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CN100480889C - Imaging device - Google Patents

Imaging device Download PDF

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Publication number
CN100480889C
CN100480889C CNB2005100833016A CN200510083301A CN100480889C CN 100480889 C CN100480889 C CN 100480889C CN B2005100833016 A CNB2005100833016 A CN B2005100833016A CN 200510083301 A CN200510083301 A CN 200510083301A CN 100480889 C CN100480889 C CN 100480889C
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
recording materials
air
unit
paper
imaging device
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Expired - Fee Related
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CNB2005100833016A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN1749879A (en
Inventor
中村将和
圆子雅巳
坚田和则
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Konica Minolta Inc
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Konica Minolta Inc
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Publication of CN1749879A publication Critical patent/CN1749879A/en
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Publication of CN100480889C publication Critical patent/CN100480889C/en
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Abstract

The invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a conveying unit including plural conveying paths, a cooling fan, an air duct including a first air-blowing outlet and a second air-blowing outlet for conducting air from the cooling fan to an interior of the apparatus, and an air flow changing member for opening or closing the first and second air-blowing outlets, wherein the recording sheet on the different conveying path is cooled by changing the air flow changing member. An image forming apparatus having, an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a conveying unit, a cooling fan for cooling the recording material on which the toner image is formed, and a restrict member for restricting a volume of drawing of air by the cooling fan.

Description

Imaging device
Related application
The application is based on patented claim No.2005-265179 and 2005-135026 in Japanese publication, and therefore, their whole contents is incorporated herein by reference.
Technical field
The present invention relates to a kind of imaging device, for example duplicating machine, Printers and Faxes machine, particularly relate to a kind of imaging device, this imaging device can be on the one side of recording materials print data, can also be by making the recording materials upset on the two sides of recording materials print data.
Background technology
Recent most of imaging device (for example duplicating machine, Printers and Faxes machine) can both be by electrophotography print image information on the one side of recording materials (being also referred to as transfer paper sheet or paper) not only, and can be on the two sides of recording materials print image information.
In some cases, such imaging device for example comprises discharge function that faces up (being used for discharging paper under the supine situation of type list) and the discharge function that faces down (being used for discharging paper under the ventricumbent situation of type list), like this, when discharging the recording materials of printing, can select and carry out these functions.Particularly, when on the one side at recording materials during print image information, can directly check print state.
Usually, in electrophotographic imaging forming apparatus, the electrostatic latent image that is formed on the image-carrier according to the image information of file develops by toner, so that become toner image, is transferred on the recording materials then.Be transferred to toner image on the recording materials and be heated by fixation unit and pressurize, so that fusing and photographic fixing then, are expelled to the device outside with recording materials on recording materials.
Just the recording materials by fixation unit are still warmmer, and in common imaging device, the cooling fan blow air is so that quick cooling recording material.But in some cases, paper is also insufficient to be cooled off soon, and the incomplete photographic fixing that causes melting and being transferred to the toner on the recording materials.
Specifically, in the time will facing down discharging operation or upset and transfer operation, the print surface of recording materials contacts with the parts of arranging along transfer path (for example roller), also do not have a part of toner image of full solidification and photographic fixing to have viscosity, thereby make recording materials be bonded on the roller or because friction and contaminated.Also have, because cool off immediately by contacting with roller, a part of toner image of curing and photographic fixing and toner slowly solidifies and another part toner image of photographic fixing between form toner fixing difference, therefore produce so-called " inhomogeneous " cooling phenomenon.Therefore, generation is owing to the image that local insufficient photographic fixing causes is coarse.Specifically, when image was coloured image, tone had very big-difference, thereby made picture quality reduce greatly.
Therefore, disclose a kind of ordinary skill (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.09-22228), it has: first cooling unit is used for by blowing the imaging surface that air in the device cools off the recording materials of sending from imaging moiety; And second cooling unit, be used for coming the back side of cooling recording material by blowing from installing the outside extraneous air of introducing, like this, just the recording materials by fixation unit can pass through first cooling unit and second cooling unit respectively and apace from top and below cooling, thereby prevent inhomogeneous cooling.
But, in the described technology of Japanese Patent Application Publication No.09-22228, make recording materials produce blowing top to the recording materials and the big temperature difference between the air-flow of bottom, and transmitting recording materials so that occur a lot of faults in the process of discharging than macrobending.Therefore, need complicated control, so that by detecting external air temperature and stopping or operating second cooling unit and meticulous adjusting air themperature.
And before recording materials were just discharged from device body, recording materials cooled off by the air that is blown by fan (through air conduit) in the air blowing exit.Therefore, when facing down the paper discharging operation, just the thermal recording material by fixation unit contacts with guided plate with transfer roller in the path of overturning, thereby produces inhomogeneous cooling.
And, in some cases, be connected as the imaging device and the paper preprocessor (sheet finisher) (being also referred to as preprocessor) of pen recorder.The paper preprocessor has complicated transfer path, so that corresponding to different post-processing steps, and its transfer rate is faster than image forming apparatus body, so that reduce to be used for the time of post-processing step.Because complicated transfer path and transmission at a high speed, the delivering power of transfer roller is bigger, thereby is easy to make image contaminated in preprocessor inside, perhaps makes paper folding on the paper discharge dish of preprocessor.Therefore, when using preprocessor, need very high cooling power.But, if the power of blowing is bigger, will produce such problem so when not using preprocessor, promptly paper is bonded at the ability reduction on the paper discharge dish.
In view of the above problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide a kind of simple in structure and cheap imaging device, this imaging device can just form high quality graphic through the recording materials of fixation unit by suitable cooling, thereby prevents because the image that the inhomogeneous cooling of recording materials causes is coarse, curling, pollution and adhesion.
Summary of the invention
The objective of the invention is to address the above problem.
Above-mentioned purpose of the present invention realizes by following structure:
A kind of imaging device comprises:
Image-generating unit is used for the toner image based on image information is transferred to recording materials;
Fixation unit is used for toner image heating and photographic fixing at recording materials;
Delivery unit, this delivery unit comprises a plurality of transfer paths, is used for recording materials are sent to image-generating unit and discharge the recording materials that form toner image in the above;
Cooling fan;
Air conduit, this air conduit comprise the first air blowing outlet and the second air blowing outlet, are used for air is guided to device inside from cooling fan; And
Air-flow changes parts, is used to open or close the first and second air blowing outlets;
Wherein, change parts and cool off recording materials in different transfer paths by changing air-flow.
And above-mentioned purpose of the present invention realizes by following structure:
A kind of imaging device comprises:
Image-generating unit is used for the toner image based on image information is transferred to recording materials;
Fixation unit is used for toner image heating and photographic fixing at recording materials;
Delivery unit is used to discharge the recording materials that form toner image in the above;
Cooling fan is used to cool off the recording materials that form toner image in the above; And
Limiting part is used to limit the volume of air that is drawn into by cooling fan.
By detailed description, will understand the present invention self and other purpose and attendant advantages better below in conjunction with accompanying drawing.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the synoptic diagram of imaging device of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is the synoptic diagram of expression air feed unit of the present invention and transfer path.
Fig. 3 is the block scheme of the circuit structure of expression imaging device of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is the process flow diagram of the control function of expression air feed unit of the present invention.
Fig. 5 has represented another embodiment of imaging device of the present invention.
In the following description, same parts is all being represented with same reference numerals in the accompanying drawing.
Embodiment
Introduce the present invention below with reference to the accompanying drawings.But, the present invention is not limited to embodiment described below.In whole accompanying drawings, same numeral or mark are represented identical items, and this project will be introduced with reference to other relevant drawings as required in detail.
Fig. 1 is the synoptic diagram of imaging device of the present invention.Fig. 2 is the synoptic diagram of expression air feed unit of the present invention and transfer path.Fig. 3 is the block scheme of the circuit structure of expression imaging device of the present invention.Fig. 4 is the process flow diagram of the control function of expression air feed unit of the present invention.Fig. 5 has represented another embodiment of imaging device of the present invention.
With reference to figure 1, will introduce the structure of imaging device of the present invention below.
For the purpose of simplifying the description, the imaging device in the present embodiment 20 is assumed to electrophotographic copier.Because electrophotographic copier is known, therefore will briefly introduce its part.
Reference number 20 expression imaging devices, 30 expression autofile feeders (ADF), this autofile feeder is installed on the imaging device 20.
Imaging device 20 comprises: manual supply dish 2, and this manual supply dish 2 is positioned at the right side of casing 1, is used to supply with a small amount of recording materials (being also referred to as transfer paper sheet or paper); And paper discharge dish 3, this paper discharge dish 3 is positioned at the left side of casing 1.
By paper feeding cassette 12 (back will be introduced) or manually supply dish 2 supply with and common recording materials (the being also referred to as plain paper) P or the special recording materials IP that are formed with image in the above discharges and be stacked on the paper discharge dish 3.
A plurality of rollers (being also referred to as Caster) 4 are arranged in the bottom of casing 1, so imaging device 20 can move.
Control panel CP is arranged on the upper surface of casing 1, so that as display unit and the operation and the input block that are used to operate imaging device.
Control panel CP comprises: display unit DP, and this display unit is made of liquid crystal display or touch panel type liquid crystal display (this touch-type liquid crystal display is included in the touch panel in its display unit); And input block, this input block is as operation and input block, the start button (being also referred to as copy button) that it comprises the keyboard KB that is used for input digit etc. and is used to carry out a series of imaging operations (for example duplicating).
Specifically, in the present embodiment, by control panel CP, for example single face printing model and duplex printing pattern can be chosen as set, and the paper that faces up is discharged pattern and the paper discharge pattern that faces down can be chosen as recording materials discharging operation pattern.
Controller EC (being also referred to as control circuit) is the unit that is used to control all operations of being carried out by imaging device 20, and by circuit for example CPU etc. form.According to the control program and the control data that are stored in advance among the CPU, controller EC controlling packet is contained in the driving of all unit in the imaging device 20.
Therefore, when servicing unit when for example ADF 30 is connected with imaging device 20, controller EC works in conjunction with this servicing unit in the same manner, thereby control is as the level and smooth driving of the whole imaging device 20 of system.
And when imaging device 20 was connected by LAN (LAN (Local Area Network)) and with personal computer or out of Memory device, controller EC worked in conjunction with this device, thereby controls the level and smooth driving of imaging device, so as can to send, reception and store information.
Imaging device 11 is the devices that are used for forming according to document image information image.For example, imaging device 11 comprises: photosensitive drums (being also referred to as photoconductor or image-carrier) 5, and this photosensitive drums 5 is by drive source motor and along default imaging direction (clockwise direction for example indicated by the arrow) rotation for example; Charhing unit 6 is used to make photosensitive drums 5 uniform charging; Exposing unit is exposure device E for example, and it uses the laser beam by laser output unit (comprising semiconductor laser) output, and like this, document image information (being also referred to as view data) is transformed into signal, thereby forms electrostatic latent image on photosensitive drums 5; Developing cell 7, the electrostatic latent image that is used for being formed on the photosensitive drums 5 is transformed into visual toner image; Transfer printing and separative element 8, the toner image that is used for being formed on the photosensitive drums 5 is transferred to recording materials P; Cleaning unit 9 is used to remove residual toner and the paper fibre still stayed on the photosensitive drums 5 after toner image is transferred on the recording materials P; And fixation unit 10, be used for toner image fusing and photographic fixing at recording materials P.
Reading image unit 13 comprises: optical reading system, this optical reading system comprise light source LT, mirror group MR and imaging len LZ; And read unit ES, this read unit comprises the circuit that comprises CCD (solid state image pickup device).
When imaging device 20 was duplicating machine, read unit ES was positioned at the bottom of autofile feeder 30.And being arranged in sheet glass (not shown) (this sheet glass is positioned at the top of casing 1) goes up or is sent to by autofile feeder 30 image information of the file that reads the position and read by image sensing element 13, be transformed into Digital Image Data, be stored in then in the storage element that controller EC provides.
Specifically, read by reading image unit 13 by the file that ADF 30 transmits, light source LT irradiation is sent to the file of reading position, then, be formed on the CCD surface of read unit ES through mirror group MR reflection and the image by imaging len LZ, and save as view data by the image information of CCD output.
Supply and deliverying unit 14 constitute supply, discharge and delivery unit, and it comprises: paper feeding cassette 12; Recording materials detecting unit SE, this recording materials detecting unit SE is positioned near the downstream of the motor (not shown) of drive source, a plurality of roller R1 to R9 and fixation unit 10, the leading edge of detection record material or back edge, and to control circuit EC output by information (passageinformation); Direction of transfer changes parts LB, and this direction of transfer changes parts LB and is positioned at direction of transfer change part 15 places; And upset and translator unit 16, when carrying out duplex printing, this upset and translator unit 16 make the recording materials upset.
Paper feeding cassette 12 for example has and holds special recording materials IP for example the box 12a of ground paper and the box 12b that holds common recording materials P (plain paper).
And, to supply with and the control program of deliverying unit 14 according to the instruction of controller EC and by the recording materials transfer mode drives, this recording materials transfer mode is with passed through the recording materials delivery status that control panel CP presets by the user corresponding.For example, after supplying with and deliverying unit 14 selected special recording materials IP or common recording materials P, it makes many group rollers rotate by the motor rotation of drive source, photosensitive drums 5 is supplied with and be sent to preface with special recording materials IP or plain paper P from paper feeding cassette 12 when appropriate, is formed with the record images material above inciting somebody to action then and is expelled on the paper discharge dish 3.
For the recording materials delivery status relevant with supply, discharge and delivery unit 14, for example single face printing model and duplex printing pattern can be used as printing model, and the paper that faces up is discharged pattern and the paper discharge pattern that faces down can be used as recording materials discharge and transfer mode.These patterns can be specified by aforementioned control panel CP.
On the other hand, control circuit EC has stored single face convey program (this single face convey program is a recording materials transfer mode control program) in advance, has been used for the upset and the convey program of duplex printing, face up paper discharge and convey program and the paper that faces down are discharged and convey program.
Therefore, control circuit EC selects the control program with the corresponding recording materials transfer mode of presetting by control panel CP of control model, and controls the driving of supply, discharge and delivery unit 14 by the control program of selected recording materials transfer mode.
The delivery unit of ADF 30 is whole to be contained in the ADF casing 31, and file platen 32 and paper discharge section 33 are positioned at ADF casing 31 outsides.
On file platen 32, for example a plurality of file WP are arranged such that first page file side (surface) is positioned at the top.File WP is sent to reading position by the file delivery unit that comprises a plurality of rollers, and ES reads by read unit, is expelled to then on the paper discharge section 33.
The file delivery unit is designed to combine work by the Drive and Control Circuit (not shown) with the controller EC of imaging device 20.
The air feed unit 40 of present embodiment has: cooling fan 41; Air conduit 42, this air conduit 42 have the first air blowing outlet 42a and the second air blowing outlet 42b; And air-flow changes parts (a) 43 and air-flow changes parts (b) 44, is used for coming air supply by conversion between air blowing outlet 42a and air blowing outlet 42b.
In the present embodiment, cooling fan 4 is supplied with by air conduit 42 from outside inhaled air, so that cooling recording material and transfer path by the first air blowing outlet 42a or the second air blowing outlet 42b.
And for example when the information of pass through the input control circuit EC that detected by recording materials detecting unit SE, cooling fan 4 is started working, and when not having to import the information of passing through in the stipulated time after fan is started working, control circuit EC will stop this work.
Introduce in detail as the back, air-flow changes parts (a) 43 can move to the position of being represented by solid line when it supplies with the first air blowing outlet 42a (this first air blowing outlet 42a is cooling recording material before paper is discharged just) with air, and moves to the position that is illustrated by the broken lines when the prevention air is supplied with the first air blowing outlet 42a.
And, as hereinafter described, when the direction of the print surface of recording materials is changing upset in the part 15, so that when paper being faced down discharge, air-flow changes parts (b) 44 near chill roll R7 the time and air is supplied with second blow outlet 42b (this second blow outlet 42b cooling upset and translator unit 16) so that carry out moving to when duplex printing is operated the position that is illustrated by the broken lines.When stoping air to supply with the second air blowing outlet 42b, air-flow changes parts (b) 44 can also move to the position of being represented by solid line.
And, air-flow changes parts (a) 43 and air-flow change parts (b) 44 have the drive source drives of comprising mechanism (not shown), their driving is controlled by the control program of recording materials transfer mode, and this recording materials transfer mode is with corresponding by control circuit EC preset working pattern by control panel CP.
With reference to figure 2, will introduce the recording materials transfer operation below.Fig. 2 is the synoptic diagram of imaging device 11 shown in the presentation graphs 1 and recording materials transfer path, and the identical items shown in the same numeral presentation graphs 1.
For example, when mode of operation was the single face printing model, control circuit EC selected the single face transfer mode to be used for supply, discharge and delivery unit 14, and carries out this pattern.Recording materials P from paper feeding cassette 12 (path A) or manually supply dish 2 (path B) supply with imaging device 11, and image is printed on by imaging device 11 on the one side of recording materials P, then, paper is sent to direction of transfer and changes part 15.
At this moment, if mode of operation is the paper discharge pattern that faces up, when recording materials P detects the back edge of recording materials P through fixation unit 10 and recording materials detecting unit SE,, therefore carry out the paper that faces up and discharge and transfer mode so by information input control circuit EC.Then, supply, discharge and delivery unit 14 make the direction of transfer that is arranged in change part 15 change parts LB and remain on the position of being represented by solid line.
Therefore, recording materials P is sent to the path (first transmits and discharge path) of leading to roller R6 from fixation unit 10, subsequently, when the driving of recording materials P by roller R6 is bearing between the pair of rolls R6, transmit, and finally be expelled to paper discharge dish 3 by the recording materials discharge path.At this moment, recording materials P is positioned to print surface up.
And, be that the paper that faces down is discharged under the situation of pattern in mode of operation, when recording materials detecting unit SE detects the back edge of recording materials P,, therefore carry out the paper that faces down and discharge and transfer mode by information input control circuit EC.And supply, discharge and delivery unit 14 make that being arranged in the direction of transfer change parts LB that changes part 15 moves to the position that is illustrated by the broken lines.
Therefore, the direction of transfer of recording materials P changes parts LB by direction of transfer and changes over the direction of leading to R7, and paper transmits by path C (second transmits and discharge path).And when recording materials P was bearing between the pair of rolls R7, these recording materials P transmitted, up to for example when after the back edge that detects recording materials P at recording materials detecting unit SE when the schedule time roller 7 stop to drive.When roller 7 stops to drive, recording materials P stop motion, and its back edge is bearing between the pair of rolls R7.
Then, control circuit EC makes direction of transfer change parts LB and is back to the initial position of being represented by solid line, and roller 7 is rotated in opposite direction.Because the reverse rotation of roller 7 makes recording materials P directly transmit towards the path of roller R6 from roller R7 on the edge, and without path C, therefore, the upset of the print surface of recording materials P.
Subsequently, because the driving of roller R6, when recording materials were bearing between the pair of rolls R6, these recording materials P transmitted along the recording materials discharge path, and is expelled on the paper discharge dish 3.At this moment, recording materials P is positioned to print surface down.
When mode of operation was the duplex printing pattern, control circuit EC selected upset and transfer mode to be used for supply, discharge and delivery unit 14, so that carry out the duplex printing operation.A print procedure is identical with a print procedure of single face printing model.The one side of printing record material P at first.
Then, when finishing simultaneously to print, recording materials P is sent to direction of transfer change part 15 from the fixation unit 10 of imaging device 11.At this moment, the back edge of recording materials detecting unit SE detection record material P, and control circuit EC makes direction of transfer change parts LB move to the position that is illustrated by the broken lines.
Therefore, the direction of transfer of recording materials P changes parts LB by direction of transfer and changes over towards roller R7, and transmits by path C.And when recording materials were bearing between the pair of rolls R7, these recording materials P transmitted by path D, entered upset and transfer path 16 then, so that carry out duplex printing.
When recording materials P enters upset and during transfer path 16, recording materials P is bearing between the pair of rolls 8, and its leading edge by the rotation of roller 8 along the direction transmission of representing by E, stop then.Subsequently, roller 8 rotates in opposite direction, and recording materials P passes through path F and path G transmits, and at this moment, recording materials P, former back edge becomes its leading edge, the print surface upset of recording materials P.Then, recording materials P is again by pair of rolls 4 and 5 and transmit towards imaging device 11.
And, when discharging under the ventricumbent situation of type list formerly when record images material P all being arranged, carries out the aforementioned paper that faces up and discharge pattern on the two sides, because when recording materials P passes through fixation unit 10 for the second time, before print surface was down.When discharging recording materials P under the supine situation of type list formerly, the about upset of recording materials, and carry out the aforementioned paper that faces down and discharge pattern.
To introduce the cooling down operation of carrying out by air feed unit 40 of the present invention below.
In the present embodiment, carry out cooling down operation by air feed unit 40 in conjunction with the recording materials supply model.Just, information is passed through in the back edge and the output that detect recording materials P when control circuit EC carries out any one recording materials transfer mode and as recording materials detecting unit SE, and in the time of should passing through information input control circuit EC, the cooling fan 41 of air feed unit 40 begins operation.Air-flow changes parts (a) 43 or air-flow change parts (b) 44 are also operated, and like this, air is supplied with the first air blowing outlet 42a, is used for just cooling off before recording materials are discharged these recording materials.Perhaps air is supplied with the second outlet 42b that blows, and upset is so that when facing down paper to discharge near the chill roll R7 in changing part 15 with the direction of the print surface of convenient recording materials, and cooling is overturn and translator unit 16 when carry out duplex printing.
To introduce the flow process shown in Fig. 4 below.
(A) in face up paper discharge and transfer mode, just when mode of operation is single face printing model (S2) and the paper that is set to face up discharge pattern (S211), make these recording materials P transmit (S212) through after the fixation unit 10 along first transfer path at recording materials.When recording materials detecting unit SE detects the back edge of recording materials P and output by information, and by in the information input control circuit EC time, control circuit EC operation drive source (not shown), thus make cooling fan 41 rotations.Control circuit EC also makes air-flow change parts (a) 43 and air-flow change parts (b) 44 remain on the position of being represented by solid line among Fig. 2, and from the first air blowing outlet 42a air supply (S213), so that just before recording materials are discharged, cool off these recording materials P.
(B) in face down paper discharge and transfer mode, just when mode of operation is single face printing model (S2) and the paper that is set to face down discharge pattern (S22), make these recording materials P be sent to second transfer path (S221) through after the fixation unit 10 at recording materials.(A) is identical with situation, detect the back edge of recording materials P as recording materials detecting unit SE, and will be by in the information input control circuit EC time, control circuit EC makes the direction of transfer that is arranged in direction of transfer change part 15 change parts LB and moves to the position that is illustrated by the broken lines, so that transmit recording materials P along path C.Simultaneously, control circuit EC makes cooling fan 41 rotations, and air-flow change parts (a) 43 are moved to by position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, shown in arrow M, and make air-flow change parts (b) 44 move to the position of representing by dotted line among Fig. 2, shown in arrow N, so that stop air to supply with the first air blowing outlet 42a.When recording materials P transmitted along the path of extending from roller 7 towards direction D, second blows exported near the 42b chill roll 7, so that cooling recording material P (S222).
Then, roller 7 rotates in opposite direction, so that transmit recording materials P along first transfer path (S223).At this moment, air-flow changes parts (a) 43 and (b) 44 turns to the position of being represented by solid line, and then, air is blown from first and exported the 42a supply, so that cooling recording material P (S224).
Just,, wherein omitted roller and the transmission guiding piece arranged along transfer path, in fact therefore a lot of rollers arranged and transmit guiding piece because Fig. 2 is a synoptic diagram.In the paper discharge pattern that faces down, the print surface of recording materials P is arranged to face down, and therefore, recording materials contact with guiding piece with a plurality of rollers when transmitting.Therefore, when the toner on print surface does not have firm photographic fixing, compare with the paper discharge pattern that faces up, because inhomogeneous cooling, paper surface possibility image is more coarse, perhaps may pollute more.Therefore, in the paper discharge pattern that faces down, need discharge pattern cooling recording material more quickly than the paper that faces up.
(C) in two-sided transfer mode, just when mode of operation is duplexmode (S1), (B) is identical with situation, detect the back edge of recording materials P as recording materials detecting unit SE, and will be by in the information input control circuit EC time, control circuit EC makes the direction of transfer that is arranged in direction of transfer change part 15 change parts LB and moves to the position that is illustrated by the broken lines, and transmits recording materials P (S11) along the path C that constitutes second transfer path.Simultaneously, control circuit EC makes cooling fan 41 rotations, and air-flow change parts (a) 43 are moved to by position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, shown in arrow M, and make air-flow change parts (b) 44 move to the position of representing by dotted line among Fig. 2, shown in arrow N, so that stop air to supply with the first air blowing outlet 42a.Then, when recording materials P transmits along the path of extending from roller 7 towards direction D, near the air chill roll 7 from the second air blowing outlet 42b.And when printing on the two sides, the upset and the translator unit 16 of the recording materials that are used to overturn are cooled, so that cooling recording material P (S12).
Just, the path that paper discharges that faces down than in situation (B), the path that recording materials transmit when duplex printing is longer, and compares with the paper that faces down, and the recording materials that print on the two sides contact with the transmission guiding piece with multiple roll more.Therefore, need make the recording materials that on the two sides, print cool off fast and equably.
And after print on the two sides (S13), recording materials P transmits along first transfer path (S14).Then, cooling fan 41 rotation, so that from the first outlet 42a air supply (S15) of blowing, thus cooling recording material P before paper is discharged just.Then, paper is expelled on the paper discharge dish 3 (S3).
When recording materials P discharged under the ventricumbent situation of its type list, because print surface faces down when paper passes through fixation unit 10 for the second time, the paper that therefore execution faced up was discharged pattern, and cooling processing is carried out as shown in situation (A).
And when print on the two sides, and recording materials are when discharging under its ventricumbent situation of previous type list, because when paper passes through fixation unit 10 for the second time, previous print surface faces down, therefore, the execution discharge pattern that faces up, and cooling processing is carried out shown in situation (A).When discharging under the supine situation of previous type list of recording materials P at it, carry out the paper that faces down and discharge pattern, and make the about upset of recording materials P, and cooling processing is carried out shown in situation (B).
As mentioned above, in the present embodiment, control circuit EC also operates air-flow according to the recording materials transfer mode and changes parts (a) 43 and air-flow change parts (b) 44 according to the cooling fan 41 that passes through information operating air feed unit 40 by recording materials detecting unit SE output.Therefore, quick curing and the toner of photographic fixing on the recording materials that pass through fixation unit 10.Therefore, can prevent that image is coarse, curling, pollution and paper surface adhere to, these problems will take place owing to the inhomogeneous cooling of recording materials.
Here, will briefly introduce the circuit structure of imaging device in the present embodiment with reference to figure 3.
The various unit of reference number 100 expression imaging devices 20 and the structure of circuit, 110 expression CPU, this CPU controls whole imaging device, and storage is used to control the various programs of imaging device 20 and is used for the required data of executive routine.
CPU 110 is connected with information control circuit 120, image processing circuit 140, Drive and Control Circuit 150 and power circuit 400.And the controller EC shown in these circuit diagrams 1, thereby control whole imaging device 20.
Information control circuit 120 passes through interface (I/F) according to the instruction of CPU 110 and is connected with external information device 500.And the required presupposed information (for example density and magnification) of image information (for example text and image) and imaging is as the JOB information of each JOB of print unit and import, and is stored in the storage element 160.Then, the presupposed information that is stored in the storage element 160 exports image processing circuit 140, Drive and Control Circuit 150 or display unit 300 to.
And except the JOB information (comprising image information and presupposed information) from 500 inputs of external information device, information control circuit 120 also is used for each circuit of transfer operation and the required instruction in unit (comprising image processing circuit 140 and Drive and Control Circuit 150).For example, it will send the circuit and the device of imaging device to by the various information of operation and input block 200 inputs, so that smoothly and suitably operate imaging device.
And, external information device 500 mainly is computing machine or Internet server, but, and in some cases, it can be other imaging device on Local Area Network, or massaging device for example digital camera and measurement mechanism that can input measurement information.
Interface (I/F) the 130th, information sends and receiving element, and is arranged to like this, and promptly it can be connected with aforementioned computing machine, another imaging device and external information device 500 (comprising Internet server) by diverse network.
Operation and input block 200 are the input blocks that are positioned on the control panel CP of imaging device 20.It can be liquid crystal display DP, comprises aforementioned touch panel, keyboard KB and start button SK.
For example, by operation keyboard KB, can import setting, for example the density of the recording materials that will export (being also referred to as recording materials) number, paper type (for example index sheet (index sheet), ground paper, common paper, thin paper, recovery paper, OHP paper etc.), magnification (amplify or dwindle) or output image.
And in some cases, operation and output unit 200 are used to be provided with the various mode of operations of imaging device 20 also as input block.
Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, as hereinafter described, can come the mode of operation of appointment for example to comprise single face printing model and the duplex printing pattern that is used for print processing and be used for the recording materials transmission and the paper discharge pattern that faces up that discharge is handled and the paper discharge pattern that faces down by the control panel CP that operates this operation and input block 200.
Therefore, in the control circuit EC of imaging device 20, for the CPU110 that controls the driving of supply and deliverying unit 14 with default mode of operation, the control program of various recording materials transfer modes (these control programs are preset according to aforementioned various mode of operations, and for example single face convey program, the upset that is used for duplex printing and convey program, face up paper discharge and convey program and the paper that faces down are discharged and convey program) is stored in storage element 160.
Display unit 300 is foregoing liquid crystal display unit or the display unit DP that is included in the touch panel on the liquid-crystal display section.
Display unit 300 shows the inventory that is used for by operation and input block 200 information input operation steps and various information, perhaps shows the information that is stored in the storage element 160, perhaps show state and warning message when 20 work of imaging device.
Instruction according to CPU 110, image processing circuit 140 will be transformed into numerical data by the document image information that reading image unit 13 is read, and these data are stored in the storage element 160 as view data, and the view data that will be stored in the storage element 160 when imaging device 11 forms images is transformed into and corresponding data of the formation method of imaging device 11 and signal.
According to the instruction of CPU 110, Drive and Control Circuit 150 is according to default mode of operation and at best sequential operation imaging device 11, reading image unit 13, supply and deliverying unit 14 and ADF 30, thereby carries out imaging operation.
And the imaging device 20 of present embodiment comprises recording materials detecting unit SE and air feed unit 40.And according to the instruction by operation and input block 200 preset working patterns and CPU110, Drive and Control Circuit 150 executive logging material transfer mode control programs are imported the recording materials that send by recording materials detecting unit SE simultaneously and are passed through information.Then, the cooling fan 41 of Drive and Control Circuit 150 control air feed units 40, the driving that air-flow changes parts (a) 43 or air-flow change parts (b) 44, thereby the toner on quick curing and the photographic fixing recording materials.Therefore, can prevent that the image that the inhomogeneous cooling owing to recording materials causes is coarse, curling, pollution and paper adhere to, thereby form high-quality image.
Storage element 160 stores JOB information and JOB data (for example required view data of imaging), be used to control the preset state of imaging device 20 and about the information of various mode of operation programs.
And JOB information is the information about each work (JOB).For example, when imaging device 20 was duplicating machine, JOB information comprised file setting, selection single face pattern or duplexmode, selection sheet feed stacker, selection duplicating umber and the selective printing density according to document image information.Just, JOB information is a series of print datas of input, so that form various settings, and indication beginning copying operation.Be called a JOB with the corresponding print data group of such print command (being also referred to as a print unit).
And same, when the imaging device was printer, a series of print data groups that sent by external information device 500 were called JOB information, and are called a JOB with a corresponding print data group of print command.Also have, handle JOB information and be called a JOB unit with the JOB data that are used for each JOB.
And, the JOB data cell describe in detail follow JOB information and with the relevant data of control project of carrying out imaging operation, for example according to the transfer rate of recording materials.
Therefore, storage element 160 stores and is used for each JOB the JOB information and the JOB data of (just be used for a JOB unit, abbreviate the JOB unit as).
As shown in Figure 1, imaging device 11 comprises photosensitive drums 5, charhing unit 6, developing cell 7, transfer printing and separative element 8, cleaning unit 9 and fixation unit 10, and operates by Drive and Control Circuit 150.
Then, according to view data of reading by reading image unit 13 and storing by storage element 160 and the control by JOB information and JOB data, toner image is formed on the photosensitive drums 5, and toner image is transferred on for example common recording materials (common paper) P of recording materials or the special recording materials IP, fusing and photographic fixing then, thus be recorded on the recording materials.
As shown in Figure 1, there are optical reading system and read unit ES in reading image unit 13, and operates by Drive and Control Circuit 150.The image information that has been sent to the file of reading position is read by read unit ES, and the image information of reading for example is transformed into Digital Image Data by image processing circuit 140, is stored in then in the storage element 160.
As shown in Figure 1, supply and deliverying unit 14 are set to supply, discharge and delivery unit, and it has paper feeding cassette 12 that holds special recording materials IP or common recording materials (common paper) P and the connecting gear that comprises for example a plurality of rollers of drive source (not shown) and motor.
Supply, discharge and delivery unit as supply and deliverying unit 14 are operated according to the instruction of CPU 110 by Drive and Control Circuit 150, and preface will select the recording materials IP or the recording materials P that supply with send photosensitive drums 5 to from paper feeding cassette 12 when appropriate, then print through single face or double-side printing processing after with above be formed with record images material IP or recording materials P is expelled on the paper discharge dish 3.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, single face printing model according to the control panel CP setting of passing through operation and input block 200, the duplex printing pattern, pattern discharged by the paper that faces up or the paper that faces down is discharged pattern, CPU 110 reads the single face convey program from storage element 160 by information control circuit 120, the upset and the convey program that are used for duplex printing, face up that paper discharge and convey program and the paper that faces down are discharged and convey program in any one, then according to selection procedure, CPU 110 operates by Drive and Control Circuit 150 and supplies with and deliverying unit 14, thereby transmits recording materials according to selected pattern.
Near recording materials detecting unit SE (for example having photo-coupler and mechanical switch) is installed in fixation unit 10 along transfer path, and when detecting the back edge of recording materials, it passes through information to Drive and Control Circuit 150 outputs.
And, the back edge of detection record material in the present embodiment, but also present embodiment can be designed to the leading edge of detection record material.For example, in the time of near fixation unit 10 is positioned at direction of transfer change part 15, so optional design can be arranged obviously, promptly the leading edge by the detection record material makes enough time sequential routines (timing) switch direction of transfer change parts LB.
Air feed unit 40 has cooling fan 41 and is used to drive the drive source (not shown) that air-flow changes parts (a) 43 and air-flow change parts (b) 44.
In the present embodiment, CPU 110 operates air feed unit 40 by Drive and Control Circuit 150, thus cooling recording material.Specifically, Drive and Control Circuit 150 is operated and is stopped cooling fan 41 according to the recording materials transfer mode with by the information of passing through that recording materials detecting unit SE sends.Drive and Control Circuit 150 operates by the controlling and driving source also that air-flow changes parts (a) 43 and air-flow changes parts (b) 44, so as when the paper of selecting to face up discharge pattern, when the paper that faces down is discharged pattern or duplexmode near the chill roll 7 or cooling overturn and translator units 16.By making up these operations, Drive and Control Circuit 150 is at the transfer path of the correct efficient cooling recording material process of sequential.
And, provide a plurality of air-flows to change parts (43,44), they correspond respectively to the first air blowing outlet 42a and the second air blowing outlet 42b.And in the present embodiment, second blows exports 42b two parts (43,44), has therefore reduced to be used to switch the space of blowing and exporting.
As shown in Figure 1, autofile feeder (ADF) 30 will place the file on the file platen 32 more than to be sent to reading position by the file delivery unit automatically.It is according to the instruction of the CPU 110 of imaging device 20 and combine work with Drive and Control Circuit 150.
When the user opened the electric switch (not shown), power circuit 400 was supplied with whole imaging device with electric current from power supply suitably, and stopped power supply when closing electric switch.
And even when electric switch is opened, when for example being arranged to standby mode when selecting energy saver mode so that with imaging device, CPU 110 orders only are kept for the required power supply of temporary transient storing memory content, and stop the power supply to the well heater of fixation unit etc.
As mentioned above, by the agency of comes the cooling down operation of the air feed unit 40 in the present embodiment.The present invention cools off the recording materials through fixation unit fast, thereby toner is solidified and photographic fixing fast.Come the transfer path of cooling recording material process by sequential according to the recording materials transfer mode, can prevent that the image that the inhomogeneous cooling owing to recording materials causes is coarse, curling, pollution and paper adhere in the recording materials process.Therefore, efficiently cooling recording material reduces electricity consumption simultaneously.
Therefore, when recording materials transfer mode, transfer path and the sequential that is used to transmit recording materials not simultaneously, hope can be carried out cooling down operation according to different recording material transfer mode.Therefore, the sequential that the direction of outlet and number, air-flow change the number of parts and be used to open and close operation of blowing will be not limited to described in these embodiment.
Introduce another embodiment below with reference to Fig. 5.
Another embodiment comprises photographic fixing part 10, is positioned at the cooling fan on discharge section top (being also referred to as Sirocco fan) 41 ', air conduit 42 ' and air supply with limiting part 50, this air is supplied with the air capacity of limiting part 50 controls by cooling fan 41 ' supply.By 10 photographic fixing of photographic fixing part the record images material through the bottom of air conduit 42 ' a and discharge.
In said structure, the confinement plate of supplying with limiting part 50 as air be arranged in cooling fan 41 ' air supply with in the outlet.For example, supply with limiting part 50 by open and close air along arrow z direction, can improve cooling fan 41 ' ability, thereby before its is discharged efficient cooling recording material.
Air volume can be supplied with limiting part 50 by air and change, and for example according to whether having paper preprocessor (not shown), this paper preprocessor is connected with the back ministerial level (left side among the figure) of image forming apparatus body.The sensor (not shown) detects whether connected the paper preprocessor, and when detecting the paper preprocessor, air is supplied with limiting part 50 and is opened, so that maximum capacity ground cooling recording material, and when not detecting the paper preprocessor, reduce the air quantity delivered by closing air supply limiting part 50.
In another embodiment, suggestion is installed air and is supplied with limiting part 50 when not connecting the paper preprocessor, supplies with limiting part 50 and remove air when connecting the paper preprocessor.And in order to control the air quantity delivered, the suggestion air is supplied with limiting part 50 and can be slided on image forming apparatus body, and the area that is used for sucking from cooling fan the opening of air can change.
The present invention operates air-flow according to the recording materials transfer mode and changes parts, thereby control is supplied with through first air of blowing the outlet or the second air blowing outlet by cooling fan.Therefore, simple in structure, cheap imaging device can be provided, this imaging device can come suitable air supply according to the recording materials transfer mode, and can prevent because the image that the inhomogeneous cooling of recording materials causes is coarse, curling, pollution and paper adhesion.
Specifically, above-mentioned imaging device is controlled cooling fan according to the information of passing through that is detected by the recording materials detecting unit, therefore, can carry out efficient cooling down operation, thereby can not cause defective photographic fixing and waste electric power in sub-cooled device inside simultaneously, therefore form high quality graphic by the continued operation cooling fan.
And, a kind of imaging device can be provided, this imaging device all forms high quality graphic in any recording materials transfer mode, because discharge pattern at the paper that faces up, the paper that faces down is discharged in pattern or the duplex printing pattern, recording materials all the air according to the recording materials transfer mode and by exporting suitable supply from air blowing towards corresponding transfer path by suitable cooling.
And in the present embodiment, the duplicating machine introduction is an imaging device, and but, imaging device also can be printer or facsimile recorder, as long as imaging device forms image by using electrofax tinter.
According to the present invention, can obtain following effect:
Simple in structure, cheap imaging device can be provided, because operating air-flow according to the recording materials transfer mode, imaging device changes parts, thereby the control air is from the supply of cooling fan by the first air blowing outlet or the second air blowing outlet, therefore this imaging device can come suitable air supply according to the recording materials transfer mode, and can prevent that the image that the inhomogeneous cooling owing to recording materials causes is coarse, curling, pollution and paper adhere to, thereby form high quality graphic.
Specifically, imaging device of the present invention is controlled cooling fan according to the information of passing through that is detected by the recording materials detecting unit, therefore, can carry out efficient cooling down operation, thereby can not cause defective photographic fixing and waste electric power in sub-cooled device inside simultaneously, therefore form high quality graphic by the continued operation cooling fan.
And, a kind of imaging device can be provided, this imaging device all forms high quality graphic in any recording materials transfer mode, because discharge pattern at the paper that faces up, the paper that faces down is discharged in pattern or the duplex printing pattern, recording materials all the air according to the recording materials transfer mode and by exporting suitable supply from air blowing towards corresponding transfer path by suitable cooling.
And because can limit the air volume of cooling fan, therefore no matter whether there is the paper preprocessor, can both having by force by use, the cooling fan of cooling power forms high quality graphic.
Although fully introduce the present invention, should be known in to it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various variations and change by the example reference accompanying drawing.Therefore, unless these variations and change have broken away from scope of the present invention, otherwise they all will comprise in the present invention.

Claims (4)

1. imaging device comprises:
Image-generating unit is used for the toner image based on image information is transferred to recording materials;
Fixation unit is used for heating of the toner image on recording materials and photographic fixing;
Delivery unit, this delivery unit comprises a plurality of transfer paths, is used for recording materials are sent to image-generating unit and discharge the recording materials that form toner image on recording materials;
Controller is used to control described a plurality of transfer path, like this, transmits recording materials according to the recording materials transfer mode by any one transfer path;
Cooling fan;
Air conduit, this air conduit comprise the first air blowing outlet and the second air blowing outlet, are used for air is guided to described device inside from cooling fan;
Air-flow changes parts, is used to open or close the first and second air blowing outlets; And
The recording materials detecting unit, this recording materials detecting unit detection record material passes through information by fixation unit and output;
Wherein, controller begins and controls described air-flow according to the recording materials transfer mode to change parts according to the operation of being controlled cooling fan by the information of passing through of recording materials detecting unit output, is used to cool off the recording materials on any one transfer path.
2. imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, described a plurality of transfer paths comprise:
First transmits and discharge path, is used for recording materials are transmitted and be expelled to a paper discharge dish from described fixation unit;
Second transmits and discharge path, is used for the recording materials from described fixation unit being overturn and being expelled to a paper discharge dish; And
Upset and transfer path are used for the recording materials from described fixation unit being overturn and being sent to described image-generating unit.
3. imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: described air-flow changes second air stream components that parts comprise first air stream components that is used for the described first air blowing outlet and are used for the described second air blowing outlet.
4. imaging device according to claim 3, wherein: the described air-flow of described controller function changes parts, like this, when described recording materials transfer mode is to be used for transmitting and supine paper that discharge path is discharged recording materials when discharging pattern by described first, blow the outlet air supply so that cool off from described first; When described recording materials transfer mode is to be used for transmitting and discharge path when discharging the ventricumbent paper discharge pattern of recording materials by described second, blow the outlet air supply so that cooling is blown the outlet air supply so that cooling from described first then from described second; When described recording materials transfer mode is when being used for discharging the duplex printing pattern of recording materials by described upset and transfer path, blow the outlet air supply so that cooling is formed with the record images material in one side from described second, blow the outlet air supply so that cooling is formed with the record images material on the two sides from described first then.
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JP2011242492A (en) * 2010-05-17 2011-12-01 Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc Fixing device and image forming apparatus
CN107032167B (en) * 2016-02-03 2018-10-02 柯尼卡美能达办公系统研发(无锡)有限公司 Transport path switching device and image forming apparatus
JP6561941B2 (en) * 2016-08-22 2019-08-21 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 Image forming apparatus
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