JP7600348B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to image forming devices such as copiers, printers, and facsimile machines that are equipped with short-range wireless communication devices.

In recent years, there are image forming devices that are equipped with a communication unit in the main body of the image forming device that communicates with an external communication unit. Patent Document 1 discloses a support structure for such a communication unit.

JP 2006-53477 A

There are also image forming devices equipped with a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication to enable communication with mobile devices, ID cards, and the like. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an image forming device with short-range wireless communication capabilities. FIG. 5 is a Y-sectional view of a comparative example of the image forming device S shown in FIG. 1, as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a board unit 6 including a board 22 having an antenna for short-range wireless communication is disposed between a top cover 20, which serves as an exterior cover, and a metal device frame 1.

In the comparative example shown in FIG. 5, a substrate 22 having an antenna for short-range wireless communication is fixed to a holding member 21 fixed to an apparatus frame 1. A distance L1 is provided from the bottom surface 20a, which is the inner peripheral surface of the top cover 20, to the transmitter/receiver for short-range wireless communication. This distance L1 is set so that the top cover 20 and the substrate 22 having the antenna for short-range wireless communication do not come into contact even if deformation of the top cover 20 occurs due to the expected external force from the user or transportation of the product.

If the distance L1 shown in FIG. 5 is large, the responsiveness of short-range wireless communication may not be sufficiently ensured. Therefore, in order to improve the responsiveness of short-range wireless communication, it is necessary to make the distance L1 between the bottom surface 20a of the top cover 20 shown in FIG. 5 and the top surface 22a of the substrate 22 having an antenna for short-range wireless communication as small as possible.

In the comparative example shown in FIG. 5, a substrate 22 having an antenna for short-range wireless communication is fixed to a holding member 21 fixed to the device frame 1. Therefore, if the top cover 20 deformed by an external force comes into contact with the substrate 22 having the antenna for short-range wireless communication, the substrate 22 may be damaged. This causes a problem in that the separation distance L1 cannot be reduced.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an image forming device with better short-range wireless communication responsiveness by minimizing the distance between the exterior cover and the substrate having an antenna for short-range wireless communication.

A representative configuration of the image forming device of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object is an image forming device having a device frame, an exterior cover covering the device frame, and a base unit provided between the exterior cover and the device frame, the base unit including a substrate having an antenna for short-range wireless communication, wherein the base unit is held by a protruding member protruding from an inner wall surface of the exterior cover facing the antenna, and an elastic member provided between the exterior cover and the device frame , and the elastic member is supported by the device frame .

The above configuration makes it possible to reduce the distance between the substrate having an antenna for short-range wireless communication and the exterior cover, resulting in short-range wireless communication performance with excellent response performance and preventing damage to the substrate.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a substrate having an antenna for short-range wireless communication. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention when viewed from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1 in a state where no external force is acting on the exterior cover, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention when viewed from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1 in a state where an external force is acting on the exterior cover. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1 when no external force is acting on the exterior cover, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1 when an external force is acting on the exterior cover. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a comparative example taken along the line A in FIG. 1 . FIG.

One embodiment of the image forming device according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the following embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to those unless otherwise specified.

First, the configuration of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is an explanatory perspective view showing an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Figure 2 is an explanatory plan view showing the configuration of a substrate having an antenna for short-range wireless communication. Figure 3(a) is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration as viewed from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 with no external force acting on the exterior cover of this embodiment. Figure 3(b) is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration as viewed from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 with an external force acting on the exterior cover of this embodiment.

The substrate 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication shown in FIG. 2 has the antenna 22b when the image forming apparatus S shown in FIG. 1 performs short-range wireless communication. For example, the image forming apparatus S has a security authentication function. Then, a user holds an ID card or smartphone having ID (identification) information from outside the image forming apparatus S over the substrate 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication. This performs security authentication, and only authorized users can print using the image forming apparatus S.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applicable to a board unit 6 including a board 22 having an antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication for various purposes, not limited to security authentication purposes.

The board unit 6, which includes a board 22 having an antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication, is disposed inside the main body of the image forming apparatus S, inside the top cover 20, which serves as the exterior cover. The board 22 is wired to a controller board (control unit) (not shown) of the main body of the image forming apparatus S, and is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus S so as to be able to communicate with the main body of the image forming apparatus S.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), the metal device frame 1 is covered with a top cover 20 that serves as an exterior cover. One end of an elastic member 25 serving as a biasing means, which is a coil spring supported by the device frame 1, is supported by abutting the other end against the underside 23a of the holding member 23. The board unit 6 includes a holding member 23 that holds a board 22 having an antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication. The elastic member 25 serving as a biasing means biases the holding member 23.

The elastic member 25 exerts a force on the substrate 22 and the holding member 23 that holds the substrate 22 in the direction of the arrow Z in Figures 3(a) and (b) toward the abutment portion 24 that protrudes from the bottom surface 20a, which is the inner peripheral surface of the top cover 20.

The top cover 20, which serves as the exterior cover, has an abutment portion 24 that protrudes toward the device frame 1 side (device frame side) and abuts against the board unit 6. The elastic member 25, which serves as the biasing means, biases the board unit 6 including the board 22 toward the top cover 20 side (exterior cover side) which serves as the exterior cover, causing it to abut against the top cover 20.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the board unit 6 including the board 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is disposed between the top cover 20, which serves as the exterior cover, and the metal device frame 1.

The substrate 22, which has an antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication, is held by a holding portion provided on the holding member 23. The holding member 23 holding the substrate 22 is biased in the direction of arrow Z in FIG. 3(a) toward the top cover 20 (exterior cover side) by an elastic member 25, which serves as a biasing means and has one end engaged and supported by the device frame 1.

Abutment parts 24 are provided on the underside 20a, which is the inner wall surface of the top cover 20, to come into contact with the abutment area 40 of the board 22 shown in FIG. 2. The abutment parts 24 are provided in correspondence with the abutment area 40, which is a position that does not come into contact with through-holes or electronic elements of the electronic circuit pattern provided on the board 22. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the abutment parts 24 provided to protrude from the underside 20a of the top cover 20 come into contact with the abutment area 40 of the board 22, and the position of the board 22 in the direction of arrow Z in FIG. 3(a) is determined.

The holding member 23 of this embodiment is provided with an engagement step 23b with an L-shaped cross section that corresponds to the side and bottom surface of the outer periphery of the substrate 22. The substrate 22 is fitted into the engagement step 23b of the holding member 23 to be positioned in the horizontal direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3(a)). The substrate 22 is also provided with through holes 22c, 22d, and the boss 23c and claw portion 23d erected in the center of the holding member 23 are inserted into the through holes 22c, 22d, and the upper surface 22a of the substrate 22 is engaged by the claw portion 23d. In this way, the substrate 22 is engaged and held by the holding member 23.

The position of the substrate 22 held by the holding member 23 in the width direction shown in the left-right direction of Fig. 3(a) and in the depth direction from the front of the paper of Fig. 3(a) is regulated as follows. The holding member 23 protrudes to the underside 20a of the top cover 20 (the inner wall surface side) and is guided by the guide surfaces 27a of the guide portions 27 formed on all four sides around the holding member 23.

A predetermined gap 2 is provided between the guide portion 27 and the holding member 23. By providing this gap 2, as shown in FIG. 3(b), even if an external force acts on the top cover 20 and the holding member 23 tilts while retracting against the stretching force of the elastic member 25 toward the device frame 1, the retraction operation of the holding member 23 can be performed smoothly.

The guide portion 27 has a guide surface 27a that is approximately perpendicular to the lower surface (inner wall surface) of the top cover 20. In addition, it has a tapered surface 27b that has a predetermined angle at the tip.

The guide surface 27a of the guide portion 27 functions as a guide when the holding member 23 is moved, and the tapered surface 27b of the guide portion 27 functions as a guide when the top cover 20 is assembled.

The substrate 22 having the antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication shown in FIG. 2 has a transceiver 31 for short-distance wireless communication. The area where the transceiver 31 and electronic elements (not shown) or through holes are not arranged is defined as an abutment area 40 where the abutment part 24 protruding from the underside 20a of the top cover 20 can abut.

As shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), when the substrate 22 is in contact with the abutment portion 24, the abutment portion 24 abuts against the abutment area 40 of the substrate 22 shown in Figure 2.

When the abutting area 40 of the board 22 comes into contact with the abutting portion 24 of the top cover 20, a gap 50 is created between the upper surface 22a of the board 22 and the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20. This gap 50 prevents the underside of the top cover 20 from coming into contact with the transceiver 31 on the board 22, electronic elements not shown, through holes, etc.

As shown in Fig. 3(a), when the board unit 6 including the board 22 is biased against the abutment portion 24 by the elastic member 25, a gap 3 having a distance L4 is provided between the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1 and the lower surface 23a of the holding member 23. As shown in Fig. 3(b), the spring constant of the elastic member 25 and the distance L4 of this gap 3 are appropriately set so that when the top cover 20 is subjected to an external force and pressed toward the inside of the main body of the image forming device S, the amount of pressure can be absorbed.

The gap 3 is provided between the device frame 1 and the top cover 20, which serves as the exterior cover. The gap 3 allows the board unit 6, which includes the board 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication, to move toward the device frame 1 (device frame side) when the top cover 20 is pushed toward the inside of the main body of the image forming device S due to an external force.

A gap 3 with a distance L4 is provided between the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1 and the lower surface 23a of the holding member 23. This allows the holding member 23 to be retracted by the distance L4 in the downward direction in FIG. 3(a). The distance L4 is set to be greater than the maximum deformation of the top cover 20 anticipated during distribution and user use.

A retaining portion 34 protrudes from the underside 23a of the holding member 23. The retaining portion 34 is inserted into a through hole 1b provided in the device frame 1, and a claw portion provided at the tip of the retaining portion 34 engages with the underside 1c of the device frame 1, thereby preventing the retaining member 23, which is biased by the elastic member 25, from falling off.

The retaining portion 34 has the function of restricting the movement of the retaining member 23, which is biased by the elastic member 25 in the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 3(a), so that it does not pop out when the top cover 20 is not attached. The retaining portion 34 makes it possible to easily assemble the top cover 20 after assembling the elastic member 25 and the retaining member 23 to the device frame 1.

<Evacuation operation>
Next, the retraction operation of the substrate 22 and the holding member 23 when an external force acts on the top cover 20 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 3(a) shows a Y cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 when no external force is acting on the top cover 20. Figure 3(b) shows a Y cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 when an external force is acting on the top cover 20 in the direction of arrow K in Figure 1 and the top cover 20 is deformed against the elongation force of the elastic member 25.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), when no external force is acting on the top cover 20, the following occurs. The substrate 22 held by the holding member 23 is biased in the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 3(a) by the stretching force of the elastic member 25. This causes the abutment area 40 to be held in abutment against the abutment portion 24 of the top cover 20.

The user applies an external force to the top cover 20 in the direction of the arrow K in FIG. 1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the top cover 20 deforms against the stretching force of the elastic member 25, so that the right side in FIG. 3(b) tilts in the direction of the arrow K in FIG. 3(b). Following this deformation of the top cover 20, the abutment portion 24 also displaces.

As the abutting portion 24 is displaced, the substrate 22 and holding member 23 in contact with the abutting portion 24 are also displaced as shown in FIG. 3(b). While the holding member 23 is guided by the guide surface 27a, which is the inner wall surface of the guide portion 27 shown on the right side of FIG. 3(b), the right side of FIG. 3(b) is displaced so as to tilt in the direction of the arrow K in FIG. 3(b) against the stretching force of the elastic member 25.

As shown in Figure 3(a), there is a gap 3 with a distance L4 between the bottom surface 23a of the holding member 23 and the top surface 1a of the device frame 1. This allows the holding member 23 to retreat to the device frame 1 side (the lower side in Figure 3(b)). This prevents external forces from being directly applied to the transmitting/receiving unit 31 of the board 22. This prevents damage to the board 22, the transmitting/receiving unit 31, etc.

After that, when the user stops applying external force to the top cover 20 in the direction of arrow K in FIG. 3(b), the extension force of the elastic member 25 causes the holding member 23, the substrate 22, and the top cover 20 to return to the posture position shown in FIG. 3(a).

In this embodiment, the substrate 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication and the holding member 23 (substrate unit 6) are configured to be retractable by utilizing the gap 3 with a separation distance L4 between the underside 23a of the holding member 23 and the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1. This allows the abutment portion 24 of the top cover 20 and the abuttable area 40 of the substrate 22 to be brought close enough to come into contact. This makes it possible to realize an image forming device S that is more sensitive than the comparative example shown in Figure 5 and can be prevented from being damaged by external forces.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a board unit 6 including a board 22 having an antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is arranged directly under the top cover 20. In addition, a similar configuration can be used to obtain the same effect even when a board unit 6 including a board 22 having an antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is arranged on an exterior cover other than the top cover 20, for example, between the right cover and the device frame 1.

Next, the configuration of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 4. Note that components configured similarly to the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, or the same component names even if the reference numerals are different, and the description will be omitted. Figure 4(a) is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration as viewed from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 when no external force is acting on the exterior cover of this embodiment. Figure 4(b) is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration as viewed from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 when an external force is acting on the exterior cover of this embodiment. Note that the configuration of the board 22 (board unit) having an antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is the same as in the first embodiment, so repeated description will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the substrate 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is held by the holding member 23 biased by the elastic member 25. In this embodiment, the biasing means for biasing the substrate 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication toward the top cover 20 side (exterior cover side) is configured to hold the substrate 22 by abutting it against the abutment portion 24 protruding from the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20 with an elastic member 26 such as a leaf spring.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the fixing portion 26b of the elastic member 26, which serves as the biasing means, is supported by the mounting portion 29 protruding from the underside 20a of the top cover 20. The fixing portion 26b of the elastic member 26 is supported on the underside 20a (inner wall surface) of the top cover 20 on the device frame 1 side (device frame side). The elastic member 26 has a ladle-shaped cross section, and is configured to bias the underside 22e of the base plate 22 against the abutment portion 24 protruding from the underside 20a (inner wall surface) of the top cover 20 by the pressing portion 26c.

The substrate 22 is biased in the direction of the arrow Z in Figures 4(a) and (b) by the elastic force of the elastic member 26. The abutment area 40 of the substrate 22 comes into contact with the abutment portion 24 that protrudes from the underside 20a of the top cover 20, and the position of the substrate 22 in the direction of the arrow Z in Figures 4(a) and (b) is determined.

The position of the substrate 22 in the width direction (left and right directions in Figs. 4(a) and (b)) and depth direction (directions toward the front and rear of the paper in Fig. 4) is regulated as follows. The substrate 22 protrudes toward the underside 20a (inner wall surface) of the top cover 20 and is guided by guide surfaces 28a of guide portions 28 formed on all four sides of the periphery of the substrate 22. The tapered surfaces 28b of the guide portions 28 guide the elastic member 26 when the elastic member 26 is attached to the attachment portions 29 of the top cover 20.

A gap 4 is provided between the guide surface 28a of the guide portion 28 and the substrate 22. When an external force is applied by the user to the top cover 20 in the direction of arrow K in FIG. 4(b), the right side of the top cover 20 in FIG. 4(b) tilts in the direction of arrow K in FIG. 4(b). Then, the substrate 22, which is clamped and held between the abutment portion 24 protruding from the underside 20a of the top cover 20 and the pressing portion 26c of the elastic member 26, also tilts together with the top cover 20.

The guide portion 28 has a guide surface 28a that is approximately perpendicular to the underside 20a of the top cover 20. In addition, it has a tapered surface 28b with a predetermined angle at its tip. The guide surface 28a of the guide portion 28 functions as a guide when the substrate 22 is moved, and the tapered surface 28b of the guide portion 28 functions as a guide when the substrate 22 is assembled by abutting against the abutment portion 24 that protrudes from the underside 20a of the top cover 20.

When the board 22 comes into contact with the abutment portion 24 protruding from the underside 20a of the top cover 20, the abutment portion 24 abuts against the abutting area 40 shown in FIG. 2. When the board 22 comes into contact with the abutment portion 24 protruding from the underside 20a of the top cover 20, a gap 51 is created between the upper surface 22a of the board 22 and the underside 20a of the top cover 20. This gap 51 prevents the top cover 20 from coming into contact with the transceiver 31 on the board 22, electronic elements (not shown), through-holes, etc.

When the substrate 22 is biased by the elastic member 26 against the abutment portion 24 that protrudes from the underside 20a of the top cover 20, a gap 5 having a distance L5 is provided between the top surface 1a of the device frame 1 and the underside 26a of the elastic member 26. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the gap 5 is designed to absorb the amount of pressure when the top cover 20, which serves as the exterior cover, is pressed toward the inside of the image forming apparatus S body by an external force indicated by the arrow K in FIG. 4(b).

By providing this gap 5 with a distance L5, the substrate 22 and elastic member 26 can be retracted integrally with the top cover 20 toward the device frame 1 by the distance L5 in the downward direction in FIG. 4(a). The distance L5 of the gap 5 is set to be greater than the maximum deformation of the top cover 20 anticipated during distribution or user use.

<Evacuation operation>
Next, with reference to Figures 4(a) and (b), a description will be given of the retraction operation of the substrate 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication when an external force acts on the top cover 20 in this embodiment. Figure 4(a) shows a Y cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 in a state where no external force is acting on the top cover 20. Figure 4(b) shows a Y cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 in a state where an external force is acting on the top cover 20 in the direction of arrow K in Figure 1 and the top cover 20 is deformed.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), when no external force is acting on the top cover 20, the following occurs. The elastic member 26 supported on the bottom surface 20a of the top cover 20 biases the top cover 20 in the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 4(a). The substrate 22 is then clamped and held in a state where the abutting area 40 on the top surface 22a of the substrate 22 abuts against the abutment portion 24 protruding from the bottom surface 20a of the top cover 20.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the user applies an external force in the direction of arrow K to the right side of top cover 20 in FIG. 4(b). As a result, the right side of top cover 20 in FIG. 4(b) tilts in the direction of arrow K.

The abutment portion 24 also displaces in response to the deformation of the top cover 20. As the abutment portion 24 displaces, the substrate 22, which is sandwiched between the abutment portion 24 and the elastic member 26, is also displaced so as to tilt integrally with the top cover 20 while being guided by the guide surface 28a of the guide portion 28, as shown in FIG. 4(b). Furthermore, the elastic member 26 also displaces integrally with the top cover 20 in response to the displacement of the substrate 22.

At this time, a gap 5 with a distance L5 shown in FIG. 4(a) is provided between the lower surface 26a of the elastic member 26 and the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1. This allows the board 22 and the elastic member 26 to retreat to the device frame 1 side. The transmitting/receiving section 31 of the board 22 is not damaged because no external force is directly applied to it.

After that, when the user stops applying external force to the top cover 20, the deformation of the top cover 20 disappears. As a result, the substrate 22 is once again held by the biasing force of the elastic member 26 and returns together with the top cover 20 to the position shown in FIG. 4(a).

In this embodiment, the top cover 20, the substrate 22, and the elastic member 26 can be retracted as a unit into the gap 5 with a separation distance L5 between the lower surface 26a of the elastic member 26 and the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1. This makes it possible to bring the top cover 20 and the substrate 22 close enough to come into contact with each other, thereby realizing an image forming device S with a short-range wireless communication function that is more sensitive than the comparative example shown in FIG. 5 and can prevent damage due to external forces.

In this embodiment, the holding member 23 used in the first embodiment is not required, so the image forming device S can be made smaller with a simple configuration.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the board 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is arranged directly under the top cover 20. The same effect can be obtained by using a similar configuration even when the board 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is arranged on an exterior cover other than the top cover 20, for example, between the right cover and the device frame 1. The other configurations are configured in the same way as in the first embodiment, and the same effect can be obtained.

S ... image forming apparatus 1 ... apparatus frame 3 ... gap 6 ... board unit
20 ... Top cover (exterior cover)
22... Circuit board (circuit board unit)
23 ... Retaining member
25 ... Elastic member (urging means)

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus having an apparatus frame, an exterior cover that covers the apparatus frame, and a board unit that is provided between the exterior cover and the apparatus frame and includes a board having an antenna for short-distance wireless communication,
The substrate unit includes:
the antenna is held by a protruding member protruding from an inner wall surface of the exterior cover facing the antenna , and an elastic member provided between the exterior cover and the device frame ,
The elastic member is
Supported by the device frame;
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: The substrate unit includes a holding member for holding the substrate,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member biases the holding member. The image forming device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the exterior cover has an abutment portion that protrudes toward the device frame and against which the substrate unit abuts. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the abutting portion is provided at a position corresponding to a through-hole or electronic element of a circuit pattern provided on the substrate. The image forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the elastic member is supported on the surface of the exterior cover facing the device frame.

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