JP2003152924A - Multi-function image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a configuration in which a countermeasure against temperature rise of a detachable image scanner (image reading device) is performed using a cooling fan of a main body. Cost reduction. A cooling fan is provided on a main body side, a shielding plate is provided at an inlet of the cooling fan, openings are provided on upper and side surfaces of the main body side, openings are provided on lower and side surfaces of the image scanner, and a motor is provided between the two openings. Having. The opening on the upper surface of the main body and the opening on the lower surface of the scanner are aligned when the scanner is attached to the main body, and an air passage passes from the cooling fan of the main body to the side opening of the scanner.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multifunctional image forming apparatus, that is, a facsimile machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a printer function and a facsimile function, a copying machine with a facsimile function, and a printer with a facsimile function. And other image forming apparatuses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a facsimile machine is a multi-functional image forming apparatus which generally has a copy function in addition to a normal image information transmitting / receiving function. The image forming means and the document reading means arranged substantially above the recording paper discharge portion of the image forming means are integrally configured.

On the other hand, recently, for example, digitalization of copying machines has been promoted, and a single-function copying machine, which has only been used to make a copy, is now being provided with a plurality of functions.
For example, by connecting a personal computer and a copying machine, you can input data with the personal computer and take a copy, or simply put a document (original) on the copying machine and automatically send and receive image information as a facsimile machine. It is a movement such as.

Further, since a developing system is common to both facsimiles and copying machines using plain paper, a space-saving multifunction machine in which these are integrated to function as two machines is noticed. Are gathering.

[0005] This multifunctional machine and the above-mentioned facsimile, which have recently been attracting attention, are composed of an image forming means and a document reading means, and have a copy function, a scanner function,
FIG. 9 shows an example of a typical conventional apparatus for an image forming apparatus which has a plurality of functions such as a printer function and a facsimile function and to which a scanner device can be attached / detached.

This multifunctional image forming apparatus has a paper feed cassette 3
3, a recording material feeding device including an intermediate plate 34 and a paper feeding roller 35. The paper feed cassette 33 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body from a direction orthogonal to the recording material conveyance direction. The recording materials stacked in the paper feeding cassette 33 are picked up one by one from the uppermost recording material by the paper feeding roller 35, and are fed to the image forming unit by the feeding roller 36 and the feeding roller 37.

The image forming portion has a photosensitive drum 40 (image forming means) as an image carrier, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 40 by exposure of laser light based on image information by an electrophotographic method. The latent image is developed with toner as a developer by the developing means, and the developed toner image is conveyed from the photosensitive drum 40 by the transfer roller 41.

The recording material after the transfer of the toner image is conveyed to the fixing means 42, and the toner image transferred here is heated and fixed. After that, the recording material is discharged to the paper discharge tray 44 by the paper discharge rollers 43 and the like.

The document reading device is installed in the upper part of the image forming apparatus, and a document inlet portion (document feeding tray) 46 and a document outlet portion (document discharging tray) 47 are provided above and below the document reading portion 45.
And are provided respectively.

As shown in FIG. 9, a document (sheet material) is set in the document feed tray 46 in the same direction as the document transport direction, with the image surface facing upward (face up). The documents on the document feeding tray 50 are conveyed to the document reading section 45 one by one from the uppermost document by the pickup roller 48. The document reading unit 45 is detachably provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus. The document reading device is supplied with power from the image forming device. There is an exterior member 49 between the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus, and even if the image reading apparatus is not provided, the enclosure member is formed by the exterior member 49. The image reading device has a contact image sensor 50,
Photoelectrically read the image on the original. The original from which the original image has been read is discharged face down to the original discharge tray 47 of the original reading device.

[0011]

As described above, in the multifunctional image forming apparatus in which the scanner device shown in FIG. 9 is detachable, it is necessary to remove the heat generated in the image forming device and the heat generated in the scanner device. If there is, a cooling fan is required for each. If each device is provided with a cooling fan, problems such as cost increase and noise will occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is a detachable multi-function image formation capable of cooling the heat generated in the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus by one cooling fan. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a cooling fan is provided in an image forming apparatus, and an opening portion connected to the cooling fan by an air passage is provided on an upper surface portion to which the image reading apparatus is attached. And an opening provided on the lower surface of the image reading apparatus attached to the upper surface of the image forming apparatus, the opening being connected to the motor section of the image reading apparatus by the air passage.

When the image reading apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus, the opening provided on the lower surface of the image reading apparatus and the opening on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus are aligned with each other, and the motor section of the image reading apparatus is operated. The cooling fan of the image forming apparatus is connected through the air passage.

As a result, the hot air around the motor of the image reading apparatus is discharged to the outside of the apparatus, and the temperature rise of the image reading apparatus can be suppressed by the cooling fan of the image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the cooling fan of the image forming apparatus and the motor of the image reading apparatus are arranged on the same side surface side, and openings are provided on the upper surface and the side surface of the image forming apparatus, Further, a shielding plate that divides the air passage into an upper opening and a side opening is provided at the inlet of the cooling fan, and the cooling fan is driven in the suction direction.

The image reading device is provided with an opening on the lower surface which is connected to the motor part of the image reading device by an air passage.

When the image reading apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus, the opening provided on the lower surface of the image reading apparatus and the opening on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus are aligned with each other, and the motor section of the image reading apparatus is operated. The cooling fan of the image forming apparatus is connected through the air passage.

As described above, the cooling fan of the image forming apparatus discharges the hot air around the motor of the image reading apparatus to the outside of the machine, so that the temperature rise of the image reading apparatus can be suppressed.

Further, when the cooling fan is driven in the suction direction with the image reading device attached to the image forming apparatus, the image reading device and the image reading device are controlled by the side opening and the shield plate provided at the entrance of the cooling fan. The outside air can be directly sucked into the forming device, which prevents the cooling effect from being lowered.

The above-mentioned configurations are summarized and shown in (1) to (6) below.

(1) In a multifunctional image forming apparatus in which an image forming apparatus and an optional apparatus can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus has a cooling fan, the optional device mounting surface of the image forming apparatus has an opening that is connected to the cooling fan by an air passage, and the optional device has an electric component, and the electric component and the wind are provided. A multifunctional image forming apparatus having an opening at a position corresponding to the opening of the image forming apparatus connected by a road.

(2) The cooling fan of the image forming apparatus and the electric parts of the optional device are arranged on the same surface side, and the opening of the optional mounting surface of the image forming device and the opening on the side surface of the image forming device are formed to form the image. A shielding plate is provided at the entrance of the cooling fan to divide the air passage to the opening of the option mounting surface of the device and the air passage to the side opening, and the cooling fan is driven in a direction to suck the outside air. The multifunctional image forming apparatus described in (1) above.

(3) The cooling fan of the image forming apparatus and the motor of the optional apparatus are arranged on the same surface side, and the air passage is provided through the opening of the optional mounting surface of the image forming apparatus, and the air path is an electric component section in the image reading apparatus. The multi-function image forming apparatus according to (1) above, wherein the cooling fan is driven in a direction in which the air inside the machine is discharged, and the cooling fan is connected to the outside through an opening of the optional device to form an air passage.

(4) Multi-function image formation for the purpose of mounting an image reading device on the upper surface of the image forming device, outputting the image read from the image forming device, and sending image data to the computer via the image forming device. In the apparatus, the image forming apparatus has a cooling fan, an upper surface of the image forming apparatus has an opening connected to the cooling fan by an air passage, the image reading apparatus has a motor, and the motor and the air passage are provided. A multifunctional image forming apparatus having an opening at a position that is connected to each other and matches the opening of the image forming apparatus.

(5) The cooling fan of the image forming apparatus and the motor of the image reading apparatus are arranged on the same surface side, and have an opening on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus and an opening on the side surface of the image forming apparatus. (4) A shielding plate is provided at the entrance of the cooling fan for dividing the air passage to the opening of the cooling fan and the air passage to the side opening of the cooling fan, and the cooling fan is driven in a direction to suck the outside air. The multifunctional image forming apparatus described.

(6) The cooling fan of the image forming apparatus and the motor of the image reading apparatus are arranged on the same surface side, and the air passage is connected to the motor section in the image reading apparatus through the opening on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus. The multifunctional image forming apparatus according to the above (4), wherein the multi-function image forming apparatus is connected to the outside through an opening of the reading device to form an air passage, and the cooling fan is driven in a direction in which air inside the apparatus is discharged.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on examples with reference to the drawings.

[0029]

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. The recording materials stacked on the paper feed tray 1 are picked up one by one from the uppermost recording material by the paper feed roller 2, sent to the image forming unit 5 by the carrying roller 3 and the carrying roller 4, and the image is transferred. After that, the toner latent image is fixed by the image fixing unit 6, and the paper discharge tray 7 is discharged by the paper discharge roller 7 and the paper discharge roller 8.
Is discharged to.

On the other hand, the image reading device 10 is arranged above the image forming device 11. A document (sheet material) is set in the document feed tray 12 arranged substantially parallel to the paper discharge tray 9 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 11 with the image surface facing upward (face up), and the paper feed roller 13 causes the top document to move. The sheets are picked up one by one from the above, and are fed to the document reading section by the feeding roller 14 and the feeding roller 15. The original document is read by the contact image sensor 16 in the original reading section, and the image on the original is photoelectrically read. After that, the original changes its traveling direction along a substantially U-shaped paper conveying path, and the original is discharged by the discharging roller 19 and the discharging roller 20 and is arranged substantially parallel to the discharging tray 9 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 11. Tray 2
The sheet is ejected downwardly on the image surface (face down).

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 10 is removably installed on the image forming apparatus 11. An opening 22 is provided on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 11, and an opening 23 is provided on the side surface of the image reading apparatus 10.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the image forming apparatus 11 and the image reading apparatus 10 are divided. When the image reading apparatus 10 is not mounted, the opening 24 on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 11 is closed by the small lid 25. A connector for electrically connecting the image forming apparatus 11 and the image reading apparatus 10 is arranged in the opposite direction, and the small lid 2 is provided when the image reading apparatus 10 is not attached.
Closed at 6.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of FIG. A cooling fan 27 is provided on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 11. The cooling fan 27 is rotating in a direction to take in outside air into the machine. The cooling fan 27 is located behind the opening 22 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of this embodiment. A shield plate 28 is arranged at the entrance of the cooling fan 27. The opening 24 on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 11 is provided in the image reading apparatus 10.
5 and the opening portion 30 of the lower surface of the image reading device 10, the air passage is formed with the motor portion 31 of the image reading apparatus 10 as shown in FIG.

The opening 23 of the image reading apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
A motor 31 is arranged on the back side of the as shown in FIG. The outside air sucked by the cooling fan 27 is drawn into the image reading apparatus 10 by the shield plate 28 and the image forming apparatus 1
A flow for sucking outside air into the image forming apparatus 11 is created through the opening 22 on the side surface of 1.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus 11 and the image reading apparatus 10 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the opening 32 is provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 11.

Further, an opening 23 is provided on the side surface of the image reading device 10.
And the opening 30 of the image reading apparatus 10 is provided at a position matching the opening 32 of the image forming apparatus 11.

FIG. 7 shows the image forming apparatus 11 and the image reading apparatus 1.
The schematic perspective view when 0 is attached is shown. Further, FIG. 8 shows a sectional view. The cooling fan 27 of the image forming apparatus 11 is connected to the opening 32 on the upper surface side by an air passage, and is connected to the opening 23 on the side surface through the motor unit 31 of the image reading apparatus 10.

The cooling fan 27 rotates in the direction of discharging the air in the machine, and the air in the machine is discharged to the outside through the upper opening 32 of the image forming apparatus 11, the motor section 31, and the side opening 23 of the image reading apparatus 10. To be done.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects can be obtained.

An opening for connecting the air passage is provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus to which the image reading apparatus is attached, an opening is provided on the lower surface and the side surface of the image reading apparatus, a shielding plate is provided at the entrance of the cooling fan, and the air passage is provided. By dividing into the upper surface direction and the side surface direction and providing the opening portion on the side surface of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to suck the outside air into both the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus by one cooling fan, thereby increasing the temperature inside the apparatus. It becomes possible to prevent it.

Further, an opening is provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus to which the image reading apparatus is attached, and the opening is provided on the lower surface and the side surface of the image reading apparatus. By connecting to the opening on the side surface of the image forming apparatus, the hot air inside the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus can be discharged to the outside, and the temperature rise inside the apparatus can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Paper tray 2 paper feed rollers 3 Conveyor rollers 4 transport rollers 5 Image forming section 6 fixing section 7 Paper ejection roller 8 Paper ejection rollers 9 Output tray 10 Image reading device 11 Image forming apparatus 12 Document feed tray 13 Paper feed roller 14 Feeding roller 15 Feeding roller 16 Contact image sensor 17 Conveyor roller 18 Transport rollers 19 Paper ejection roller 20 Paper ejection rollers 21 Document output tray 22 opening 23 opening 24 opening 25 small lid 26 small lid 27 Cooling fan 28 Shield 30 openings 31 Motor (motor part) 32 openings 33 paper cassettes 34 Middle plate 35 paper feed roller 36 Conveyor rollers 37 Transport roller 40 photosensitive drum 41 Transfer roller 42 fixing means 43 paper ejection roller 44 Output tray 45 Original reading section 46 Document Feed Tray (Document Entrance) 47 Original output tray (original exit) 48 pickup roller 49 Exterior material 50 contact image sensor

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 CN01 CN02                       CN08                 2H027 DA28 JA11 JB13 JB16 JB17                       JC16 ZA07                 2H071 AA22 AA26 DA02 DA34                 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB30 AB32 AD05                       AD06 BA01

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A multifunction image forming apparatus in which an image forming apparatus and an optional apparatus can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus has a cooling fan, and the cooling fan is provided on an optional device mounting surface of the image forming apparatus. The optional device has an electric component, and the optional device has an electric part, and the electric device has an opening at a position corresponding to the opening of the image forming device connected to the electric component by the air path. Multifunctional image forming apparatus. 2. A cooling fan of an image forming apparatus and electric parts of an optional apparatus are arranged on the same surface side, and an opening portion of an optional mounting surface of the image forming apparatus and an opening portion on a side surface of the image forming apparatus are provided. A shield plate for dividing the air passage to the opening of the option mounting surface and the air passage to the side opening is provided at the inlet of the cooling fan, and the cooling fan is driven in a direction to suck the outside air. The multifunctional image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The cooling fan of the image forming apparatus and the motor of the optional device are arranged on the same surface side, and the air passage is connected to the electric component part in the image reading device through the opening of the optional mounting surface of the image forming device. 2. The multi-function image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an air passage is formed to be connected to the outside through an opening of the connection option device, and the cooling fan is driven in a direction to discharge the air inside the device. 4. An image reading device is attached to an upper surface of the image forming device to output an image read from the image forming device,
In a multifunctional image forming apparatus intended to send image data to a computer via the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus has a cooling fan, and the cooling fan is connected to an upper surface of the image forming apparatus by an air passage. A multifunctional image forming apparatus having an opening, the image reading apparatus having a motor, having an opening at a position that is connected to the motor through an air passage and matches the opening of the image forming apparatus. . 5. The cooling fan of the image forming apparatus and the motor of the image reading apparatus are arranged on the same surface side, and have an opening on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus and an opening on the side surface of the image forming apparatus, and The shield plate for dividing the air passage to the opening and the air passage to the side opening is provided at the inlet of the cooling fan, and the cooling fan is driven in a direction to suck the outside air. Multifunctional image forming apparatus. 6. A cooling fan of the image forming apparatus and a motor of the image reading apparatus are arranged on the same surface side, and an air passage is connected to a motor portion in the image reading apparatus through an opening on the top surface of the image forming apparatus to read the image. 5. The multifunctional image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an air passage is formed through the opening of the apparatus to connect to the outside, and the cooling fan is driven in a direction to discharge the air inside the apparatus.