Image formation apparatus

Abstract

To realize suppression of a disturbing wave incident on a wireless communication substrate at a low cost.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus comprises: a wireless communication substrate which wirelessly transmits / receives image data to / from an external device; and a metallic support member which supports the wireless communication substrate. The wireless communication substrate includes an antenna to be used in transmission / reception of a wireless radio wave which is formed in a metal pattern on a second surface on the opposite side to a first surface opposed to the support member in a plate thickness direction of the wireless communication substrate. A magnetic sheet having a magnetic layer including at least metal powder is bonded to a region at least overlapping the antenna of the first surface opposed to the support member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a wireless communication board for wirelessly communicating image data with an external device. [Background technology]

[0002] The image forming apparatus includes a wireless communication board capable of long-distance wireless communication conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard in order to receive image data and the like from an external terminal carried by a user via a wireless network.

[0003] Electric boards such as a wireless communication board and a control board for controlling the wireless communication board are fixed to a metal frame (metal housing) of an image forming apparatus, which is made of multiple metal sheets. The electric boards are generally fixed to the frame by screwing mounting holes provided on the electric board into screw holes provided in the frame so as to face the mounting holes. The metal frame serves as a common GND potential for each electric board of the image forming apparatus. For this reason, a conductive part (exposed copper foil part) that serves as the GND potential of the electric board is provided around the mounting holes of the electric board, and the conductive part of the electric board is brought into contact with the screw holes of the frame by screwing to conduct the GND potential. As a result, the GND potential of each electric board is made consistent by the frame of the image forming apparatus, and the electric boards operate stably.

[0004] On the other hand, however, the metal sheet that constitutes the frame has the property of reflecting wireless communication and electromagnetic waves with frequency components similar to those of wireless communication. Therefore, the frame for fixing the wireless communication board may irradiate the wireless communication board with interference waves reflected from its surface, which may deteriorate the sensitivity of the wireless communication. In particular, electric boards are able to operate with small energy as semiconductor integrated circuits become more miniaturized, achieving high speed operation and low power consumption. However, the drawback of this is that electric boards are more susceptible to malfunction due to interference waves. As a result, electric boards, including wireless communication boards, are required to be designed to be resistant to interference waves.

[0005] Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, a radio wave absorbing material or a radio wave shielding material is used to prevent interference waves from being irradiated onto the wireless communication board. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-201176 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, due to the miniaturization of semiconductor integrated circuits, the resistance to interference waves has decreased, and it is therefore necessary to improve the resistance to interference waves incident on the communication antenna of the wireless communication board. Interference waves incident on the communication antenna of the wireless communication board include waves reflected from metal frames (interference waves), and the effects of these interference waves must be taken into consideration.

[0008] A method such as that described in Patent Document 1, in which radio wave absorbing material is attached to the entire surface of the area where interference waves may be irradiated onto the wireless communication board to suppress the reflection of noise radio waves, incurs unnecessary costs.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to suppress interference waves incident on a wireless communication board at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object comprises a wireless communication board for wirelessly communicating image data with an external device, and a metal support member for supporting the wireless communication board, the wireless communication board having an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless radio waves formed of a metal pattern on a second surface opposite to a first surface facing the support member in the plate thickness direction of the wireless communication board, and a magnetic sheet having a magnetic layer containing at least metal powder is attached to at least the area overlapping with the antenna on the first surface facing the support member. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress interference waves incident on a wireless communication board, and this can be achieved at low cost. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] (a)(b) Schematic perspective view of wireless communication board [Figure 4] Schematic perspective views of an image forming apparatus (a) and (b). [Diagram 5] Diagram showing how to install the wireless communication board [Figure 6] A diagram showing the layer structure of a magnetic sheet. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a magnetic sheet on a wireless communication board; [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing the layout of a wireless communication board in front of an image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the following examples may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to these alone.

[0014] The image forming apparatus will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus, and Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are perspective views of the image forming apparatus.

[0015] First, the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b). Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Next, the configuration around the wireless communication board in the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 7.

[0016] The image forming apparatus S shown in Figures 1, 4(a) and 4(b) has a printer 114 as an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet-like recording material P such as paper or an OHP. The image forming apparatus S has a scanner 116 as an image reading unit that reads an image of an original. The scanner 116 is disposed vertically above the printer 114 via the paper discharge tray 5 that discharges the recording material P. Note that while the printer 114 is shown in Figure 1, the scanner 116 is not shown.

[0017] The image forming apparatus S has an operation unit 110 on the front side in the front-rear direction. The operation unit 110 displays information based on image data and detects operations from the user. Here, the operation unit 110 is exemplified by a touch panel type display having a touch panel 111 that detects touch operations from the user and keys 112 such as a reset key. The user can perform settings related to image formation, such as the number of sheets of recording material to be output and size settings, by touching and inputting with a finger the keys displayed on the display.

[0018] The image forming apparatus S is an example of an intermediate tandem type image forming apparatus that transfers four color toner images, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), onto an intermediate transfer belt, and then transfers the images onto a recording material to form an image. Note that in the following description, the components that use the above-mentioned yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners are given the suffixes a, b, c, and d, respectively, but the configurations and operations of the components are essentially the same except for the color of the toner used, and therefore the suffixes will be omitted as appropriate unless a distinction is required.

[0019] The configuration of the printer (image forming unit) 114 will be described below. The printer 114 is equipped with a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as "photosensitive drum") 10 (10a to 10d) for each color. The photosensitive drum 10 is rotatably supported by the image forming apparatus S, and is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure by a driving means (not shown). The photosensitive drum 10 may be a photosensitive belt.

[0020] The following process means are arranged around the photosensitive drum 10 along its rotation direction. The charging roller 11 (11a to 11d) as a charging means charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 10. The exposure unit 2 as an exposure means irradiates the photosensitive drum 10 with laser light L (La to Ld) based on image information to expose the photosensitive drum 10. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10. The developing roller 12 (12a to 12d) as a developing means develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 with toner. The developing rollers 12a to 12d attach toners of different colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) to the photosensitive drums 10a to 10d, respectively. The cleaning blade 13 (13a to 13d) as a cleaning means removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 10 to the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0021] The printer 114 includes an intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer body) 15 onto which the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred, and primary transfer rollers 14 (14a to 14d) as transfer means for sequentially transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 onto the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0022] The photosensitive drum 10 is configured by providing a photoconductive layer such as OPC (organic photoconductor) on the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder. The charging roller 11 is configured by a core metal and a conductive elastic member surrounding the periphery, and is disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 to rotate driven by the core metal, and a charging bias is applied to the charging roller 11 by a power source (not shown).

[0023] The exposure unit 2 includes a rotary polygon mirror 21 that deflects and scans the laser light emitted from a semiconductor laser (not shown) that is a laser light source, a first imaging optical element 22 (22ab, 22cd) that guides the laser light deflected and scanned by the rotary polygon mirror 21 to the corresponding photosensitive drums 10a to 10d to form an image, a reflecting mirror 23 (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d), 24 (24b, 24c), and a second imaging optical element 25 (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d). The exposure unit 2 irradiates the charged surfaces of the photosensitive drums 10a to 10d with laser light La to Ld based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing roller 12 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

[0024] The intermediate transfer belt 15 is an endless belt formed to form a loop, and is stretched over three tension rollers parallel to each other. When these rollers rotate, the intermediate transfer belt 15 is driven so that its surface moves in the direction of the arrow. In addition, primary transfer rollers 14 (14a to 14d) are arranged inside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 15, and press the intermediate transfer belt 15 against the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 to form a primary transfer nip portion N1 (N1a to N1d) between the photosensitive drum 10 and the intermediate transfer belt 15. A primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 14 by a power source (not shown). In addition, a secondary transfer roller 16 is arranged downstream of the primary transfer nip portion N1 (N1a to N1d) in the driving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 15, and a secondary transfer nip portion N2 is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer roller 16. A secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 16 by a power source (not shown).

[0025] The paper feed unit 9 feeds the recording material P to the secondary transfer nip portion N2, and is capable of storing a plurality of sheets of the recording material P.

[0026] A fixing device 8 that applies heat and pressure to the recording material P to fix the toner onto the recording material P is provided downstream of the secondary transfer nip portion N2 in terms of the conveying direction of the recording material P (direction of the dashed arrow). Further downstream of the fixing device 8 in the conveying direction, a paper discharge roller 7 for discharging the recording material P to the outside of the image forming apparatus S is provided.

[0027] The above-described configuration is the portion that functions as the printer (image forming section) 114 that forms an image on the recording material P. Although not shown, these printers 114 are supported by a frame serving as a support member made of multiple metal plates. Specifically, the printers 114 are disposed between a rear side plate 301 and a front side plate (not shown) that constitute the frame, and the frame is covered by a cover 4 serving as an exterior member and a paper discharge tray 5 that is a paper discharge stacking section provided on the upper surface of the cover 4.

[0028] Printer (image forming unit) 114 is supported by a metal frame (metal housing) 300 composed of multiple metal sheets. A rear plate 301 is provided on the rear side of image forming apparatus S and is formed of metal sheets. The rear plate 301 forms part of the frame 300 on the rear side of image forming apparatus S. Although not shown, a front plate is provided on the front side of image forming apparatus S and is formed of metal sheets. The front plate forms part of the frame 300 on the front side of image forming apparatus S.

[0029] The rear plate 301 and the front plate are disposed facing each other, and a metal beam (stay) (not shown) bridges the two. The rear plate 301, the front plate, and the beam (not shown) each constitute a part of the frame 300 of the image forming apparatus S.

[0030] Scanner 116 is disposed vertically above printer 114 via discharge tray 5, and disposed vertically above frame 300. Operation unit 110 is disposed vertically above metal posts 304 that form part of frame 300. Operation unit 110 is disposed on the front side in the front-to-rear direction, and disposed forward of scanner 116.

[0031] Here, as shown in FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b), in the following description, the front plate side of the image forming apparatus is defined as the front side (near side or front side), and the rear plate 301 side is defined as the rear side (rear side or back side). In addition, when the photosensitive drum 10d on which the electrostatic latent image of the black toner image is formed is taken as a reference, the side on which the photosensitive drum 10a on which the electrostatic latent image of the yellow toner image is formed is disposed is defined as the right side. When the photosensitive drum 10a on which the electrostatic latent image of the yellow toner image is formed is taken as a reference, the side on which the photosensitive drum 10d on which the electrostatic latent image of the black toner image is formed is defined as the left side. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction defined here and vertically upward is defined as the up direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction defined here and vertically downward is defined as the down direction. The defined front direction, rear direction, right direction, left direction, up direction, and down direction are shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 8, etc.

[0032] A controller box 302 that houses the controller 100, which is a control board, is attached to the rear side panel 301. The controller box 302 is a metal housing for suppressing the propagation of external noise to the controller 100. Control signals to each unit are transmitted to the controller 100 via cable (connection line). For this reason, the controller box 302 has a support portion that supports the cable (connection line). The controller 100 acquires image data received by the wireless communication board 123 via wireless communication via a communication cable 303, and controls the printer 114 to form an image on a recording material P based on the acquired image data. However, the wireless communication method of this configuration can be operated using any method such as Wi-fi / BLE / NFC.

[0033] Next, a description will be given of an image forming operation by the image forming apparatus S. While the photosensitive drum 10 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

[0034] First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charging roller 11 to which a charging bias is applied. After that, the exposure unit 2 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 with laser light L in response to a video signal, which is image information from the control board 31, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10. The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is developed into a toner image by adhering to the portion irradiated with the laser light at a position facing (contacting) the developing roller 12. By performing such an operation on each photosensitive drum 10, a toner image of a different color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) is formed on each photosensitive drum 10.

[0035] Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 at the primary transfer nip N1 by the action of the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 14. The toner images on the photosensitive drums 10 are formed at the timing when they are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 so as to overlap each other. Therefore, a four-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15, with the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images overlapping each other. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 after passing through the primary transfer nip N1 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 13.

[0036] The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is transported to the secondary transfer nip portion N2 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 15. Furthermore, the recording material P is transported to the secondary transfer nip portion N2 in synchronization with the timing at which the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is transported to the secondary transfer nip portion N2. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is transferred onto the recording material P at the secondary transfer nip portion N2 by the action of a secondary transfer bias applied to the secondary transfer roller 16.

[0037] The recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to a fixing device 8, where it is heated and pressurized, and the toner image is fixed (melted and fixed) onto the recording material P. As a result, a four-color image is formed on the recording material P. Any toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 after passing through the secondary transfer nip portion N2 is scraped off by a belt cleaner (not shown).

[0038] The recording material P that has passed through the fixing unit 8 is discharged to the outside of the main body of the image forming apparatus S by the paper discharge roller 7, and is stacked on the paper discharge tray 5, which is a paper discharge stacking section provided on the upper surface of the cover 4. The image forming operation by the image forming apparatus S has been described above.

[0039] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus S will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus S.

[0040] The image forming apparatus S comprises a controller 100 , a display unit 108 , an operation unit 110 , a printer 114 , a scanner 116 , a USB I / F connector 118 , a FAX I / F connector 120 , a wired LAN I / F connector 122 , and a wireless communication board 123 .

[0041] The controller 100 comprises a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a storage device 104, an image processing controller 105, a system bus 106, a display controller 107, an operation unit controller 109, a printer controller 113, a scanner controller 115, a USB controller 117, a FAX controller 119, and a network controller 121. The operation unit 110 comprises a touch panel 111 and keys 112.

[0042] The CPU 101 is a central processing unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus S, and is connected to each part via a system bus 106. The RAM 102 is a work memory for the operation of the CPU 101, and is used for expanding various programs, storing the results of calculation processing, and storing image data processed by the image processing controller 105 by operations such as printing and scanning. The ROM 103 is a memory in which the startup program of the CPU 101, various setting information, etc. are stored.

[0043] The storage device 104 is a NAND type non-volatile memory (flash memory) for storing large-sized programs and data, and is an eMMC in this embodiment. However, the non-volatile memory is not limited to an eMMC, and may be an SSD or other non-volatile memory device.

[0044] The image processing controller 105 converts an original scanned by a scanner 116 into image data, and performs image processing such as enlarging, reducing, converting to monochrome, and converting the image data into image data for printing by a printer 114 .

[0045] The display unit controller 107 transmits image data to the display unit 108 in accordance with the communication protocol of the display unit 108. The operation unit controller 109 receives input from a touch panel 111 and keys 112, and converts the input into data that the CPU 101 can understand.

[0046] When printing image data specified by the CPU 101, the printer controller 113 controls various devices related to the printing operation of the printer 114, such as a photosensitive drum, a laser oscillator, a toner fixing device, etc. The scanner controller 115 controls various devices related to the reading operation of the scanner 116, such as a document detection sensor, a reading sensor, etc.

[0047] A USB controller 117 connects a USB I / F connector 118 to an external terminal (not shown) via a USB cable, and communicates image data, etc. A FAX controller 119 connects a FAX I / F connector 120 to a public line network via a telephone line, and communicates image data, etc.

[0048] The network controller 121 connects the wired LAN I / F connector 122 and an external terminal with a LAN cable to perform network communication. The network controller 121 also controls the wireless communication board 123, and performs network communication by transmitting and receiving data to and from the external terminal using a wireless communication standard conforming to the wireless LAN standard such as IEEE802.11n. In this embodiment, the wireless communication board 123 can perform wireless communication conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard.

[0049] Next, the configuration around the wireless communication board in the image forming apparatus S will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0050] First, the configuration of the wireless communication board 123 will be described with reference to Figures 3(a) and 3(b). Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are schematic perspective views of the wireless communication board.

[0051] The image forming apparatus S has a wireless communication board 123 shown in Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b). The wireless communication board 123 wirelessly communicates image data with an external device. The wireless communication board 123 is a board in which a metal pattern is formed with multiple layers of copper foil on a base material, for example, glass cloth impregnated with epoxy resin, and electronic components are mounted by soldering. However, the base material may be manufactured using materials other than those described above, and there is no restriction on the components to be mounted.

[0052] In this embodiment, the wireless communication board 123 is composed of a wireless communication antenna 201 , a wireless communication driver circuit 202 , a controller communication connector 203 , mounting holes 204 , and an exposed copper foil portion 205 .

[0053] The wireless communication antenna 201 is a pattern antenna formed of a metal pattern on the surface of the wireless communication board 123, and is used for transmitting and receiving wireless radio waves. The wireless communication antenna 201 is provided on the front surface (second surface) 123a opposite to the back surface (first surface) 123b facing the rear plate 301 in the plate thickness direction of the wireless communication board 123. As described above, the rear plate 301 is formed of sheet metal, and is provided on the rear side of the image forming apparatus S. The rear plate 301 forms a part of the frame (metal housing) 300 on the rear side of the image forming apparatus S.

[0054] The wireless communication driver circuit 202 converts data for network communication between the controller 100 and an external terminal, outputs an electric signal to the wireless communication antenna 201, or processes an electric signal received by the wireless communication antenna 201. When transmitting data from the controller 100 to an external terminal, the data to be transmitted generated by the controller 100 is converted into a signal format conforming to a wireless communication standard and output as an electric signal to the wireless communication antenna 201. When receiving data from the external terminal to the controller 100, the electric signal received by the wireless communication antenna 201 is decoded into communication data by a method conforming to the wireless communication standard and transmitted to the controller 100. The wireless communication driver circuit 202 is composed of components mounted on the front surface 123a and the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123, but there is no restriction on the surface on which the components are mounted, and the metal pattern connecting the components may be formed anywhere on the front surface 123a, the back surface 123b, or an inner layer of the wireless communication board 123.

[0055] The controller communication connector 203 is an I / F connector used for a wired connection for communicating data transmitted and received by the wireless communication board 123 between the network controller 121 and the wireless communication driver circuit 202. In other words, the controller communication connector 203 is a connector for connecting a communication cable 303 which is a connection line for wired connection of the controller 100. The controller communication connector 203 is mounted on the same surface (here, surface 123a) of the wireless communication board 123 as the wireless communication antenna 201.

[0056] The mounting hole 204 and the copper foil exposed portion 205 are used when the wireless communication board 123 is attached to the image forming apparatus S. The mounting hole 204 is used to determine the position of the screw when the wireless communication board 123 is attached to the image forming apparatus S by screwing. The mounting hole 204 is provided penetrating from the front surface 123a to the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123. Note that, although the mounting hole 204 has a closed hole shape in this embodiment, it may have a partially open shape such as a notch. The copper foil exposed portion 205 is conductive to the GND potential of the wireless communication board 123 including the wireless communication driver circuit 202. Note that the copper foil exposed portion 205 may be surface-treated, for example, by gold plating, so as to be conductive and difficult to oxidize. The copper foil exposed portion 205 is provided on the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123, that is, on the first surface facing the controller box 302 described later. The exposed copper foil portion 205 is provided around the mounting hole 204 on the rear surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123, and is a conductive portion that comes into contact with the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus S (a controller box 302 described later) to provide electrical continuity.

[0057] Here, the propagation characteristics of the radio waves of the wireless communication board 123 are affected by the stability of the GND potential, which is the reference potential of the wireless communication board 123, and if the GND potential is unstable, the propagation characteristics of the radio waves become poor. As an example of a method for stabilizing the GND potential of the wireless communication board 123, there is a method of conducting the GND potential of the wireless communication board 123 to the frame (metal housing) which is the GND potential of the image forming apparatus S. First, the mounting portion for mounting the wireless communication board 123 to the image forming apparatus S is in a state of conducting with the frame of the image forming apparatus S, or a part of the frame of the image forming apparatus S is set as the mounting portion for mounting the wireless communication board. Note that the frame of the image forming apparatus S is grounded through a power source (not shown). Next, the wireless communication board 123 is screwed to the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus S through the mounting hole 204 so that the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus S and the copper foil exposed portion 205 of the wireless communication board 123 come into contact with each other. The mounting portion of the image forming apparatus S and the copper foil exposed portion 205 are pressed together by the pressure of the screws, so that the GND potential of the wireless communication board 123 and the GND potential of the image forming apparatus S are electrically connected.

[0058] In this embodiment, the copper foil exposed portion 205 and the metal of the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus S are brought into contact with each other by applying pressure by screwing, and the continuity of the GND potential is ensured, but the method of ensuring the continuity of the GND potential is not limited to this. For example, a conductive spring or conductive grease may be provided on the metal between the copper foil exposed portion 205 and the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus S to ensure the continuity of the GND potential, and the image forming apparatus S may be attached without applying pressure as with screwing. Furthermore, if the radio wave propagation characteristics of the wireless communication antenna 201 are sufficiently good, the mounting hole 204 and the copper foil exposed portion 205 may not be formed on the wireless communication board 123. Alternatively, in the wireless communication board 123 having the mounting hole 204 and the copper foil exposed portion 205, when the wireless communication board 123 is assembled to the image forming apparatus S, the copper foil exposed portion 205 may not be used to establish continuity with the frame of the image forming apparatus. This proposal does not restrict the mounting hole 204 and the copper foil exposed portion 205 to be included in the configuration of the wireless communication board 123.

[0059] In this embodiment, the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus S to which the wireless communication board 123 is attached is a mounting portion 401 (see FIG. 5) of the controller box 302 fixed to the rear side plate 301 constituting the frame 300. Description will be made with reference to FIGS. 4(a), 4(b) and 5.

[0060] First, an example of a method for attaching the wireless communication board 123 to the image forming apparatus S will be described with reference to FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b).

[0061] The image forming apparatus S has a printer 114 as an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material P, and a frame 300 that is made up of multiple metal plates and supports the printer 114. The image forming apparatus S also has a controller 100 as a control board that is connected to a wireless communication board 123 by a communication cable (connection line) 303, and a metallic controller box 302 that is supported by the frame 300 and forms a storage space for storing the controller 100.

[0062] The controller 100 is accommodated inside a controller box 302 and fixed to the controller box 302 inside the controller box 302. The controller box 302 is supported and fixed to a rear side plate 301 constituting a frame 300 by means of screws. The wireless communication board 123 is disposed outside the controller box 302 and attached to the controller box 302. Therefore, in this embodiment, the support member that supports the wireless communication board 123 is the controller box 302 fixed to the rear side plate 301 constituting the frame 300 of the image forming apparatus S, and the wireless communication board 123 is supported by the controller box 302.

[0063] Here, a description will be given of an example of a method for ensuring a stable GND potential for the controller 100. In this embodiment, a method for covering the controller 100 with a metallic controller box 302 will be described.

[0064] The controller box 302 is used for stable operation of the controller 100. In general, the controller 100 requires a stable GND potential for stable operation, since each block connected by the system bus 106 such as the CPU 101 operates at high speed. However, the frame (metal housing) 300 of the image forming apparatus S has a structure in which metals are joined together by small contacts in order to secure many components such as the photosensitive drum 10 and intermediate transfer belt 15 constituting the printer 114 and a conveying path for guiding the recording material. If the controller 100 is directly attached to the frame 300 joined by such small contacts, the GND potential of the controller 100 becomes unstable, hindering stable operation of the controller 100. Therefore, by connecting the controller box 302 to the rear side plate 301 constituting the frame 300 by fixing with screws, the GND potential of the controller 100 is stable without being affected by the configuration of the printer 114.

[0065] Next, the arrangement of the wireless communication board 123 will be described. The wireless communication board 123 and the controller 100 transmit and receive data via a wired connection using a communication cable 303, which is a connecting line. Therefore, since the cost of the communication cable 303 increases when the communication distance is increased, it is desirable that the wireless communication board 123 and the controller 100 are as close as possible to each other. However, if the wireless communication board 123 is arranged inside the controller box 302 like the controller 100, the propagation of radio waves emitted by the wireless communication antenna 201 of the wireless communication board 123 and radio waves that the wireless communication antenna 201 is trying to receive will deteriorate, and the accuracy of wireless communication will deteriorate. For this reason, the wireless communication board 123 is arranged outside the controller box 302. The communication cable 303 connected to the controller 100 is guided to the outside of the controller box 302 through a hole opened in the controller box 302, and is connected to the controller communication connector 203 of the wireless communication board 123 attached to the outside of the controller box 302.

[0066] Next, an example of a method for attaching the wireless communication board 123 to the controller box 302 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0067] The wireless communication board 123 is attached to a mounting portion 401 protruding from the outer surface of the controller box 302 using a screw 402 .

[0068] The mounting part 401 is a substantially L-shaped metal plate having a protrusion 401a and a seat 401b. The protrusion 401a of the mounting part 401 is vertically shaped and protrudes vertically (in a direction that coincides with the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus) from the outer surface of the controller box 302. The seat 401b of the mounting part 401 is horizontally shaped at a position a predetermined distance away from the outer surface of the controller box 302 and perpendicular to the vertical direction, and is shaped to mount the wireless communication board 123.

[0069] The protruding portion 401a (vertical shape) of the mounting portion 401 protrudes a predetermined distance (for example, 20 mm) from the outer surface of the controller box 302, and maintains a distance between the wireless communication antenna 201 and the controller box 302. The seating surface 401b (horizontal shape) of the mounting portion 401 overlaps at least a portion of the wireless communication board 123 including the exposed copper foil portion 205 when the wireless communication board 123 is attached, but does not overlap the wireless communication antenna 201. Since the mounting portion 401 has the same potential as the GND potential of the image forming apparatus S, if the wireless communication antenna 201 and the mounting portion 401 overlap, the electrical impedance of the wireless communication antenna 201 changes and the radio wave transmission and reception characteristics deteriorate. Therefore, the seating surface 401b of the mounting portion 401 is shaped not to overlap the wireless communication antenna 201.

[0070] To facilitate assembly of the screws 402, the screws 402 are screwed in a direction perpendicular to the metal plate of the mounting portion 401. Therefore, by arranging the mounting portion 401, the controller box 302, and the wireless communication board 123 as parallel to one another as possible, visibility during screw fastening is improved, making screw fastening easier.

[0071] When the wireless communication board 123 operates, the wireless communication board 123 simultaneously receives interference waves from the outside in addition to wireless communication radio waves. The wireless communication driver circuit 202 receives a composite wave of a wireless communication signal and noise due to interference waves from the radio waves received by the wireless communication antenna 201 as an analog signal, converts it into a digital signal, and transmits the data to the controller 100. At this time, if the noise due to interference waves is greater than a certain standard, a difference occurs between the analog signal received by wireless communication and the digitized signal, resulting in a signal error. Wireless communication standards including IEEE802.11n have a correction function up to a certain signal error for each standard, but if a signal error occurs due to interference waves that exceeds the correction function, the data communication will be altered and in some cases the wireless communication will fail. In other words, reducing the signal level of the interference waves received by the wireless communication antenna 201 leads to improved communication quality of wireless communication.

[0072] Interference waves incident on the wireless communication antenna 201 include electromagnetic waves that propagate directly from space, as well as electromagnetic waves reflected from metal near the wireless communication antenna 201. In this embodiment, the metal near the wireless communication antenna 201 is the controller box 302, which is a metallic support member that supports the wireless communication board 123. Interference waves reflected by the controller box 302 can be suppressed by placing a member with high magnetic permeability, such as a magnetic sheet, on the reflection path of the electromagnetic waves. In other words, interference waves can be suppressed by placing a magnetic sheet between the controller box 302 and the wireless communication board 123.

[0073] For example, by attaching a magnetic sheet to a specific area of ​​the controller box 302 close to the wireless communication board 123, it is possible to suppress interference waves reflected by the controller box 302 and incident on the wireless communication antenna 201. However, the controller box 302 often has an uneven shape to compensate for the strength of the metal plate. For example, when the controller box 302 is configured to have a cover (shield plate) that covers the opening for accommodating the controller 100 in the accommodation space, the part where the cover is attached has mounting holes or holes for screwing, so it cannot be made flat. Therefore, it is difficult to attach the magnetic sheet accurately. In addition, the controller box 302 with an uneven shape loses regularity in the reflection direction of the reflected interference waves, so there is a high possibility that the signal level of the interference waves incident on the wireless communication antenna 201 will deteriorate.

[0074] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to ensure a flat area and to accurately attach the magnetic sheet, the magnetic sheet 500 is attached to the wireless communication board 123 as shown in Fig. 7. When attaching the magnetic sheet 500 to the wireless communication board 123, the magnetic sheet 500 is attached to a first surface of the wireless communication board 123 that faces the controller box 302, that is, the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123. This makes it possible to suppress interference waves reflected from the controller box 302 from being incident on the wireless communication antenna 201. Also, interference waves incident on the wireless communication board 123 can be suppressed, and this can be achieved at low cost.

[0075] The structure of the magnetic sheet 500 will now be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the layer structure of the magnetic sheet 500.

[0076] The magnetic sheet 500 is composed of a surface film 501, a magnetic layer 502, a double-sided adhesive tape 503, and a release liner 504. The surface film 501 is a protective layer that protects the magnetic layer 502, and is an insulator. The magnetic layer 502 is a conductor mainly composed of metal powder and resin, and the principle of radio wave absorption varies depending on the type of material used, and is classified into three types: dielectric loss, magnetic loss, and reflection loss. The double-sided adhesive tape 503 is an adhesive layer that fixes the magnetic sheet 500 to the place where it is to be attached, and is an insulator. The release liner 504 protects the double-sided adhesive tape 503, and is peeled off when the magnetic sheet 500 is attached.

[0077] In addition, magnetic sheet 500 is generally cut from a large sheet to the size of the area where it is to be used. In this case, depending on how magnetic sheet 500 is cut, the cut edges may not be uniform, and magnetic layer 502 may become exposed. If exposed magnetic layer 502 comes into contact with an electric circuit, the electric circuit may short out.

[0078] Therefore, the magnetic sheet 500 attached to the wireless communication board 123 is arranged and attached as shown in Fig. 7. The arrangement of the magnetic sheet 500 attached to the wireless communication board 123 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the magnetic sheet on the wireless communication board.

[0079] The magnetic sheet 500 is attached to the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123, that is, the first surface of the wireless communication board 123 that faces the controller box 302. The magnetic sheet 500 is attached to at least an area of ​​the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123 that overlaps with the wireless communication antenna 201 so as to cover said area. In this way, the magnetic sheet 500 blocks most of the paths along which interference waves reflected from the controller box 302 enter the wireless communication antenna 201.

[0080] The magnetic sheet 500 may be attached to a region other than the region overlapping the wireless communication antenna 201 on the rear surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123, but attention should be paid to the following regions.

[0081] The magnetic sheet 500 is not attached to the area overlapping the mounting hole 204 and the copper foil exposed portion 205 on the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123. When the wireless communication board 123 is fixed to the controller box 302 by screwing, it is preferable not to attach the magnetic sheet 500 to the area overlapping the mounting hole 204 and the copper foil exposed portion 205. If the magnetic sheet 500 is attached so as to overlap the mounting hole 204, the screw will not pass through the mounting hole 204, and the wireless communication board 123 cannot be screwed to the mounting portion. The copper foil exposed portion 205 has a role of contacting the mounting portion 401 of the controller box 302 and conducting the GND potential. Therefore, if the magnetic sheet 500 is attached so as to overlap the copper foil exposed portion 205 and insulated, there is a possibility that the stable operation of the wireless communication board 123 will be impaired. Therefore, the magnetic sheet 500 is attached so as not to overlap the mounting hole 204 and the copper foil exposed portion 205 on the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123. For example, the magnetic sheet 500 may be attached to overlap a part of the wireless communication driver circuit 202 so as not to overlap the copper foil exposed portion 205 on the back surface 123b. In other words, the magnetic sheet 500 may be attached to an area other than the area that overlaps the mounting hole 204 and the copper foil exposed portion 205 on the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123.

[0082] In addition, if the GND potential of the wireless communication board 123 is sufficiently stable, electrical continuity with the mounting portion 401 of the controller box 302 is not required, and screw fastening is also not required, the mounting hole 204 and exposed copper foil portion 205 may be covered with a magnetic sheet 500.

[0083] When the electric circuit (wireless communication driver circuit 202) on the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123 is exposed, the magnetic sheet is not attached to the area overlapping the exposed portion of the electric circuit. This is the part of the wireless communication driver circuit 202 where the electrodes are exposed on the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123. In order to prevent the edge of the magnetic sheet 500 from contacting the above-mentioned part (area), it is desirable to provide a predetermined distance t1 (for example, 5 mm) between the area overlapping with the wireless communication driver circuit 202 and the edge of the magnetic sheet 500 on the wireless communication driver circuit 202 side. This is because the edge of the magnetic sheet 500 exposes the magnetic layer 502, which is a conductor, and there is a risk of shorting with the exposed electrode of the wireless communication driver circuit 202. In order to achieve this, it is desirable to provide a predetermined distance t2 (for example, 10 mm) on the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123 between the area overlapping with the wireless communication antenna 201 and the area overlapping with the wireless communication driver circuit 202 (where the electrodes are exposed). This ensures a gap between the magnetic sheet 500 covering the area of ​​the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123 that overlaps with the wireless communication antenna 201 and the exposed electrodes of the wireless communication driver circuit 202. In other words, it is desirable to attach the magnetic sheet 500 to the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123 with a predetermined gap t1 between the edge of the magnetic sheet 500 and the area that overlaps with the wireless communication driver circuit 202. In other words, the magnetic sheet 500 may be attached overlapping a part of the wireless communication driver circuit 202 so as not to overlap the exposed part of the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123 where the wireless communication driver circuit 202 is exposed.

[0084] The magnetic sheet 500 is not limited to being attached to the rear surface 123 b of the wireless communication board 123 with its edge spaced a predetermined distance t 1 from the area overlapping the wireless communication driver circuit 202 .

[0085] For example, the magnetic sheet 500 may be attached to an area other than the area overlapping the wireless communication driver circuit 202 on the rear surface 123 b of the wireless communication board 123 .

[0086] Alternatively, the magnetic sheet 500 may be attached to the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123 so as to cover the entire area overlapping with the wireless communication driver circuit 202. In the case of the magnetic sheet 500 being attached to the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123 so as to cover the entire area overlapping with the wireless communication driver circuit 202, a gap between the wireless communication antenna 201 and the exposed electrode of the wireless communication driver circuit 202 is not necessary.

[0087] In this way, other configurations may be used as long as the method of attachment prevents a short circuit between the edge (conductive portion) of the magnetic sheet 500 and the exposed electrode of the wireless communication driver circuit 202.

[0088] As described above, according to this embodiment, by attaching a magnetic sheet 500 to at least the area of ​​the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123 that overlaps with the wireless communication antenna 201, it is possible to suppress interference waves incident on the wireless communication board 123, and this can be achieved at low cost.

[0089] 4(b) has been described by way of example a configuration in which the wireless communication board 123 having only wireless communication capabilities compliant with wireless LAN is attached to the controller box 302 on the rear surface of the image forming apparatus S. In the case where the wireless communication board 123 has wireless communication capabilities other than capabilities compliant with wireless LAN, the position at which the wireless communication board 123 is attached is not limited to the rear surface of the image forming apparatus S.

[0090] When the image forming apparatus S wirelessly communicates with an external terminal, a standard for wireless communication over several centimeters such as NFC and a standard for wireless communication over several meters such as Bluetooth may be used in combination, in addition to a standard conforming to IEEE802.11 that allows wireless communication over several tens of meters. Here, NFC and the like are communication methods with high security capabilities, since they can prevent communication eavesdropping by a third party due to their characteristics that communication can only be performed over a few centimeters. Bluetooth is a communication method with high security capabilities, since it performs communication while encrypting data by pairing a transmitting and receiving device one-to-one. As an example of using the above multiple wireless communication methods in combination, there is a method in which communication setting information such as ID information for communication over a wireless LAN using NFC or Bluetooth is transmitted and received between the image forming apparatus S and an external terminal, and communication over a wireless LAN is performed based on the information. By using this method, it is possible to reduce the effort required for the user to perform initial settings for the wireless LAN, while avoiding the security risk of initial setting information being eavesdropped by a third party, thereby improving user convenience.

[0091] To provide a service using multiple wireless communication standards as described above, it is necessary to install a wireless communication device compatible with each wireless communication standard in the image forming apparatus S. However, when multiple wireless communication devices are installed in the image forming apparatus S, the number of parts increases, which increases the manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus S. As a method for suppressing the increase in manufacturing cost, for example, there is a method of installing two wireless communication capabilities, one compatible with wireless LAN and the other compatible with the Bluetooth standard, in the wireless communication board 123.

[0092] When wireless communication is performed using the Bluetooth standard, it is desirable to place the wireless communication board 123 on the front of the image forming apparatus S. If the wireless communication board 123 is placed on the back of the image forming apparatus S, the frame, which is the metal housing of the image forming apparatus S, is likely to overlap with the straight line connecting the external terminal and the wireless communication board 123, and the apparent communication distance becomes longer than the actual communication distance. This increase in the apparent communication distance has a small effect on wireless communication with a communication range of several tens of meters such as the wireless LAN standard, but has a large effect on wireless communication with a communication range of only a few meters such as Bluetooth, narrowing the actual effective communication range. As a result, there is a high possibility that the user will be inconvenienced, for example, by being unable to perform wireless communication using the Bluetooth standard even when standing in a normal operation position such as in front of the image forming apparatus S.

[0093] Therefore, in order to fully perform wireless communication using the Bluetooth standard, it is desirable to configure the wireless communication board 123 to be disposed in front of the image forming apparatus S, as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a schematic layout diagram of the wireless communication board 123 disposed in front of the image forming apparatus S.

[0094] Specifically, the wireless communication board 123 is attached to a metal support 304 for mounting the operation unit 110 on the front side of the image forming apparatus S. Here, the metal support 304 constitutes a frame (metal housing) 300 that supports the printer 114, which is the image forming unit, and the GND potential is the same as that of the frame. The metal support 304 is a support member that supports the operation unit 110 on the opposite side of the controller box 302 across the printer 114. The wireless communication board 123 is supported by the metal support 304 that supports the operation unit 110. Note that the shape and the location of the frame (metal housing) 300 on the front side of the image forming apparatus S for mounting the wireless communication board 123 are not limited to the metal support 304. For example, the wireless communication board 123 may be attached to the front side of the metal housing of the scanner 116.

[0095] 8, when the wireless communication board 123 is attached to the metal support 304 supporting the operation unit 110, it is connected to the controller 100 in a controller box 302 attached to a rear plate 301 on the rear side of the image forming apparatus S by a communication cable 303. The communication cable 303 connected to the controller 100 is connected to the wireless communication board 123 on the front side through the inside of the image forming apparatus S. Alternatively, the communication cable 303 connected to the controller 100 is connected to the wireless communication board 123 on the front side through the inside of the frame (for example, the inside of a stay between the rear plate and the front plate that constitute the frame).

[0096] Even in this configuration, by attaching a magnetic sheet 500 to at least the area of ​​the back surface 123b of the wireless communication board 123 that overlaps with the wireless communication antenna 201, interference waves incident on the wireless communication board 123 can be suppressed, and this can be achieved at low cost.

[0097] In the above-described embodiment, the controller box 302 serving as the support member has the mounting portion 401, but the present invention is not limited to this. The controller box 302 may have a second mounting portion (not shown) provided at a position different from the first mounting portion in addition to the mounting portion 401 serving as the first mounting portion.

[0098] In this case, in addition to the mounting hole 204 which is the first hole, the wireless communication board 123 is also provided with a positioning hole (not shown) which is a second hole at a position different from the first hole. The second mounting portion has a protrusion (not shown) which penetrates the positioning hole which is the second hole of the wireless communication board 123 to position the wireless communication board 123 on the controller box 302. The protrusion of the second mounting portion penetrates the positioning hole which is the second hole provided at a position different from the mounting hole 204 which is the first hole of the wireless communication board 123 to position the wireless communication board 123 on the controller box 302. With this configuration, the ease of assembly is improved.

[0099] In the above-described embodiment, the exposure unit is a scanning exposure type exposure unit (laser scanner unit) that rotates a rotating polygon mirror to perform scanning exposure, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the exposure unit may be an exposure head in which light-emitting elements such as LEDs and organic EL are arranged in a substantially straight line in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum (main scanning direction).

[0100] In the above-mentioned embodiment, a printer is exemplified as an image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other image forming apparatuses such as a copier or a facsimile machine, or other image forming apparatuses such as a multifunction machine combining the functions of these, may be used. In addition, an image forming apparatus that uses an intermediate transfer body, transfers toner images of each color to the intermediate transfer body in a sequentially overlapping manner, and transfers the toner images carried on the intermediate transfer body to a recording material all at once is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. An image forming apparatus that uses a recording material carrier, and transfers toner images of each color to the recording material carried on the recording material carrier in a sequentially overlapping manner may be used. Similar effects can be obtained by applying the present invention to these image forming apparatuses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] S...Image forming device 10...Photosensitive drum 100 ... Controller 110...Operation unit 114 ...Printer 116 ... Scanner 123 ... Wireless communication board 123a…Surface 123b…Back side 201 ... Wireless communication antenna 202 ... Wireless communication driver circuit 203 … Controller communication connector 204 …Mounting holes 205...Exposed copper foil part 300...frame 301...Rear side plate 302 ... Controller box 303 ... Communication cables 304...metal support 401 ... Mounting part 401a...Protrusion 401b … Seat 402 ...Screw 500...Magnetic sheet 501 ... Surface film 502...Magnetic layer 503 ... double-sided adhesive tape 504 ... Release liner

Claims

1. A wireless communication substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the wireless communication substrate wirelessly communicating image data with an external device; an image forming section for forming an image on a recording material based on the image data; a support member having a metal surface facing the first surface in a plate thickness direction of the wireless communication board and supporting the wireless communication board, The wireless communication board includes: an antenna formed of a metal pattern on the second surface for transmitting and receiving radio waves; an image forming apparatus comprising: a magnetic sheet having a magnetic layer containing at least metal powder, attached to at least an area of ​​the first surface facing the support member that overlaps with the antenna;

2. the wireless communication board has a mounting hole into which a screw is inserted for mounting the wireless communication board to the support member, and a conductive portion that is provided on the first surface and contacts the support member to provide electrical continuity, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sheet is attached to an area that does not overlap either the mounting hole or the conductive portion.

3. the wireless communication board has an electric circuit that outputs data to be transmitted to an external device as an electric signal to the antenna, or processes the electric signal received by the antenna; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sheet is attached to an area of ​​the first surface other than an area overlapping the electric circuit.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an edge of the magnetic sheet is spaced apart from an area overlapping the electric circuit.

5. the wireless communication board has an electric circuit that outputs data to be transmitted to an external device as an electric signal to the antenna, or processes the electric signal received by the antenna; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sheet is attached to the first surface so as to cover the entire area overlapping with the electric circuit.

6. the wireless communication board has an electric circuit that outputs data to be transmitted to an external device to the antenna as an electric signal or processes an electric signal received by the antenna, and a conductive part that is provided on the first surface and contacts the support member to establish electrical continuity, 2 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic sheet is attached to overlap a part of the electric circuit so as not to overlap the conductive portion on the first surface of the wireless communication board.

7. the wireless communication board has an electric circuit that outputs data to be transmitted to an external device as an electric signal to the antenna, or processes the electric signal received by the antenna; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sheet is attached to overlap a part of the electric circuit so as not to overlap the exposed portion of the electric circuit on the first surface.

8. the wireless communication board has a connector for connecting a connection line for wired connection to a control board, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connector is disposed on the same surface of the wireless communication board as the antenna.

9. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sheet has, in addition to the magnetic layer, a protective layer for protecting the magnetic layer, and an adhesive layer for attaching the magnetic sheet. equipment.

10. a frame that is made up of a plurality of metal plates and supports the image forming unit; a control board connected to the wireless communication board via a connection line; a metal box supported by the frame and defining an accommodation space for accommodating the control board; having 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member is the box, and the wireless communication board is supported by the box.

11. a frame that is made up of a plurality of metal plates and supports the image forming unit; the support member is the frame, and the wireless communication board is supported by the frame; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

12. a control board connected to the wireless communication board via a connection line; a metal box supported by the frame and defining an accommodation space for accommodating the control board; an operation unit that is supported by the frame on a side opposite to the box with respect to the image forming unit and detects an operation; 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the support member is the frame supporting the operation unit on the side opposite to the box, and the wireless communication board is supported by the frame supporting the operation unit.

13. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication board is capable of wireless communication conforming to IEEE802.11.

Images