodiment is along the upper end of the 2nd partition wall 72 in the corner constituted by the 2nd partition wall 72 and the partition wall 70 located in the upper surface of mixed space M. It is formed. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, the second gas V is introduced along the partition wall 70 located on the upper surface of the mixing space M via the second introduction port 76 and introduced from the first introduction port 75. Without disturbing the flow of 1 gas O, a clockwise spiral flow is formed in the mixing space M and flows down in the exhaust direction B.

  Moreover, the 3rd inlet 77 which concerns on 5th Embodiment is formed in the same position as the 2nd inlet 76 in 4th Embodiment mentioned above. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, when the driving of the exhaust fan 90 is started, the internal gas I flows toward the upper side of the main body housing 2 through the communication port 78 and through the second introduction port 76. It is introduced into the mixing space M along the second partition wall 72. In the mixed space M, the internal gas I flows down in the exhaust direction B while forming a clockwise spiral flow without disturbing the air flow formed by the first gas O and the second gas V.

  Also in the fifth embodiment, the first introduction port 75 to the third introduction port 77 are formed on the upstream side in the exhaust direction B in the mixing space M (the left side surface side of the main body housing 2). Therefore, also in the fifth embodiment, it is possible to sufficiently secure a period during which the oxidation / reduction reaction of ozone and VOC proceeds, and thus ozone and VOC can be reliably removed.

  As described above, even with the arrangement configuration (see FIG. 9) of the first introduction port 75 to the third introduction port 77 according to the fifth embodiment, the laser printer 1 includes the first introduction port 75 in the mixing space M. The gas is exhausted in the exhaust direction B while forming a spiral flow of the gas O, the second gas V, and the internal gas I. That is, the laser printer 1 according to the fifth embodiment can promote the oxidation / reduction reaction of ozone and VOC contained in the gas in the mixed space M, as in the first to fourth embodiments. By effectively using ozone in the first gas O, ozone and VOC can be efficiently removed from the gas exhausted from the mixed space M to the outside of the main body housing 2.

  In the third to fifth embodiments, a plurality of rectifying plates 80 may be formed on each partition wall 70 constituting the mixed space M, as in the first embodiment. Further, similarly to the second embodiment, the stationary blade member 85 may be arranged in the mixing space M.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the current plate 80 in the first embodiment is merely an example, and the shape and number thereof may be any number. It is also possible to form the rectifying plate 80 only on one partition wall 70 that constitutes the mixed space M. Further, the stationary blade member 85 in the second embodiment is merely an example, and the shape and number of the stationary blade portions 87 can be set to arbitrary values. Further, the number of the stationary blade members 85 in the mixing space M can be changed as appropriate.

1 laser printer, 2 body housing, 4 image forming unit,
6 fixing section, 70 partition wall, 71 first partition wall,
72 second partition wall, 75 first inlet, 76 second inlet,
77 third inlet, 80 current plate, 85 stator blade member,
O 1st gas, V 2nd gas, I internal gas,
M mixed space

Claims (4)

A housing containing components used for image formation on a recording medium;
An image forming unit disposed on the front side inside the housing and forming an image on the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit disposed on a rear side inside the housing and thermally fixing an image formed on a recording medium by the image forming unit;
Between the fixing unit and the image forming unit, a first gas that is partitioned by a plurality of partition walls and contains ozone generated during image formation in the image forming unit, and thermal fixing in the fixing unit A mixed space in which the second gas containing the odor component generated is introduced and the first gas and the second gas are mixed;
An exhaust fan connected to the mixing space and exhausting the gas introduced into the mixing space to the outside of the housing according to a predetermined exhaust direction,
In the mixing space,
Of the plurality of partition walls, a partition wall located on the image forming unit side is configured, and a first partition wall extending in a vertical direction with a predetermined gap between the partition wall and a rear side surface of the image forming unit , a composed corner by a partition wall positioned at the top of the mixing space, a partition wall positioned at the top of the mixing space, is formed between the upper end portion of the first partition wall, said first A first introduction port into which the gas is introduced into the mixing space after flowing along the first partition wall between the rear side surface of the image forming unit and the first partition wall ;
Of the plurality of partition walls, a corner wall formed by a partition wall positioned at a lower portion of the mixing space and a lower portion of the first partition wall, and an end portion of the partition wall positioned at a lower portion of the mixing space And a second introduction port through which the second gas is introduced into the mixing space is formed, and when the second gas is introduced into the mixing space from the second introduction port, The image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus flows along the inner surface of the first partition wall and then flows according to the flow of the first gas introduced from the first introduction port . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The first gas introduced from the first introduction port is
In the mixing space, while drawing a spiral flow along the partition wall on a plane perpendicular to the exhaust direction by the exhaust fan, it flows down in the exhaust direction,
The second inlet is
A partition wall different from the first partition wall,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the second gas is introduced at a position tangential to a circumference of the spiral flow and in a direction along the flow of the spiral flow. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
In the mixing space, a current plate is erected from the section wall toward the inside of the mixing space,
The current plate is
An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is erected so as to be positioned closer to a connection side of the exhaust fan toward a downstream side of a gas spiral flow in the mixing space. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
In the mixing space,
A stationary blade member having a shaft portion extending in the same direction as the exhaust direction and a plurality of stationary blade portions erected radially from the shaft portion toward the partition wall;
The stationary blade part is
An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is erected on the peripheral surface of the shaft so that the downstream side of the spiral flow is positioned on the connection side of the exhaust fan.

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