Image formation device

Abstract

To improve the operability of an image formation device using a communication instrument.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes: an image formation part forming images on sheets; a discharge tray which supports the sheet on which images are formed by the image formation part and which is discharged from a discharge port; and an antenna part for short-range radio communication. The antenna part is provided at a position offset relative to the discharge tray to the outer side in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet discharge direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an antenna unit for short-range wireless communication. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, short-distance wireless communication is possible between the image forming apparatus and a mobile device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-103572 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if the location of the antenna unit used for short-distance wireless communication is inappropriate, the operability of the image forming apparatus using a communication device such as a portable device decreases. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to improve the operability of an image forming apparatus that utilizes a communication device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises an image forming unit (5) that forms an image on a sheet, a housing (3) that constitutes an exterior design surface, and an antenna unit (11A) for short-range wireless communication arranged within the housing (3), and a communication unit (11B) in the housing (3) that corresponds to the antenna unit (11A) is provided at a position that allows the communication unit (11B) to be seen from above.

[0006] As a result, in the present invention, the communication device can be easily brought close to or into contact with the communication section (11B), thereby enabling good wireless communication to be established between the antenna section (11A) and the communication device, thereby improving the operability of the image forming device utilizing the communication device.

[0007] It should be noted that "short-distance wireless communication" refers to wireless communication within a range of, for example, up to about one email. Incidentally, the symbols in parentheses for each of the above means, etc. are an example showing the correspondence with the specific means, etc. described in the embodiment described later, and the present invention is not limited to the specific means, etc. shown by the symbols in parentheses for each of the above means, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an appearance of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a central cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a projection view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention onto a horizontal plane. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The "embodiment of the invention" described below is an example of an embodiment. In other words, the invention-specific matters described in the claims are not limited to the specific means and structures shown in the embodiment below. The embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (First embodiment) 1. Overview of image forming device As shown in Fig. 1, a housing 3 of an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment constitutes the exterior design surface of the image forming apparatus 1. Inside the apparatus main body, i.e., inside the housing 3, an image forming unit 5 that forms an image on a sheet such as paper is housed as shown in Fig. 2.

[0011] The image forming unit 5 according to this embodiment is a monochrome image forming unit among electrophotographic image forming means having a photoconductor 5A, a charger 5B, an exposure unit 5C, a transfer body 5D, and a fixing unit 5E.

[0012] Photoconductor 5A carries a developer image. Charger 5B charges photoconductor 5A. Exposure unit 5C exposes the charged surface of photoconductor 5A to light, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of photoconductor 5A. When charged developer is supplied to photoconductor 5A on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed, a developer image is carried on the surface of photoconductor 5A.

[0013] The transfer body 5D is a means for transferring the developer image carried on the photoreceptor 5A to a sheet, and is disposed at a position facing the photoreceptor 5A. The fixing device 5E fixes the developer image transferred to the sheet. The fixing device 5E according to this embodiment is a heating type fixing device that heats the developer to fuse it to the sheet.

[0014] Then, the sheet on which the image formation has been completed is discharged from the discharge outlet 7A and placed on the discharge tray 7. Note that the discharge outlet 7A according to this embodiment opens toward the front side at the upper rear side of the housing 3. The discharge tray 7 is configured with an inclined surface that is inclined so as to become lower as it approaches the discharge outlet 7A.

[0015] Further, below the image forming unit 5 within the housing 3, a paper feed tray 9 having a placement section 9A on which a plurality of sheets can be placed is disposed. This paper feed tray 9 is detachably attached to the device main body, i.e., the housing 3. In this 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.

[0016] The sheets placed in a stack on the sheet feed tray 9 are fed to the image forming unit 5 in order from the top end side in the stacking direction. 2. Antenna for short-range wireless communication 2, a communication board 11 having an antenna unit 11A for short-range wireless communication is disposed inside the housing 3. In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, short-range wireless communication is performed with a communication device (not shown) such as a portable device via the antenna unit 11A, thereby enabling the following actions, for example.

[0017] That is, (a) operating the image forming apparatus 1 via an operation unit of the communication device, (b) transmitting image data to be formed on a sheet directly from the communication device to the image forming apparatus 1 without going through a computer or the like, and printing the data, or (c) authenticating the owner of the communication device to execute operations that have been permitted in advance for the owner, and prohibiting operations other than those permitted operations, etc.

[0018] Furthermore, on the outer surface of the housing 3, the communication unit 11B corresponding to the antenna unit 11A is provided at a position that allows the communication unit 11B to be seen from above, as shown in FIG. That is, at least above communication unit 11B, there is no component constituting image forming apparatus 1, and there is an open space. Therefore, there is nothing obstructing the user's view from the upper side of communication unit 11B to communication unit 11B, and the user can see communication unit 11B from above.

[0019] Specifically, the communication unit 11B is provided on the upper surface of 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. In other words, the communication unit 11B according to this embodiment is provided on the same side as the operation unit 13 at least in the front-rear direction of the housing 3.

[0020] More specifically, the communication unit 11B according to this embodiment is provided at a position shifted forward with respect to the discharge tray 7 in the front-rear direction of the housing 3. Note that the "front side in the front-rear direction of the housing 3" refers to, for example, the side where the operation unit 13 is provided with respect to the center in the front-rear direction.

[0021] For this reason, when the antenna portion 11A and the charger 5B are projected onto a horizontal plane, the antenna portion 11A projected onto the horizontal plane is misaligned with respect to the charger 5B projected onto the horizontal plane, as shown in Fig. 3. In other words, in this embodiment, the antenna portion 11A projected onto the horizontal plane is located on the opposite side to the fixer 5E projected onto the horizontal plane, across the charger 5B projected onto the horizontal plane.

[0022] 2, communication unit 11B is formed in a horizontal, planar shape. Note that "horizontal" refers to a level that prevents the communication device from slipping off communication unit 11B, i.e., housing 3, when the communication device is placed on communication unit 11B. Also, "planar" refers to a level that prevents the communication device from significantly wobbling when the communication device is placed on communication unit 11B.

[0023] An opening 3A and a front cover 3B are provided on the front surface of the housing 3. The opening 3A connects the inside and outside of the housing 3. The front cover 3B is attached to the housing 3 so as to be displaceable between a position that closes the opening 3A and a position that opens the opening 3A. Note that the front cover 3B according to this embodiment swings and displaces around its lower end side to open and close the opening 3A.

[0024] 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 of the opening 3A when viewed from the opening direction of the opening 3A (the front-rear direction in this embodiment).

[0025] The opening 3A according to the present embodiment is an access opening for performing operations such as attaching and detaching the process unit 5F and removing a clogged sheet. The process unit 5F is a casing that houses the photoconductor 5A, developer, and the like.

[0026] 3. Features of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment In this embodiment, the communication unit 11B is provided at a position where the communication unit 11B can be seen from above, so that 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, so that the operability of the image forming apparatus using the communication device can be improved.

[0027] In this embodiment, the antenna portion 11A is disposed so that the antenna portion 11A projected on the horizontal plane is offset from the charger 5B projected on the horizontal plane, so that the distance between the antenna portion 11A and the charger 5B can be made relatively large, thereby preventing the antenna portion 11A from receiving electrical noise from the charger 5B.

[0028] In this embodiment, the antenna portion 11A projected on the horizontal plane is disposed so as to be located on the opposite side of the fixing device 5E projected on the horizontal plane across the charger 5B projected on the horizontal plane, so that the antenna portion 11A can be separated from the fixing device 5E. Therefore, when a heating type fixing device 5E is employed, the antenna portion 11A can be protected from the heat of the fixing device 5E.

[0029] In this embodiment, the communication unit 11B is positioned offset from the discharge tray 7, thereby preventing problems such as a sheet placed on the discharge tray 7 obstructing the communication device from approaching or contacting the communication unit 11B.

[0030] In this embodiment, since the communication unit 11B is located on the upper surface on the front side, the user can easily bring the communication device close to or into contact with the communication unit 11B. In this embodiment, since the communication unit 11B is formed in a horizontal plane, the communication device can be left placed on the communication unit 11B. Therefore, the user does not need to keep holding the communication device, which improves the usability of the image forming apparatus.

[0031] In this embodiment, the antenna unit 11A is disposed above the upper end of the front cover 3B, so that the user can easily bring the communication device close to or into contact with the communication unit 11B regardless of the position of the front cover 3B.

[0032] In other words, if the communication unit 11B were provided on a movable member such as the front cover 3B, the position of the communication unit 11B would be displaced depending on the state of the movable member, making it difficult to bring a communication device close to or into contact with the communication unit 11B.

[0033] Second embodiment The communication unit 11B in the first embodiment was provided at a position shifted forward from the discharge tray 7 in the front-to-back direction of the housing 3, but in this embodiment, the communication unit 11B is provided at a position shifted from the discharge tray 7 in the left-to-right direction of the housing 3, as shown in Figure 4.

[0034] The communication unit 11B according to this embodiment is formed in an inclined surface shape that becomes lower toward the front side. A holder 11C for holding a communication device is provided on the lower end side of the communication unit 11B.

[0035] In addition, the inclined surface constituting the communication unit 11B of the housing 3 may be integrally molded with the top cover 3C that constitutes the housing 3, or molded separately from the top cover 3C and assembled to the top cover 3C, and the configuration is not important.

[0036] Furthermore, the communication unit 11B in this embodiment is formed with an inclined surface that becomes lower toward the front side, so that, for example, in a case where a display unit is provided on the communication device, the user can easily view the display unit while placing the communication device on the communication unit 11B.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, a holding portion 11C for holding the communication device is provided on the lower end side of the communication portion 11B, so that the user does not need to hold the communication device continuously. Therefore, the usability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

[0038] In FIG. 4, communication unit 11B is provided on the rear side, that is, rearward of the center in the front-rear direction, but this embodiment is not limited to this, and communication unit 11B may be provided on the front side.

[0039] In addition, in FIG. 4, the holding portion 11C is formed by a groove extending in the left-right direction, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the holding portion 11C may be formed by a protrusion protruding upward from the top cover 3C, the flat surface of the top cover 3C may be used as the holding portion 11C as it is, or the holding portion 11C may be eliminated.

[0040] Third embodiment In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus 1 integrated with a reading section 20 that reads image information written on a document.

[0041] That is, the housing 3 according to this embodiment is configured to have a first housing section 31 and a second housing section 32. The first housing section 31 is a housing section in which the image forming section 5 is housed, and corresponds to the housing according to the first embodiment.

[0042] The second housing unit 32 is a housing unit that houses the reading unit 20 and is located above the first housing unit 31, separated by a space 30A. In other words, the reading unit 20 is located above the discharge tray 7, separated by the space 30A.

[0043] Further, an operation panel 32A, which constitutes a part of the second housing unit 32 and has an operation unit 13, is provided at a position of the second housing unit 32 displaced from the reading unit 20. A communication unit 11B is provided on the operation panel 32A.

[0044] Therefore, when the reading unit 20 and the antenna unit 11A are projected onto a horizontal plane, the antenna unit 11A projected onto the horizontal plane is misaligned with respect to the reading unit 20 projected onto the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the operation panel 32A is shifted forward with respect to the reading unit 20 and is provided at a position that allows the operation panel 32A to be seen from above.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can easily bring the communication device close to or into contact with the communication unit 11B without being hindered by the reading unit 20. Since the communication unit 11B is provided in the second housing unit 32 disposed above the first housing unit 31, the user can easily bring the communication device close to or into contact with the communication unit 11B from above. It is possible.

[0046] 5, the communication unit 11B according to this embodiment is configured to have an inclined surface like that of the second embodiment, but is not provided with a holding portion 11C. However, this embodiment is not limited to this, and the holding portion 11C may be provided on the lower end side of the communication unit 11B, or the communication unit 11B may be formed into a horizontal surface, etc.

[0047] 6, a configuration may be adopted in which a recess 11D is provided that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the operation panel 32A, and the lower end side of the communication unit 11B or the entire communication unit 11B is located at the bottom of the recess 11D. With such a configuration, the communication device can be fitted into the recess 11D, so that the recess 11D can function as the holding unit 11C.

[0048] (Fourth embodiment) In the third embodiment, the communication unit 11B is provided in the second housing part 32, but in this embodiment, the communication unit 11B is provided in a position that can be seen from above in the first housing part 31, as shown in FIG.

[0049] Also in this embodiment, when the reading unit 20 and the antenna unit 11A are projected onto a horizontal plane, the antenna unit 11A projected onto the horizontal plane is misaligned with respect to the reading unit 20 projected onto the horizontal plane.

[0050] Therefore, in this embodiment as well, the user can easily bring the communication device close to or into contact with the communication unit 11B without the reading unit 20 becoming an obstacle. (Other embodiments) The image forming unit in the above-described embodiment was a monochrome electrophotographic type, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming unit may be of any type, such as a color 27 electrophotographic type, or a monochrome or color 27 inkjet type.

[0051] Furthermore, the specific usage form of the short-range wireless communication is not limited to the usage form shown in the above embodiment, and other usage forms are also possible. 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 the display unit of the image forming device through short-range wireless communication. By using the communication device as the display unit of the image forming device, a configuration can be realized in which the display unit is omitted from the image forming device, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the image forming device.

[0052] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as long as it conforms to the spirit of the invention described in the claims, and each component of each of the above-described embodiments may be used in combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1... image forming apparatus 3... housing 3A... opening 3B...Front cover 3C...Top cover 5...Image forming unit 5A: photoconductor 5B: charger 5C: exposure device 5D: transfer body 5E... fixing unit 5F... process unit 7A... discharge port 7... discharge tray 9A: Placement section 9: Paper feed tray 11A: Antenna section 11: Communication board 11B: communication section 11C: holding section 13: operation section 20: reading section 30A: Space 31: First housing section 32: Second housing section 32A: Operation panel

Claims

1. A housing and an image forming section having a fixing device and forming an image on a sheet; a discharge tray disposed on an upper surface of the housing and supporting a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit and discharged from a discharge port; an antenna unit for short-range wireless communication provided at a position corresponding to an upper surface of the housing, The antenna unit is provided at a position shifted outward in a width direction perpendicular to a discharge direction of the sheet with respect to the discharge tray and at a position shifted downstream in the discharge direction of the sheet with respect to the discharge outlet so as to be separated from the fixing unit.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. Equipped with an operating unit, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antenna unit is provided on an opposite side of the operation unit across the discharge tray in the width direction.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication section in the housing corresponding to the antenna section is formed in an inclined surface shape inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

4. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a communication section in the housing corresponding to the antenna section is formed in a horizontal plane.

5. the image forming unit is an electrophotographic type having a photoconductor that carries a developer image, a charger that charges the photoconductor, an exposure unit that exposes the charged photoconductor, and a transfer body that transfers the developer image carried on the photoconductor to a sheet, 5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a charger projected on a horizontal plane; a first electrode projected on the first surface, the first electrode being projected on the first surface, the second electrode being projected on the first surface, and a second electrode being projected on the second surface.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the antenna unit, the fixing unit and the charger are projected onto a horizontal plane, the antenna unit projected onto the horizontal plane is located on the opposite side of the charger projected onto the horizontal plane from the fixing unit projected onto the horizontal plane.

7. an opening for communicating the inside and the outside of the image forming apparatus is provided on a front surface of the image forming apparatus; and a front cover that is displaceable between a position for closing the opening and a position for opening the opening is provided on the front surface of the image forming apparatus; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antenna portion is disposed above an upper end of the front cover.

8. an image forming section having a fixing device and forming an image on a sheet; a top cover for covering the image forming unit; an antenna unit for short-range wireless communication disposed inside the top cover; a discharge tray that is provided on the top cover and that stacks sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit and that are discharged from a discharge port, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the antenna unit is positioned opposite the top cover at a position horizontally offset from the discharge tray and downstream of the discharge direction of the sheet relative to the discharge outlet so as to be separated from the fixing unit, and is capable of short-range wireless communication with a communication device held over the top cover.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the antenna portion is disposed at a position shifted outward from the discharge tray in a width direction perpendicular to a direction in which the sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray.

10. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an operating unit, wherein the antenna unit is arranged on the opposite side of the operating unit across the discharge tray in a width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the sheet.

11. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an operating unit, wherein the antenna unit is disposed on the same side of the operating unit as the discharge tray in a width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the sheet.

12. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the communication portion of the top cover corresponding to the antenna portion is formed in an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

Images