Image processing device and image forming apparatus

An image processing device includes a body that has a first connection portion and a second connection portion inside the body; an image processing board that is electrically connected to the first connection portion, the image processing board performing image processing; a functional board that is disposed so as to cover a part of the image processing board on one side of the image processing board; a side panel attached to the image processing board at a position opposite to the first connection portion, the side panel being a part of a side surface of the body; and an extension board disposed so as to cover another part of the image processing board on the same side as the functional board with respect to the image processing board, the extension board being electrically connected to the second connection portion and independently attachable to and removable from the image processing board.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-183338 filed Aug. 18, 2010.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image processing device and an image forming apparatus.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, an image processing device includes a body that has a first connection portion and a second connection portion inside the body; an image processing board that is electrically connected to the first connection portion, the image processing board performing image processing; a functional board that is disposed so as to cover a part of the image processing board on one side of the image processing board, the functional board having at least one function; a side panel attached to the image processing board at a position opposite to the first connection portion, the side panel being a part of a side surface of the body; and an extension board that is disposed so as to cover another part of the image processing board on the same side as the functional board with respect to the image processing board, the extension board being electrically connected to the second connection portion, and the extension board being independently attachable to and removable from the image processing board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An image processing device and an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described.

FIG. 1illustrates an image forming apparatus10according to the exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus10includes, from below in the vertical direction (in the direction of arrow V), a sheet containing section12, an image forming section14, a document reading section16, an image processing device100, and a controller20. The sheet containing section12contains recording sheets P, each of which is an example of a recording medium. The image forming section14, which is disposed above the sheet containing section12, forms an image on the recording sheet P that is supplied from the sheet containing section12. The document reading section16, which is disposed above the image forming section14, reads an image of a document G. The image processing device100processes the data of the image read by the document reading section16and transfers image information that has been processed to the image forming section14(an image forming unit50). The controller20(including an output control board120illustrated inFIG. 6), which is disposed in the image forming section14, controls the operations of the sections and devices of the image forming apparatus10. In the following description, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction with respect to an apparatus body10A of the image forming apparatus10will be referred to as the direction of arrow V and the direction of arrow H, respectively.

The sheet containing section12includes a first container22, a second container24, and a third container26, which contain recording sheets P having different sizes. The first container22, the second container24, and the third container26each have a feed roller32that feeds the recording sheet P to a transport path28disposed in the image forming apparatus10. A pair of transport rollers34and a pair of transport rollers36, which are disposed at positions on the transport path28that are downstream of the feed rollers32, transport the recording sheets P one by one. Registration rollers38are disposed downstream of the transport rollers36in the transport direction of the recording sheet P on the transport path28. The registration rollers38temporarily stop the recording sheet P and feed the recording sheet P to a second transfer position (described below) at a predetermined timing.

In a front view of the image forming apparatus10, the upstream part of the transport path28extends linearly in the direction of arrow V from the left side of the sheet containing section12to a lower left portion of the image forming section14. The downstream part of the transport path28extends from the lower left portion of the image forming section14to a sheet output tray15that is disposed on the right side surface of the image forming section14. A duplex transport path29is connected to the transport path28. The duplex transport path29transports and reverses the recording sheet P so that images are formed on both sides of the recording sheet P.

In a front view of the image forming apparatus10, the duplex transport path29includes a first switching member31, a reversing portion33, a transporting portion37, and a second switching member35. The first switching member31switches between the transport path28and the duplex transport path29. The reversing portion33extends linearly in the direction of arrow V (inFIG. 1, downward is −V and upward is +V) from a lower right portion of the image forming section14to the right side of the sheet containing section. The transporting portion37receives the trailing end of the recording sheet P that is transported to the reversing portion33and transports the recording sheet P in the direction of arrow H (toward the left side inFIG. 1). The second switching member35switches between the reversing portion33and the transporting portion37. In the reversing portion33, pairs of transport rollers42are disposed at plural positions with distances therebetween. In the transporting portion37, pairs of transport rollers44are disposed at plural positions with distances therebetween.

The first switching member31is a triangular-prism-shaped member. A driving unit (not shown) moves the first switching member31so that an end of the first switching member31points to one of the transport path28and the duplex transport path29, and thereby the transport direction of the recording sheet P is switched. Likewise, the second switching member35is a triangular-prism-shaped member in front view. A driving unit (not shown) moves the second switching member35so that an end of the second switching member35points to one of the reversing portion33and the transporting portion37, and thereby the transport direction of the recording sheet P is switched. The downstream end of the transporting portion37is connected, through a guide member (not shown), to the transport path28at a position near a pair of the transport rollers36that are disposed in the upstream part of the transport path28. A manual feed unit46, which is foldable, is disposed on the left side surface of the image forming section14. A transport path, along which the recording sheet P is transported from the manual feed unit46, is connected to the transport path28at a position near the registration rollers38.

The document reading section16includes a document transport device52, a platen glass54, and a document reading device56. The document transport device52automatically transports documents G one by one. The platen glass54, on which a single document G is placed, is disposed below the document transport device52. The document reading device56reads the document G that is transported by the document transport device52or the document G that is placed on the platen glass54.

The document transport device52includes an automatic transport path55in which pairs of transport rollers53are disposed. A part of the automatic transport path55is positioned such that the recording sheet P passes over the platen glass54. The document reading device56is at rest at the left end of the platen glass54when reading the document G that is transported by the document transport device52. The document reading device56moves in the direction of arrow H when reading the document G that is placed on the platen glass54.

The image forming section14includes the image forming unit50, which is an example of an image forming unit that forms an image by using a toner (developer). The image forming unit50includes a photoconductor drum62, a charging member64, an exposure device66, a developing device72, a transfer unit70, and a cleaning device73, which will be described below. The transfer unit70includes an intermediate transfer belt68, a first transfer roller67, an auxiliary roller69, and a second transfer roller71, which will be described below.

The photoconductor drum62is disposed in the middle of the apparatus body10A of the image forming section14. The photoconductor drum62, which has a cylindrical shape, serves as a latent image holder. The photoconductor drum62is rotated by a driving unit (not shown) in the direction of arrow +R (clockwise inFIG. 1), and holds an electrostatic latent image that is formed by irradiation of light. The charging member64is disposed above the photoconductor drum62so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62. The charging member64is a charge corotron that charges the surface of the photoconductor drum62.

The exposure device66is disposed at a position downstream of the charging member64with respect to the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum62so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62. The exposure device66includes a semiconductor laser (not shown), an f-θ lens, a polygon mirror, an imaging lens, and mirrors. The exposure device66deflects and scans a laser beam, which is emitted by a semiconductor laser, by using a polygon mirror on the basis of an image signal, and irradiates (exposes) the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62, which has been charged by the charging member64, with the laser beam, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. The exposure device66need not deflect and scan a laser beam by using a polygon mirror. Instead, the exposure device66may be of a light emitting diode (LED) type.

The developing device72is disposed at a position downstream of an irradiated portion of the photoconductor drum62in the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum, the irradiated portion being irradiated with exposure light emitted by the exposure device66. The developing device72, which is of rotary switchable type, develops an electrostatic latent image that is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62with toner of predetermined colors.

The developing device72includes six developing units (reference numerals omitted) for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), first special color (E), and second special color (F), which are arranged in the circumferential direction (counterclockwise in this order). The developing device72is rotated by 60° at a time by a motor (not shown), so that one of the developing units that performs developing faces the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62. When forming a four-color image in Y, M, C, and K, the first special color (E) and the second special color (F) are not used. Therefore, the developing device72is rotated by 180° when the developing unit is switched from that for K to that for Y.

Each of the developing units is filled with developer (not shown) that has been supplied from a corresponding one of toner cartridges78Y,78M,78C,78K,78E, and78F through a toner supply path (not shown). Each of the developing units includes a developing roller74whose outer peripheral surface faces the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62. The developing roller74includes a developing sleeve, which is cylindrical and rotatable, and a magnetic member, which is fixed to the inside of the developing sleeve. The magnetic member has plural magnetic poles. In the developing device72, developer (carrier) forms a magnetic brush when the developing sleeve rotates, and the toner sticks to a latent image (electrostatic latent image) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62, thereby developing the image.

The transfer unit70includes the intermediate transfer belt68, and the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt68. The intermediate transfer belt68, which is an endless belt, is disposed downstream of the developing device72in the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum62and below the photoconductor drum62. The intermediate transfer belt68is looped over a driving roller61, a tension roller65, transport rollers63, and the auxiliary roller69. The driving roller61rotates under control of the controller20(including the output control board120illustrated inFIG. 6). The tension roller65applies a tension to the intermediate transfer belt68. The transport rollers63are in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt68and rotated by the intermediate transfer belt68. The auxiliary roller69is in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt68at a second transfer position (described below) and rotated by the intermediate transfer belt68. The intermediate transfer belt68is rotated by the driving roller61in the direction of arrow −R (counterclockwise inFIG. 1).

The first transfer roller67is disposed opposite the photoconductor drum62with the intermediate transfer belt68therebetween. The first transfer roller67first transfers the toner image, which has been formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62, to the intermediate transfer belt68. The first transfer roller67is in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt68at a position that is downstream of the position (first transfer position), at which the photoconductor drum62is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt68downstream, in the direction in which the intermediate transfer belt68moves. A power supply (not shown) applies a voltage to the first transfer roller67, while the photoconductor drum62is grounded. Thus, the toner image is first transferred from the photoconductor drum62to the intermediate transfer belt68due to a potential difference between the first transfer roller67and the photoconductor drum62.

The second transfer roller71is disposed opposite the auxiliary roller69with the intermediate transfer belt68therebetween. The second transfer roller71second transfers the toner image, which has been first transferred to the intermediate transfer belt68, to a recording sheet P. The toner image is transferred to the recording sheet P at a second transfer position that is between the second transfer roller71and the auxiliary roller69. The second transfer roller71is grounded and in contact with a surface of the intermediate transfer belt68. A power supply (not shown) applies a voltage to the auxiliary roller69, and the toner image is second transferred from the intermediate transfer belt68to the recording sheet P due to a potential difference between the auxiliary roller69and the second transfer roller71.

A cleaning blade59is disposed opposite the driving roller61with the intermediate transfer belt68therebetween. The cleaning blade59recovers residual toner that is left on the intermediate transfer belt68after the second transfer. The cleaning blade59is attached to a housing (not shown) having an opening. The residual toner is scraped off the intermediate transfer belt68by an end of the cleaning blade59and recovered into the housing.

A position detection sensor83is disposed at a position outside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt68so as to face one of the transport rollers63. The position detection sensor83detects a predetermined reference position on the intermediate transfer belt68by detecting a mark (not shown) printed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt68, and outputs a position detection signal that determines the timing at which image formation is started. The position detection sensor83detects a moving position of the intermediate transfer belt68by emitting light toward the intermediate transfer belt68and receiving the light reflected by the surface of the mark.

The cleaning device73is disposed at a position downstream of the first transfer roller67in the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum62. The cleaning device73cleans residual toner and the like off the photoconductor drum62. The residual toner is toner that has not been first transferred to the intermediate transfer belt68and left on the surface of the photoconductor drum62. The cleaning device73recovers the residual toner and the like using a cleaning blade and a brush roller that contact the photoconductor drum62.

A corotron81is disposed at a position upstream of the cleaning device73(and downstream of the first transfer roller67) with respect to the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum62. The corotron81eliminates the charge of the toner that has been left on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62after the first transfer. A charge eliminating device75is disposed at a position that is downstream of the cleaning device73(and upstream of the charging member64) with respect to the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum62. The charge eliminating device75irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62, after being cleaned, with light and thereby eliminates charges from the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum62.

The second transfer position, at which the second transfer roller71second transfers the toner image, is located on the transport path28. A fixing device90is disposed on the transport path28at a position downstream of the second transfer roller71in the transport direction of the recording sheet P (in the direction of arrow A inFIG. 1). The fixing device90fixes the toner image, which has been transferred to the recording sheet P by the second transfer roller71, onto the recording sheet P. The fixing device90includes a fixing roller92and a pressing roller94. The fixing roller92performs fixing by heat. The pressing roller94presses the recording sheet P against the fixing roller92. A transport roller39is disposed on the transport path28at a position downstream of the fixing device90in the transport direction of the recording sheet P. The transport roller39transports the recording sheet P toward the sheet output tray15or the reversing portion33.

Next, the image processing device100will be described.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the image processing device100includes an image processing board104, a first upgrade board154(seeFIG. 3A), a side panel106, and an extension board108(seeFIG. 3A). The image processing board104performs image processing. The first upgrade board154, which is an example of a functional board, is connected to the image processing board104. The side panel106is attached to the image processing board104. The image processing board104and the extension board108are disposed in a housing102, which is an example of an apparatus body. The housing102is a rectangular box in plan view. The upper side of the housing102is covered with a metal plate (not shown) so as be resistant to electromagnetic noise. One of the four side walls is removed, and thereby an opening102A is formed.

The housing102is disposed in the image forming apparatus10such that the opening102A is positioned at a back panel11that is disposed on the back side of the apparatus body10A of the image forming apparatus10. The image processing device100is disposed in the left half of the image forming section14when the image forming apparatus10is viewed from the back side. In the following description, the direction from the back side toward the front side of the image forming apparatus10will be referred to as the direction of arrow Z.

As illustrated inFIG. 3A, an end wall102B is disposed opposite the opening102A in the housing102, and a interconnection board110, which extends vertically, is fixed to the end wall102B with screws. The interconnection board110includes first connectors112and114that are disposed on a surface thereof facing the opening102A. The first connectors112and114, which are examples of a first connection portion, are disposed side by side. A second connector116, which is an example of a second connection portion, is disposed below the first connector114. A power feed connector118, through which electric power is supplied to the image processing board104, is disposed on a part of the surface of the end wall102B that faces the opening102A and to which the interconnection board110is not attached.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4A,4B, and4C, the housing102has a left side wall102C, a right side wall102D, and a bottom wall102E, when the end wall102B is viewed from the front side (viewed in the direction of arrow Z inFIG. 2). Guide rails122and124are disposed on the left side wall102C and on the right side wall102D, respectively. The guide rails122and124are flat plates that protrude into the housing102. A guide rail126is disposed on a middle portion of the bottom wall102E. The guide rail126has an L-shaped cross section in a front view. An upper part of the guide rail126is bent toward the guide rail124and forms a flat portion126A.

The left side wall102C has a guide portion128that is disposed above the guide rail122and that protrudes into the housing102. The right side wall102D has a guide portion129that is disposed above the guide rail124and that protrudes into the housing102. Support frames132and134, which are made of a metal, are attached to the left and right edges of the image processing board104(the left and right edges when vided from the side panel106side). When the image processing board104is inserted toward the end wall102B, the support frame132is guided between the guide rail122and the guide portion128and the support frame134is guided between the guide rail124and the guide portion129. The support frames132and134may be integrally formed.

As illustrated inFIG. 4B, connectors136,138, and142are disposed at an end of the image processing board104opposite to the end to which the side panel106is attached. The connectors136and138are to be connected to the first connector112and the first connector114(seeFIG. 3A), respectively. The connector142is to be connected to the power feed connector118(seeFIG. 3A). As illustrated inFIG. 5B, when the image processing board104is viewed in the direction of arrow Z (seeFIG. 3A), an upper connector144is disposed on the upper surface of the image processing board104so as to face upward (in the direction of arrow +V), and a lower connector146is disposed on the lower surface of the image processing board104so as to face downward (the direction of arrow −V). Moreover, a connector148is disposed at an end of the image processing board104adjacent to the side panel106. The connector148is exposed to the outside from the side panel106.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 5B, the first upgrade board154, which is an example of a functional board, is disposed below the image processing board104(on the same side as the extension board108), and a second upgrade board152is disposed above the image processing board104. The first upgrade board154has a connector155. The first upgrade board154is connected to the image processing board104by connecting the connector155to the lower connector146. The second upgrade board152has a connector153. The second upgrade board152is connected to the image processing board104by connecting the connector153to the upper connector144.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the second upgrade board152has connectors156and158, which are respectively disposed above and below an end of the second upgrade board152that is adjacent to the side panel106when the second upgrade board152is connected to the image processing board104. The first upgrade board154has a connector162, which is disposed below an end of the first upgrade board154that is adjacent to the side panel106when the first upgrade board154is connected to the image processing board104. The connectors156,158, and162are exposed to the outside from the side panel106when the first upgrade board154and the second upgrade board152are connected to the image processing board104. The first upgrade board154is disposed on one side (the lower side) of the image processing board104so as to cover a part (a left part) of the lower surface of the image processing board104.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 4C, the extension board108has a size that allows the extension board108to be disposed between the guide rail124and the guide rail126. A connector164, which is to be connected to the second connector116, is disposed at an end of the extension board108in the direction of arrow Z. A side panel165and a connector166are disposed at the other end of the extension board108(adjacent to the side panel106) in the direction of arrow Z. Support frames167and168, which are made of a metal, are attached to left and right edges of the extension board108, when viewed in the direction of arrow Z. The support frames167and168are guided along the lower surface of the guide rail124and along the right side surface of the guide rail126. As illustrated inFIG. 5A, a rectangular opening106A is formed in the side panel106at a position below the connector148of the image processing board. The connector166of the extension board108is exposed to the outside through the rectangular opening106A. The support frames167and168may be integrally formed.

As illustrated inFIG. 5B, the extension board108is disposed so as to cover another part (a right part of the lower surface) of the image processing board104on the same side as the first upgrade board154with respect to the image processing board104. The extension board108is electrically connected to the second connector116(seeFIG. 3A). Moreover, the extension board108is independently attachable to and removable from the image processing board104. The extension board108is disposed in a space surrounded by the image processing board104, the first upgrade board154, the side panel106(seeFIG. 3A), and the interconnection board110. The extension board108is replaceable by a user when the user has pulled out the image processing board104and the side panel106in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow Z.

Next, how the boards are connected to each other in the image processing device100will be described.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram of the image processing device100. The output control board120is disposed on a side of the interconnection board110opposite to the side on which the image processing board104is disposed (in the direction of arrow Z inFIG. 3A). The output control board120has a connector169B that is connected to the connector169A of the interconnection board110. The output control board120includes a central processing unit (CPU)172and a screen processor174. The output control board120performs image processing and the like on received image data so that an image is output by the image forming unit50(seeFIG. 1). The CPU172controls the output control board120. The screen processor174controls the pixels of the image data, which has been sent from the image processing board104, in order to provide gradation to an image and generate a screen. The output control board120is covered by a housing121(seeFIG. 9A).

The image processing board104performs image processing on the image data that has been read by the document reading section16. The image processing board104includes a CPU176that performs control, an image processing module178, a serial/parallel converter182, and a data bus (not shown). The image processing module178processes image data that has been received through the serial/parallel converter182. The image processing board104is connected to the document reading section16through the connector148and a cable (not shown). The second upgrade board152and the first upgrade board154are connected to an external apparatus through the connectors156,158, and162described above (seeFIG. 5A, not shown inFIG. 6). The second upgrade board152and the first upgrade board154are replaceable in order to change the function of the image forming apparatus10or for other purposes.

The extension board108is, for example, a video selector circuit board. The extension board includes a scan vide selector184, a print vide selector185, a deserializer186, a serializer188, a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS)192, and a bus (not shown) that connects these components to one another. These components perform data communication between the image processing board104and an external control device130. Image data that has been sent from the document reading section16is supplied to the external control device130by the scan vide selector184of the extension board108. Image data that has been sent from the external control device130is supplied to the output control board120through the print vide selector185, and the image forming unit50(seeFIG. 1) outputs an image.

InFIG. 6, an image is output to the output control board120along the following three paths. A first path extends from the document reading section16, via the image processing board104and the interconnection board110, to the output control board120. A second path extends from the image processing board104, via the interconnection board110, to the output control board120. A third path extends from the external control device130, via the extension board108and the interconnection board110, to the output control board120. Image data that has been read is sent along the following two paths. A first path extends from the document reading section16to the image processing board104. A second path extends from the document reading section16; via the image processing board104, the interconnection board110, and the extension board108; to the external control device130.

Next, the structure of a handle200, which is disposed on the side panel106, will be described.

As illustrated inFIG. 8A, the handle200and a support member202, which are examples of a leverage mechanism, are disposed on a side of the side panel106opposite to the side on which the image processing board104is disposed. The handle200is made by integrally molding a resin. The handle is supported on the side panel106by a pair of support members202so as to be rotatable (movable) in the direction of arrow +R (clockwise when viewed from the left side wall102C) and in the direction of arrow −R (counterclockwise when viewed from the left side wall102C) with respect to the direction of arrow Z, i.e., the direction in which the image processing board104is connected to the side panel106.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the handle200, which is angular U-shaped, includes a grip portion204and a pair of leg portions206that are integrally formed. The pair of leg portions206extend from both ends of the grip portion204in the same direction (a direction that is perpendicular to the grip portion204). Each of the leg portions206includes a support shaft208, which extends outward from a side surface of the handle200, and a contact portion210, which is disposed below the support shaft208. The contact portion210is in a lower part of the leg portion206and extends diagonally with respect to the axial direction of the leg portion206(so as to become away from the side panel106). The contact portion210has a triangular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the support shaft208. An arm portion212is disposed on one of the leg portion206. The arm portion212extends outward from the leg portion206in the axial direction of the support shaft208. A through-hole214, which is stepped, is formed in the arm portion212. A screw is screwed into the through-hole214and a screw hole (not shown) that is formed in the side panel106, so that the handle200is fixed to the side panel106.

As illustrated inFIG. 8A, an extension portion of the bottom wall102E of the housing102, above which the side panel106is disposed, extends further from the opening102A in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow Z. This extension portion of the bottom wall102E is bent so as to form a recess216, which has a crank-like shape. The recess216is an example of a leverage mechanism. The recess216, which is open upward, extends in the axial direction of the support shaft208. The recess216has a side wall216A that stands at an end thereof in the direction of arrow Z and a side wall216B that stands at the opposite end thereof. When a user inserts the image processing board104into the housing102when the handle200has been pulled in the direction of arrow +R, the contact portion210contacts the side wall216A. Therefore, when a user pulls the image processing board104out of the housing102, a pull-out force is applied to the image processing board104by pulling the handle200in the direction of arrow +R and thereby making the contact portion210contact the side wall216A.

When a user pushes the handle200in the direction of arrow −R when the contact portion210is located in the recess216as illustrated inFIG. 8B, the contact portion210contacts the side wall216B, and the image processing board104is urged in the direction of arrow Z. That is, when the user applies an operating force to connect the image processing board104to the first connectors112and114(seeFIG. 4C), the handle200, the support member202, and the recess216multiply the operating force due to the principle of leverage. Moreover, the multiplied operating force is transferred through the side panel106and acts as a force that connects the extension board108to the second connector116.

Next, the lengths of the image processing board104and the extension board108in the connection direction (the direction of arrow Z) will be described.

FIG. 9Ais a schematic sectional view illustrating the lengths of the image processing board104and the extension board108.FIG. 9Bis a schematic sectional view illustrating a state in which the image processing board104and the extension board108are connected to the interconnection board110. In reality, as illustrated inFIG. 5B, the extension board108is disposed at a position adjacent to the first upgrade board154and slightly below the first upgrade board154. InFIGS. 9A and 9B, however, in order to clearly illustrate the relationships among the lengths of the image processing board104, the first upgrade board154, and the extension board108, the distance between the extension board108and the image processing board104in the vertical direction is exaggerated and enlarged.

As illustrated inFIG. 9A, in the image processing device100, the extension board108is connected to the second connector116in a direction that is the same as the direction in which the image processing board104is connected to the first connectors112and114(the direction of arrow Z). The length L1of the image processing board104in the direction of arrow Z and the length L2of the extension board108in the direction of arrow Z are determined such that, for example, L1>L2. A pressing member107, which is electroconductive, is disposed on the inner side of the side panel106(that faces a side panel165of the extension board108). The pressing member107is a part of the side panel106, and a plate spring made of a metal, for example, is used as the pressing member107.

The image processing device100is configured such that, when the connector164is connected to the second connector116and the extension board108is electrically connected to the interconnection board110and the connectors136and138are connected to the first connectors112and114and the image processing board104is electrically connected to the interconnection board110, the side panel106(including the pressing member107) contacts the side panel165of the extension board108. The extension board108is configured such that the position of the connector166is determined when the image processing board104is connected to the interconnection board110.

Next, the operation of the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

As illustrated inFIG. 5B, in the image processing device100, the extension board108is disposed in a vacant region (space) surrounded by the image processing board104, the first upgrade board154, the interconnection board110, and the side panel106(seeFIG. 5A). Therefore, an additional space for disposing the extension board108is not necessary, so that an increase in the size of the image processing device100is suppressed.

As illustrated inFIG. 8A, with the image processing device100, when connecting the image processing board104to the interconnection board110(seeFIG. 5B), a user pushes the image processing board104in the direction of arrow Z while gripping the handle200with one hand. At this time, the contact portion210of the handle200contacts the side wall216A of the recess216before the connectors136and138of the image processing board104are connected to the first connectors112and114(seeFIG. 9A) of the interconnection board110.

Next, as illustrated inFIG. 8B, when the user further pushes the image processing board104in the direction of arrow Z, the handle200rotates in the direction of arrow −R around the support shaft208. Then, the contact portion210contacts the side wall216B at a contact portion that serves as the point of application of leverage, and the support shaft208serves as the fulcrum of the leverage. Therefore, even if the handle200is moved in small range, a force is generated so as to push the image processing board104in the direction of arrow Z. Thus, inFIG. 9A, the first connectors112and114are connected to the connectors136and138while preventing poor connection.

Moreover, as illustrated inFIG. 9B, the image processing device100is configured such that the extension board108is first inserted into the housing102and then the image processing board104is inserted into the housing102. When the image processing board104is inserted in the direction of arrow Z, the side panel106contacts the side panel165of the extension board108with the pressing member107therebetween and thereby urges the extension board108in the direction of arrow Z. That is, for example, when the side panel106is pushed in the direction of arrow Z with a force F1, the side panel165is urged with a force F2have a magnitude that corresponds to the force F1, and an urging force F3is applied to the connectors136and138and an urging force F4is applied to the connector164. As a result, the connector164is connected to the second connector116while preventing poor connection.

Thus, poor connection is prevented in the image processing device100, and in the image forming apparatus10illustrated inFIG. 1, the image forming unit50forms an image on the basis of image information sent from the document reading section16.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above.

One of the first upgrade board154and the second upgrade board152may be omitted. In this case, the extension board108may be disposed in a space that formed by one of upgrade boards that is provided and the image processing board104. The pressing member107may not be provided on the side panel106, and the side panel106may directly contact the side panel165. The connectors need not be disposed so as to be oriented horizontally, and may be disposed so as to be oriented vertically.

The side panel106and the handle200may be covered with a back cover so as to be concealed after the image processing board104and the extension board108have been connected to the interconnection board110. The image forming unit50need not be an electophotographic image forming unit, and may be an inkjet image forming unit.