Abstract:
An image forming apparatus is provided that includes a first casing disposed on a first side in a first direction, and a second casing disposed on a second side in the first direction, the second casing containing an image reading unit, a driver driving the image reading unit, and a driver compartment configured to accommodate the driver and disposed at an end portion of the second casing on a third side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first casing containing an image forming unit, a control board electrically connected with the driver and the image reading unit and configured to control the image reading unit, and a board compartment configured to accommodate at least a part of the control board and disposed at an end portion of the first casing on a fourth side opposite to the third side in the second direction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-263108 filed on Nov. 30, 2012. The entire subject matter of the application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The following description relates to one or more techniques for downsizing an image forming apparatus having an image reading unit configured to read an image on a document sheet. 
     2. Related Art 
     An image forming apparatus has been known that includes an image reading unit configured to read an image on a document sheet and an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording sheet. 
     For instance, an image forming apparatus has been proposed that has an image reading unit disposed above an image forming unit, and a gear mechanism disposed to protrude downward relative to an upper end face of a document table behind the image forming unit. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, the proposed image forming apparatus includes a control board configured to control operations of the image reading unit. 
     Therefore, the proposed image forming apparatus needs a space for accommodating the control board, and thus might inevitably have to be of a large size. 
     Additionally, in general, it is considered that a configuration (element) for driving an image reading unit and a configuration (element) for controlling an image reading unit need to be disposed close to each other. Accordingly, in the proposed image forming apparatus as well, it may be considered that the gear mechanism and the control board need to be disposed such that one of them is stacked on the other in a vertical direction. 
     However, when the gear mechanism and the control board are disposed such that one of them is stacked on the other in the vertical direction, it might result in a larger size of the image forming apparatus. 
     Aspects of the present invention are advantageous to present one or more improved techniques that make it possible to downsize an image forming apparatus having an image reading unit configured to read an image on a document sheet. 
     According to aspects of the present invention, an image forming apparatus is provided, which includes a first casing disposed on a first side in a first direction, and a second casing disposed on a second side opposite to the first side in the first direction, the second casing containing an image reading unit configured to read an image on a document sheet, a driver configured to drive the image reading unit, and a driver compartment configured to accommodate the driver, the driver compartment disposed at a third-side end portion of the second casing that is on a third side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first casing containing an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording sheet, a control board electrically connected with the driver and the image reading unit and configured to control the image reading unit, and a board compartment configured to accommodate at least a part of the control board, the board compartment disposed at a fourth-side end portion of the first casing that is on a fourth side opposite to the third side in the second direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional side view showing a configuration of a printer in an embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the printer (in a state where a right side cover is removed therefrom) from a right front side in the embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a right side view of the printer in the state where the right side cover is removed therefrom in the embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a main body casing of the printer in a state where a fuser cover is removed from the main body casing in the embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the main body casing taken along an A-A line shown in  FIG. 4  in the embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description. It is noted that these connections in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment according to aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     1. Overall Configuration of Printer 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a printer  1  of an embodiment according to aspects of the present invention is a multi-function peripheral provided integrally with an image forming unit  3  held in a main body casing  2  and an image reading unit  5  held in a scanner frame  4 . 
     It is noted that, in the following descriptions, each direction of the printer  1  is defined as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which a vertical direction of the printer  1  is defined in a state where the printer  1  is horizontally installed. 
     The image forming unit  3  includes a process unit  6 , an exposure unit  7 , and a fuser unit  8 , and is configured to form an image on a sheet P. 
     The process unit  6  is disposed substantially in a middle of the main body casing  2  in the vertical direction. The process unit  6  includes a drum unit  9  and a development unit  10 . 
     The drum unit  9  includes a photoconductive drum  11 , a transfer roller  12 , and a scorotron-type charger  13 . 
     The photoconductive drum  11  is formed substantially in a cylindrical shape extending in a left-to-right direction, and is rotatably provided at a rear portion of the drum unit  9 . 
     The transfer roller  12  is rotatably provided behind the photoconductive drum  11 . The transfer roller  12  is pressed against and in contact with the photoconductive drum  11  from behind. 
     The scorotron-type charger  13  is disposed above the photoconductive drum  11  so as to face the photoconductive drum  11  across a distance. 
     The development unit  10  includes a development roller  14 , a supply roller  15 , and a layer thickness regulating blade  16 . 
     The development roller  14  is rotatably provided at a rear end portion of the development unit  10 . Further, the development roller  14  is configured to contact the photoconductive drum  11  from a lower front side of the photoconductive drum  11  (the development roller  14  is configured to contact a lower front portion of the photoconductive drum  11 ). 
     The supply roller  15  is rotatably provided at a lower front side of the development roller  14 . In addition, the supply roller  15  is configured to contact the development roller  14  from the lower front side of the development roller  14  (the supply roller  15  is configured to contact a lower front portion of the development roller  14 ). 
     The layer thickness regulating blade  16  is disposed at an upper front side of the development roller  14 . The layer thickness regulating blade  16  is configured to contact the development roller  14  from a front side of the development roller  14  (the layer thickness regulating blade  16  is configured to contact a front portion of the development roller  14 ). 
     A space in front of the supply roller  15  and the layer thickness regulating blade  16  is configured to store toner. 
     The exposure unit  7  is disposed at a front side of the process unit  6 , substantially in a middle of the main body casing  2  in the vertical direction. The exposure unit  7  is configured to emit a laser beam L to the photoconductive drum  11  on the basis of image data and expose an outer circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum  11 . 
     The fuser unit  8  is disposed above the process unit  6 , at an upper rear end portion of the main body casing  2 . The fuser unit  8  includes a heating roller  17  and a pressing roller  18  that is pressed against and in contact with the heating roller  17  from an upper rear side of the heating roller  17 . 
     When a print job is input to the printer  1 , and an image forming operation is started, the toner in the development unit  10  is charged due to friction between the supply roller  15  and the development roller  14 , and then carried on a surface of the development roller  14  as a thin layer having an even thickness regulated by the layer thickness regulating blade  16 . 
     On the other hand, the surface of the photoconductive drum  11  is evenly charged by the scorotron-type charger  13 , and thereafter exposed by the exposure unit  7 . Thereby, on the surface of the photoconductive drum  11 , formed is an electrostatic latent image based on the image data. Then, when the toner carried on the development roller  14  is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductive drum  11 , a toner image is carried on the surface of the photoconductive drum  11 . 
     Sheets P placed on a sheet holder  19 , which is disposed at a bottom portion of the main body casing  2 , are fed between the photoconductive drum  11  and the transfer roller  12  on a sheet-by-sheet basis at predetermined timing in response to rotations of various rollers. Then, the toner image is transferred onto a sheet P when the sheet P passes between the photoconductive drum  11  and the transfer roller  12 , and consequently, the image is formed on the sheet. 
     Subsequently, the sheet P is heated and pressed when passing between the heating roller  17  and the pressing roller  18 . At this time, the image is thermally fixed onto the sheet P. Afterward, the sheet P is ejected onto a catch tray provided on an upper wall of the main body casing  2 . 
     Thus, the sheet P is conveyed from the sheet holder  19  to the catch tray  20  in the image forming operation by the printer  1 , through a conveyance path (indicated by an alternate long and short dash line in  FIG. 1 ) that is formed substantially in a C-shape when viewed in the left-to-right direction. 
     The image reading unit  5  is disposed above the catch tray  20  with a distance therebetween. The image reading unit  5  is a flatbed scanner employing a contact image sensor (CIS) as a reading sensor. The image reading unit  5  includes a document cover  21  and a reading window  22  that includes a glass plate. The image reading unit  5  is configured to read out image information of a document sheet placed between the reading window  22  and the document cover  21  by moving the reading sensor (not shown) relative the document sheet. It is noted that the printer  1  is configured to perform an image forming operation as described above, based on the image information read out from the document sheet by the image reading unit  5 . 
     2. Details about Main Body Casing 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the main body casing  2  includes two first supporting frames (a left first supporting frame and a right first supporting frame)  31 , a fuser cover  30 , a second supporting frame  32 , and two side covers (a left side cover and a right side cover)  33 . In the following descriptions, a detailed explanation will be provided about a configuration of the right first supporting frame  31 , but an explanation may be omitted about a configuration of the left first supporting frame  31 . 
     The two first supporting frames  31  are disposed to face each other across a distance in the left-to-right direction. The process unit  6 , the exposure unit  6 , and the fuser unit  8  are supported between the two first supporting frames  31 . Namely, the aforementioned conveyance path of the sheet P is formed between the two first supporting frames  31 . Each first supporting frame  31  is formed substantially in a rectangular frame shape when viewed in the left-to-right direction. Further, the right first supporting frame  31  supports a low-voltage power supply board  34 , a high-voltage power supply board  36 , and a main control board  35 . Moreover, the left first supporting frame  31  supports a motor (not shown) and a gear train (not shown) for driving the image forming unit  3 . 
     The low-voltage power supply board  34  is supported by a lower half portion of the (right) first supporting frame  31 . The low-voltage power supply board  34  is configured to convert an alternating current input to the printer  1  from an external power supply into a direct current. The low-voltage power supply board  34  is covered with a metal cover plate  37 . 
     The high-voltage power supply board  36  is disposed above the low-voltage power supply board  34  and supported by the (right) first supporting frame  31 . The high-voltage power supply board  36  is formed in a shape of a rectangular flat plate extending in the front-to-rear direction, when viewed in the left-to-right direction. The high-voltage power supply board  36  is electrically connected with the low-voltage power supply board  34 . The high-voltage power supply board  36  includes an electric transformer (not shown). The high-voltage power supply board  36  is configured to change a direct current received from the low-voltage power supply board  34  into a predetermined voltage, and supply the predetermined voltage to the scorotron-type charger  13 , the transfer roller  12 , the development roller  14 , and the supply roller  15 . 
     The main control board  35  is disposed on a left side of a rear end portion of the high-voltage power supply board  36  with a distance between the main control board  35  and the high-voltage power supply board  36 . The main control board  35  is formed in a shape of a rectangular flat plate extending in the front-to-rear direction, when viewed in the left-to-right direction. A front half  35 A of the main control board  35  is supported by an upper end portion of the (right) first supporting frame  31 , and a rear half  35 B of the main control board  35  is supported by an upper end portion of the second supporting frame  32 . A lower end portion of the front half  35 A of the main control board  35  and an upper end portion of the high-voltage power supply board  36  overlap each other when projected in the left-to-right direction. The main control board  35  is electrically connected with the low-voltage power supply board  34 . Further, the main control board  35  is connected with the high-voltage power supply board  36  via a signal wire  38 . In addition, the main control board  35  is configured to control an operation of the image reading unit  5  by controlling and driving a below-mentioned motor  55 . 
     The fuser cover  30  is disposed between the upper end portions of the two first supporting frames  31 , so as to cover the fuser unit  8 . The fuser cover  30  is formed substantially in a flat plate shape extending in the left-to-right direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 , and  5 , the second supporting frame  32  is disposed behind the process unit  6  and the fuser unit  8 . The second supporting frame  32  is formed substantially in a U-shape of which a lower side is open, in a cross-sectional rear (front) view. The second supporting frame  32  includes two side walls (a left-side wall and a right-side wall)  39 , a front wall  45 , an upper wall  40 , and a rear wall  46 . 
     The two side walls  39  are disposed to face each other across a distance in the left-to-right direction. In the following descriptions, the left-side one of the side walls  39  will be referred to as the “left wall  39 L,” and the right-side one will be referred to as the “right wall  39 R.” 
     The right wall  39 R is formed substantially in a bottomed rectangular frame shape that extends vertically and has a right end closed, in a side view (when viewed along the left-to-right direction). The right wall  39 R is provided with a board compartment  41 . Further, in an upper end portion of the right wall  39 R, the rear half  35 B of the main control board  35  is supported. 
     The board compartment  41  extends upward continuously from the upper end portion of the right wall  39 R. The board compartment  41  is formed substantially in a rectangular frame shape of which a right end, a front end, and a lower end are open. The upper end portion of the board compartment  41  is disposed to overlap the upper end portion of the right first supporting frame  31  when projected in the front-to-rear direction. Further, inside the board compartment  41 , the rear half  35 B of the main control board  35  is supported. 
     The left wall  39 L is formed substantially in a bottomed rectangular frame shape that extends vertically and has a left end closed, in a side view (when viewed along the left-to-right direction). The left wall  39 L is provided with a driver-side facing portion  42 . 
     The driver-side facing portion  42  is an upper wall of the left wall  39 L formed substantially in a flat plate shape extending in the left-to-right direction. An upper face  42 A of the driver-side facing portion  42  is disposed lower than an upper face  41 A of the board compartment  41 . Further, the upper face  42 A of the driver-side facing portion  42  is disposed lower than an upper end portion of the main control board  35 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the front wall  45  is provided to bridge a distance between front end portions of the two side walls  39 . The front wall  45  is formed substantially in a flat plate shape extending vertically. 
     The upper wall  40  is provided to bridge a distance between upper end portions of the two side walls  39 . The upper wall  40  is formed substantially in a flat plate shape extending in the left-to-right direction. A left end portion of the upper wall  40  is formed to be continuous with a right end portion of the driver-side facing portion  42 . Additionally, a right end portion of the upper wall  40  is formed to be continuous with a left face of the right wall  39 R, below the board compartment  41 . 
     The rear wall  46  extends upward continuously from a rear end portion of the upper wall  40 , and is formed substantially in a flat plate shape extending in the left-to-right direction. Further, the rear wall  46  includes a plurality of slits  47  formed therein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in a middle portion of the rear wall  46  in the left-to-right direction, the slits  47  are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction at intervals of a distance, and are aligned along the left-to-right direction at intervals of a distance. Each slit  47  is configured to penetrate the rear wall  46 , and is formed substantially in a straight line shape extending in the left-to-right direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each of the two side covers  33  is configured to cover, from outside in the left-to-right direction, a corresponding one of the first supporting frames  31  and the second supporting frame  32 . Each side cover  33  is formed substantially in a flat plate shape extending in the front-to-rear direction and the vertical direction. 
     3. Details about Scanner Frame 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the scanner frame  4  is disposed to face the main body casing  2 , above the main body casing  2 . The scanner frame  4  includes a frame main body  51  and the aforementioned document cover  21 . 
     The frame main body  51  is configured to form a lower half of the scanner frame  4 , and is formed substantially in a box shape flattened in the vertical direction. The frame main body  51  includes an opening  58  formed in an upper wall thereof. The opening  58  is closed by the reading window  22 . Further, the frame main body  51  includes a motor compartment  52 , a wire compartment  53 , and two legs (left and right legs)  54 . The frame main body  51  is configured to support the motor  55 . 
     The motor compartment  52  protrudes downward from a left rear end portion of a lower wall  57  of the frame main body  51 , and is formed substantially in a rectangular tube shape of which lower end is closed. 
     The wire compartment  53  is disposed at a rear end portion of the lower wall  57  of the frame main body  51 . The wire compartment  53  extends rightward from a right end portion of the motor compartment  52 , and is formed substantially in a rectangular tube shape of which a right end is closed. A left end portion of the wire compartment  53  is configured to communicate with the motor compartment  52  (open into the motor compartment  52 ). In addition, the wire compartment  53  includes a wire-exposed portion  59 . 
     The wire-exposed portion  59  extends downward from a right end portion of the wire compartment  53 , and is formed substantially in a rectangular tube shape of which a lower end is open. The wire-exposed portion  59  has an upper end configured to communicate with the wire compartment  53  (open into the wire compartment  53 ). The wire-exposed portion  59  is disposed behind the main control board  35 , so as not to overlap the main control board  35  when projected in the vertical direction in a situation where the scanner frame  4  is located in a “closest position” closest to the main body casing  2 . Thereby, it is possible to prevent a wire  56  from being pinched and damaged between the wire-exposed portion  59  and the main control board  35  when the scanner frame  4  is swung to the closest position from a “separated position” separated away from the main body casing  2 . Further, in the situation where the scanner frame  4  is located in the closest position, a lower end portion of the wire-exposed portion  59  is disposed lower than the upper end portion of the main control board  35 . Thereby, it is possible to downsize the printer  1 . 
     The two legs  54  are disposed at a left front end and a right front end portion of the lower wall  57  of the frame main body  51 , respectively. Each leg  54  is formed substantially in a rectangular pillar shape protruding downward from the lower wall  57 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the motor  55  is disposed in the motor compartment  52 , and is formed substantially in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. A lower end portion of the motor  55  is disposed lower than a lower end portion of the wire compartment  53 . The motor  55  is connected with a reading sensor (not shown) so as to transmit a driving force to the reading sensor and horizontally move the reading sensor under the reading window  22 . Further, the motor  55  is electrically connected with the rear half  35 B of the main control board  35  via the wire  56 . 
     The wire  56  is laid to extend in the left-to-right direction inside the wire compartment  53 . A left end portion of the wire  56  is electrically connected with a rear end portion of the motor  55 . A right end portion of the wire  56  is exposed downward from the wire compartment  53  through the wire-exposed portion  59 , and is electrically connected with the rear half  35 B of the main control board  35 . 
     The document cover  21  is configured to form an upper half of the scanner frame  4 , and is formed substantially in a box shape flattened in the vertical direction. The document cover  21  is swingably supported by a lower end portion of the frame main body  51 . 
     A rear end portion of the scanner frame  4  is swingably supported by a rear end portion of the second supporting frame  32 . The scanner frame  4  is configured to swing between the closest position (see  FIG. 1 ) where a front end thereof is closest to an upper side of the catch tray  20  and the separated position (see  FIG. 2 ) where the front end thereof is separated upward farther away from the upper side of the catch tray  20  than when the scanner frame  4  is in the closest position. When the scanner frame  4  is in the closest position, the reading window  22  is placed substantially in a horizontal manner. When the scanner frame  4  is in the separated position, the reading window  22  is placed inclined. 
     4. Relative Positional Relationship between Main Body Casing and Scanner Frame 
     When the scanner frame  4  is in the closest position, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the motor compartment  52  is disposed to face the driver-side facing portion  42 , above the driver-side facing portion  42 . Namely, the motor  55  is disposed on a left rear side of the fuser cover  30 , so as not to overlap the conveyance path of the sheet P when projected in the vertical direction. Further, on a left side of the wire-exposed portion  59 , a right end portion of the wire compartment  53  is disposed to face the board compartment  41 , above the board compartment. Namely, a part, on the left side of the wire-exposed portion  59 , of the right end portion of the wire compartment  53  is a board-side facing portion  60 . 
     At this time, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a lower end portion of the motor compartment  52  is disposed lower than the upper end portion of the main control board  35 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a left part of the wire compartment  53  relative to the board-side facing portion  60  is disposed to face the upper wall  40  across a distance, above the upper wall  40 . In addition, the lower wall  57  of the frame main body  51  is disposed to face the fuser cover  30  across a distance, above the fuser cover  30 . Namely, the main body casing  2  and the scanner frame  4  are disposed to face each other across a distance in the vertical direction in a position where the main body casing  2  and the scanner frame  4  overlap the fuser unit  8  in the vertical direction. The two legs  54  are configured to contact a front end portion of the main body casing  2  in respective their positions outside the catch tray  20  in the left-to-right direction. 
     In the aforementioned image forming operation, as indicated by a virtual line (an alternate long and two short dashes line) in  FIG. 1 , air heated by heat from the fuser unit  8  flows out to a front side of the printer  1  through a space between the lower wall  57  of the frame main body  51  and the catch tray  20 , and concurrently flows out to a rear side of the printer  1  through the slits  47  of the rear wall  46  of the second supporting frame  32  after passing between the upper wall  40  of the second supporting frame  32  and the wire compartment  53 . 
     5. Operations and Advantageous Effects 
     According to the printer  1  of the embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the motor compartment  52  for accommodating the motor  55  is disposed at a left rear end portion of the frame main body  51 . Further, the board compartment  41  for accommodating the rear half  35 B of the main control board  35  is disposed at the upper end portion of the right wall  39 R of the second supporting frame  32 . 
     Therefore, it is possible to dispose the motor compartment  52  in a space above the left wall  39 L of the second supporting frame  32 , and to dispose the board compartment  41  in a space under a right end portion of the frame main body  51 . 
     Thereby, it is possible to dispose the motor compartment  52  in a more spatially-efficient manner and the board compartment  41  than when both the motor compartment  52  and the board compartment  41  are provided at a single side of the printer  1 . Consequently, it is possible to downsize the printer  1  including the image reading unit  5  for reading an image of a document sheet. 
     Further, according to the printer  1  of the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the upper face  41 A of the board compartment  41  is disposed higher than the upper face  42 A of the driver-side facing portion  42 . 
     Therefore, it is possible to spatially efficiently dispose the motor compartment  52  in a space above the driver-side facing portion  42 . 
     Further, according to the printer  1  of the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the upper end portion of the main control board  35  is disposed higher than the upper face  42 A of the driver-side facing portion  42 . 
     Therefore, it is possible to secure a space corresponding to a length of a protruding part of the main control board  32  in the vertical direction, above the driver-side facing portion  42 . Consequently, it is possible to dispose the motor compartment  52  in a spatially-efficient manner. 
     Further, according to the printer  1  of the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the lower end portion of the motor compartment  52  is disposed lower than the upper end portion of the main control board  35 . 
     Namely, the motor compartment  52  and the rear half  35 B of the main control board  35  are disposed to overlap each other when viewed along the left-to-right direction. 
     Thereby, it is possible to reduce a vertical length of the printer  1  and downsize the printer  1  in comparison with a configuration in which the motor compartment  52  is disposed above the main control board  35 . 
     Further, according to the printer  1  of the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the lower end portion of the motor  55  is disposed lower than the lower end portion of the board-side facing portion  60 . 
     Therefore, it is possible to spatially efficiently dispose the board compartment  41  in a space below the board-side facing portion  60 . 
     Additionally, it is possible to secure a space corresponding to a length of a protruding part of the motor  55  in the vertical direction, below the board-side facing portion  60 . 
     Therefore, it is possible to dispose the board compartment  41  in a more spatially-efficient manner, and to further downsize the printer  1 . 
     Further, according to the printer  1  of the embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the motor  55  is disposed on the left rear side of the image forming unit  3 , so as not to overlap the conveyance path of the sheet P when projected in the vertical direction. 
     Therefore, the motor  55  is allowed to be disposed in a lower position without interfering with the conveyance path of the sheet P. 
     Further, according to the printer  1  of the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the fuser cover  30  and the lower wall  57  of the frame main body  51  are disposed to face each other across a distance in the vertical direction. 
     Therefore, it is possible to discharge the heat generated by the fuser unit  8  out of the printer  1  through a space between the lower wall  57  of the frame main body  51  and the fuser cover  30 . 
     Further, according to the printer  1  of the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the motor  55  is disposed on the left rear side of the fuser unit  8 . 
     Therefore, it is possible to dispose the motor  55  in a left-side space of the fuser unit  8 . Consequently, it is possible to dispose the motor  55  in a more spatially-efficient manner and further downsize the printer  1 . 
     Hereinabove, the embodiment according to aspects of the present invention have been described. The present invention can be practiced by employing conventional materials, methodology and equipment. Accordingly, the details of such materials, equipment and methodology are not set forth herein in detail. In the previous descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific materials, structures, chemicals, processes, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it should be recognized that the present invention can be practiced without reapportioning to the details specifically set forth. In other instances, well known processing structures have not been described in detail, in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
     An only exemplary embodiment of the present invention and but a few examples of their versatility are shown and described in the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the present invention is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein. For example, the following modifications are possible. It is noted that, in the following modifications, explanations of the same configurations as exemplified in the aforementioned embodiments will be omitted. 
     5. Modifications 
     In the aforementioned embodiment, the motor  55  is configured to drive the reading sensor (not shown) of the image reading unit  5 . In this respect, the motor  55  may be configured to drive other elements as well as the reading sensor. For instance, when the document cover  21  includes an automatic document feeder (not shown), the motor  55  may be configured to drive the automatic document feeder. 
     In the aforementioned embodiment, the image reading unit  5  employs a contact image sensor (CIS) as a reading sensor. However, the image reading unit  5  may employ a charge-coupled device (CCD) as a reading sensor.