CN212322059U - Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides an image forming device, include: a multifunction portion for reading image information of an original placed on a platen; a body for forming an image on a sheet; the connecting part is arranged on the upper surface of the body and is used for connecting and supporting the multifunctional part; a wireless communication unit including an antenna, a wireless communication module connected to the antenna, and a support part supporting the wireless communication module; wherein at least a part of the wireless communication unit is provided on the connection portion. The method and the device are used for solving the problem that inconvenience is brought to a user due to the fact that the wireless communication unit is arranged outside the image forming device in the prior art.

Description

Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device

The present application claims priority from a chinese patent application filed on 17.01.2020, having application number 202020105300.7 and entitled "an image forming apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by cross-reference.

[ technical field ] A method for producing a semiconductor device

The present invention relates to the field of image forming apparatuses, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus provided with a wireless communication unit.

[ background of the invention ]

In the prior art, there is a printing system in which an image forming apparatus communicates with an intelligent box including a wireless communication unit in a wired or wireless manner, and after a user terminal communicates with the intelligent box, data to be printed is sent to the intelligent box, and then the data to be printed is sent to the image forming apparatus by the intelligent box to be printed.

However, the inventor finds that the smart box does not have a power supply, so if printing is expected to be achieved by the smart box, one solution is to find an additional power supply to supply power to the smart box, which increases the cost of using the smart box, and the other solution is to find a lead to connect the smart box with an image forming apparatus, so that the image forming apparatus supplies power to the smart box, which makes the connection complicated. In summary, placing the wireless communication unit outside the image forming apparatus causes inconvenience to the user using the image forming apparatus.

[ Utility model ] content

In order to solve the problem that inconvenience is brought to a user caused by arranging a wireless communication unit outside an image forming device in the prior art, an embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming device.

The utility model provides an image forming device, include:

a multifunction portion for reading image information of an original placed on a platen;

a body for forming an image on a sheet;

the connecting part is arranged on the upper surface of the body and is used for connecting and supporting the multifunctional part;

a wireless communication unit including an antenna, a wireless communication module connected to the antenna, and a support part supporting the wireless communication module;

wherein at least a part of the wireless communication unit is provided on the connection portion.

Optionally, the connecting portion includes a first connecting portion located on one side of the body and a second connecting portion located on the other side of the body, and a length of the first connecting portion is greater than a length of the second connecting portion in a front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus.

Optionally, at least part of the wireless communication unit is accommodated within the first connection portion.

Alternatively, the wireless communication module is closer to a front side of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus than to a rear side of the image forming unit.

Optionally, at least part of the wireless communication unit is accommodated in the second connection portion.

Alternatively, the wireless communication module is closer to a rear side of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus than to a front side of the image forming unit.

Optionally, the body includes a fixing unit and a cooling unit for cooling the fixing unit, the wireless communication unit being closer to the cooling unit than to the fixing unit.

Optionally, the cooling unit includes a fan and a fan bracket supporting the fan, the antenna is disposed on the fan bracket, and the fan bracket is made of a plastic material.

Optionally, the fan bracket further includes an extension portion extending upward of the image forming apparatus, and the antenna is disposed on the extension portion.

Optionally, the wireless communication module is detachably mounted on the support portion.

Optionally, the body includes a housing including an upper cover, the upper cover includes a discharge tray for carrying the recording medium and a discharge area, the discharge area is located outside the discharge tray in a direction perpendicular to a discharge direction of the recording medium, and a plane in which the antenna is located faces the discharge area at least partially.

An embodiment of the utility model provides a pair of image forming device, first aspect sets up wireless communication unit at least part on image forming device's connecting portion, need not the user and additionally provides the power or carries out the wire of being connected with image forming device, has brought the facility for the user.

In a second aspect, the wireless communication unit is at least partially disposed on the connecting portion near the left side of the image forming apparatus, wherein the wireless communication unit is further disposed at the front side of the image forming apparatus relative to the rear side of the image forming apparatus, i.e., the wireless communication unit is disposed at a position far away from the fixing unit, so that the influence of heat generated by the fixing unit on the wireless communication unit is effectively avoided, and the communication performance of the wireless communication unit is improved; here, the wireless communication unit is disposed near the left side of the image forming apparatus, and the connection wires between the wireless communication unit and the control substrate or the engine substrate on the left frame in the image forming apparatus are short, so that research and development personnel can design the image forming apparatus conveniently; and does not increase the volume of the image forming apparatus.

In the third aspect, the maximum length of the wireless communication unit in the left-right direction is equal to or less than the length of the connecting portion in the front-rear direction, and the maximum length of the wireless communication unit in the front-rear direction is equal to or less than half of the maximum distance between the front side and the rear side of the image forming apparatus, and therefore, the wireless communication unit can be mounted inside the image forming apparatus without increasing the volume of the image forming apparatus.

In the fourth aspect, the antenna is arranged closer to the cooling unit relative to the fixing unit, so that the influence of heat generated by the fixing unit on the wireless communication unit is effectively avoided, and the communication performance of the wireless communication unit is improved. In the fifth aspect, the antenna is located at least partially toward the outside of the upper cover of the image forming apparatus, so that the communication apparatus can better communicate with the wireless communication unit, and convenience is brought to a user.

It should be understood that what is described in the summary section above is not intended to limit key or critical features of embodiments of the invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

[ description of the drawings ]

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments will be briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to obtain other drawings based on these drawings without inventive labor.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an imaging unit according to an example of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the imaging unit of the present invention with the outer casing removed.

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the imaging unit of the present invention with the upper cover and the right cover removed.

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an imaging unit according to an example of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a top view of an imaging unit according to an example of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural view of an image forming apparatus according to an example of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of an image forming apparatus according to an example of the present invention with a multifunctional portion and a cover removed near a left side connecting portion.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an example of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of an image forming apparatus according to an example of the present invention with a multifunctional portion and a connecting portion cover removed.

Fig. 10 is a right side schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to an example of the present invention with a right cover removed.

[ detailed description ] embodiments

For better understanding of the technical solutions of the present invention, the following detailed descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

For convenience of description in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 3 and 5, it is defined that the discharge direction P1 of the recording medium P is a forward direction, and a direction opposite to the direction P1 is a backward direction. The direction pointing to the left perpendicular to the direction P1 is the left, i.e., the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus is the width direction. When the image forming apparatus is normally placed on a plane, the height direction thereof is the up-down direction.

The present embodiment provides an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit 100, a multi-function portion 200, and second connecting portions 301, 302 connecting the image forming unit 100 and the multi-function portion 200, a wireless communication unit, wherein the image forming unit 100 is configured to form a developer image on a recording medium and fix the developer image on the recording medium, and then discharge the recording medium on which the developer image is fixed out of a discharge port 150 of the image forming unit; the multifunction portion 200 includes a scanning module for reading image information of an original placed on a platen and a platen; the wireless communication unit is used for communicating with a communication device and comprises an antenna, a wireless communication module 402 connected with the antenna and a supporting part 401 for supporting the wireless communication module; the wireless communication unit is at least partially disposed at the connection portion.

The communication device may be, but is not limited to, a smart terminal such as a mobile phone or a computer, and communicates with the wireless communication unit to transmit the data to be printed to the image forming apparatus for printing.

The wireless communication unit includes a wireless communication module 402, wherein the wireless communication module 402 may be a cellular network such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, a wireless network such as Wi-Fi, a wireless sensing network such as bluetooth, a Near Field Communication (NFC) module, and so on, so that a plurality of nodes do not communicate via conductor or cable propagation.

The wireless communication module 402 is provided on the support portion 401, and the support portion 401 may be a substrate or another sheet, which is not limited herein. The wireless communication module 402 may be disposed on the support portion 401 in such a manner that the wireless communication module 402 is detachably mounted on the support portion 401, or the wireless communication module 402 is fixed on the support portion 401. The wireless communication module 402 is detachably mounted on the support portion 401, and specifically may be: a socket into which the wireless communication module 402 can be inserted is provided on the support portion 401, so that the wireless communication module 402 is detachably mounted on the support portion 401. The manner of fixing the wireless communication module 402 to the support portion 401 may be specifically bonding, welding, or fixing with screws, and is not limited herein.

Specifically, the antenna in the wireless communication unit may be disposed on the support portion 401, or may be disposed in another place that does not interfere with the communication between the wireless communication unit and the communication device. The number of the antennas may be one or more, and is not limited herein, and the antennas may be loop coils or rectangular coils, and is not limited herein.

The wireless communication unit further comprises a power supply port and a data communication port, wherein the power supply port is connected with a power supply board inside the image forming device through a power supply line, and the data communication port is connected with the data communication port of the image forming device through a data line. The wireless communication unit also comprises a power switch which is set to be in a normally open state; and the power switch is located between the power port and the data communication port.

In the present embodiment, a wireless communication unit is provided at least partially on the image forming apparatus, and the external communication apparatus transmits data to be printed to the image forming apparatus for printing by communicating with the wireless communication unit. Compared with the external communication device which communicates with the intelligent box comprising the wireless communication unit and sends the data to be printed to the image forming device for printing, the image forming device provided by the embodiment does not need to provide an additional power supply for the intelligent box, and does not need to provide a lead to connect the intelligent box with the image forming device, so that convenience is brought to users.

This is described in detail below with reference to fig. 1-8.

Arrangement of the image forming unit 100

The operation of the image forming unit 100 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to fig. 1. The recording medium P loaded on the lower tray 102 of the image forming unit 100 is picked up by a pickup roller 184, transported along a transport path 185, transported by a pair of transport rollers 183 to reach an image forming unit in which a developer is accommodated, the transfer unit of the image forming unit transfers an electrostatic latent image onto the recording medium P to form a developer image, the recording medium P bearing the developer image is fixed by a fixing unit 190 at high temperature and high pressure to thermally fix the developer on the recording medium P, and the recording medium P is transported by the pair of transport rollers 182 to a pair of discharge rollers 181 and discharged onto a discharge tray 160 through a discharge port 150.

The imaging unit 100 described above includes a body 1001 and a housing 212. The main body 1001 is provided with an image forming unit for forming a developer image on a recording medium P, and a frame for supporting the image forming unit.

As shown in fig. 2, the body 1001 serves to support components such as the image forming unit, the fixing unit 190, and the cooling unit 130, etc., provided thereon. In this embodiment, the main body 1001 includes a left frame 113, a right frame 114, and attachments 115 and 116, the left frame 113 and the right frame 114 are substantially plate-shaped and are disposed opposite to each other, one or more reinforcing ribs 117 are further disposed between the left frame 113 and the right frame 114, and the reinforcing ribs 117 are used for connecting the left frame 113 and the right frame 114. The attachment 115 and/or the attachment 116 are used to fix or support the image forming unit, the fixing unit 190, and other components on the left frame 113 and the right frame 114, and include, but are not limited to, the attachment 115 for fixing the fixing unit 190 to the left frame 113 and the right frame 114, the attachment 116 for fixing the cooling unit 130 to the right frame 114, a pair of guide rails for supporting the image forming unit on the left frame 113 and the right frame 114, and the like. Of course, the appendage also includes extensions on the above-described appendage parts that serve a fixing and/or supporting function. The left frame 113 and the right frame 114 may be made of sheet metal or plastic, and the attachment 115 and the attachment 116 may be made of plastic. Of course, other materials are possible.

In the present embodiment, at least the fixing unit 190 and the image forming unit are further provided between the left frame 113 and the right frame 114. The fixing unit 190 is located behind the image forming unit 100 (e.g., behind the image forming unit), and the fixing unit 190 includes a heating roller 191, a pressure roller 192, an end gear 193, and a support bracket (not shown) supporting the heating roller 191, the pressure roller 192, and the end gear 903, and the heating roller 191 is supported and positioned by the attachment 115. The heating roller 191 described above is used to heat and melt the developer on the recording medium P, the pressure roller 192 provides pressure to press the recording medium P described above against the heating roller 191, and the end gear 193 receives a driving force from a driving unit (not shown, which may be a motor, for example) to drive the heating roller 191 to rotate, so that fixing is continued. A heating element 904 connected to a power source (not shown) is further provided in the inner cavity of the heating roller 191, and the heating element 904 provides heat required for the melting of the developer, which is 180 ℃ in the melting temperature (fixing temperature) as an example of the developer. Although new developers are now provided having a melting temperature below 180 ℃, the melting temperature of the new developers is still much higher than the room temperature. The image forming unit is for forming a developer image on the recording medium P.

In the present embodiment, the image forming unit includes a process cartridge 110, a transfer unit, and an exposure device 170. The process cartridge 110 contains developer therein and a developing roller 103 that conveys the developer to the image bearing roller 101. The process cartridge 110 is located at the front side of the image forming unit 100, and is detachably coupled to the image forming unit 100 through a pair of guide rails respectively located on the left and right frames 113 and 114.

The right frame 114 is also provided with a cooling unit 130, and the cooling unit 130 is used for cooling the fixing unit 190. As shown in fig. 3, the cooling unit 130 is located at a position near the upper rear of the right frame 114.

In the present embodiment, the cooling unit 130 is located near the fixing unit 190 to facilitate cooling of the periphery of the fixing unit 190. It should be understood that the cooling unit 130 described above may also cool other components of the imaging unit 100, such as the exposure device 170 and the like.

In this embodiment, the cooling unit 130 includes a fan 131 and a fan bracket 132 supporting the fan 131, and the fan bracket 132 is fixedly connected to the right frame 114 through the attachment 116. The fan bracket 132 may further include an extension 406, and the extension 404 protrudes from the fan bracket 132 and extends toward the upper cover 211. The left frame 113 is provided with an engine board 141 and a control substrate 142, the engine board 142 supplies power to the imaging unit 100, and the control substrate 141 controls the operation of the imaging unit 100. The cooling unit 130 described above may be provided on the left frame 113. The cooling unit 130 may be a mechanism storing a heat absorbing material, such as a solid-phase or solid-liquid phase change material. It is not necessary to decrease the temperature of the fixing unit 190 by increasing the air flow speed in the vicinity thereof, and other cooling means such as water cooling may be employed.

As shown in fig. 3, in the present embodiment, the right frame 114 further includes a first plate 114c, a second plate 114b, and a third plate 114a, wherein the first plate 114c is connected to the third plate 114a, and the second plate 114b is connected to the third plate 114 a. With respect to the left side of the imaging unit 100, the plane of the first plate 114c protrudes from the plane of the second plate 114b, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that the second plate 114b and the third plate 114a may be a plurality of separate parts, or may be integrally formed, and are not limited herein. Wherein the second plate 114b and the third plate 114a are used for positioning and fixing a driving unit, and the driving unit is used for providing distribution of power and speed of machine operation; the drive unit includes, but is not limited to: the device comprises a motor, a gear, a belt, a clutch mechanism and a positioning and fixing mechanism; the speed distribution means that the rotation speed of the motor is accurately distributed to units such as paper feeding, conveying, developing, transferring, fixing and discharging and the like at a required design value, so that the paper is conveyed at the design speed.

Arrangement of the housing 212

Referring to fig. 4-5, housing 212 is used to conceal the body 1001 as described above, it being understood that the concealing is not meant to be complete, but rather may be partial. In this embodiment, the housing includes an upper cover 211, a front cover 212, a left side cover 213, a right side cover 214, and a rear cover (not shown). The upper cover 211 shields the body 1001 from above and forms a cavity (for circulating cool air) with the cooling unit 130, and the upper cover 211 includes the discharge tray 160 and the discharge area 170. The discharge tray 160 is used to carry the recording medium P discharged by the discharge roller pair 801, and the discharge tray 160 is generally set in a state where the front side is higher than the rear side in the front-rear direction so as to carry the recording medium P. The discharge tray 160 may be integrally formed with the upper cover 211, or may be separately formed. As shown in FIG. 5, the "+" area is inside the drain pan 160 and the "-" area is outside the drain pan 160 along the direction of the arrows. The boundary between "+" and "-" is the edge line B of the discharge tray 160 in the front-rear direction of the image forming unit 100. The discharge area 170 is located outside the discharge tray 160 in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the recording medium P. The upper cover 211 may further include a flow guiding rib on a surface thereof adjacent to the cooling unit 130 to form an air path.

The front cover 212 is rotatably provided in the front portion of the image forming unit 100, which is a portion of the image forming unit 100 closer to the front side, i.e., closer to the user, in the front-rear direction. When the front cover 212 is in the open state, the process cartridge 110 may be taken out of or put into the image forming unit 100. The rear portion of the imaging unit 100 is a portion of the imaging unit 100 closer to the rear side, i.e., away from the user, in the front-rear direction. Since the rear portion of the imaging unit 100 is disposed far from the user, it is generally disposed near an obstacle, for example, a wall.

As shown in fig. 4, an air circulation port 133 is further provided at a position of the right cap 214 near the cooling unit 130, and serves as a passage through which cool air enters the inside of the image forming unit 100. When the fan 131 starts operating, cool air outside the image forming unit 100 enters the inside of the image forming apparatus via the air circulation port 133. Specifically, the cool air passes through the fan 131, the fan bracket 132, and the cavity between the fan bracket 132 and the upper cover 211, and reaches the periphery of the fixing unit 190 along a predetermined air path (not shown) inside the image forming unit 100, thereby achieving the purpose of cooling the fixing unit 190. It should be understood that the air vent 133 may be disposed at a position away from the cooling unit 130, as long as it can allow air inside and outside the image forming unit 100 to flow therethrough. The circulation port 133 may be provided in a grid or mesh shape, and an air filter device may be provided at the circulation port 133 to prevent dust from entering the inside of the image forming unit 100.

In the present embodiment, an air vent 133 is further provided at a position of the right cover 214 close to the cooling unit 130, and the air vent 133 serves as a passage through which cool air enters the inside of the image forming unit 100. The air circulation port 133 is provided at a position closer to the cooling unit 130, whereby the efficiency of cool air entering the inside of the image forming unit 100 is higher.

In this embodiment, the upper cover 211 includes a tag 220, where the tag 220 may be a two-dimensional code identifier, and the user scans the two-dimensional code identifier by using an application installed in a terminal such as a mobile phone to obtain information included in the two-dimensional code identifier, for example, the information included in the two-dimensional code identifier is unique identifier information of an image forming apparatus, and after the scanning of the two-dimensional code identifier is completed, the obtained unique identifier information of the image forming apparatus may be sent to a server, so that the application account number for scanning the two-dimensional code identifier and the unique identifier information of the image forming apparatus are stored in association with each other on the server side. In addition, the two-dimensional code identifier may further include certain specified website information or a download address of a certain application program, which is not limited herein.

Arrangement of the multifunctional part

As shown in fig. 6, the multifunction portion 200 includes a scanning module (not shown) for reading image information of an original placed on a platen, in which an optical system such as a contact sensor (CIS) and/or a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) is provided, a platen (not shown), a housing 203, and a frame body in which the optical element is accommodated, wherein the scanning module is placed under the platen.

When the number of the scanning modules included in the multifunctional portion is two, a platen and a feeding path for feeding an original are provided between the two scanning modules, and when the original passes through the two multifunctional portions along the feeding path, the scanning modules read an image on the original.

Arrangement of the connecting part

As shown in fig. 6, the connecting portions include a second connecting portion 301 on one side of the body 1001 and a first connecting portion 302 on the other side of the body 1001, for example, the first connecting portion 302 is near the left side of the image forming apparatus, and the second connecting portion 301 is near the right side of the image forming apparatus. As shown in fig. 7, the width of the first link portion 302 in the left-right direction is L2, and as shown in fig. 9, the width of the second link portion 301 in the left-right direction is L3.

In the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus, the length of the second connecting portion 301 is greater than that of the first connecting portion 302, so that a user can take out paper from the position of the first connecting portion 302 conveniently, operation habits of the user are met, and convenience is brought to the user.

The wireless communication unit may select the accommodated second connection portion 301 or first connection portion 302 according to actual needs. When at least part of the wireless communication unit is accommodated in the first connection portion 302, the wireless communication module 402 is closer to the front side of the image forming unit 100 relative to the rear side of the image forming unit 100 of the image forming apparatus, so that the installation position of the wireless communication unit is far away from the position of the fixing unit 190, the influence of heat generated by the fixing unit 190 on the wireless communication unit is effectively avoided, and the communication performance of the wireless communication unit is improved.

However, when at least part of the wireless communication unit is accommodated in the second connecting portion 301, the wireless communication module 402 is closer to the rear side of the image forming unit 100 than to the front side of the image forming unit 100 of the image forming apparatus. At this time, the wireless communication unit is closer to the cooling unit 130 than the fixing unit 190, thereby effectively avoiding the influence of the heat generated by the fixing unit 190 on the wireless communication unit and improving the communication performance of the wireless communication unit.

Arrangement of wireless communication units

The wireless communication unit is at least partially provided on a connecting portion connecting the imaging unit 100 and the multifunctional portion 200, and specifically, as shown in fig. 7, the wireless communication unit includes a support portion 401, a wireless communication module 402, and antennas 403, 404, wherein the wireless communication module 402 is connected with the antennas 403, 404, and the wireless communication unit is provided on the first connecting portion 302.

Further, assuming that the distance from the front side of the image forming apparatus to the rear side of the image forming apparatus is L1, the maximum distance between the wireless communication unit and the front side is less than L1/2, i.e. the wireless communication unit is closer to the front side of the image forming apparatus relative to the rear side of the image forming apparatus, and the wireless communication unit is located far away from the fixing unit 190, so that the influence of the heat generated by the fixing unit 190 on the wireless communication unit is effectively avoided, and the communication performance of the wireless communication unit is improved. In addition, the wireless communication unit is arranged close to the left side surface of the image forming device, and the control substrate 142 and the engine substrate 141 are arranged on the left frame 113 of the image forming device, so that connecting wires between the wireless communication unit in the image forming device and the control substrate or the engine substrate on the left frame 113 are short, and the design of research and development personnel is facilitated.

Wherein, assuming that the maximum length of the wireless communication unit in the left-right direction is M and the maximum length of the wireless communication unit in the front-rear direction is N, M is less than or equal to L2, N is less than L1/2, and thus the wireless communication unit can be installed in the image forming apparatus without increasing the volume of the image forming apparatus.

As shown in fig. 9, the wireless communication unit includes a support portion 401', a wireless communication module 402', antennas 403', 404', wherein the wireless communication module 402' is connected to the antennas 403', 404', and the wireless communication unit is disposed on the second connection portion 301.

Further, assuming that the distance between the front side of the image forming apparatus and the rear side of the image forming apparatus is L1', the maximum distance between the wireless communication unit and the front side is greater than L1'/2, i.e., the wireless communication unit is closer to the rear side of the image forming apparatus relative to the front side of the image forming apparatus. Further, when the wireless communication unit is disposed in the second connection portion 301, the wireless communication unit is closer to the cooling unit 130 than the fixing unit 190, so that the influence of heat generated by the fixing unit 190 on the wireless communication unit is effectively avoided, and the communication performance of the wireless communication unit is improved. Wherein assuming that the maximum length of the wireless communication unit in the left-right direction is M ', and the maximum length of the wireless communication unit in the front-rear direction is N ', M ' is equal to or less than L3, and N ' is greater than L1'/2, the wireless communication unit can be mounted in the image forming apparatus without increasing the volume of the image forming apparatus.

In the above embodiments, when the antenna of the wireless communication unit is not disposed on the support portion 401 or the support portion 401', the wireless communication unit in the maximum distance between the wireless communication unit and the front side surface, the maximum length of the wireless communication unit in the left-right direction, and the maximum length of the wireless communication unit in the front-rear direction in the above embodiments is the wireless communication module and/or the support portion.

As shown in fig. 3, in the present embodiment, the antenna 405 is a loop coil, and the plane of the antenna 405 at least partially faces the discharge area 170, so that the communication device can better communicate with the wireless communication unit.

Further, the antenna may be partially located in the lower discharge area 170 and partially located in an area outside the front cover 211.

In addition, compared with the fixing unit, the antenna 405 is closer to the cooling unit 130, so that the influence of heat generated by the fixing unit 190 on the wireless communication unit is effectively avoided, and the communication performance of the wireless communication unit is improved.

In this embodiment, the cooling unit 130 includes a fan 131 and a fan bracket 132 supporting the fan 131, the antenna 405 of the wireless communication unit is disposed on the fan bracket 132, and the fan bracket 132 is made of plastic material, so that the antenna 405 is not interfered by the fan bracket 132 in wireless communication, and the structure of the frame can be fully utilized, so that the structure of the formed image forming apparatus is more compact.

As shown in fig. 10, in the present embodiment, the fan bracket 132 may further include an extension portion 406, the extension portion 406 protrudes from the fan bracket 132 and extends toward the upper cover 211, and the antenna 405 is disposed on the extension portion 406. With this arrangement, the antenna 405 can be brought closer to the upper side of the image forming apparatus, so that the communication apparatus can be ensured to be able to communicate with the wireless communication unit well.

The above description is only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention, and any modifications, equivalents, improvements and the like made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a multifunction portion for reading image information of an original placed on a platen;

a body for forming an image on a sheet;

the connecting part is arranged on the upper surface of the body and is used for connecting and supporting the multifunctional part;

a wireless communication unit including an antenna, a wireless communication module connected to the antenna, and a support part supporting the wireless communication module;

wherein at least a part of the wireless communication unit is provided on the connection portion.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion includes a first connecting portion on one side of the body and a second connecting portion on the other side of the body, and a length of the first connecting portion is larger than a length of the second connecting portion in a front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the wireless communication unit is accommodated in the first connecting portion.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the wireless communication module is closer to a front side of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus than to a rear side of the image forming unit.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the wireless communication unit is accommodated in the second connecting portion.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the wireless communication module is closer to a rear side of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus than to a front side of the image forming unit.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a fixing unit and a cooling unit for cooling the fixing unit, the wireless communication unit being closer to the cooling unit than the fixing unit.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cooling unit includes a fan and a fan bracket supporting the fan, the antenna is disposed on the fan bracket, and the fan bracket is made of a plastic material.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the fan bracket further includes an extension portion extending upward of the image forming apparatus, the antenna being disposed on the extension portion.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module is detachably mounted on the support portion.

11. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the body includes a housing including an upper cover including a discharge tray for carrying a recording medium and a discharge area located outside the discharge tray in a direction perpendicular to a recording medium discharge direction, the plane of the antenna facing at least partially the discharge area.

Images