Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that has better responsiveness in short-range radio communication by reducing as much as possible the clearance between an exterior cover and a substrate having an antenna for short-range radio communication.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus has elastic members 25 that urge a substrate unit 6 toward a top panel cover 20 to be pressed against the top panel cover 20, and between an apparatus frame 1 and the top panel cover 20, a space 3 is provided, which allows the substrate unit 6 to move toward the apparatus frame 1 when the top panel cover 20 is applied with an external force and pressed toward the inside of the body of an image forming apparatus S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine, that is provided with a short-range wireless communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there have been image forming apparatuses that include a communication unit in the main body of the image forming apparatus that communicates with an external communication unit. Patent Document 1 discloses a support structure for such a communication unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-53477 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are also image forming apparatuses equipped with a communication unit that performs short-distance wireless communication to enable communication with mobile devices, ID cards, and the like. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus having a short-distance wireless communication function. Fig. 5 is a Y-sectional view of a comparative example of the image forming apparatus S shown in Fig. 1, as seen from the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, a board unit 6 including a board 22 having an antenna for short-distance wireless communication is disposed between a top cover 20 serving as an exterior cover and a metal device frame 1.

[0005] 5, a substrate 22 having an antenna for short-range wireless communication is fixed to a holding member 21 fixed to an apparatus frame 1. A distance L1 is provided from a lower surface 20a, which is the inner peripheral surface of the top cover 20, to a transmitting / receiving unit for short-range wireless communication. This distance L1 is set so that the top cover 20 and the substrate 22 having the antenna for short-range wireless communication do not come into contact with each other even if deformation of the top cover 20 occurs due to transportation of the product or an external force applied by a user.

[0006] If the distance L1 shown in Fig. 5 is large, the responsiveness of short-range wireless communication may not be sufficiently ensured. Therefore, in order to improve the responsiveness of short-range wireless communication, it is necessary to make the distance L1 between the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20 shown in Fig. 5 and the upper surface 22a of the substrate 22 having an antenna for short-range wireless communication as small as possible.

[0007] 5, a substrate 22 having an antenna for short-distance wireless communication is fixed to a holding member 21 fixed to an apparatus frame 1. Therefore, if a top cover 20 deformed by an external force comes into contact with the substrate 22 having the antenna for short-distance wireless communication, the substrate 22 may be damaged. Therefore, there is a problem that the separation distance L1 cannot be reduced.

[0008] The present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an image forming device having better short-range wireless communication responsiveness by minimizing the distance between an outer cover and a substrate having an antenna for short-range wireless communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A representative configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an image forming apparatus having a device frame, an exterior cover that covers the device frame, and a board unit that is provided between the exterior cover and the device frame and includes a board having an antenna for short-range wireless communication, the board unit being disposed inside the exterior cover. wall surface a surface facing the antenna and an elastic member provided between the exterior cover and the device frame. the elastic member is supported by the device frame. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the distance between the substrate having an antenna for short-range wireless communication and the exterior cover, thereby providing short-range wireless communication performance with excellent response performance and preventing damage to the substrate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a substrate having an antenna for short-range wireless communication. [Diagram 3] 1A is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention when no external force is applied to the exterior cover, as viewed from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1. FIG. 1B is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention when an external force is applied to the exterior cover, as viewed from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. [Figure 4] 1A is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention when no external force is applied to the exterior cover, and FIG. 1B is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention when viewed from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1 when an external force is applied to the exterior cover. [Diagram 5] 2 is a Y-sectional view showing a configuration of a comparative example as viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, and the like of the components described in the following embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified. EXAMPLES

[0013] First, the configuration of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is an explanatory perspective view showing an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Figure 2 is an explanatory plan view showing the configuration of a substrate having an antenna for short-distance wireless communication. Figure 3(a) is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration as viewed from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 in a state where no external force is acting on the exterior cover of this embodiment. Figure 3(b) is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration as viewed from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 in a state where an external force is acting on the exterior cover of this embodiment.

[0014] The board 22 having the antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication shown in Fig. 2 has the antenna 22b when the image forming apparatus S shown in Fig. 1 performs short-distance wireless communication. For example, the image forming apparatus S has a security authentication function. Then, a user holds an ID card or a smartphone having ID (Identification) information from outside the image forming apparatus S over the board 22 having the antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication. This performs security authentication, and only authorized users can print using the image forming apparatus S.

[0015] This embodiment is not limited to the purpose of security authentication, but can be applied to a board unit 6 including a board 22 having an antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication corresponding to various purposes.

[0016] Furthermore, a board unit 6 including a board 22 having an antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication is disposed inside a top cover 20 that serves as an exterior cover, inside the main body of the image forming apparatus S. The board 22 is wired to a controller board (control unit) (not shown) of the main body of the image forming apparatus S, and is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus S so as to be able to communicate with the main body of the image forming apparatus S.

[0017] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), a metal device frame 1 is covered with a top cover 20 serving as an exterior cover. One end of an elastic member 25 serving as a biasing means made of a coil spring is supported by the device frame 1, and the other end of the elastic member 25 is supported in contact with a lower surface 23a of the holding member 23. The board unit 6 includes a holding member 23 that holds a board 22 having an antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication. The elastic member 25 serving as a biasing means biases the holding member 23.

[0018] The elastic member 25 exerts an elastic force on the substrate 22 and the holding member 23 that holds the substrate 22 in the direction of the arrow Z in Figures 3(a) and (b) toward the abutment portion 24 that protrudes toward the lower surface 20a, which is the inner surface side of the top cover 20.

[0019] The top cover 20 serving as the exterior cover has an abutment portion 24 that protrudes toward the device frame 1 side (device frame side) and abuts against the board unit 6. The elastic member 25 serving as the biasing means biases the board unit 6 including the board 22 toward the top cover 20 side serving as the exterior cover (exterior cover side) to abut against the top cover 20.

[0020] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(a), a board unit 6 including a board 22 having an antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is disposed between a top cover 20, which serves as an exterior cover, and a metal device frame 1.

[0021] A substrate 22 having an antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication is held by a holding portion provided on a holding member 23. The holding member 23 holding the substrate 22 is biased in the direction of arrow Z in FIG. 3(a) toward the top cover 20 (exterior cover side) by an elastic member 25 serving as a biasing means, one end of which is engaged with and supported by the device frame 1.

[0022] An abutment portion 24 is provided on the lower surface 20a, which is the inner wall surface of the top cover 20, to come into contact with a buttable area 40 of the substrate 22 shown in Fig. 2. The abutment portion 24 is provided in a position corresponding to the buttable area 40, which is a position that does not come into contact with through-holes or electronic elements of an electronic circuit pattern provided on the substrate 22. Then, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the abutment portion 24 provided to protrude from the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20 comes into contact with the buttable area 40 of the substrate 22, and the position of the substrate 22 in the direction of arrow Z in Fig. 3(a) is determined.

[0023] The holding member 23 of this embodiment is provided with a fitting step 23b having an L-shaped cross section that corresponds to the side and bottom surface of the outer periphery of the substrate 22. The substrate 22 is fitted into the fitting step 23b of the holding member 23 to be positioned in the horizontal direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3(a)). The substrate 22 is also provided with through holes 22c, 22d, and a boss 23c and a claw portion 23d erected in the center of the holding member 23 are inserted into the through holes 22c, 22d, and the upper surface 22a of the substrate 22 is engaged with the claw portion 23d. As a result, the substrate 22 is engaged and held by the holding member 23.

[0024] The position of the substrate 22 held by the holding member 23 in the width direction shown in the left-right direction in Fig. 3(a) and in the depth direction from the front of the paper surface of Fig. 3(a) is regulated as follows: The holding member 23 protrudes to the underside 20a (inner wall surface side) of the top cover 20 and is guided by guide surfaces 27a of guide portions 27 formed on all four sides around the holding member 23, thereby regulating the position.

[0025] A predetermined gap 2 is provided between the guide portion 27 and the holding member 23. By providing this gap 2, as shown in Fig. 3(b), even if an external force acts on the top cover 20 and the holding member 23 tilts during the operation of retracting toward the device frame 1 against the stretching force of the elastic member 25, the retraction operation of the holding member 23 can be performed smoothly.

[0026] The guide portion 27 has a guide surface 27a that is approximately perpendicular to the lower surface (inner wall surface) of the top cover 20. Furthermore, the guide portion 27 has a tapered surface 27b that has a predetermined angle at its tip.

[0027] The guide surface 27a of the guide portion 27 functions as a guide when the holding member 23 is moved, and the tapered surface 27b of the guide portion 27 functions as a guide when the top cover 20 is assembled.

[0028] 2 has a transceiver unit 31 for short-distance wireless communication. An area where the transceiver unit 31 and electronic elements (not shown), through holes, etc. are not arranged is defined as an abutment area 40 against which the abutment unit 24 protruding from the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20 can abut.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), when the substrate 22 is in contact with the abutment portion 24, the abutment portion 24 abuts against the abuttable region 40 of the substrate 22 shown in FIG.

[0030] When the abutting area 40 of the board 22 comes into contact with the abutting portion 24 of the top cover 20, a gap 50 is generated between the upper surface 22a of the board 22 and the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20. This gap 50 makes it possible to prevent the underside of the top cover 20 from coming into contact with the transceiver 31 on the board 22, electronic elements and through-holes (not shown), etc.

[0031] 3(a), in a state in which the board unit 6 including the board 22 is biased against the abutment portion 24 by the elastic member 25, a gap 3 having a separation distance L4 is provided between the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1 and the lower surface 23a of the holding member 23. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the spring constant of the elastic member 25 and the separation distance L4 of this gap 3 are appropriately set so that when the top cover 20 is subjected to an external force and pressed toward the inside of the main body of the image forming apparatus S, the amount of pressure can be absorbed.

[0032] The gap 3 is provided between the device frame 1 and the top cover 20 which serves as an exterior cover. The gap 3 enables the board unit 6 including the board 22 having the antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication to move toward the device frame 1 side (device frame side) when the top cover 20 is pushed toward the inside of the main body of the image forming device S due to an external force.

[0033] A gap 3 with a distance L4 is provided between the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1 and the lower surface 23a of the holding member 23. This allows the holding member 23 to be retracted by the distance L4 in the downward direction in Fig. 3(a). The distance L4 is set to be larger than the maximum deformation amount of the top cover 20 expected during distribution and user use.

[0034] A retaining portion 34 protrudes from the lower surface 23a of the holding member 23. The retaining portion 34 is inserted into a through hole 1b formed in the device frame 1, and a claw portion provided at the tip of the retaining portion 34 is engaged with the lower surface 1c of the device frame 1 to prevent the holding member 23 biased by the elastic member 25 from falling off.

[0035] The retaining portion 34 has a function of restricting the movement of the holding member 23 so that the holding member 23, which is biased by the elastic member 25 in the direction of the arrow Z in Fig. 3(a), does not pop out when the top cover 20 is not attached. By having this retaining portion 34, it becomes possible to easily assemble the top cover 20 after assembling the elastic member 25 and the holding member 23 to the device frame 1.

[0036] <Evacuation action> Next, the retraction operation of the substrate 22 and the holding member 23 when an external force acts on the top cover 20 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0037] Fig. 3(a) shows a Y cross section seen from the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1 in a state where no external force is acting on the top cover 20. Fig. 3(b) shows a Y cross section seen from the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1 in a state where an external force is acting on the top cover 20 in the direction of arrow K in Fig. 1 and the top cover 20 is deformed against the elongation force of the elastic member 25.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3(a), when no external force is acting on the top cover 20, the state is as follows. The board 22 held by the holding member 23 is biased in the direction of the arrow Z in Fig. 3(a) by the stretching force of the elastic member 25. As a result, the abutment area 40 is held in a state in which it abuts against the abutment portion 24 of the top cover 20.

[0039] An external force is applied to the top cover 20 by the user in the direction of the arrow K in Fig. 1. Then, as shown in Fig. 3(b), the top cover 20 deforms so that the right side in Fig. 3(b) tilts in the direction of the arrow K in Fig. 3(b) against the stretching force of the elastic member 25. Following this deformation of the top cover 20, the abutment portion 24 is also displaced.

[0040] In accordance with the displacement of the abutting portion 24, the substrate 22 and holding member 23 in contact with the abutting portion 24 are also displaced as shown in Fig. 3(b). While the holding member 23 is guided by a guide surface 27a formed by the inner wall surface of the guide portion 27 shown on the right side of Fig. 3(b), the right side of Fig. 3(b) is displaced so as to tilt in the direction of the arrow K in Fig. 3(b) against the stretching force of the elastic member 25.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 3(a), there is a gap 3 with a distance L4 between the lower surface 23a of the holding member 23 and the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1. This allows the holding member 23 to retreat to the device frame 1 side (the lower side in Fig. 3(b)). This prevents an external force from being directly applied to the transmitting / receiving unit 31 of the board 22. This prevents the board 22, the transmitting / receiving unit 31, etc. from being damaged.

[0042] Thereafter, when the user stops applying external force to the top cover 20 in the direction of arrow K in Figure 3(b), the extension force of the elastic member 25 causes the holding member 23, the substrate 22 and the top cover 20 to return to the posture position shown in Figure 3(a).

[0043] In this embodiment, the substrate 22 having the antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication and the holding member 23 (substrate unit 6) are configured to be retractable by utilizing the gap 3 with a separation distance L4 between the lower surface 23a of the holding member 23 and the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1. This allows the abutment portion 24 of the top cover 20 and the abuttable area 40 of the substrate 22 to be brought close enough to come into contact with each other. This makes it possible to realize an image forming device S that is more sensitive than the comparative example shown in FIG. 5 and that is capable of preventing damage due to external forces.

[0044] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the board unit 6 including the board 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is disposed directly under the top cover 20. In addition, the same effect can be obtained by configuring in the same way even when the board unit 6 including the board 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is disposed between an exterior cover other than the top cover 20, for example, the right cover and the device frame 1. EXAMPLES

[0045] Next, the configuration of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 4. The same reference numerals are used for components configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, or the same component names are used even if the reference numerals are different, and the description will be omitted. Figure 4(a) is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration as viewed from the direction of the arrow A in Figure 1 in a state where no external force is applied to the exterior cover of this embodiment. Figure 4(b) is a Y-sectional view showing the configuration as viewed from the direction of the arrow A in Figure 1 in a state where an external force is applied to the exterior cover of this embodiment. The configuration of the board 22 (board unit) having an antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication is the same as in the first embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the substrate 22 having the antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication is held by the holding member 23 biased by the elastic member 25. In the present embodiment, the biasing means for biasing the substrate 22 having the antenna 22b for short-distance wireless communication toward the top cover 20 side (exterior cover side) is configured to hold the substrate 22 by abutting it against an abutment portion 24 protruding from the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20 with an elastic member 26 made of a leaf spring or the like.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4(a), a fixing portion 26b of an elastic member 26 serving as a biasing means is supported by an attachment portion 29 provided so as to protrude from the underside 20a of the top cover 20. The fixing portion 26b of the elastic member 26 is supported on the underside 20a (inner wall surface) of the device frame 1 side (device frame side) of the top cover 20. The elastic member 26 has a ladle-shaped cross section, and is configured to bias the underside 22e of the substrate 22 against an abutment portion 24 provided so as to protrude from the underside 20a (inner wall surface) of the top cover 20 by a pressing portion 26c.

[0048] The substrate 22 is biased in the direction of the arrow Z in Figures 4(a) and (b) by the elastic force of the elastic member 26. The abutment area 40 of the substrate 22 comes into contact with the abutment portion 24 provided to protrude from the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20, and the position of the substrate 22 in the direction of the arrow Z in Figures 4(a) and (b) is determined.

[0049] The position of the substrate 22 in the width direction (left and right directions in FIGS. 4(a) and (b)) and depth direction (directions toward the front and rear of the paper in FIG. 4) is regulated as follows. The substrate 22 protrudes toward the lower surface 20a (inner wall surface) of the top cover 20 and is guided by guide surfaces 28a of guide portions 28 formed on all four sides around the substrate 22, thereby regulating the position. The tapered surfaces 28b of the guide portions 28 guide the elastic member 26 when the elastic member 26 is attached to the attachment portions 29 of the top cover 20.

[0050] A gap 4 is provided between the guide surface 28a of the guide portion 28 and the substrate 22. When an external force is applied by the user to the top cover 20 in the direction of the arrow K in Fig. 4(b), the right side of the top cover 20 in Fig. 4(b) tilts in the direction of the arrow K in Fig. 4(b). Then, the substrate 22, which is sandwiched and held between the abutment portion 24 protruding from the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20 and the pressing portion 26c of the elastic member 26, also tilts together with the top cover 20.

[0051] The guide portion 28 has a guide surface 28a that is approximately perpendicular to the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20. In addition, the guide portion 28 has a tapered surface 28b with a predetermined angle at its tip. The guide surface 28a of the guide portion 28 functions as a guide when the board 22 is moved, and the tapered surface 28b of the guide portion 28 functions as a guide when the board 22 is assembled by abutting against the abutment portion 24 that is provided to protrude from the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20.

[0052] When the board 22 comes into contact with the abutment portion 24 protruding from the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20, the abutment portion 24 abuts against the abutting area 40 shown in Fig. 2. When the board 22 comes into contact with the abutment portion 24 protruding from the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20, a gap 51 is generated between the upper surface 22a of the board 22 and the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20. This gap 51 makes it possible to prevent the top cover 20 from coming into contact with the transceiver 31 on the board 22, electronic elements (not shown), through-holes, etc.

[0053] With the substrate 22 being biased by the elastic member 26 against the abutting portion 24 provided to protrude from the lower surface 20a of the top cover 20, a gap 5 having a separation distance L5 is provided between the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1 and the lower surface 26a of the elastic member 26. As shown in Fig. 4(b) , the gap 5 is set to be a gap capable of absorbing the amount of pressure when the top cover 20, which serves as an exterior cover, is subjected to an external force indicated by the arrow K direction in Fig. 4(b) and is pressed toward the inside of the main body of the image forming apparatus S.

[0054] By providing the gap 5 with the distance L5, the substrate 22 and the elastic member 26 can be retracted by the distance L5 in the downward direction in Fig. 4(a) toward the device frame 1 together with the top cover 20. The distance L5 of the gap 5 is set to be larger than the maximum deformation amount of the top cover 20 expected during distribution or user use.

[0055] <Evacuation action> Next, with reference to Figures 4(a) and (b), a description will be given of the retraction operation of the substrate 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication when an external force acts on the top cover 20 in this embodiment. Figure 4(a) shows a Y cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 in a state where no external force is acting on the top cover 20. Figure 4(b) shows a Y cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 in a state where an external force is acting on the top cover 20 in the direction of arrow K in Figure 1 and the top cover 20 is deformed.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 4(a), when no external force is acting on the top cover 20, the top cover 20 is in the following state. The top cover 20 is biased in the direction of the arrow Z in Fig. 4(a) by an elastic member 26 supported on the bottom surface 20a side of the top cover 20. The substrate 22 is then clamped and held in a state where the abutting area 40 of the top surface 22a of the substrate 22 abuts against the abutting portion 24 protruding from the bottom surface 20a of the top cover 20.

[0057] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4(b), a user applies an external force in the direction of arrow K to the right side of top cover 20 in Fig. 4(b). Then, the right side of top cover 20 in Fig. 4(b) tilts in the direction of arrow K.

[0058] The abutting portion 24 is also displaced following the deformation of the top cover 20. Then, in accordance with the displacement of the abutting portion 24, the substrate 22 sandwiched between the abutting portion 24 and the elastic member 26 is also displaced so as to tilt integrally with the top cover 20 while being guided by the guide surface 28a of the guide portion 28, as shown in Fig. 4(b) . Furthermore, following the displacement of the substrate 22, the elastic member 26 is also displaced integrally with the top cover 20.

[0059] At this time, a gap 5 having a distance L5 shown in Fig. 4(a) is provided between the lower surface 26a of the elastic member 26 and the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1. This allows the board 22 and the elastic member 26 to retreat to the side of the device frame 1. The transmitting / receiving unit 31 of the board 22 is not damaged because no external force is directly applied thereto.

[0060] Thereafter, when the user stops applying external force to the top cover 20, the deformation of the top cover 20 disappears. As a result, the substrate 22 is once again held by the biasing force of the elastic member 26 and returns together with the top cover 20 to the position shown in FIG.

[0061] In this embodiment, the top cover 20, the board 22, and the elastic member 26 are configured to be able to retreat as a unit into the gap 5 with a separation distance L5 between the lower surface 26a of the elastic member 26 and the upper surface 1a of the device frame 1. This makes it possible to bring the top cover 20 and the board 22 close enough to come into contact with each other, thereby realizing an image forming device S having a short-range wireless communication function that is more sensitive than the comparative example shown in Fig. 5 and can prevent damage due to external forces.

[0062] In this embodiment, the holding member 23 used in the first embodiment is not required, and therefore the image forming apparatus S can be made compact with a simple configuration.

[0063] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which the board 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is disposed directly under the top cover 20. The same effect can be obtained by using a similar configuration even when the board 22 having the antenna 22b for short-range wireless communication is disposed on an exterior cover other than the top cover 20, for example, between the right cover and the device frame 1. The other configurations are configured in the same way as in the first embodiment, and the same effect can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] S...Image forming device 1 ... Equipment frame 3. Gap 6... Circuit board unit 20 ... Top cover (exterior cover) 22 ... Circuit board (circuit board unit) 23 ... Retaining member 25 ... Elastic member (urging means)

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having an apparatus frame, an exterior cover that covers the apparatus frame, and a board unit that is provided between the exterior cover and the apparatus frame and includes a board having an antenna for short-distance wireless communication, The substrate unit includes: the antenna is held by a protruding member protruding from an inner wall surface of the exterior cover facing the antenna, and an elastic member provided between the exterior cover and the device frame, The elastic member is Supported by the device frame; 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The substrate unit includes a holding member for holding the substrate, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member biases the holding member.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exterior cover has an abutment portion that protrudes toward the apparatus frame and abuts against the board unit.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the abutting portion is provided at a position that does not contact a through-hole or an electronic element of a circuit pattern provided on the substrate.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is supported on a surface of the exterior cover on the side of the apparatus frame.

Images