Image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10162283-B2
Application number	US-201715647393-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 12, 2017
Priority date	Jul 25, 2016
Publication date	Dec 25, 2018
Grant date	Dec 25, 2018

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an exhaust duct to guide air inside the image forming apparatus to an outside of the image forming apparatus. A positive ion generator emits a positive ion into the exhaust duct. A negative ion generator emits a negative ion into the exhaust duct. The negative ion generator is shifted from the positive ion generator in one of an air flow direction of the air moving inside the exhaust duct and a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
an exhaust duct to guide air inside the image forming apparatus to an outside of the image forming apparatus;
a positive ion generator to emit a positive ion into the exhaust duct;
a negative ion generator to emit a negative ion into the exhaust duct, the negative ion generator being shifted from the positive ion generator in one of an air flow direction of the air moving inside the exhaust duct and a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction; and
a counter electrode pair disposed downstream from the positive ion generator and the negative ion generator in the air flow direction,
wherein the counter electrode pair includes a positive electrode applied with a positive voltage, and a negative electrode applied with a negative voltage and disposed opposite the positive electrode,
wherein the exhaust duct includes a downstream wall disposed wall disposed downstream from the positive ion generator and the negative ion generator in the airflow direction, and
wherein the downstream wall includes a first wall mounting the positive electrode, and a second wall mounting the negative electrode.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein at least one of the positive ion generator and the negative ion generator includes a plurality of ion generators.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a partition interposed between the positive ion generator and the negative ion generator.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 ,
wherein the partition extends in the air flow direction and the direction perpendicular to the air flow direction.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 ,
wherein the partition includes a non-straight portion extending in the air flow direction, the non-straight portion over which the air moves.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 ,
wherein the non-straight portion includes a downstream portion of the partition in the air flow direction.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 ,
wherein the downstream portion is triangular.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the downstream wall is not straight.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the downstream wall includes a projection.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the downstream wall is wavy.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the positive electrode and the negative electrode are made of one of metal and conductive resin.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising another counter electrode pair being parallel to the air flow direction.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the counter electrode pair is removably mounted on the first wall and the second wall.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a projection disposed upstream from the counter electrode pair in the air flow direction.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a fan, disposed inside the exhaust duct, to create a current of the air from an inside to the outside of the image forming apparatus,
wherein the positive ion generator and the negative ion generator are driven synchronously with driving of the fan.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the positive ion generator is disposed opposite the negative ion generator in the direction perpendicular to the air flow direction.

Assignees

• Shimada Hiroyuki
• Kabata Toshiyuki
• Fujita Takashi
• Seo Hiroshi
• Ricoh Co Ltd

Inventors

• Shimada Hiroyuki
• Kabata Toshiyuki
• Fujita Takashi
• Seo Hiroshi

Classifications

• H01T23/00

  Apparatus for generating ions to be introduced into non-enclosed gases, e.g. into the atmosphere · CPC title

• G03G15/065

  Arrangements for controlling the potential of the developing electrode · CPC title

• G03G15/5037

  the characteristics being an electrical parameter, e.g. voltage · CPC title

• G03G15/051 Primary

  by modulating an ion flow through a photoconductive screen onto which a charge image has been formed · CPC title

• G03G15/65

  Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material (handling sheets or webs in general B65H; for photographic purposes in general G03B) · CPC title