JP6575630B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an antenna unit for near field communication.

For example, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, short-range wireless communication is possible between the image forming apparatus and a portable device.

JP 2011-103572 A

However, if the arrangement position of the antenna unit used for short-range wireless communication is inappropriate, the operability of the image forming apparatus using a communication device such as a portable device is degraded.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it improves the operability of an image forming apparatus using a communication device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is arranged in an image forming section (5) for forming an image on a sheet, a casing (3) constituting an appearance design surface, and a casing (3). The communication unit (11B) corresponding to the antenna unit (11A) of the housing (3) can be seen from above the communication unit (11B). It is provided in a possible position.

Thereby, in this invention, since a communication apparatus can be made to approach or contact a communication part (11B) easily, radio | wireless communication with an antenna part (11A) and a communication apparatus can be favorably established, and communication apparatus It is possible to improve the operability of the image forming apparatus using the above.

“Short-range wireless communication” refers to wireless communication within a range of about 1 mail at the maximum, for example.
Incidentally, the reference numerals in parentheses for each of the above means are examples showing the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later, and the present invention is indicated by the reference numerals in the parentheses of the above respective means. It is not limited to specific means.

1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a central sectional view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a projection view of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention on a horizontal plane. It is an external appearance perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the image forming apparatus 1 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention.

The “embodiment of the invention” described below shows an example of the embodiment. In other words, the invention specific items described in the claims are not limited to the specific means and structures shown in the following embodiments. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1. Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus
As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment constitutes an external design surface of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, an image forming unit 5 that forms an image on a sheet such as paper is accommodated in the apparatus main body, that is, the housing 3.

Note that the image forming unit 5 according to the present embodiment includes a monochrome image forming unit among electrophotographic image forming units including a photoconductor 5A, a charger 5B, an exposure unit 5C, a transfer member 5D, a fixing unit 5E, and the like. Part.

The photoreceptor 5A carries a developer image. The charger 5B charges the photoreceptor 5A. The exposure device 5C exposes the surface of the charged photoconductor 5A to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 5A. When a charged developer is supplied to the photoreceptor 5A on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, the developer image is carried on the surface of the photoreceptor 5A.

The transfer body 5D is means for transferring the developer image carried on the photoconductor 5A to a sheet, and is disposed at a position facing the photoconductor 5A. The fixing device 5E fixes the developer image transferred to the sheet. The fixing device 5E according to the present embodiment is a heating type fixing device that heats the developer and welds it to the sheet.

Then, the sheet on which image formation has been completed is discharged and placed on the discharge tray 7 from the discharge port 7A. Note that the discharge port 7A according to the present embodiment is open toward the front side in the upper part on the rear side of the housing 3. The discharge tray 7 is configured by an inclined surface that is inclined so as to become lower as it approaches the discharge port 7A.

In addition, a paper feed tray 9 provided with a placement portion 9A on which a plurality of sheets can be placed is disposed below the image forming portion 5 in the housing 3. The paper feed tray 9 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body, that is, the housing 3. In the present embodiment, the paper feed tray 9 can be attached to and detached from the housing 3 by moving the paper feed tray 9 in the front-rear direction.

Then, the sheets placed in the stacked state on the sheet feeding tray 9 are sequentially fed to the image forming unit 5 from the upper end side in the stacking direction.
2. Antenna unit for short-range wireless communication
As shown in FIG. 2, a communication board 11 having a short-distance wireless communication antenna unit 11 </ b> A is disposed in the housing 3. In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, the following actions are possible by performing short-range wireless communication with a communication device (not shown) such as a portable device via the antenna unit 11A. .

In other words, (a) the image forming apparatus 1 is operated via the operation unit of the communication device. (B) The image data to be formed on the sheet is directly transmitted from the communication device to the image forming apparatus 1 without using a computer or the like and printed. Or (c) By authenticating the owner of the communication device, an operation permitted in advance for the owner is executed, and operations other than the permitted operation are prohibited.

Moreover, the communication part 11B corresponding to the antenna part 11A in the outer surface of the housing 3 is provided at a position where the communication part 11B can be seen from above as shown in FIG.
In other words, at least the upper side of the communication unit 11B is not provided with a part constituting the image forming apparatus 1, and is in a space shape. For this reason, there is nothing which obstructs a user's field of vision from the upper part of communication part 11B to communication part 11B, and a user can see communication part 11B from the upper part.

Specifically, the communication unit 11 </ b> B is provided on the upper surface on the front side of the housing 3. An operation unit 13 that is operated by a user is provided on the front side of the housing 3. That is, the communication unit 11 </ b> B according to the present embodiment is provided on the same side as the operation unit 13 at least in the front-rear direction of the housing 3.

More specifically, the communication unit 11 </ b> B according to the present embodiment is provided at a position shifted forward from the discharge tray 7 in the front-rear direction of the housing 3. The “front side of the housing 3 in the front-rear direction” refers to, for example, the side where the operation unit 13 is provided with respect to the center in the front-rear direction.

Therefore, when the antenna unit 11A and the charger 5B are projected on the horizontal plane, the antenna unit 11A projected on the horizontal plane is displaced from the charger 5B projected on the horizontal plane, as shown in FIG. That is, in the present embodiment, the antenna unit 11A projected onto the horizontal plane is located on the opposite side of the fixing unit 5E projected onto the horizontal plane with the charger 5B projected onto the horizontal plane interposed therebetween.

Further, the communication unit 11B is formed in a horizontal plane as shown in FIG. Note that “horizontal” refers to a level that does not cause the communication device to slide off the communication unit 11B, that is, the housing 3 when the communication device is placed on the communication unit 11B. In addition, the “planar shape” refers to a planar shape that does not cause significant rattling when the communication device is placed on the communication unit 11B.

An opening 3A and a front cover 3B are provided on the front surface of the housing 3. The opening 3A allows the inside and outside of the housing 3 to communicate. The front cover 3B is assembled to the housing 3 so as to be displaceable between a position where the opening 3A is closed and a position where the opening 3A is opened. Note that the front cover 3B according to the present embodiment opens and closes the opening 3A by swinging and displacing about the lower end side.

The antenna portion 11A is disposed above the upper end of the front cover 3B. That is, the antenna portion 11A is located at a position shifted outward from the outer edge portion of the opening 3A when viewed from the opening direction of the opening 3A (the front-rear direction in the present embodiment).

Note that the opening 3A according to the present embodiment is a work port for performing the attaching / detaching operation of the process unit 5F, the removal operation of the jammed sheet, and the like. Incidentally, the process unit 5F is a casing in which the photoreceptor 5A, a developer, and the like are accommodated.

3. Features of image forming apparatus according to this embodiment
In the present embodiment, since the communication unit 11B is provided at a position where the communication unit 11B can be seen from above, a communication device such as a smartphone can easily approach or contact the communication unit 11B. . Therefore, wireless communication between the antenna unit 11A and the communication device can be satisfactorily established, and the operability of the image forming apparatus using the communication device can be improved.

In the present embodiment, since the antenna unit 11A is disposed so that the antenna unit 11A projected onto the horizontal plane is displaced with respect to the charger 5B projected onto the horizontal plane, the antenna unit 11A and the charger 5B The distance can be a relatively large distance. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the antenna unit 11A from receiving electrical noise from the charger 5B.

In the present embodiment, the antenna unit 11A is disposed so that the antenna unit 11A projected on the horizontal plane is positioned on the opposite side of the fixing unit 5E projected on the horizontal plane with the charger 5B projected on the horizontal plane interposed therebetween. Therefore, the antenna portion 11A can be separated from the fixing device 5E. Accordingly, when the heating type fixing device 5E is employed, the antenna portion 11A can be protected from the heat of the fixing device 5E.

In the present embodiment, since the communication unit 11B is provided at a position shifted from the discharge tray 7, the sheet placed on the discharge tray 7 becomes an obstacle, and the communication device approaches the communication unit 11B. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as being unable to make contact.

In the present embodiment, since the communication unit 11B is located on the upper surface on the front side, the user can easily bring the communication device closer to or in contact with the communication unit 11B.
In the present embodiment, since the communication unit 11B is formed in a horizontal plane, the communication device can be left in a state of being placed on the communication unit 11B. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to keep holding the communication device, so that the usability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

In the present embodiment, since the antenna unit 11A is disposed above the upper end of the front cover 3B, the user can easily approach the communication unit 11B or approach the communication unit 11B regardless of the position of the front cover 3B. Can be contacted.

That is, if the communication unit 11B is provided on a movable member such as the front cover 3B, the position of the communication unit 11B is displaced depending on the state of the movable member, so that the communication device approaches the communication unit 11B. Or difficult to contact.

(Second Embodiment)
Although the communication unit 11B according to the first embodiment is provided at a position shifted forward with respect to the discharge tray 7 in the front-rear direction of the housing 3, as shown in FIG. In the left-right direction of the housing 3, the communication unit 11 </ b> B is provided at a position shifted from the discharge tray 7.

Moreover, the communication part 11B which concerns on this embodiment is formed in the inclined surface shape which becomes low, so that it goes to the front side. And the holding | maintenance part 11C which hold | maintains a communication apparatus is provided in the lower end side of the communication part 11B.

In addition, the inclined surface which comprises the communication part 11B among the housing | casing 3 is assembled | attached to the top cover 3C and what was integrally molded in the top cover 3C which comprises the housing | casing 3, or what was shape | molded separately from the top cover 3C. The structure is not questionable.

And since the communication part 11B which concerns on this embodiment is formed in the inclined surface shape which becomes so low that it goes to the front side, for example, when the display part is provided in the communication apparatus, a user communicates. The display unit can be easily visually recognized while the machine is placed on the communication unit 11B.

Moreover, in this embodiment, since the holding | maintenance part 11C which hold | maintains a communication apparatus is provided in the lower end side of the communication part 11B, it is not necessary for a user to hold | maintain a communication apparatus continuously. Therefore, usability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

In FIG. 4, the communication unit 11B is provided on the rear side, that is, on the rear side from the center in the front-rear direction. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the communication unit 11B is provided on the front side. Also good.

Further, in FIG. 4, the holding portion 11 </ b> C is configured by a groove extending in the left-right direction. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, the holding portion is formed by a protrusion or the like protruding upward from the top cover 3 </ b> C. 11C, the plane of the top cover 3C may be used as it is as the holding portion 11C, or the holding portion 11C may be eliminated.

(Third embodiment)
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus 1 in which a reading unit 20 that reads image information described in a document is integrated.

That is, the housing 3 according to the present embodiment includes the first housing portion 31, the second housing portion 32, and the like. The first housing unit 31 is a housing unit in which the image forming unit 5 is housed, and corresponds to the housing according to the first embodiment.

The second housing unit 32 is a housing unit that houses the reading unit 20 and is located at a position above the first housing unit 31 with a space 30 </ b> A. In other words, the reading unit 20 is located at a position with the space 30 </ b> A separated above the discharge tray 7.

Further, an operation panel 32 </ b> A that constitutes a part of the second housing unit 32 and includes the operation unit 13 is provided at a position that is shifted from the reading unit 20 in the second housing unit 32. A communication unit 11B is provided on the operation panel 32A.

Therefore, when the reading unit 20 and the antenna unit 11A are projected on the horizontal plane, the antenna unit 11A projected on the horizontal plane is shifted from the reading unit 20 projected on the horizontal plane. In the present embodiment, the operation panel 32A is provided at a position that can be shifted forward with respect to the reading unit 20 and that the operation panel 32A can be seen from above.

For this reason, in this embodiment, the user can easily bring the communication device closer to or in contact with the communication unit 11B without causing the reading unit 20 to become an obstacle.
And since the communication part 11B is provided in the 2nd housing | casing part 32 arrange | positioned at the upper side of the 1st housing | casing part 31, a user easily approaches a communication apparatus from the upper side to the communication part 11B. Or they can be contacted.

In addition, although the communication part 11B which concerns on this embodiment is comprised by the inclined surface shape similar to 2nd Embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, 11 C of holding parts are not provided. However, this embodiment is not limited to this, You may provide the holding | maintenance part 11C in the lower end side of the communication part 11B, or make the communication part 11B horizontal shape.

Further, when the holding portion 11C is provided, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, a concave portion 11D that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the operation panel 32A is provided, and the lower end side of the communication portion 11B or the entire communication portion 11B is the concave portion 11D. It is good also as a structure located in the bottom part. With such a configuration, since the communication device can be fitted into the recess 11D, the recess 11D can function as the holding portion 11C.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the communication unit 11B is provided in the second housing unit 32. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the first housing unit 31 can be seen from above. Is provided with a communication unit 11B.

Also in the present embodiment, when the reading unit 20 and the antenna unit 11A are projected on the horizontal plane, the antenna unit 11A projected on the horizontal plane is shifted from the reading unit 20 projected on the horizontal plane.

For this reason, also in this embodiment, the user can easily bring the communication device closer to or in contact with the communication unit 11B without causing the reading unit 20 to become an obstacle.
(Other embodiments)
The image forming unit according to the above-described embodiment is a monochrome electrophotographic method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a color 27 electrophotographic method, a monochrome or color 27 ink jet method, and the like. Any type of image forming unit may be used.

Moreover, the specific usage pattern of short-range wireless communication is not limited to the usage pattern shown in the above-described embodiment, and may be other usage patterns.
For example, in a communication device having a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel, the display unit of the communication device may be used as a display unit of the image forming apparatus by short-range wireless communication. By using the communication device as the display unit of the image forming apparatus, a configuration in which the display unit is omitted from the image forming apparatus can be realized, so that the manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as long as it matches the gist of the invention described in the scope of claims, and each component of each of the above-described embodiments is combined. May be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 3 ... Housing | casing 3A ... Opening part
3B ... Front cover 3C ... Top cover 5 ... Image forming section
5A ... Photoconductor 5B ... Charger 5C ... Exposure device 5D ... Transfer body
5E ... Fixer 5F ... Process unit 7A ... Discharge port 7 ... Discharge tray
9A ... Placement part 9 ... Paper feed tray 11A ... Antenna part 11 ... Communication board
11B ... Communication unit 11C ... Holding unit 13 ... Operation unit 20 ... Reading unit
30A ... Space 31 ... First housing part 32 ... Second housing part 32A ... Operation panel

Claims (5)

An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet;
An operation unit;
A cover,
An antenna unit for short-range radio that is disposed inside the cover and can communicate with an external communication device ;
A discharge tray on which a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit is discharged, and a communication unit corresponding to the antenna unit in the cover is configured to supply a sheet to be discharged to the discharge tray with respect to the operation unit. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is arranged to be shifted in a width direction orthogonal to a discharge direction , protrudes upward from the operation unit, and is inclined with respect to a surface of the operation unit . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the communication unit in the cover is inclined so as to become lower toward a downstream side in a discharge direction of the sheet. The image forming unit includes a photoreceptor carrying a developer image, a charger for charging the photoreceptor, an exposure unit for exposing the charged photoreceptor, and transferring the developer image carried on the photoreceptor to a sheet. An electrophotographic system having a transfer body and a fixing device for fixing the developer image transferred to the sheet;
Further, the antenna unit and the charger when projected on a horizontal plane, the antenna section projected on the horizontal plane, according to claim, characterized in that offset with respect to the charging device which is projected on the horizontal plane 1 or 3. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 2 above. When the antenna unit, the fixing unit, and the charger are projected on a horizontal plane, the antenna unit projected on the horizontal plane is opposite to the fixing unit projected on the horizontal plane across the charger projected on the horizontal plane. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the image forming apparatus is located on a side. The front surface of the image forming apparatus is provided with an opening that allows communication between the inside and the outside, and a front cover that can be displaced between a position where the opening is closed and a position where the opening is open.
Further, the antenna unit, an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that disposed on the upper side than the upper end of the front cover.

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