Electrophotographic copying machine
AssigneeCanon Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsKeiji Tanaka, Yujiro Ando, Katsunobu Ohara
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In an electrophotographic copying machine of the type which transfers an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive element, usually comprising a conductive base and a photoconductive layer thereon, onto a recording member, an electric dust collector is provided to clean the air flowing in the vicinity of a corona discharger and the photosensitive member. In order to direct the dust-free air, there is provided an air flow passage and a blower such as a fan. The corona discharger and the electric dust collector may be constructed integrally or separately. All of the air in the copying machine may be made dust-free.
Claims14
A dust protection method for an electrophotographic apparatus wherein an electrostatic latent image is formed with the utilization of at least illuminating means and means for applying voltage by corona discharge, which comprises:
- directing, by blower means, air which has passed through dust removing means into a housing of said electrophotographic apparatus which accommodates means for forming an image;
- and
- maintaining the air pressure inside the housing at a higher value than the pressure of the ambient air to cause an air flow from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing, thereby filling the inside of the housing with dust-free air and preventing dusty air from entering into the housing, wherein the electrophotographic apparatus is protected from dust.
A dust protection method for an electrophotographic apparatus wherein an electrostatic latent image is formed with the utilization of at least illuminating means and means for applying voltage by corona discharge, which comprises:
- directing, by blower means, air which has passed through dust removing means into a housing of said electrophotographic apparatus wherein said apparatus comprises copy image forming means including means for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member and means for transferring the electrostatic latent image onto a chargeable member and then visualizing the image on the chargeable member;
- and
- maintaining the air pressure inside the housing at a higher value than the pressure of the ambient air to cause an air flow from the inside of the housing to the outside thereof, thereby filling the inside of the housing with dust free air and preventing dusty air from entering into the housing, wherein the electrophotographic apparatus is protected from dust.
A dust protection method for electrophotographic apparatus wherein an electrostatic latent image is formed with the utilization of at least illuminating means and means for applying voltage by corona discharge, which comprises:
- directing, by blower means, air which has passed through dust removing means into a housing of said electrophotographic apparatus wherein said apparatus comprises image forming means including means for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member of a screen having a number of openings therein, means for modulating an ion flow in accordance with the image formed on the screen, means for forming a second electrostatic latent image on a chargeable member and then visualizing the second electrostatic latent image;
- and
- maintaining the air pressure inside the housing at a higher value than the pressure of the ambient air to cause an air flow from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing, thereby filling the inside of the housing with dust-free air and preventing dusty air from entering into the housing, wherein the electrophotographic, apparatus is protected from dust.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.