Image formation apparatus

Abstract

To solve such a problem that there is a risk that a cable connecting a reading unit and an apparatus body cannot be easily detached from the reading unit.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus 11 comprises: a reading unit 61 which has a document conveyance part 74 that conveys documents and which reads the documents; and an apparatus body 12 which includes a recording unit 50 for recording onto a medium M and a control unit 91 for controlling the document conveyance part 74. The apparatus body 12 includes a control board 92 on which the control unit 91 is provided. The reading unit 61 is provided to be movable between an open position for opening the upper side of the apparatus body 12 and a closed position covering the upper side. A lower surface 61u of the reading unit which covers the upper side of the apparatus body 12 includes a relay board 67. The document conveyance part 74 and the control unit 91 are electrically connected to each other by connecting the relay board 67 and the control board 92 via a single cable 95. A relay board cover 68 which covers the relay board 67 and the cable 95 extending from the relay board 67 is provided on the lower surface 61u of the reading unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus including a printer unit and a scanner unit rotatably supported by a rotatable support member so as to be openable and closable with respect to the printer unit above the printer unit. The printer unit has an image forming means for recording an image on a recording material. The scanner unit reads a document and supplies the read image information to the image forming means. A cylindrical member integrally formed from the scanner unit is provided in the vicinity of the rotatable support member of the scanner unit. It is disclosed that all wire members connecting the scanner unit and the printer unit are wired inside the cylindrical member, and the wire members are covered by the cylindrical member even when the scanner unit is open.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the wire member connecting the scanner unit and the printer unit is damaged due to the opening / closing operation of the scanner unit or the like, there is a risk that the wire member cannot be easily removed from the scanner unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body having a document conveyance unit that conveys a document, a reading unit that reads the document, a recording unit that records on a medium, and a control unit that controls the document conveyance unit. The apparatus main body has a control board inside where the control unit is provided. The reading unit is movably provided between an open position where the upper part of the apparatus main body is opened by rotating about a shaft center located on the back side of the apparatus main body and a closed position where the upper part is covered. A relay board is provided on the lower surface of the reading unit that covers the upper part of the apparatus main body. The document conveyance unit and the control unit are electrically connected by connecting the relay board and the control board with a single cable. A relay board cover that covers the relay board and the cable extending from the relay board is provided on the lower surface of the reading unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described based on embodiments. In each figure, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In this specification, "the same", "identical", and "simultaneous" do not only mean completely the same. For example, in this specification, "the same", "identical", and "simultaneous" include cases where they are the same considering measurement errors.

[0008] For example, in this specification, "the same", "identical", and "simultaneous" include cases where they are the same considering manufacturing variations of members. For example, in this specification, "the same", "identical", and "simultaneous" include cases where they are the same within a range that does not impair the function. Therefore, for example, "the dimensions of both are the same" means that considering measurement errors and manufacturing variations of members, the dimensional difference between the two is within ±5%, particularly preferably within ±3% of one of the dimensions.

[0009] 1. Embodiment 1 The image forming apparatus 11 is, for example, an inkjet printer capable of recording on a medium M such as printing paper.

[0010] In each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In this specification, the directions along these axes are defined as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. When specifying a direction, the positive direction is denoted as "+", the negative direction is denoted as "-", and positive and negative signs are used together in the direction notation. The direction in which the arrow in each figure points is described as the + direction, and the opposite direction of the arrow is described as the - direction.

[0011] The Z-axis direction indicates the direction of gravity, with the +Z direction being vertically downward and the -Z direction being vertically upward. The plane including the X-axis and Y-axis is referred to as the X-Y plane, the plane including the X-axis and Z-axis is referred to as the X-Z plane, and the plane including the Y-axis and Z-axis is referred to as the Y-Z plane. The X-Y plane is a horizontal plane. For the three spatial axes of X, Y, and Z without limiting the positive and negative directions, they are described as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0012] The X-axis direction is the direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the medium M in the apparatus main body 12, that is, the width direction of the medium M, and is also the width direction of the image forming apparatus 11, the reading unit 61, and the apparatus main body 12. The X-axis direction is a horizontal direction along the placement surface G which is a horizontal plane on which the image forming apparatus 11 is placed. When viewed from the operator located on the front side of the image forming apparatus 11, the +X direction is on the left side and the -X direction is on the right side. In the present embodiment, the front surfaces of the image forming apparatus 11, the reading unit 61, and the apparatus main body 12 are the surfaces on the side where the notification unit 22 is provided.

[0013] The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the image forming apparatus 11, the reading unit 61, and the apparatus main body 12. The Y-axis direction is a horizontal direction along the placement surface G which is a horizontal plane on which the image forming apparatus 11 is placed. Among the Y-axis directions, the +Y direction is the direction from the back surface to the front surface of the image forming apparatus 11, the reading unit 61, and the apparatus main body 12. Among the Y-axis directions, the -Y direction is the direction from the front surface to the back surface of the image forming apparatus 11, the reading unit 61, and the apparatus main body 12.

[0014] The Z-axis direction is the normal direction to the placement surface G and is the height direction of the image forming apparatus 11, the reading unit 61, and the apparatus main body 12. In the following description, the +Z direction may be referred to as "downward" and the -Z direction may be referred to as "upward".

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 11 includes a reading unit 61, an apparatus main body 12, and a notification unit 22.

[0016] The reading unit 61 reads the document. The reading unit 61 includes a reading unit housing 62 that is the housing of the reading unit 61, a reading sensor 63 that reads the document, and a document cover 71. The reading unit 61 is provided vertically above the -Z direction side of the apparatus main body 12 in the Z-axis direction. Rotation shafts 65R and 65L are provided at the -Y direction side end of the reading unit housing 62.

[0017] The rotation shaft 65R is provided on the -X direction side from the center of the reading unit housing 62. The rotation shaft 65L is provided on the +X direction side from the center of the reading unit housing 62. The rotation shafts 65R and 65L are attached to bearings 17R and 17L of the apparatus main body 12 described later.

[0018] Thereby, the reading unit 61 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 12 about the axis A1 located on the -Y direction side from the center on the back side of the apparatus main body 12. The reading unit 61 can move between an open position and a closed position by rotating about the axis A1 along the X-axis. The open position is a position where the reading unit 61 opens above the apparatus main body 12 which is on the -Z direction side of the apparatus main body 12 so as to allow access to the inside of the apparatus main body 12. The closed position is a position where the reading unit 61 covers the -Z direction side of the apparatus main body 12.

[0019] The document cover 71 is provided vertically above the -Z direction side of the reading unit 61. The document cover 71 is connected to the reading unit 61 by a hinge 85 so as to be movable between a closed position (see FIG. 1) that covers the -Z direction side of the reading unit 61 and an open position (not shown) that opens the -Z direction side of the reading unit 61. The document cover 71 is opened and closed when the user sets a document on the document table 64 (see FIG. 5) of the reading unit 61 to read the document. The document cover 71 includes a cover housing 72 that is the housing of the document cover 71, a document supply tray 73, a document conveyance unit 74 (see FIG. 2), a document discharge tray 75, and a conveyance unit cover 76.

[0020] Documents are placed on the document supply tray 73. The document supply tray 73 is attached to the cover housing 72 so as to be movable between an open position (see FIG. 2) where documents can be placed and a closed position (see FIG. 1) that covers the document conveyance path through which the documents are conveyed.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the document conveyance unit 74 conveys the document placed on the document supply tray 73 toward the reading sensor 63 by a plurality of document conveyance rollers 83 and document nip rollers 84. The document conveyance unit 74 conveys the document whose image or the like has been read by the reading sensor 63 of the reading unit 61 toward the document discharge tray 75.

[0022] The document discharged from the document discharge tray 75 has its image or the like read by the reading unit 61. The document discharge tray 75 is movably attached to the cover housing 72 between an open position (see FIG. 2) where the document can be discharged and a closed position (see FIG. 1) that covers the document conveyance path through which the document is conveyed.

[0023] The conveyance unit cover 76 is movably attached to the cover housing 72 between a closed position (see FIG. 1) that covers the document conveyance path and an open position (see FIG. 2) that opens the -Z direction side of the document conveyance path. The open position of the conveyance unit cover 76 is a position where the document conveyance path can be accessed. By setting the conveyance unit cover 76 to the open position, for example, the user can remove the document remaining in the document conveyance path.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, engagement claw members 78 are provided at positions at both ends in the Y-axis direction of the conveyance unit cover 76. When the conveyance unit cover 76 is in the closed position, the engagement claw members 78 engage with the protrusions 72p provided on the cover housing 72 to fix the position of the conveyance unit cover 76 in the closed position.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the engagement claw members 78 are fixed to the conveyance unit cover 76 by screws SC1 while being sandwiched between the guide member 77 for guiding the document and the conveyance unit cover 76. The engagement claw members 78 are made of a resin material that is easily deformable and has good slidability, such as POM (Polyoxymethylene).

[0026] The engaging claw member 78 of the present embodiment can be removed from the transport unit cover 76 and the guide member 77 by removing the screw SC1. Therefore, the engaging claw member 78 can be easily replaced. According to this, compared with the case where the engaging claw on the transport unit cover 76 side is integrally formed with the transport unit cover 76, for example, the maintainability of the transport unit cover 76 when the engaging claw is broken is improved. According to this, since the transport unit cover 76 and the engaging claw member 78 are separate members, it becomes possible to select the optimal material for each. For example, the engaging claw member 78 with a relatively small volume can be made of a high-cost material with good material properties.

[0027] For example, it becomes possible to configure the transport unit cover 76 with a relatively large volume using a recycled resin material. This can contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) such as Goal 12, "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns," and Goal 14, "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development." By configuring the transport unit cover 76 with a recycled resin material, the cost of the transport unit cover 76 can be reduced.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the notification unit 22 is provided on the reading unit housing 62 of the reading unit 61. The notification unit 22 is provided at a position that is the front end on the +Y direction side of the reading unit housing 62. The notification unit 22 is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis along the X axis with respect to the reading unit housing 62. The notification unit 22 has a monitor, a touch panel, etc., and notifies the user by displaying a message.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the apparatus main body 12 includes a medium supply unit 31, a feeding unit 32, a transport unit 35, a medium support unit 39, and a recording unit 50. The apparatus main body 12 also includes a discharge unit 41, a placement tray 43, a front cover 16, a liquid storage unit 29, bearings 17R, 17L, and an electrical component unit 90. In FIGS. 5 to 7, the transport path TR along which the medium M is transported is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing of the apparatus main body 12 is formed by attaching a plurality of exterior members including an exterior member 14 that defines the outer contour on the +X direction side to a frame member including a carriage frame 13. The carriage frame 13 supports the carriage 52 of the recording unit 50 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. For this reason, the carriage frame 13 is provided at the center in the Y-axis direction of the apparatus main body 12 and extends in the X-axis direction so as to divide the inside of the apparatus main body 12 into a front side region on the +Y direction side and a rear side region on the -Y direction side.

[0031] The medium supply unit 31 can accommodate a plurality of media M in a stacked state. The medium supply unit 31 is provided on the apparatus main body 12 so as to be movable between a supply position (see FIG. 5) where the accommodated medium M can be sent out to the conveyance path TR and a set position (not shown) on the +Y direction side of the supply position. The set position of the medium supply unit 31 is a position where the medium M can be set in the medium supply unit 31.

[0032] The feeding unit 32 includes a pickup roller 33. The pickup roller 33 rotates in contact with the medium M accommodated in the medium supply unit 31, and sends the uppermost medium M toward the downstream of the conveyance path TR. The feeding unit 32 sends out the media M accommodated in the medium supply unit 31 one by one to the conveyance path TR.

[0033] The conveyance unit 35 conveys the medium M along the conveyance path TR. The conveyance unit 35 includes a reversing roller 36, a nip roller 37, and a pair of conveyance rollers 38 provided along the conveyance path TR. The reversing roller 36 and the nip roller 37 rotate while sandwiching the medium M, and convey the medium M toward the pair of conveyance rollers 38. The reversing roller 36 and the nip roller 37 reverse the conveyance direction of the medium M from the -Y direction to the +Y direction. The pair of conveyance rollers 38 rotates while sandwiching the medium M, and conveys the medium M toward the medium support unit 39.

[0034] The medium support unit 39 is provided at a position facing the recording unit 50 with the conveyance path TR interposed therebetween. The medium support unit 39 supports at least the portion of the medium M to be recorded.

[0035] The recording unit 50 includes a head 51 and a carriage 52. The head 51 has a plurality of nozzles N capable of discharging liquid. The carriage 52 mounts the head 51. The carriage 52 is supported by the carriage frame 13 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. The recording unit 50 discharges ink, which is an example of liquid, from the nozzles N of the head 51 mounted on the carriage 52 that moves in the X-axis direction, and performs recording on the medium M.

[0036] The discharging unit 41 discharges the medium M recorded by the recording unit 50 onto the placement tray 43. The discharging unit 41 includes a pair of discharging rollers 42. The pair of discharging rollers 42 rotates with the medium M sandwiched therebetween, and conveys the medium M toward the placement tray 43 downstream in the conveyance direction.

[0037] The medium M discharged by the discharging unit 41 is placed on the placement tray 43. The placement tray 43 is provided at a position between the recording unit 50 and the medium supply unit 31 at the supply position in the Z-axis direction. The placement tray 43 may be movably provided on the apparatus main body 12 between a storage position housed inside the apparatus main body 12 and a placement position protruding to the +Y direction side of the apparatus main body 12 where the medium M is placed.

[0038] The front cover 16 is provided on the apparatus main body 12 so as to be openable and closable about an axis along the X-axis. The front cover 16 is movable between a closed position (see FIG. 2) covering the +Y direction side of the placement tray 43 and the medium supply unit 31 at the supply position and an open position (see FIG. 5) located on the +Z direction side of the medium supply unit 31. When the front cover 16 is in the open position, the medium supply unit 31 can move between the supply position and the set position. When the placement tray 43 is movable between the aforementioned storage position and the placement position, the front cover 16 may move from the closed position to the open position in conjunction with the movement of the placement tray 43 from the storage position to the placement position.

[0039] The liquid storage section 29 stores the ink discharged by the recording section 50. The liquid storage section 29 is provided in a region on the -X direction side of the conveyance path TR among the front side regions on the +Y direction side of the carriage frame 13. The liquid storage section 29 is connected to the recording section 50 by a supply tube (not shown) so as to be able to supply ink to the recording section 50.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7, the bearings 17R and 17L are provided at the -Y direction side end on the back side of the apparatus main body 12. The bearing 17R is provided at a position adjacent to the -X direction side of the conveyance path TR. The bearing 17L is provided at a position adjacent to the +X direction side of the conveyance path TR. By attaching the rotary shafts 65R and 65L of the reading section 61 to the bearings 17R and 17L, the reading section 61 is attached to the apparatus main body 12 so as to be rotatable about the axis A1.

[0041] The electrical component section 90 is provided in the back side region on the -Y direction side of the carriage frame 13 in the apparatus main body 12. The electrical component section 90 includes electrical circuits such as a control section 91 and a power supply section 93.

[0042] The control section 91 comprehensively controls the driving of each mechanism in the image forming apparatus 11 and controls various operations executed by the image forming apparatus 11. The control section 91 can be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program, one or more hardware circuits that execute at least a part of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The hardware circuit is, for example, an application specific integrated circuit. The processor includes a CPU and memories such as a RAM and a ROM, and the memories store program codes or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processing.

[0043] For example, the control unit 91 controls the feeding unit 32, the conveying unit 35, the recording unit 50, and the discharging unit 41 to convey the medium M on which recording has been performed by the recording unit 50 toward the placement tray 43. The control unit 91 controls the original document conveying unit 74 and the reading sensor 63 to discharge the original document from which an image or the like has been read by the reading sensor 63 to the original document discharge tray 75. The control unit 91 controls the notification unit 22 to display a message on the monitor of the notification unit 22, thereby notifying the user of the state of the image forming apparatus 11.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the control board 92 on which the control unit 91 is provided is provided in the rear area of the apparatus main body 12. The control board 92 is attached to the -Y direction side of the carriage frame 13 so that the board surface is along the X-Z plane. The control board 92 is located on the -Z direction side of the conveyance path TR. The control board 92 extends in the X-axis direction from the +X direction end to the center of the apparatus main body 12. In FIG. 8, for the sake of explanation, the cable 95, the relay board 67 and the relay board cover 68 included in the reading unit 61, which will be described later, are shown. In FIG. 8, for the sake of explanation, the electrical component cover 15, which will be described later, is removed.

[0045] The power supply unit 93 adjusts the voltage of the power supplied to each component part of the image forming apparatus 11. As shown in FIG. 7, the power supply unit 93 is provided at a position on the +X direction side of the conveyance path TR. The power supply unit 93 is provided at a position on the -Y direction side of the control board 92.

[0046] An electrical component cover 15 that covers the electrical component unit 90 is provided on the -Z direction side above the electrical component unit 90 including the control board 92 and the power supply unit 93. The electrical component cover 15 is provided so as to be slidable in the +X direction by removing the exterior member 14 from the frame member. Thereby, for example, the control board 92 becomes in a state accessible from above.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of ports such as a power port P1 into which a connection terminal such as a power cable and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) is inserted and a USB port P2 are exposed on the exterior member 14. The USB port P2 is exposed in a recess 14r provided in the exterior member 14. The recess 14r is a depression extending in the +Y direction from the back surface of the apparatus main body 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the recess 14r is located on the -Z direction side above the power supply unit 93.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, an extension portion 14e that covers the -Z direction side above the electrical component unit 90 is provided on the exterior member 14. The extension portion 14e covers above a region between the end on the +X direction side of the apparatus main body 12 and the bearing 17L and between the end on the -Y direction side of the apparatus main body 12 and the electrical component cover 15 in the X-axis direction in the electrical component unit 90. A notch-shaped gap N1 extending in the X-axis direction is formed between the end on the -Y direction side of the electrical component cover 15 and the extension portion 14e by the electrical component cover 15 and the extension portion 14e. The gap N1 is open on the -X direction side.

[0049] Next, the connection structure between the electrical components provided in the document conveyance unit 74 of the reading unit 61 and the control unit 91 provided on the control board 92 will be described. The electrical components provided in the document conveyance unit 74 and the control board 92 are electrically connected via an electric wire WR, a relay board 67, and a cable 95.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, the electrical components provided in the document conveyance unit 74 include a document conveyance motor 79 (see FIG. 6), an encoder 80, a document edge detection sensor 81 (not shown), and a document detection sensor 82 (not shown). The document conveyance motor 79 drives a document conveyance roller 83. The encoder 80 detects the rotation amount of the document conveyance motor 79. The document edge detection sensor 81 detects the edge of the document. The document detection sensor 82 detects the presence or absence of the document.

[0051] The electric wire WR connected to the electric components provided in the original document conveyance unit 74 includes electric wires W1, W2, W3, and W4 connected to the original document conveyance motor 79, the encoder 80, the original document edge detection sensor 81, and the original document detection sensor 82. The electric wire WR is drawn out in the +Z direction of the lower surface 61u of the reading unit through the lead-out port 72e and the communication hole 66.

[0052] The lead-out port 72e is a through-hole provided in the lower surface 71u of the original document cover, which is the +Z direction surface of the cover housing 72. The communication hole 66 penetrates the reading unit housing 62 in the Z-axis direction. The communication hole 66 opens on the lower surface 61u of the reading unit, which is the +Z direction surface of the reading unit housing 62. The lower surface 61u of the reading unit covers the -Z direction side of the apparatus main body 12 when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication hole 66 opens at the -Y direction side end on the back side of the lower surface 61u of the reading unit, adjacent to the +X direction side of the rotation shaft 65L. In FIG. 10, for the sake of explanation, the relay board cover 68 described later is removed.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 10, the relay board 67 is attached along the X-Y plane on the +Z direction side of the lower surface 61u of the reading unit. The relay board 67 is provided at the -Y direction side, which is the back side from the center on the lower surface 61u of the reading unit, adjacent to the +Y direction side of the opening of the communication hole 66. The relay board 67 is provided at a position between the rotation shaft 65L and the +X direction side end of the lower surface 61u of the reading unit in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the relay board 67 is provided at a position closer to the axis A1 than the center of the reading unit 61 in the Y-axis direction.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the relay board 67 is located vertically below the original document conveyance motor 79. When the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the relay board 67 is located vertically above the concave portion 14r. When the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the relay board 67 is located vertically above the power supply unit 93.

[0055] As is clear from FIGS. 7 and 8, when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the relay substrate 67 is located vertically above the -Y direction side end of the electrical component cover 15. When the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the relay substrate 67 is located vertically above the +Y direction side end of the extending portion 14e. When the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the relay substrate 67 is located vertically above the gap N1. In other words, when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the relay substrate 67 is located vertically above the region of the apparatus main body 12 on the +X direction side of the conveyance path TR and on the -Y direction side of the center of the apparatus main body 12.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 10, connectors C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 are provided on the +Z direction side surface of the relay substrate 67. An electric wire W1 is connected to the connector C1. An electric wire W2 is connected to the connector C2. An electric wire W3 is connected to the connector C3. An electric wire W4 is connected to the connector C4. Thereby, the electrical components of the document conveyance unit 74 and the relay substrate 67 are electrically connected. A cable 95 is connected to the connector C5. The cable 95 is a flexible flat covered electric wire, a so-called flexible flat cable (FFC).

[0057] Each of the electric wires W1, W2, W3, W4 and the cable 95 is detached from and attached to the relay substrate 67 by being inserted and removed along the X-Y plane, that is, along the lower surface 61u of the reading unit.

[0058] Also, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11, a relay substrate cover 68 is provided on the +Z direction side of the relay substrate 67. The relay substrate cover 68 covers the relay substrate 67 and the extending portion 95a (see FIG. 10) of the cable 95. As shown in FIG. 11, the -Y direction end of the relay substrate cover 68 extends toward the opening of the communication hole 66 that is obliquely upward and enters the communication hole 66.

[0059] The relay board cover 68 is detachably fixed to the lower surface 61u of the reading unit by the screw SC2 and the mounting claws 68f. The mounting claws 68f are engaging protrusions provided on the relay board cover 68 so as to be engageable with an engaged portion 61e (see FIG. 10) provided on the lower surface 61u of the reading unit.

[0060] The screw SC2 and the mounting claws 68f are an example of a fixing portion FP provided at a position accessible when the reading unit 61 is in the open position. Incidentally, the relay board cover 68 may be fixed to the lower surface 61u of the reading unit by either the screw SC2 or the mounting claws 68f.

[0061] One end of the cable 95 is connected to the connector C5, and the other end of the cable 95 is connected to the connector C6 (see FIG. 8) of the control board 92, whereby the electrical components provided in the document conveyance unit 74 and the control unit 91 are electrically connected. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the connector C6 is provided at a position that is the end in the -Z direction on the +Y direction side surface of the control board 92. The cable 95 is detached from and attached to the control board 92 by being inserted into and removed from the connector C6 along the Z-axis direction from the -Z direction of the connector C6.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the cable 95 having one end connected to the connector C5 and the other end connected to the connector C6 is formed with a protruding portion 95a, a folded-back portion 95b, a reversing portion 95c, and an entering portion 95d. When the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the protruding portion 95a is a portion that extends in the -Y direction from a position on the +Z direction side of the relay board 67 and overlapping the relay board 67 toward the folded-back portion 95b. The +Z direction side of the relay board 67 is the side of the relay board 67 facing the apparatus main body 12.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 12, the folding portion 95b is a curved portion following the advancing portion 95a where the extending direction of the cable 95 is changed. In the folding portion 95b, the cable 95 extends obliquely upward in the -Y direction and -Z direction along the inner surface of the relay board cover 68 and enters the communication hole 66. In the folding portion 95b, the cable 95 curves in the communication hole 66, so that the extending direction changes to the +Z direction toward the extending portion 14e of the exterior member 14, and advances in the +Z direction from the opening of the communication hole 66.

[0064] The reversing portion 95c is a portion following the folding portion 95b where the extending direction of the cable 95 is changed to the +Y direction, which is the opposite direction of the advancing portion 95a. In the reversing portion 95c, the cable 95 extends in the +Y direction along the surface on the -Z direction side, which becomes the upper surface of the extending portion 14e of the exterior member 14.

[0065] In the routing of the cable 95, the positions of the advancing portion 95a, the folding portion 95b, and the reversing portion 95c in the X-axis direction are set to be the same. In the routing of the cable 95, the width direction of the cable 95 in the advancing portion 95a, the folding portion 95b, and the reversing portion 95c is set to be the direction along the axis A1.

[0066] The entering portion 95d is a portion located in the region vertically below on the +Z direction side of the electrical component cover 15. The cable 95 extending in the +Y direction following the reversing portion 95c enters the region vertically below the electrical component cover 15 through the gap N1. As shown in FIG. 13, the cable 95 changes its extending direction by being folded multiple times. The other end of the cable 95 is connected to the connector C6 on the control board 92.

[0067] In FIG. 13, for the purpose of explanation, the cable 95, the relay board 67 and the relay board cover 68 of the reading unit 61, which will be described later, are shown. In FIG. 13, for the purpose of explanation, the electrical component cover 15, which will be described later, is removed.

[0068] In the present embodiment, since the connection structure as described above is provided, by moving the reading unit 61 to the open position, the relay board cover 68 can be easily removed. In the present embodiment, since the connection structure as described above is provided, the cable 95 can be easily detached from and attached to the connector C5 on the relay board 67. In the present embodiment, since the connection structure as described above is provided, by removing the electrical equipment cover 15, the cable 95 can be easily detached from and attached to the connector C6 on the control board 92. Therefore, by moving the reading unit 61 to the open position, the cable 95 can be easily detached from and attached to the reading unit 61 and the apparatus main body 12.

[0069] According to the present embodiment, the extending portion 95a, the folded-back portion 95b, and the inverted portion 95c of the cable 95 whose other end is connected to the connector C6 are located on the -Z direction side of the extending portion 14e above the apparatus main body 12 as shown in FIG. 14. Therefore, the reading unit 61 can be easily attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 12.

[0070] According to the present embodiment, by moving the reading unit 61 to the open position and removing the relay board cover 68, the electric wires W1, W2, W3, and W4 can be easily removed from the connectors C1, C2, C3, and C4 on the relay board 67. Thereby, the document cover 71 can be easily removed from the reading unit 61.

[0071] As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 11 according to Embodiment 1, the following effects can be obtained.

[0072] The image forming apparatus 11 has a document conveyance unit 74 that conveys a document, and includes a reading unit 61 that reads the document. The image forming apparatus 11 includes a device main body 12 having a recording unit 50 that records on a medium M and a control unit 91 that controls the document conveyance unit 74. The device main body 12 has a control board 92 on which the control unit 91 is provided inside. The reading unit 61 is movably provided between an open position where it rotates about an axis A1 located on the back side of the device main body 12 to open the upper part of the device main body 12 and a closed position where it covers the upper part. The reading unit 61 has a relay board 67 on a lower surface 61u of the reading unit that covers the upper part of the device main body 12. The document conveyance unit 74 and the control unit 91 are electrically connected by connecting the relay board 67 and the control board 92 with a single cable 95. A relay board cover 68 that covers the relay board 67 and a cable 95 extending from the relay board 67 is provided on the lower surface 61u of the reading unit. According to this, the cable 95 connecting the reading unit 61 and the device main body 12 can be easily removed. According to this, the assemblability and disassemblability of the image forming apparatus 11 are improved.

[0073] The document conveyance unit 74 has a document conveyance motor 79 that drives a document conveyance roller 83 that conveys a document, and an encoder 80 that detects the rotation amount of the document conveyance motor 79. The document conveyance unit 74 has a document edge detection sensor 81 that detects the edge of a document and a document detection sensor 82 that detects the presence or absence of a document. The document conveyance unit 74 and the relay board 67 are electrically connected by connecting four electric wires W1, W2, W3, W4 connected to the document conveyance motor 79, the encoder 80, the document edge detection sensor 81, and the document detection sensor 82 to the relay board 67. The cable 95 is a flexible flat covered electric wire. According to this, it is possible to suppress the electrical connection between the document conveyance unit 74 of the reading unit 61 and the control unit 91 from being damaged due to the opening and closing operation of the reading unit 61 or the like.

[0074] When the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the relay substrate 67 is located vertically above a region that is outside the transport path TR along which the medium M is transported in the X-axis direction in the apparatus main body 12 and is on the back side from the center of the apparatus main body 12. According to this, for example, when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the length of the cable 95 can be shortened as compared with the case where the relay substrate 67 is located vertically above a region on the front side from the center of the apparatus main body 12. When the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, it is easier to reduce the dimension in the height direction of the image forming apparatus 11 as compared with the case where the relay substrate 67 is located vertically above the transport path TR.

[0075] The cable 95 has an extending portion 95a that extends along the Y-axis direction toward the control substrate 92 from a position that is on the side facing the apparatus main body 12 side of the relay substrate 67 and overlaps with the relay substrate 67 when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position. According to this, it is possible to suppress an increase in the dimension in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 11.

[0076] The relay substrate 67 is provided at a position closer to the axis A1 than the center of the reading unit 61. According to this, it is easier to shorten the length of the cable 95 as compared with the case where the relay substrate 67 is provided at a position closer to the center of the reading unit 61 than the axis A1.

[0077] The cable 95 is detached from the relay substrate 67 by being inserted and removed along the lower surface 61u of the reading unit with respect to the connector C5 provided on the relay substrate 67. According to this, by opening the reading unit 61 to the open position, the cable 95 can be easily detached from the relay substrate 67.

[0078] A fixing portion FP for detachably fixing the relay substrate cover 68 to the lower surface 61u of the reading unit is provided at a position accessible when the reading unit 61 is in the open position on the lower surface 61u of the reading unit. According to this, by opening the reading unit 61 to the open position, the relay substrate cover 68 can be easily removed.

[0079] The image forming apparatus 11 according to the above-described embodiment is basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to make partial configuration changes, omissions, etc. within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure. Also, the above-described embodiment and other embodiments described below can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range. Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the document conveyance unit 74 does not necessarily include the document conveyance motor 79, the encoder 80, the document edge detection sensor 81, and the document detection sensor 82. The document conveyance unit 74 may have any one of the document conveyance motor 79, the encoder 80, the document edge detection sensor 81, and the document detection sensor 82. For example, the document conveyance unit 74 does not necessarily include the encoder 80, the document edge detection sensor 81, and the document detection sensor 82. In this case, the document conveyance unit 74 and the relay substrate 67 are electrically connected by connecting one electric wire W1 connected to the document conveyance motor 79 to the relay substrate 67.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the cable 95 does not necessarily have to be a flat covered wire with flexibility. For example, the cable 95 may be a covered wire with a circular cross-section having flexibility.

[0082] In the above embodiment, when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the relay substrate 67 does not necessarily have to be located vertically above the region on the +X direction side of the conveyance path TR in the back side region of the apparatus main body 12. For example, when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the relay substrate 67 may be located vertically above the region on the -X direction side of the conveyance path TR in the back side region of the apparatus main body 12. For example, when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position, the relay substrate 67 may be located vertically above the conveyance path TR in the back side region of the apparatus main body 12.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the extending portion 95a of the cable 95 may not extend along the Y-axis direction from a position overlapping the relay substrate 67 at a position facing the apparatus main body 12 side of the relay substrate 67 when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position. For example, the extending portion 95a may extend along the Y-axis direction from a position not overlapping the relay substrate 67 when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the cable 95 may not enter the communication hole 66 at the folding portion 95b. For example, the cable 95 may change its extending direction by curving in a region between the communication hole 66 and the extending portion 14e at the folding portion 95b.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the relay substrate 67 may be provided at a position closer to the center of the reading unit 61 than the axis A1.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the connectors C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 may not be provided on the +Z direction side surface of the relay substrate 67. For example, the connectors C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 may be provided on the -Z direction side surface of the relay substrate 67. For example, the connectors C1, C2, C3, C4 may be provided on the -Z direction side surface of the relay substrate 67, and the connector C5 may be provided on the +Z direction side surface of the relay substrate 67.

[0087] In the above embodiment, each of the electric wires W1, W2, W3, W4 and the cable 95 may not be detached from the relay substrate 67 by being inserted and removed along the X-Y plane, that is, along the lower surface 61u of the reading unit. For example, the electric wire W1 may be detached from the relay substrate 67 by being inserted and removed along the Z-axis direction with respect to the connector C1 provided on the -Z direction side surface of the relay substrate 67. For example, the cable 95 may be detached from the relay substrate 67 by being inserted and removed along the Z-axis direction with respect to the connector C5 provided on the +Z direction side surface of the relay substrate 67.

[0088] In the above embodiment, a fixing portion FP for detachably fixing the relay board cover 68 to the lower surface 61u of the reading unit may not be provided at a position accessible when the reading unit 61 is in the open position on the lower surface 61u of the reading unit. For example, the screw SC2 may be provided at a position accessible from the -Y direction side of the reading unit 61 when the reading unit 61 is in the closed position.

Explanation of Signs

[0089] 11…Image forming apparatus, 12…Apparatus main body, 13…Carriage frame, 14…Exterior member, 14e…Extended portion, 14r…Recessed portion, 15…Electrical component cover, 16…Front cover, 17R, 17L…Bearings, 22…Notification unit, 29…Liquid storage unit, 31…Media supply unit, 32…Feeding unit, 33…Pickup roller, 35…Conveying unit, 36…Reverse roller, 37…Nip roller, 38…Pair of conveying rollers, 39…Media support unit, 41…Discharge unit, 42…Pair of discharge rollers, 43…Placement tray, 50…Recording unit, 51…Head, 52…Carriage, 61…Reading unit, 61e…Engaged portion, 61u…Lower surface of reading unit, 62…Reading unit housing, 63…Reading sensor, 64…Original document table, 65R, 65L…Rotation shafts, 66…Communication hole, 67…Relay board, 68…Relay board cover, 68f…Mounting claw, 71…Original document cover, 71u…Lower surface of original document cover, 72…Cover housing, 72p…Protrusion, 72e…Outlet, 73…Original document supply tray, 74…Original document conveying unit, 75…Original document discharge tray, 76…Conveying unit cover, 77…Guide member, 78…Engaging claw member, 79…Original document conveying motor, 80…Encoder, 81…Original document edge detection sensor, 82…Original document detection sensor, 83…Original document conveying roller, 84…Original document nip roller, 85…Hinge, 90…Electrical component unit, 91…Control unit, 92…Control board, 93…Power supply unit, 95…Cable, 95a…Advancing / retracting portion, 95b…Folding portion, 95c…Reversing portion, 95d…Entering portion, A1…Axis, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6…Connectors, FP…Fixing portion, M…Media, N1…Gap, P1…Power port, P2…USB port, TR…Conveying path, W1, W2, W3, W4…Electric wires.

Claims

1. a reading section having a document transport section for transporting a document and for reading the document; An apparatus main body having a recording unit that records on a medium and a control unit that controls the document transport unit; Equipped with the device body has a control board therein on which the control unit is provided, The reading unit is a locking mechanism for locking the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being movable between an open position that opens an upper portion of the device body and a closed position that covers the upper portion of the device body by rotating about an axis located on the rear side of the device body; a relay board is provided on a lower surface of a reading unit that covers the upper portion of the device body; the document transport unit and the control unit are electrically connected to each other by connecting the relay board and the control board with one cable; a relay board cover that covers the relay board and the cable extending from the relay board is provided on a lower surface of the reading unit; 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The document transport unit includes: a document transport motor that drives a document transport roller that transports the document; an encoder for detecting the amount of rotation of the document transport motor; a document end detection sensor for detecting an end of the document; a document detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the document; having the document transport unit and the relay board are electrically connected to each other by connecting four electric wires, which are connected to the document transport motor, the encoder, the document end detection sensor, and the document detection sensor, to the relay board; The cable is a flexible, flat, coated wire.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. When the reading unit is in the closed position, the relay board is located outside a transport path along which the medium is transported in a width direction of the transported medium, and vertically above an area of ​​the device body that is on the rear side of the center of the device body.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

4. the cable has an extension portion that extends from a position that faces the main body of the relay board and overlaps with the relay board when the reading unit is in the closed position, toward the control board along a transport direction of the medium.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

5. The relay board is provided at a position closer to the axis than the center of the reading unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

6. the cable is inserted into and removed from a connector provided on the relay board along a lower surface of the reading unit, whereby the cable is attached to and detached from the relay board.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

7. a fixing portion for detachably fixing the relay board cover to the underside of the reading unit is provided at a position accessible when the reading unit is in the open position on the underside of the reading unit; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

Images