Patent ID: 12222670

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a description will be given, with reference to the drawings, of embodiments (examples) of the present invention. However, the sizes, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of constituents described in the embodiments may be appropriately changed according to the configurations, various conditions, or the like of apparatuses to which the invention is applied. Therefore, the sizes, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of the constituents described in the embodiments do not intend to limit the scope of the invention to the following embodiments.

First Embodiment

This embodiment describes a case where the invention is applied to a monochrome laser printer that can form monochrome images using an electrophotographic system. The present invention is applicable not only to this example but also to other copiers that use an electrostatic recording system or an inkjet recording system, color copiers with a tandem recording system, or printers.

In the following description, directions are defined in relation to the user who uses the image forming apparatus100. Namely, the front side or near side, the back side or far side, the upper side or top side, and the lower side or bottom side of the image forming apparatus100as viewed from the user facing the apparatus and using it shall be referred to as “front,” “rear,” “upper,” and “lower,” respectively. The left side and right side of the image forming apparatus100as viewed from the front thereof shall be referred to as “left” and “right,” respectively.

1. Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus100

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus100is described.FIG.1is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of the image forming apparatus100that uses an electrophotographic recording technique according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the left. The image forming apparatus100includes an image forming portion60and a fixing portion70supported by a metal frame20, and forms monochrome images. The frame20will be described in detail later. The image forming apparatus100also includes a drive unit9that has a motor9afor driving moving components such as rollers.

The image forming portion60includes a photosensitive drum62serving as an image bearing member, a charging roller63, a developing roller64, and a toner container65. The image forming portion may be configured as a process cartridge to be removably mountable to the apparatus as a whole. Upon receiving image information, an image forming operation is started wherein the photosensitive drum62is rotated. First, the charging roller63charges the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum62uniformly. This charged surface is then exposed by being irradiated with a laser beam from a laser scanner5in accordance with the image information, and thus an electrostatic latent image is formed. This latent image is developed by the developing roller64, whereby a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum surface. Sheet-like recording material P stored in a feeder cassette51in a lower part of the image forming apparatus100before image formation is separately fed one each from the feeder cassette51by a feeding roller52and a separation portion53to a pair of resist rollers54. The pair of resist rollers54roll out the recording material P fed thereto toward a transfer nip portion between a transfer roller55and the photosensitive drum62. A high voltage power supply portion83of an electrical unit8applies a bias to the transfer roller55via metal wire84when the recording material P passes through the transfer nip portion. This causes the monochrome toner image to be transferred from the surface of the photosensitive drum62onto the recording material P passing through the transfer nip portion in the image forming portion60.

The recording material P carrying the toner image is transported to the fixing portion (image heating portion)70. The fixing portion70includes a heating unit71having a heater set inside a flexible tubular film, a pressing roller72provided opposite the heating unit71, and a fixing frame73made up of a plurality of frames. The fixing frame73includes a left sheet metal piece73a, a right sheet metal piece73b, and a backside sheet metal piece. Heat and pressure are applied to the recording material P transported to a fixing nip portion formed by the heating unit71and the pressing roller72, whereby the toner image carried thereon is fixed to the recording material P. In the case with single-sided printing, the recording material P is then discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus100(in the direction of arrow R1inFIG.1) by a discharge/reverse roller74. The path followed by the recording material at this time shall be referred to as a single-side transfer path R1.

In the case with double-sided printing, the discharge/reverse roller74causes the distal end of the recording material P to come out of the discharge port75, and after the rear end of the recording material P has passed the fixing nip portion of the fixing portion70, the discharge/reverse roller74rotates reversely, with the recording material P being held in a discharge nip portion formed by the discharge/reverse roller74. The recording material P is transported in the opposite direction from the discharge direction by the reversely rotating discharge/reverse roller74, following a double-side transfer path R2formed by a double-side transfer guide provided to a backside door and a guide provided to the image forming portion60. After that, the recording material P is transported again to the image forming portion60, where transfer and fixing take place similarly to the process of single-sided printing on the opposite side from the printed side, after which the recording material P is discharged.

In this embodiment, in order to configure the apparatus to be operated by the user from the front, the recording material P is discharged from the discharge port75provided at the back of the apparatus onto a paper receiving portion19aof a paper receiving tray19provided at the front of the apparatus. Namely, the discharge direction of recording material coincides with the front and back direction of the apparatus in this embodiment, the downstream and upstream of the discharge direction respectively corresponding to the front and rear. The image forming apparatus100of this embodiment is configured to allow the user who operates the apparatus from the front to readily collect the recording material P, since the recording material P is discharged from the discharge port75at the back of the apparatus and piled up on the paper receiving portion19alocated at the front of the apparatus and lower than the discharge port75.

2. Outer Appearance of Image Forming Apparatus100

Next, the components that make up the outer appearance of the image forming apparatus100are described.FIG.2Ais a perspective view of the image forming apparatus100according to this embodiment viewed from the front of the apparatus, andFIG.2Bis a perspective view of the image forming apparatus100according to this embodiment viewed from the back of the apparatus. The image forming apparatus100is covered by a cover10composed of a plurality of resin members. In this embodiment, the cover10serving as the housing is formed by an upper cover (top cover)11, a left cover (side cover)13, a right cover14, a front cover12, a cassette cover16, a backside door17, an inner cover18, and the paper receiving tray19. The upper cover11covers at least part of the top of the apparatus. Printed recording material passes through the discharge port75that is covered by an inner front wall11aof the upper cover11and an upright wall18aof the inner cover18, and piles up on the paper receiving portion19aof the paper receiving tray19. The upper cover11is located above the inner cover18, the inner front wall11aand the upright wall18abeing disposed continuously in the up and down direction (vertical direction). On both sides in the left and right direction of the paper receiving portion19astand inner side walls11bof the upper cover11and side walls18bof the inner cover18.

The cassette cover16located on the front side of the image forming apparatus100is provided with an operation instruction portion3, which is an operation portion, on the upper surface16athereof, including buttons3afor the user to input printer operation instructions and a monitor3bthat displays the operating status of the apparatus.

The front cover12is provided with a disposables-related display12a, which is a display screen visibly indicating predetermined information on conditions of disposables. The disposables-related display12ais located near the upper end of the front cover12more to the left than the paper receiving tray19for the user to see the display with good visibility.

In this embodiment, the operation instruction portion3and disposables-related display12aare provided on the front side of the apparatus for the configuration of the apparatus that allows the user to operate the apparatus from the front. Namely, displayed letters or characters and buttons are arranged on the precondition that the user operates the operation instruction portion3from the front of the apparatus. The front of the apparatus is covered by the front cover12and cassette cover16.

The left cover13covers the left side of the image forming apparatus100, and includes, at the back of the apparatus, an external connector portion13athat allows connection of external communication lines such as USB or wireless LAN, and an inlet portion90, or a power supply connector portion, for allowing power supply from outside. While the external connector portion13aof this embodiment includes a USB connector and a LAN connector, it may have other types of connectors. The right cover14covers the right side of the image forming apparatus100.

The backside door17is supported such that it can be opened and closed relative to the image forming apparatus100, to allow clearance of jammed paper. The apparatus may be configured to allow replacement of disposable units or replenishment of disposables through the backside door17. The cover10may be made up of more components, or may be an integrally formed one-piece component.

3. Opening and Closing of Cover10

Next, the paper receiving tray19of the cover10and the cassette cover16, which can both be opened and closed, are described.FIG.3Ais a perspective view of the image forming apparatus100according to the first embodiment, with the paper receiving tray19and cassette cover16being in the open position, as viewed from the front of the apparatus.FIG.3Bis a front view of the image forming apparatus100according to the first embodiment, with the paper receiving tray19and cassette cover16being in the open position, as viewed from the front of the apparatus.

The paper receiving tray19is supported such that it can be opened and closed relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus, so that the user can open the paper receiving tray19to feed disposables such as toner from a feed port18cprovided to the inner cover18. The inner cover18has the feed port18clocated more to the left, closer to the disposables-related display12adescribed above. Namely, the disposables-related display12aand the feed port18care positioned close to each other to make it easier for the user to feed disposables into the feed port18cwhile checking the disposables-related display12a. While the inner cover18in this embodiment is fixed to the image forming apparatus100, the inner cover18may be configured such that it can be opened and closed, so that disposables such as a toner cartridge can be replaced, with the paper receiving tray19and inner cover18being both opened.

The cassette cover16is supported such that it can be opened and closed relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus, to allow replenishment or replacement of the recording material P. The feeder cassette51is supported such that it can be inserted into and extracted from the main body of the image forming apparatus. For replacement or replenishment of the recording material P, the user can also pull out the feeder cassette51from the image forming apparatus100separately from the cassette cover16. In this embodiment, in order to configure the apparatus to be operated by the user from the front of the apparatus, the feeder cassette51is designed such that it can be pulled out to the front of the apparatus. Namely, the direction in which the feeder cassette51is inserted and extracted coincides with the front and back direction of the apparatus in this embodiment, the downstream in the pulling-out direction of the feeder cassette51corresponding to the front of the apparatus.

Printing instructions can be given to the image forming apparatus without the use of the operation instruction portion3, via communication through cables at the back, or wireless communication. Therefore, printing is possible even when the cassette cover16, with the operation instruction portion3being installed on the upper surface16athereof, being open so that the operation instruction portion3is not readily visible for the user. The disposables-related display12a, as shown inFIG.3B, is located such that when the cassette cover16is opened, the cassette cover does not overlap the display, as viewed from the front. This layout makes it possible to prompt the user to add or replace disposables with reference to the disposables-related display12a, when disposables are near exhaustion, for example, even when the user has been printing with the cassette cover16left open. Cassette covers are generally larger than an entire paper passing region. Therefore, the disposables-related display12amay be disposed on the front cover12outside of the paper passing region in the left and right direction to minimize overlapping. As regards the up and down direction, too, as shown inFIG.3B, the image forming apparatus100is configured such that the upper end of an open/close region, where the cassette cover16passes when opened and closed, is positioned lower than the disposables-related display12a. The open/close region can be set such as to avoid overlapping of the cassette cover16by making the maximum open angle of the cassette cover16smaller, or by making the length of the cassette cover16and the feeder cassette51in the front and back direction shorter.

4. Configuration of Frame20

Next, the frame20that supports the image forming portion60and fixing portion70, and its peripheral components are described.FIG.4Ais a perspective view illustrating the frame20according to this embodiment, andFIG.4Bis a left side view illustrating the frame20according to this embodiment.

Frame20

The frame20includes a left frame (first metal side plate)21and a right frame (second metal side plate)22that are a pair of upright side plates opposite each other. The frame20further includes a front frame23, a rear frame24, and a lower frame25disposed between the left frame21and the right frame22. The front frame23, rear frame24, and lower frame25extend in a direction orthogonal to the surfaces of the left frame21and right frame22and connect the left frame21and right frame22. These frames are fixed with screws or by welding or swaging, and also electrically connected to each other. The left frame21and right frame22extend horizontally along an extension direction coinciding with the front and back direction of the apparatus and opposite each other on both sides of the image forming portion where images are formed, and the discharge port75for discharging the recording material P to the outside. The recording material P is discharged from one end (rear end) toward the other end (front end) of the image forming apparatus along the extension direction of the left frame21.

The frame20further includes a lower left frame26and a lower right frame27. The lower left frame26is positioned lower than the left frame21and supports the left frame21at a plurality of support points26aand26b. The lower right frame27is positioned lower than the right frame22. The lower right frame supports the right frame22at a support point that is not shown, and supports the lower frame25at a support point27alocated more to the front than the right frame and its support point. The left frame21is provided with an opening21ein its main flat surface portion for cables and the like for electrical connection to extend through across the left frame21. The lower left frame26and lower right frame27protrude forward beyond other frame portions made of metal, to allow components that are preferably distanced from metal to be disposed more to the front, while maintaining the apparatus rigidity. In this embodiment, the upper end of the left frame21is positioned lower than the upper end of the right frame22.

Support Member28

The support member28is a structure fixed to the left frame21and providing the function of supporting various components such as a wireless communication substrate and housing, and the function of maintaining the rigidity of the image forming apparatus100. The support member28includes a front support portion28aand a rear support portion28bthat support the upper cover11, a substrate support portion28cthat supports a control substrate unit30to be described later, and a wire bundle holding portion28dthat holds bundled wires. The support member28further includes a display screen support portion28ethat supports the disposables-related display12a. The support member28also has a hook28fthat engages with the upper surface21aof the left frame21, and is fixed to the upper surface21aof the left frame21by the hook28fand a screw29. The left frame21has a front surface21band a rear surface21cextending along the up and down direction so that it has a square U-shaped cross section when viewed from above, and therefore has sufficient rigidity against the load in the up and down direction. Namely, when an external force is applied from above to the image forming apparatus, the left frame receives the force transmitted from the support member28particularly on the flat surface21dand the front surface21b, and thus can help maintain the rigidity in the up and down direction. The configuration of the support member28supporting the wireless communication substrate and housing, which is a characteristic feature of the present invention, will be described in more detail later.

The configurations of the frame and support member described herein should not be construed as limiting. Various changes can be made and the effects of the present invention can still be achieved. For example, the frame may be made up of more components, or may be an integrally formed one-piece component.

5. Internal Structure of Image Forming Apparatus100

Next, an internal structure of the image forming apparatus100is described.FIG.5is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus100according to this embodiment where the cover10is not shown.FIG.6is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus100according to this embodiment viewed from the left. The image forming apparatus100includes a control substrate unit30for operation control of the image forming apparatus100, and a wireless LAN module40, which is a wireless communication substrate that receives predetermined printing and setting instructions from external equipment via wireless LAN communication. The control substrate unit30and wireless LAN module40will be described in detail later.

Laser Scanner5

The laser scanner5for forming latent images is provided between the left frame21and the right frame22of the frame20. The laser scanner5according to this embodiment is positioned lower than the upper end of the right frame22and the wireless LAN module40. This positional relationship can reduce the influence of noise from the laser scanner5on wireless communication.

Drive Unit9

To the right frame22is attached the drive unit9with the motor9afor driving moving components such as rollers of the image forming apparatus100. The motor9ais disposed lower than the wireless LAN module40, on the opposite side from the wireless LAN module40across the right frame22. This positional relationship can reduce the influence of noise from the drive unit9, in particular the motor9a, on wireless communication.

Electrical Unit8

The electrical unit8, which has multiple functions such as voltage conversion and signal/electricity supply to various portions, is provided in the front of the image forming apparatus100closer to the front frame23than to the rear frame24in the front and back direction. The electrical unit8is primarily made up of a substrate81, a sheet metal substrate support82, and electrical devices and connectors that are not shown. The electrical unit8has control functions and voltage conversion functions. The circuits provided on the substrate can be roughly classified by voltage into a primary voltage portion81awith the same level of voltage as outside, a secondary high voltage portion81bwith a higher voltage than outside, and a secondary low voltage portion81cwith a lower voltage than outside. The substrate81is supported by the sheet metal substrate support82, a right support member86, and a left support member87. The sheet metal substrate support82is fixed to the lower frame25, the right support member86is fixed to the right frame22, and the left support member87is fixed to the left frame21. Thus the substrate81can be disposed at a certain distance from the front frame23, left frame21, and right frame22that are made of metal, so that accidental leaks can be prevented.

The electrical unit8receives electricity supplied from outside as primary voltage via the inlet portion90and cable91, which is converted inside the electrical unit into a secondary low voltage current and a secondary high voltage current. The primary voltage current and secondary voltage current are then supplied to various parts in the image forming apparatus100to execute various control activities.

The electrical connection between the electrical unit8and various portions is described in more specific terms. The primary voltage portion81aand the heating portion of the fixing portion70are connected via a primary power supply, a cable76, and a connector77provided to the fixing unit, to supply electricity for the fixing and heating. The primary voltage portion81aand connector77are provided on the left side in the left and right direction of the main body. Since they are located close to each other, the cable91and cable76can be made as short as possible even though the electrical unit8is disposed more forward than the frame20, which leads to a lower cost, less noise, and better wireless communication performance. The cable76is supported by the support member28that is made of resin, while the cable91is supported by the lower left frame26that is made of resin. Since they are both kept at a certain distance from the left frame21that is made of metal, accidental leaks can be prevented.

The secondary low voltage portion81cis connected to the laser scanner5by a cable5a, and to the control substrate unit30by a flexible flat cable (hereinafter, FFC)34that passes through the opening21ein the left frame21. The secondary low voltage portion81cis connected to other sensors (not shown) by an FFC93and a cable (not shown) that pass through the opening21ein the left frame21. The secondary low voltage portion81cis further connected to a sensor portion (not shown) of the fixing unit by an FFC (not shown). The motor9aof the drive unit9and other sensors are connected to cables (not shown). The secondary low voltage portion81cis disposed opposite the laser scanner5and motor9aso that the cable5aand motor cable (not shown) can be made as short as possible. This configuration can contribute to reduce the costs of the image forming apparatus, lower the noise, and improve the wireless communication performance.

The secondary high voltage portion81bis connected to the image forming portion60and disposable units by a conductive metal wire84. The metal wire84is mostly positioned within the region between the left frame21and the right frame22and on the right side in the left and right direction of the image forming apparatus100close to the right frame22. Namely, the metal wire84is positioned away from the wireless LAN module40and control substrate unit30that are disposed close to the left frame21, which helps realize noise reduction in the image forming apparatus and improve wireless communication performance.

Control Substrate Unit30

The control substrate unit30is primarily made up of a substrate31, devices and circuits that are not shown, an external connection connector32, and a plurality of internal connection connectors33. The control substrate unit30is supported by the substrate31being fixed to the frame20that is the chassis of the image forming apparatus100. The substrate31may be directly attached to the left frame21, or may have a metal sheet attachment piece between itself and the left frame21. Noise stability can be improved by disposing the control substrate unit30such as to overlap the left frame21that is made of metal.

The control substrate unit30is connected to the electrical unit8by the FFC34, connected to the wireless LAN module40by an FFC45, connected to the operation instruction portion3by an FFC35, and connected to a disposables-related display unit95by an FFC96. When the user inputs an instruction through the external connection connector32or wireless LAN module40or from the operation instruction portion3, the input signal is processed at the control substrate unit30such that the electrical unit8causes the image forming apparatus100to execute the operation instructed by the user. When jamming or other abnormalities are detected by the sensors of the image forming apparatus100, the signal information is transmitted via the electrical unit8from the interior of the image forming apparatus100to the control substrate unit30, conversely from the above-described process. This signal information can then be reported to the user through the external connection connector32or wireless LAN module40or by the operation instruction portion3.

6. Configuration and Position of Wireless LAN Module40

Next, the position and the method of supporting the wireless LAN module40, which are a characteristic feature of the present invention, are described.FIG.7Ais a perspective view illustrating the wireless LAN module40, frame20, and control substrate unit30according to this embodiment,FIG.7Bis a top plan view thereof, andFIG.7Cis a left side view thereof.

Wireless LAN Module40

The wireless LAN module40, or a wireless communication substrate, includes a substrate41, an antenna42provided on the substrate41, a wireless communication module43, and a connector44. The substrate41includes devices and circuits that are not shown, and a mounting portion41athat allows the wireless LAN module40to be attached to the apparatus. The wireless LAN module40can receive predetermined printing or setting instructions from external equipment, with the antenna42receiving wireless signals, and the wireless communication module43, devices and circuits processing the signals. The instructions received by the wireless LAN module40are transmitted to the control substrate unit30via the FFC45connected to the connector44. This means that it is particularly important to dispose the antenna42that receives wireless signals at a position where the wireless communication performance will not be compromised, and such as to be protected in a sturdy manner.

The support member28, which is a characteristic feature of the present invention, has the substrate support portion28cthat is an antenna support portion. The configuration in which the substrate support portion28csupports the wireless LAN module40is described. The wireless LAN module40having the antenna42is stably supported on the support member28with a screw46fastened thereto, the substrate41being supported at various parts by the substrate support portion28cof the support member28. The support member28is provided on the left frame21(metal side plate) and positioned higher than the upper surface21athat is the upper end of the left frame21, so that the wireless LAN module40is positioned higher than the upper surface21aof the left frame21. The upper surface22athat is the upper end of the right frame22, on the other hand, is positioned higher than the wireless LAN module40. However, the right frame22and the wireless LAN module40are positioned on the opposite ends in the left and right direction inside the apparatus and spaced away from each other, so that the right frame22affects the wireless communication performance less than the left frame21. In this embodiment, the left frame21is positioned lower than the wireless LAN module40, and the operation instruction portion3, which is the user access portion, the external connector, and the inlet are disposed on the left side in the image forming apparatus. With this configuration, the orientation of the image forming apparatus that provides good operability matches the orientation that provides good wireless communication performance, and therefore the image forming apparatus is user friendly. Thus the present invention is applied particularly effectively.

Mid range wireless LAN communications such as Wi-Fi, which is the mainstream wireless communication means of the recent years, use frequency bands that are more susceptible to the influence of obstacles (e.g., 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) than those of near range wireless communications such as NFC, and the positions of transmission destinations are not constant. The above-described layout secures good wireless communication performance by preventing degradation of the communication performance of the wireless LAN module40caused by the metal frame20. The wireless LAN module40is disposed such that the substrate41surface is oriented toward the vertical direction. The module therefore does not need a large space in the up and down direction and does not take up an unnecessarily large height. This configuration therefore does not demand an increase in apparatus size.

The wireless LAN module40is positioned at the back of and above the electrical unit8, above the cable76and cable91, in front of and above the control substrate unit30, above the laser scanner5, and at the back of the disposables-related display12a. These positional relationships each contribute to noise reduction and better wireless communication performance of the image forming apparatus.

7. Positional Relationship Between Wireless LAN Module40and Upper Cover11

Next, the positional relationship between the wireless LAN module40and the upper cover11is described in more detail.FIG.8is a cross-sectional view of the frame20, upper cover11, wireless LAN module40, and control substrate unit30according to the first embodiment, viewed from the left.

The support member28supports the upper cover11with the front support portion28aand rear support portion28bthat serve as housing support portions. The support member28may keep the upper cover11in fixed position, or may be configured separable therefrom, with a small gap therebetween, so that when the upper cover11is pressed from above and flexes, the respective support portions of the support member28make contact with and support the upper cover11. In either configuration, the front support portion28aand rear support portion28bstably keep the support member28and upper cover11at their positions relative to each other. The wireless LAN module40is fixed to the support member28as described above. Namely, the wireless LAN module40and upper cover11are stably kept at their positions relative to each other similarly to the relationship between the support member28and the upper cover11. The wireless LAN module40is further supported by the substrate support portion28cthat is positioned between the front support portion28aand the rear support portion28bin the front and back direction. Namely, the support member28has the substrate support portion28cserving as the antenna support portion positioned between the front support portion28aand the rear support portion28bserving as housing support portions. This configuration ensures that the wireless LAN module40and the upper cover11are stably kept at a distance even when the upper cover11or the apparatus temporarily undergoes deformation by an external force.

The support member28is a relatively sturdy component among the parts of the image forming apparatus in order to support the upper cover11. Therefore, any deformation, if any, in the support member when the entire apparatus is subjected to vibration or impact during transportation of the apparatus is lighter than that of common components, so that there is little risk of the upper cover11interfering with the wireless LAN module40. Moreover, the shape of the support for the wireless LAN module40is relatively simple and offers a high degree of freedom, so that shapes that may become an obstacle for wireless communication can be avoided. Also, the support member28is producible at a relatively low cost. All these help significantly reduce the risk of collision between the wireless LAN module40supported by the support member28and the upper cover11even though they are positioned in proximity to each other. In other words, the wireless LAN module40can be disposed at the highest possible position in the image forming apparatus100without adding a component for this specific purpose.

Since the wireless LAN module40is disposed on the left side, the left frame21should preferably be as small and short as possible in order to minimize the influence of the metal frame on the communication performance. Accordingly, the left frame21has a length L21in the front and back direction that is not greater than ⅔ of the length L100in the front and back direction of the image forming apparatus, which is even shorter than the length L22in the front and back direction of the right frame. Instead, the support member28located in the front of the apparatus has a length L28in the front and back direction that is greater than the length Lb in the front and back direction of a region at the back of the left frame21in the image forming apparatus100. Namely, the left frame21is disposed closer to the rear rather than at the center of the apparatus in the front and back direction. In other words, the left frame21is disposed closer to one end (rear end) than to the other end (front end) of the image forming apparatus100in the front and back direction, so that the left frame21has a smaller volume in the part positioned on the other side (front-end side) of the wireless LAN module40. This layout minimizes the adverse effects on the communication performance caused by the left frame21that is a metal member, when external equipment wirelessly communicating with the wireless LAN module40is positioned in front of and vertically lower than the apparatus.

The cables, FFCs, and metal wires described above may be replaced with different types from those used herein, or other types of electrical wiring used for wired connection and capable of power supply. While wireless connection here presupposes Wi-Fi communication, the present invention can be applied also to other frequency bands and standards such as NFC or Bluetooth, if doing so will provide the effects of the invention. Instead of the connections using connectors as described above, cables may be directly connected to the substrate using solder or the like.

8. Relationship Between Cover10and Peripheral Components

Next, the configuration of the cover10, which is the outer casing of the image forming apparatus100, and the peripheral components that support the cover10are described in detail. As described above, the frame20is disposed closer to the rear rather than at the center of the apparatus. Even so, the image forming apparatus100of this embodiment is configured to have rigidity in the front of the apparatus without the frame20, with the use of other members than the frame. This feature is described particularly in detail.

First, the configuration that supports the upper cover11is described in detail.FIG.9Ais a perspective view illustrating the frame20, support member28, upper cover11, and lower cover15according to this embodiment,FIG.9Bis a left side view thereof, andFIG.9Cis a top plan view thereof.FIG.10Ais an A-A cross section ofFIG.9Bviewed from the front,FIG.10Bis a B-B cross section ofFIG.9Cviewed from the left, andFIG.10Cis a C-C cross section ofFIG.9Cviewed from the right.FIG.11is a perspective view illustrating the frame20, support member28, upper cover11, right cover14, left cover13, and lower cover15according to this embodiment.

The upper cover11includes a right front support portion11cin the right front, a right middle support portion11din the right middle, a right rear support portion11ein the right rear, a left front support portion11fin the left front, a left middle support portion11gin the left middle, and a left rear support portion11hin the left rear. These support portions each protrude downward from the lower surface of the upper cover11. The right front support portion11cis in contact with a support portion14bof the right cover14. The right middle support portion11dis in contact with the top surface of the right frame22at a point in the front, and the right rear support portion11eis in contact with the top surface of the right frame22at a point in the rear. The left front support portion11fis in contact with a display screen support portion28eof the support member28, which supports the disposables-related display12a. The left middle support portion11gis in contact with the front support portion28aof the support member28, and the left rear support portion11his in contact with the rear support portion28bof the support member28. How these support portions provide support against external forces will be described in detail later.

In the lower front of the image forming apparatus100is provided the lower cover15that separates the interior and exterior of the apparatus when the feeder cassette51is attached to and removed from the main body of the apparatus. The lower cover15includes an upper wall15a, a right wall15b, and a left wall15c. The lower cover15not only protects the interior of the apparatus, but also serves as a support member that supports other members, i.e., the right wall15bserving as a right front support portion15e, and the left wall15cserving as a left front support portion15f.

The right cover14includes a support portion14bdisposed between the right front support portion11cof the upper cover11and the right front support portion15eof the lower cover15. The support portion14bprovided between and in contact with the right front support portion11cand the right front support portion15ecan enhance the rigidity against external forces in the up and down direction in the right front of the apparatus. Similarly, the left cover13includes a support portion13bdisposed between the left front support portion11fof the upper cover11and the left front support portion15fof the lower cover15. Moreover, in the left front of the apparatus, the display screen support portion28eof the support member28is provided between the left front support portion11fand the support portion13b. Namely, in the left front of the apparatus, the left front support portion11f, display screen support portion28e, support portion13b, and left front support portion15ftogether enhance the rigidity against external forces in the up and down direction.

FIG.12is a perspective view of the front cover12according to this embodiment viewed from the back. The front cover12includes a display hole12bfor providing the disposables-related display12a, and a support portion12cfor securing rigidity against external forces in combination with other members. While the support portion12cin this embodiment is a frame-like protrusion projecting rearward from the inner surface12dfacing toward the back, the shape may be changed suitably in accordance with other members.

Next, how forces act on various components when external forces are applied to the image forming apparatus100is described.FIG.13Ais a perspective view of the apparatus ofFIG.11according to this embodiment with the front cover12added thereto.FIG.13Bis a left side view thereof, andFIG.13Cis a top plan view thereof.FIG.14Ais a D-D cross section ofFIG.13Bviewed from the front,FIG.14Bis an E-E cross section ofFIG.13Cviewed from the left, andFIG.14Cis an F-F cross section ofFIG.13Cviewed from the right. Forces that act on various members are indicated by dot-line arrows inFIG.14AtoFIG.14C. Some examples of cases where an external force is applied in the up and down direction, left and right direction, and front and back direction of the image forming apparatus100will be described below.

An external force acting in the up and down direction in the right front of the apparatus is received by the right front support portion11cof the upper cover11, the support portion14bof the right cover14, and the right front support portion15eof the lower cover15as load11VR, load14V, and load15VR, respectively. Namely, in the right front of the apparatus, the support portions of various members adjoin each other in the up and down direction from the upper end to the lower end of the image forming apparatus100, so that the apparatus has high rigidity against external forces in the up and down direction.

An external force acting in the up and down direction in the left front of the apparatus is received by the left front support portion11fof the upper cover11and the display screen support portion28eof the support member28as load11VL and load28V, respectively. Moreover, the support portion13bof the left cover13receives load13V, and the left front support portion15fof the lower cover15receives load15VL. Namely, in the left front of the apparatus, too, the support portions of various members adjoin each other in the up and down direction from the upper end to the lower end of the image forming apparatus100, so that the apparatus has high rigidity against external forces in the up and down direction.

An external force acting in the left and right direction in the front of the apparatus is received by the support portion14bof the right cover14, the support portion12cof the front cover12, and the support portion13bof the left cover13as load14H, load12H, and load13H, respectively. Namely, in the front of the apparatus, various members adjoin each other in the left and right direction from the right end to the left end of the image forming apparatus100, so that the apparatus has high rigidity against external forces in the left and right direction.

An external force acting in the front and back direction in the lower left of the apparatus is received by the lower left frame26and the left front support portion15fof the lower cover15as load26H and load15HL, respectively. Namely, in the lower left of the apparatus, various members adjoin each other in the front and back direction from the front end to the rear end of the image forming apparatus100, so that the apparatus has high rigidity against external forces in the front and back direction.

An external force acting in the front and back direction in the lower right of the apparatus is received by the lower right frame27and the right front support portion15eof the lower cover15as load27H and load15HR, respectively. Namely, in the lower right of the apparatus, too, various members adjoin each other in the front and back direction from the front end to the rear end of the image forming apparatus100, so that the apparatus has high rigidity against external forces in the front and back direction.

The support portions described above may either be configured to be always in contact with each other, or to have a gap therebetween when no external forces are loaded, the support portions making contact with each other and providing support when the respective members are loaded and flexed.

As described above, according to the present invention, the support member supports the wireless communication substrate including the antenna at a position near the outside in the image forming apparatus, and also supports the housing. Therefore, good communication performance is secured, as well as the wireless communication substrate can be protected in a sturdy manner. Namely, an image forming apparatus with a sturdy protection for the wireless communication substrate as well as good communication performance can be provided by using the support member that supports the upper cover for supporting the wireless communication substrate, and by a suitable layout of various members to secure the rigidity of the apparatus. Moreover, an unnecessary increase in production cost can be avoided by using the support member that supports the housing including the cover, to provide support for the wireless communication substrate, rather than adding another component for supporting the substrate.

Second Embodiment

Next, the configuration of an image forming apparatus200according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described with reference toFIG.15toFIG.19. Elements similar to those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and not described again. The second embodiment includes a document scanner101on top of the image forming apparatus shown in the first embodiment and is similar to the first embodiment with respect to other features and internal configurations.

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus200is described.FIG.15is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of the image forming apparatus200that uses an electrophotographic recording technique according to this embodiment, with a document scanner101at the top, as viewed from the left.FIG.16Ais a perspective view of the image forming apparatus200according to this embodiment viewed from the front of the apparatus, andFIG.16Bis a perspective view of the image forming apparatus200according to this embodiment viewed from the back of the apparatus. The document scanner101provided at the top of the image forming apparatus200is primarily made up of a document glass102, a lid103that covers the document glass102, a housing104that covers the entire document scanner101and forms the chassis thereof, and an operation instruction unit106. A hinged support portion105rotatably supports the document scanner101to allow it to open and close, and to position the document scanner101relative to the upper cover11and other members.FIG.15,FIG.16A, andFIG.16Billustrate the document scanner101closed and in contact with the upper cover11. The document scanner101is formed with a recess108, to allow printed sheets of paper to be stacked in the hollow part between the recess108and the upper cover11. This configuration wherein the document scanner101is provided with a hollow part by the recess108can also help discharge the heat generated in the fixing portion70to the back of the image forming apparatus200. The image forming apparatus200of this embodiment has the operation instruction portion3on the cassette cover16, and further, the operation instruction unit106having an operation instruction portion106afor sending instructions to the document scanner101is provided on the document scanner101. The operation instruction portions may be integrated to one and provided to only one of them.

FIG.17is a perspective view illustrating the image forming apparatus200according to this embodiment, with the document scanner101and paper receiving tray19both being lifted up and open. The paper receiving tray19and document scanner101of this embodiment are supported such that they can be opened and closed relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Disposables such as toner can be fed from a feed port18cprovided to the inner cover18when the paper receiving tray19and document scanner101are opened. The inner cover18has the feed port18clocated more to the left, closer to each of the disposables-related display12a, operation instruction portion106a, and operation instruction portion3. Namely, the displays and instruction portions are positioned close to the feed port18cto make it easier for the user to recognize the relevance. Optionally, a link mechanism may be used to cause the document scanner101to open at the same time as the paper receiving tray19in a linking manner, or to cause the paper receiving tray19to open at the same time as the document scanner101in a linking manner, to allow the user access to the feed port18cin one operation.

The hinged support portion105is disposed at the back of the apparatus near the rear surface so as to allow the document scanner101to open widely, facing forward. When the document scanner101is closed, the hinged support portion105at the back provides support, and the document scanner101is supported also by a right support portion104aand a left support portion104bof the housing104of the document scanner101making contact with the top surface of the upper cover11.

Next, the internal structure of the image forming apparatus200is described.FIG.18is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus200viewed from the left.FIG.19is a cross-sectional view of the frame20, upper cover11, wireless LAN module40, control substrate unit30, and document scanner101according to this embodiment, viewed from the left. The operation instruction portion106aprovided at the top of the operation instruction unit106is connected to the control substrate unit30by an FFC107passing through the housing104and upper cover11.

In this embodiment, too, the support member28supports the wireless LAN module40such that the wireless LAN module40is positioned higher than the left frame21that is made of metal, as well as supports the upper cover11. Components that could compromise the communication performance such as metal members are positioned away from the wireless LAN module40, so that good communication performance is secured. Moreover, the support portions of various members such as frames and covers adjoin each other, so that the image forming apparatus has high rigidity against external forces.

As described above, according to the present invention, even with a document scanner provided at the top, the apparatus can be configured such that the support member that supports the housing also supports the wireless communication substrate including the antenna at a position near the outside in the image forming apparatus. Thus good communication performance is secured, as well as the wireless communication substrate can be protected in a sturdy manner. Namely, an image forming apparatus with reliable rigidity and good communication performance can be provided by using the support member that supports the upper cover for supporting the wireless communication substrate, and by a suitable layout of various members.

Third Embodiment

Next, the configuration of an image forming apparatus300according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described with reference toFIG.20toFIG.22. Elements similar to those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and not described again. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the substrate41of the wireless LAN module40does not face upward but to the left, and that the support member supports the left frame in addition to the upper frame. The outer appearance of the image forming apparatus300according to this embodiment is similar to that of the image forming apparatus100according to the first embodiment and therefore will not be described again.

FIG.20is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus300according to this embodiment where the cover10is not shown.FIG.21Ais a perspective view illustrating the wireless LAN module40, frame20, and control substrate unit30according to this embodiment,FIG.21Bis a top plan view thereof, andFIG.21Cis a left side view thereof.FIG.22is a top plan view illustrating the wireless LAN module40, frame20, control substrate unit30, and left cover13according to this embodiment.

The support member328is a structure fixed to the left frame21and providing the function of supporting various components, and the function of maintaining the rigidity of the image forming apparatus300similarly to the first embodiment. The support member328includes a front support portion328aand a rear support portion328bthat support the upper cover11and left cover13. The support member328further includes a substrate support portion328cthat supports the wireless LAN module40, a wire bundle holding portion328dthat holds bundled wires, and a display screen support portion328ethat supports the disposables-related display12a. The support member328also has a hook that engages with the upper surface21aof the left frame21, and is fixed to the upper surface21aof the left frame21by the hook and a screw29.

Since the support member328is fixed to the left frame21, a rightward external force applied to the left cover13is received by the support member328via the left cover13as a rightward load and transmitted to the left frame21. The left frame21that receives the rightward load is supported by the front frame23and rear frame24that have high rigidity in the left and right direction. Therefore, the image forming apparatus300as a whole has high rigidity against external forces in the left and right direction. The support member328may keep the upper cover11and left cover13in fixed positions, or may be configured separable therefrom, with a small gap therebetween, so that when the respective covers are pressed, the covers make contact with the support member328. In either configuration, the two engagement portions, i.e., the front support portion328aand rear support portion328b, stably keep the support member328, upper cover11, and left cover13at their positions relative to each other. The wireless LAN module40is fixed to the support member328as described above. Namely, the wireless LAN module40, upper cover11, and left cover13are stably kept at their positions relative to each other. The wireless LAN module40is further supported by the substrate support portion328cthat is positioned between the front support portion328aand the rear support portion328bin the front and back direction. Namely, the support member328has the substrate support portion328cserving as the antenna support portion positioned between the front support portion328aand the rear support portion328bserving as housing support portions. This configuration ensures that the wireless LAN module40is stably kept at a distance from the upper cover11and left cover13even when the upper cover11, left cover13, or the apparatus temporarily undergoes deformation by an external force.

The support member328is a relatively sturdy component among the parts of the image forming apparatus in order to support the upper cover11and left cover13. Therefore, deformation, if any, in the support member when the entire apparatus is subjected to vibration or impact during transportation of the apparatus is lighter than that of common components, so that there is little risk of the upper cover11or left cover13interfering with the wireless LAN module40. Moreover, the shape of the support for the wireless LAN module40is relatively simple and offers a high degree of freedom, so that shapes that may become an obstacle for wireless communication can be avoided. Also, the support member328is producible at a relatively low cost. All these help significantly reduce the risk of collision between the wireless LAN module40supported by the support member328, and the upper cover11and left cover13, even though they are positioned in proximity to each other. In other words, the wireless LAN module40can be disposed at a position as high and far to the left as possible in the image forming apparatus300without adding a component for this specific purpose.

As described above, according to the present invention, even in the case where the wireless communication substrate is disposed to face to one side, the apparatus can be configured such that the support member that supports the housing also supports the wireless communication substrate including the antenna at a position near the outside in the image forming apparatus. Thus good communication performance is secured, as well as the wireless communication substrate can be protected in a sturdy manner. Namely, an image forming apparatus with a sturdy protection for the wireless communication substrate as well as good communication performance can be provided by using the support member that supports the upper cover and left cover for supporting the wireless communication substrate, and by a suitable layout of various members.

The above-described embodiment in which the support member is configured to support both the upper cover and left cover should not be construed as limiting. The support member may be configured not to support the upper cover, and to support the left cover alone. The support member not supporting the upper cover herein refers to a state where the support member is not in contact with the upper cover, with a gap between the support member and the upper cover large enough to keep the support member out of contact with the upper cover even when an external force is applied to the upper cover from above.

The cover in the embodiments described above is made up of a plurality of members such as an upper cover and a left cover. The cover may instead be an integrally formed cover that is inseparable. Such a cover can also protect the wireless communication substrate in a sturdy manner while securing good communication performance, by a configuration whereby the support member supports a surface close to the wireless communication substrate.

The embodiments described above are examples of configurations in which a wireless LAN module40, in particular a Wi-Fi module, is used as the wireless communication substrate. The present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to cases where the wireless communication substrate is one of the modules of other communication systems such as Near Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-205775 filed on Dec. 20, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.