JP5863036B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been known an image forming apparatus including an external storage medium connecting member having a connection portion on a substrate to which a portable external storage medium such as an SD card or a USB memory is detachably connected. In such an image forming apparatus, an external storage medium is connected to the connection portion of the external storage medium connection member, data stored in the external storage medium is read on the apparatus body side, and a user operates an operation panel as an operation unit. Can be printed. The operation panel is provided on an exterior cover that covers the casing, and an external storage medium connection member is generally provided in the vicinity of the operation panel of the exterior cover. As described above, by providing the external storage medium connection portion in the vicinity of the operation panel of the exterior cover, the external storage medium can be connected at the position where the user operates the operation panel, and the operability can be improved.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus, heat is generated at various locations such as an image carrier, a developing device, a writing device, a fixing device, and a paper discharge device, which are image forming means provided in the housing, It is known to raise the temperature. In particular, since the fixing device heats the paper with a heater or the like at the time of fixing, the fixing device is the hottest portion in the housing, and the paper discharge device that discharges the fixed paper to the paper discharge tray is the paper heated by the fixing device. This is where the temperature tends to rise.

  In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, an intake fan, which is an airflow generating means, is provided in correspondence with a casing vent formed in a side plate of the casing, and the exterior cover is provided on the exterior cover near the intake fan. A vent is formed. Then, an air flow that flows from the outside of the exterior cover through the exterior cover vent and the chassis vent to the periphery of the fixing device and the paper discharge device, where the temperature rises in the housing, is generated by the intake fan and cooled. The temperature in the housing is suppressed from excessively rising.

  Since the electronic components on the operation panel and external storage medium connection member board also generate heat when energized, the temperature inside the exterior cover rises too much, causing a thermal adverse effect on the operation panel and external storage medium connection member, resulting in malfunction. There is a risk of failure. For this reason, it is conceivable to provide a dedicated cooling fan for cooling the operation panel and the external storage medium connecting member, respectively. However, the provision of the dedicated cooling fan makes it difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus or increase the cost. I will invite you.

  The present inventor does not provide a dedicated cooling fan for cooling the operation panel and the external storage medium connecting member substrate, and is provided inside the outer cover provided with the operation panel and the external storage medium connecting member. We are developing an image forming apparatus that is provided with an intake fan for cooling the inside of the body. In this image forming apparatus, not only inside the housing but also the operation panel and the substrate of the external storage medium connecting member can be cooled by the airflow flowing from the exterior cover vent by the intake fan. As a result, the apparatus can be reduced in size and cost compared to a case where a dedicated intake fan is separately provided for cooling the operation panel and the substrate of the external storage medium connecting member.

  However, if an external storage medium connection member is provided near the operation panel of the exterior cover, the operation panel and the external storage medium connection member boards and harnesses connected to them are housed inside the exterior cover. There is not much space inside. Further, if the external storage medium connection member is simply provided in the vicinity of the operation panel of the exterior cover, the airflow from the exterior cover vent to the intake fan may be hindered by the substrate of the external storage medium connection member. For this reason, there arises a problem that the intake efficiency of the intake fan is lowered and the inside of the housing cannot be sufficiently cooled.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the user operability when connecting an external storage medium and to suppress an excessive rise in the temperature in the housing. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 includes an image forming unit provided in a housing, a cover member that covers the housing, and an operation unit that is provided on the cover member and receives an operation from a user. An external storage medium connecting member provided on the substrate and provided with a connecting portion on the substrate, which is provided in the vicinity of the operating means of the cover member and to which the external storage medium is detachably connected, and is formed on the side plate near the operating means of the casing. A housing vent that allows airflow to flow between the outside and inside of the body, and a cover member vent that is formed near the external storage medium connecting member of the cover member and allows airflow to flow between the outside and inside of the cover member; An image forming apparatus comprising an airflow generating means for generating an airflow from the outside of the cover member toward the inside of the housing through the cover member air vent and the housing air vent, and passing through the cover member air vent Previous Airflow that has flowed into the cover member and is characterized in that a substrate in position as guided to the air flow generating means is guided to the substrate.

  In the present invention, the airflow flowing into the cover member through the cover member vent can be guided by the substrate of the external storage medium connecting member and guided to the airflow generation means. As a result, a decrease in the intake efficiency of the airflow generation means is suppressed, and the airflow generated by the airflow generation means can be efficiently introduced into the housing through the cover member vent and the casing vent. Therefore, it can suppress that the temperature in a housing | casing rises too much.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to suppress an excessive rise in the temperature in the housing while improving the operability for the user when the external storage medium is connected.

(A) A figure explaining cooling of a fixing device and a paper discharge device, (b) AA sectional view of Drawing 1 (a). 1 is an external perspective view of a printer that is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a printer. (A) The figure demonstrated in detail regarding the exterior cover, (b) The enlarged view of the part enclosed with the broken line in Fig.4 (a). The figure explaining the SD card insertion slot and the USB memory insertion slot. The figure explaining the case where the inlet port provided in the exterior cover is provided extending to the vicinity of the SD card insertion port or the USB memory insertion port. FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining cooling of the fixing device and the paper discharge device when an air inlet is provided in the lower part on the front side of the exterior cover. FIG. Explanatory drawing at the time of installing the USB memory insertion slot in the structural example 2 above the SD card insertion slot. The figure explaining the flow of the airflow in the exterior cover in the structural example 2. FIG.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the printer 100 that is the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus corresponds to a printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be a facsimile, a copying machine, a printing machine, or a multifunction machine having these functions.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, a paper feeding device 21 including a plurality of paper feeding cassettes 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B is disposed at the lower part of the printer 100. A paper discharge tray 80 is provided on the upper surface of the casing of the apparatus main body. An operation panel 20 operated by a user is provided on the front surface of the exterior cover 24 at the top of the apparatus main body. The operation panel 20 is provided with a switch for a user using the printer 100 to start a printing operation. Further, the operation panel 20 is provided with a display so that the size of the paper to be used and the adjustment of the image density can be set by using icons displayed on the display.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), on the side surface of the exterior cover 24 provided with the operation panel 20, an SD card as an external storage medium and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory are detachably connected. An insertion port portion 24A, which is an external storage medium connection member, having an SD card insertion port 15 and a USB memory insertion port 16 are provided. Then, by inserting an SD card or USB memory into the SD card insertion slot 15 or the USB memory insertion slot 16, various data stored in the SD card or USB memory can be read out on the apparatus main body side. As a result, the user can issue a print instruction directly from the operation panel 20 using the data read from the SD card or USB memory without giving a print instruction from the personal computer to the printer 100.

  Further, in the vicinity of the insertion opening 24 </ b> A on the side surface of the exterior cover 24, an intake port 22 </ b> A having a plurality of slits through which airflow can flow between the outside and the inside of the exterior cover 24 is formed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), a plurality of airflows can be circulated between the outer side and the inner side of the outer cover 24 on the side surface of the outer cover 24 opposite to the side surface on which the insertion opening 24 is provided. An intake port 22B having a slit is formed. In addition, by forming the intake port 22A and the intake port 22B with a plurality of slits, it is possible to prevent the user from putting a finger into the exterior cover 24 from the intake port 22A or the intake port 22B.

  A front cover 22 and a side cover 23 that are openable and closable are provided on the front surface and side surface of the apparatus housing 34 facing the user in the printer 100 on the upper portion of the paper feed cassette 21A and on the wall surface perpendicular to the position. The image forming unit provided in the apparatus main body can be opened for replacement or maintenance.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the printer 100 illustrated in FIG. 2.
The printer 100 includes a tandem image forming unit 10, a fixing device 40, a transfer unit 50, an optical writing unit 90, a paper discharge device 26, and the like, which are image forming means, in an apparatus housing 34. The tandem image forming unit 10 includes four image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk for forming toner images of respective colors Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black). ing.

  The transfer unit 50 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 51, a driving roller 53, a secondary transfer counter roller 54, four primary transfer rollers 55Y, 55M, 55C, 55Bk, a secondary transfer roller 56, and the like. An endless intermediate transfer belt 51 as an image carrier is wound around a drive roller 53, a secondary transfer counter roller 54, and the like. Then, it is moved endlessly in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by the rotational drive of the drive roller 53. In addition to the drive roller 53 and the secondary transfer counter roller 54, four primary transfer rollers 55Y, 55M, 55C, and 55Bk are also arranged inside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 51.

  The tandem image forming unit 10 is disposed below the transfer unit 50 in a posture in which the four image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are arranged in the horizontal direction along the stretched surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. . The image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk include drum-shaped photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk that are driven to rotate clockwise in the drawing, developing devices 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3Bk, and a charging device 4Y. , 4M, 4C, 4Bk. Also, drum cleaning devices 5Y, 5M, 5C and 5Bk for Y, M, C and Bk are provided. The photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk are in contact with the underlaying surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 to form primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and Bk, respectively, and are driven by driving means (not shown). It can be rotated in the clockwise direction. The developing devices 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3Bk develop the electrostatic latent images formed on the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk with Y, M, C, and Bk toners. The charging devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4Bk uniformly charge the surfaces of the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk to the same polarity as the toner charging polarity.

  Above the primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and Bk, in the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 51, the primary transfer rollers 55Y, 55M, 55C, and 55Bk transfer the intermediate transfer belt 51 to the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, and 2C. , 2Bk. A primary transfer bias is applied to these primary transfer rollers 55Y, 55M, 55C, and 55Bk by a primary transfer power source (not shown).

  An optical writing unit 90 is disposed below the tandem image forming unit 10. The optical writing unit 90 performs optical writing processing by exposing the surfaces of the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk uniformly charged by the charging devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4Bk with laser light. Thus, an electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk are driven to rotate in the clockwise direction in the drawing by a driving unit (not shown), and the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M that are uniformly charged by the charging devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4Bk. , 2C, 2Bk are exposed by laser light emitted from the optical writing unit 90, and carry electrostatic latent images for Y, M, C, Bk.

  The developing devices 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3Bk contain a developer (not shown) that contains Y, M, C, and Bk toners and a magnetic carrier. The developer contains a magnetic carrier and a polymerized toner made of a polyester material. An opening is formed in the casing of each of the developing devices 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3Bk, and a part of the peripheral surface of the cylindrical developing sleeve is exposed from the opening to expose the surface of the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk. Opposite to. The developing sleeves for Y, M, C, and Bk carry the developer in the casing by a magnetic force generated by a magnet roller (not shown) that is fixed inside so as not to rotate with itself. Then, the developer is transported to a developing area where the developer and the photoconductors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk face each other in accordance with the rotation driving of the developer.

  In the development region, negative polarity Y, M, C between the development bias applied to the development sleeve for Y, M, C, Bk and the electrostatic latent images of the photoreceptors 2Y, M, C, Bk. , Bk toner moves from the sleeve side to the photosensitive member 2 side. The Y, M, C, and Bk toners in the developing devices 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3Bk are negatively charged by stirring or the like, and in the developing region, the photosensitive members 2Y, 2M, and 2C are caused by the action of the developing potential described above. , 2Bk electrostatic latent image. As a result, the electrostatic latent images on the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk are developed to become Y, M, C, and Bk toner images.

  The Y, M, C, and Bk toner images developed on the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 51 at the above-described primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and Bk. The primary transfer is performed by superimposing on the surface. As a result, a four-color superimposed toner image is formed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51.

  Below the optical writing unit 90, a paper feeding device 21 having paper feeding cassettes 21A, 21B and the like is disposed. In the paper cassettes 21A and 21B, a plurality of sheets P are stored in a bundle of sheets, and a paper feed path is provided by paper feed rollers 61A and 61B disposed in the paper cassettes 21A and 21B. It is sent toward.

  A registration roller pair 60 is disposed at the end of the sheet feeding direction in the sheet conveyance direction. The registration roller pair 60 temporarily stops the rotation of both rollers as soon as the sheet P is sandwiched between the rollers. Then, the paper P is sent out toward a secondary transfer nip described later at an appropriate timing.

  The transfer unit 50 disposed above the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk includes, in addition to the intermediate transfer belt 51, primary transfer rollers 55Y, 55M, 55C, and 55Bk disposed in the belt loop. A secondary transfer counter roller 54 and the like are included. Further, it also has a secondary transfer roller 56 and a belt cleaning device 58 disposed outside the belt loop.

  The four primary transfer rollers 55Y, 55M, 55C, and 55Bk in the belt loop are arranged so as to press the endlessly moving intermediate transfer belt 51 against the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk. Thus, primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and Bk where the intermediate transfer belt 51 and the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk are in contact are formed.

  The secondary transfer counter roller 54 disposed on the inner side of the belt loop is disposed so as to sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 51 between the secondary transfer roller 54 disposed on the outer side of the belt loop. Thus, a secondary transfer nip is formed in which the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 and the secondary transfer roller 56 outside the loop come into contact with each other. The registration roller pair 60 described above sends the paper P sandwiched between the rollers toward the secondary transfer nip at a timing at which the paper P can be synchronized with the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 51.

  A secondary transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 56 by a secondary transfer power source (not shown). The four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 51 are secondarily transferred collectively onto the paper P in the secondary transfer nip by the action of the secondary transfer bias and nip pressure. Then, combined with the white color of the paper P, a full color toner image is obtained.

  Untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the paper P adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 51 after passing through the secondary transfer nip. This is cleaned by a belt cleaning device 58.

  A fixing device 40 is disposed above the secondary transfer nip. The fixing device 40 forms a fixing nip by abutting a fixing roller 41 containing a heat source such as a halogen lamp and a pressure roller 42 pressed toward the fixing roller 41. The paper P that has passed through the secondary transfer nip is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 51 and then fed into the fixing device 40. Then, in the process of being conveyed while being sandwiched between the fixing nips in the fixing device 40, the full color toner image is fixed by being heated or pressed by the fixing roller 41.

  In FIG. 2, inside the exterior cover 24, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper P conveyed from the fixing device 40 is positioned above the fixing device 40 and adjacent to the paper discharge tray 80 through the discharge port. A paper discharge device 26 for discharging to 80 is provided.

  At the time of single-sided printing in which an image is formed on only one side of the paper P, the transfer path and the fixing process as described above are performed, and the paper P formed on one side and conveyed from the fixing device 40 is switched by the branching claw 25. Thus, the sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 28 and discharged to the discharge tray 80 through the discharge port.

  On the other hand, at the time of double-sided printing in which images are formed on both sides of the sheet P, the sheet P formed on one side and conveyed from the fixing device 40 is switched by the branching claw 25 through the reversing relay roller 29 by switching the conveying path. 30, and a part of the paper P is discharged above the paper discharge tray 80. When the trailing edge of the paper P passes through the reverse branching portion 31, the reverse roller 30 is stopped, and then the reverse roller 30 is reversely rotated after a predetermined time to transport the paper P to the transport path 32 in the duplex unit 70. . As a result, the sheet P is transferred so that the image formed by using the tandem image forming unit 10 and the transfer unit 50 is transferred to the surface opposite to the surface on which the front and back surfaces of the sheet P are reversed and the image is already formed. Is again conveyed to the secondary transfer nip. After that, the sheet P on which images are formed on both sides through the transfer process and the fixing process as described above and conveyed from the fixing device 40 is conveyed to the discharge roller 28 by switching the conveyance path by the branching claw 25 and passes through the discharge port. Are discharged to the paper discharge tray 80.

[Configuration example 1]
FIG. 4A illustrates the exterior cover 24 shown in FIG. 2 in detail. FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG.

  The side surface of the exterior cover 24 is located on a straight line L2 that is inclined by a predetermined angle θ (0 [°] <θ <90 [°]) with respect to the normal line L1 with respect to the device installation surface such as the floor, and along the straight line L2. An SD card insertion slot 15 and a USB memory insertion slot 16 are provided. By providing the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 in an inclined manner in this way, the SD card or USB memory can be inserted into the SD card insertion slot 15 or the USB memory insertion slot 16 from the front of the main body of the apparatus as compared with the case where the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 are not inclined. When inserting / removing, the user can easily perform the removal / insertion work without returning the wrist.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the duplex unit 70 is in the vicinity of the insertion slot 24A, an SD card or USB memory is inserted into the SD card insertion slot 15 or USB memory insertion slot 16 of the insertion slot 24A. When inserting and removing, the side cover 23 of the duplex unit 70 may get in the way. In general, in the case of an image forming apparatus, an SD card or a USB memory is assumed as an external information medium used by a user, and an insertion port corresponding to these two types is provided as an insertion port for an external storage medium. It is common.

  The outer shape of the SD card is a thin plate and is substantially constant regardless of the object. On the other hand, the external shape of the USB memory is a rectangle in which the shape of the portion inserted into the USB memory insertion port 16 of the insertion port portion 24A is set according to a certain standard and is common regardless of the object. The shape varies depending on the object (eg, sushi material).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 described in FIG. 4 and shows an example in which the SD card insertion slot 15 is installed above the USB memory insertion slot 16. Yes.

  As described above, the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 are inclined with respect to the vertical line L1 so as to be positioned on the straight line L2 inclined by the predetermined angle θ with respect to the vertical line L1 with respect to the apparatus installation surface. Is provided. Specifically, the USB memory insertion slot 16 is inclined with respect to the perpendicular line L <b> 1 so as to be farther from the side cover 23 of the duplex unit 70 than the SD card insertion slot 15. Therefore, the radius of the circle in contact with the side cover 23 of the duplex unit 70 from the center of each of the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 shown in FIG. 5, in other words, the USB memory insertion slot 16 and the SD card insertion. The distance Ra from the center of each mouth 15 to the side cover 23 is different from the distance Rb.

  Since the external shape of the USB memory is various, the distance Ra> distance Rb is satisfied so that the space between the USB memory and the side cover 23 is wide when the USB memory is inserted into the insertion slot. It becomes difficult for the USB memory and the side cover 23 to interfere with each other. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the shape of the USB memory that can be inserted into the USB memory insertion port 16 can be improved.

  When inserting an SD card into the SD card insertion slot 15, the insertion operation is generally performed by holding the front and back surfaces of the SD card with two fingers, the index finger and the thumb. On the other hand, when inserting a USB memory into the USB memory insertion slot 16, the USB memory is generally grasped with three fingers of the index finger, the middle finger, and the thumb, and the shape of the portion where the USB memory is grasped with the finger becomes larger. The number of fingers to be picked increases, and in some cases, all the fingers of one hand are used to pick the USB memory. Therefore, even if the SD card insertion slot 15 is close to the side cover 23, the workability of the insertion work can be suppressed. However, if the USB memory insertion slot 16 is too close to the side cover 23, the user's hand and the side cover 23 come into contact with each other. This makes it difficult to perform the insertion work. In particular, it becomes more noticeable as the shape of the portion of the USB memory pinched by the finger increases.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 are inclined at the insertion slot 24A so as to satisfy the relationship of distance Ra> distance Rb. It becomes easy to insert and remove the SD card and USB memory from the USB memory insertion slot 16.

  Further, it is desirable that the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 are located at a position of 90 ° from the front surface of the exterior cover 24 (the standing position of the user). In FIG. 2, an SD card insertion slot 15 and a USB memory insertion slot 16 are provided on the right side surface of the exterior cover 24. This is because when the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 are arranged on the left side surface of the exterior cover 24, the user inserts the printed paper from the paper discharge tray 80 into the insertion slots 15 and 16. This is because there is a possibility that the SD card or the USB memory that is in the way is in the way. Of course, the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 may be arranged on the left side surface of the outer cover 24.

FIG. 1A illustrates the cooling of the fixing device 40 and the paper discharge device 26.
An intake port 35A is provided in the vicinity of the sheet discharge device 26 and the fixing device 40 on the front plate 35 located on the inner side of the exterior cover 24 on the front side of the device housing, and an intake fan is provided corresponding to the intake port 35A. 33 is attached. Further, an exhaust port 36A is provided in the vicinity of the paper discharge device 26 and the fixing device 40 of the rear side plate 36 on the back side of the apparatus housing, and an exhaust fan (not shown) is attached to correspond to the exhaust port 36A. It has been.

  The intake fan 33 can take in outside air from the intake port 22A and the intake port 22B provided in the exterior cover 24, and generates an air current in a space where the paper discharge device 26, the fixing device 40, and the like in the apparatus main body are provided. It can flow. The airflow flowing into the exterior cover 24 from the outside of the apparatus through the intake opening 22A and the intake opening 22B provided in the exterior cover 24 by the intake fan 33 passes through the intake opening 35A provided in the front side plate 35 and the paper discharge device 26. Or the fixing device 40 is reached. Then, an air flow is caused to flow from the front of the apparatus to the rear of the apparatus by the exhaust fan together with the intake fan 33 to exhaust the air from the exhaust port 36A to the outside of the apparatus.

  Although not shown, a motor for driving the reverse relay roller 29 and the reverse roller 30 and a solenoid for driving the branching claw 25 are provided on the rear side of the paper discharge device 26. These motors and solenoids are used. It will generate fever. In the fixing device 40, the fixing roller 41 includes a heat source such as a halogen lamp. Therefore, in order to prevent the temperature of the paper discharge device 26 and the fixing device 40 and its surroundings from rising excessively, an air flow is introduced from the air inlet 35A, and the air flow that has taken heat from the paper discharge device 26 and the fixing device 40 and its peripheral is removed. Cooling is performed by exhausting from the exhaust port 36A.

  Here, in this embodiment, in order to improve the user operability, the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 are perpendicular to the apparatus installation surface such as the floor as shown in FIG. 4B. The SD card / USB memory board 17 is also inclined when it is provided so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle θ. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1B, which is a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. 1A, the airflow flowing in from the intake ports 22A, 22B provided in the exterior cover 24 is an SD card / USB memory board 17. Is inclined toward the intake fan 33 with respect to the perpendicular line L1, so that the space between the front side plate 35 and the SD card / USB memory board 17 is relative to the device installation surface of the SD card / USB memory board 17. The air flow is narrower than that of the vertical direction and the diffusion of the air flow is suppressed, and the air flow is easily guided by the SD card / USB memory board 17 and guided to the intake fan 33, so that the intake efficiency can be improved.

  That is, since the SD card / USB memory board 17 is inclined, the SD card / USB memory board 17 also serves as a part of the air intake duct. The intake efficiency of the intake fan 33 can be increased as compared with the vertical case.

  In addition, since the SD card / USB memory board 17 also serves as a part of the air intake duct in this way, the airflow flowing in from the intake ports 22A and 22B of the outer cover 24 toward the intake fan 33 is changed to the SD card / USB memory. It hits the substrate 17. As a result, the heat of the SD card / USB memory board 17 is taken away by the air flow, so that the SD card / USB memory board 17 can be mounted without separately providing a dedicated intake fan for cooling the SD card / USB memory board 17. Can be cooled.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the air inlet 22 </ b> A provided in the exterior cover 24 may be provided to extend to the vicinity of the SD card insertion port 15 or the USB memory insertion port 16. Thereby, the SD card / USB memory board 17 can be easily cooled by the airflow flowing into the exterior cover 24 through the air inlet 22A, and the cooling efficiency of the SD card / USB memory board 17 can be increased.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, an intake port 22 </ b> C may be provided in the lower part on the front side of the apparatus of the exterior cover 24. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the airflow flowing into the exterior cover 24 through the intake port 22 </ b> C is guided to the back surface of the SD card / USB memory board 17 and easily guided to the intake fan 33. Therefore, the intake efficiency of the intake fan 33 can be further increased, and the cooling efficiency of the SD card / USB memory board 17 can be increased.

[Configuration example 2]
FIG. 8 shows an example in which the USB memory insertion slot 16 is installed above the SD card insertion slot 15. Also in this configuration example, the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 are different from the SD card insertion slot 15 in that the USB memory insertion slot 16 is located at the position shown in FIG. It is located on a straight line L2 that is inclined by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the apparatus installation surface so as to be away from the side cover 23.

  By providing the SD card insertion slot 15 and the USB memory insertion slot 16 in an inclined manner as described above, since the space between the USB memory and the side cover 23 is wide when the USB memory is inserted into the USB memory insertion slot 16, the USB memory is inserted. It becomes difficult for the memory and the side cover 23 to interfere with each other. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the shape of the USB memory that can be inserted into the USB memory insertion slot 16 can be improved, and the user can easily insert the SD card or the USB memory into the insertion slots 15 and 16. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the path of the airflow from the operation panel board 20A to the intake fan 33 is largely opened. Therefore, not only the airflow is caused to flow from the intake ports 22A and 22B of the exterior cover 24 by the intake fan 33, but the airflow can be efficiently generated from the periphery of the operation panel substrate 20A toward the intake fan 33.

  As described above, the operation panel 20 is provided with a switch, a display, and the like, and electronic components related to these are attached to the operation panel substrate 20A. Although not shown, around the back surface of the operation panel substrate 20A, a harness, a cable, and the like connected to the electronic components of the operation panel substrate 20A are wound. Since heat is also generated from the electronic components of the operation panel substrate 20A, the operation panel substrate 20A can be efficiently cooled by efficiently generating an air flow from the periphery of the operation panel substrate 20A toward the intake fan 33. .

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
(Aspect A)
A tandem image forming unit 10, a fixing device 40, a transfer unit 50, a paper discharge device 26, an optical writing unit 90, and the like provided in a housing such as a device housing 34 having a front side plate 35, a rear side plate 36, and the like. An image forming means, a cover member such as an exterior cover 24 covering the housing, an operation means such as an operation panel 20 provided on the cover member for receiving an operation from a user, and provided near the operation means of the cover member. An external storage medium connection member having a connection section such as an SD card insertion slot 15 or a USB memory insertion slot 16 on a board such as an SD card / USB memory board 17 to which an external storage medium such as a USB memory is detachably connected A housing vent such as an air inlet 35A that is formed on a side plate such as the front side plate 35 in the vicinity of the operation means of the housing and through which airflow can flow between the outside and the inside of the housing; Covered through cover member vents such as air inlets 22A and 22B formed near the external storage medium connection member of the bar member and through which the airflow can flow between the outside and inside of the cover member, and the cover member vent and housing vent An image forming apparatus, such as a printer 100, provided with an airflow generating means such as an intake fan 33 that generates an airflow from the outside of the member toward the inside of the housing, and the airflow that flows into the cover member through the cover member vent However, the substrate was provided in such a posture that it was guided by the substrate and guided to the airflow generation means. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to suppress an excessive rise in the temperature in the housing while improving the operability for the user when the external storage medium is connected.
(Aspect B)
In (Aspect A), the substrate of the external storage medium connecting member was provided so as to be inclined toward the air flow generating means from the perpendicular L1 to the apparatus installation surface. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to suppress an excessive rise in the temperature in the housing while improving the operability for the user when the external storage medium is connected.
(Aspect C)
In (Aspect A) or (Aspect B), the cover member vent is formed by a plurality of slits. According to this, it is possible to prevent the user from putting a finger into the cover member from the cover member ventilation hole.
(Aspect D)
In (Aspect A), (Aspect B), or (Aspect C), the operation means and the cover member may be provided integrally.
(Aspect E)
In (Aspect A), (Aspect B), (Aspect C), or (Aspect D), the external storage medium is at least an SD card and a USB memory, and the SD card is connected as the connection unit. And a USB memory connection unit to which the USB memory is connected, and the USB memory connection unit is located below the SD card connection unit. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the USB memory can be easily inserted and removed.
(Aspect F)
In (Aspect A), (Aspect B), (Aspect C), or (Aspect D), the external storage medium is at least an SD card and a USB memory, and the SD card is connected as the connection unit. And a USB memory connection unit to which the USB memory is connected, and the USB memory connection unit is located above the SD card connection unit. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the USB memory can be easily inserted and removed.
(Aspect G)
In (Aspect A), (Aspect B), (Aspect C), (Aspect D), (Aspect E) or (Aspect F), 90 [° with respect to the front surface of the apparatus standing when the user operates the operating means. It is desirable to position the connecting portion at a portion that forms an angle.
(Aspect H)
In (Aspect G), the cover member ventilation hole may be formed at a portion that forms an angle of 90 [°] with respect to the front surface of the apparatus that stands when the user operates the operation means.
(Aspect I)
In (Aspect G), the cover member vent may be formed on the front side of the apparatus that stands when the user operates the operation means.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming unit 2 Photoconductor 3 Developing device 4 Charging device 5 Drum cleaning device 10 Tandem image forming part 15 SD card insertion port 16 USB memory insertion port 17 SD card / USB memory substrate 20 Operation panel 20A Operation panel substrate 21 Paper feeding device 21A Paper feed cassette 21B Paper feed cassette 22 Front cover 22A Air intake port 22B Air intake port 22C Air intake port 23 Side cover 24 Exterior cover 24A Insertion port 25 Branch claw 26 Paper discharge device 28 Paper discharge roller 29 Reverse relay roller 30 Reverse roller 31 Reverse branch Portion 32 Transport path 33 Intake fan 34 Device housing 35 Front plate 35A Inlet port 36 Rear plate 36A Exhaust port 40 Fixing device 41 Fixing roller 42 Pressure roller 50 Transfer unit 51 Intermediate transfer belt 53 Drive roller 54 Secondary transfer counter roller 55 Primary transfer roller 56 Secondary transfer roller 58 Belt cleaning device 60 Registration roller pair 61A Paper feed roller 61B Paper feed roller 70 Duplex unit 80 Paper discharge tray 90 Optical writing unit 100 Printer

JP 2010-034958 A

Claims (9)

Image forming means provided in the housing;
A cover member covering the housing;
Operating means provided on the cover member for receiving an operation from a user;
An external storage medium connecting member provided near the operating means of the cover member and having a connection part on the substrate to which the external storage medium is detachably connected;
A housing vent that is formed on a side plate near the operating means of the housing and allows airflow to flow between the outside and the inside of the housing;
A cover member vent formed in the vicinity of the external storage medium connecting member of the cover member and capable of flowing an air flow between the outside and the inside of the cover member;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an airflow generation unit configured to generate an airflow from the cover member outer side to the housing inner side through the cover member vent and the casing vent;
An image forming apparatus, wherein the substrate is provided in such a posture that an airflow flowing into the cover member through the cover member vent is guided by the substrate and guided to the airflow generating means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the substrate is provided so as to be inclined toward the air flow generating means with respect to a perpendicular to the apparatus installation surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the cover member vent is formed by a plurality of slits. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the operation means and the cover member are integrally provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4.
The external storage medium is at least an SD card and a USB memory;
The connection unit includes an SD card connection unit to which the SD card is connected, and a USB memory connection unit to which the USB memory is connected,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the USB memory connection unit is located below the SD card connection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4.
The external storage medium is at least an SD card and a USB memory;
The connection unit includes an SD card connection unit to which the SD card is connected, and a USB memory connection unit to which the USB memory is connected,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the USB memory connection unit is located above the SD card connection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the connecting portion is positioned at a portion that forms an angle of 90 [deg.] With respect to the front surface of the apparatus standing when a user operates the operating means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the cover member ventilation hole is formed in a portion that forms an angle of 90 [deg.] With respect to the front surface of the apparatus that stands when the user operates the operation means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the cover member vent is provided on the front side of the apparatus which stands when a user operates the operation means.

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