Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent, with high certainty, liquid entering the inside of a first housing from staying inside the first housing and can discharge the liquid to the outside.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus 1, a first housing 70 has a top cover 10, a front cover 20, a side cover 60, a first guide 26, and a second guide 66. The front cover 20 has a front wall 21 that has a first discharge hole 29, and a first upper wall 31 that is adjacent to the top cover 10 in at least a fore-and-aft direction. The side cover 60 has first side walls 61, 63 that have a second discharge hole 69, and a second upper wall 62 that is adjacent to the top cover 10 in at least a width direction. The first guide 26 guides liquid entering the inside of the first housing 70 from the outside to the first discharge hole 29, and is connected with the front wall 21. The second guide 66 guides the liquid entering the inside of the first housing 70 from the outside to the second discharge hole 69, and is connected with the first side walls 61, 63.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional image forming apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this image forming apparatus, a lower housing includes a joint cover, a front cover, a side cover, and a drain duct portion.

[0003] The joint cover constitutes a connection between the upper and lower housings, the front cover constitutes a front wall of the lower housing, and the side cover constitutes a side wall of the lower housing.

[0004] The drain duct portion is integral with the side cover and has a water inlet and a drain outlet. One end of the water inlet is located on the inner surface of the side cover and opens vertically upward. The drain outlet is connected to the other end of the water inlet and opens at the front end of the side cover. When liquid dripping from the upper housing side enters the lower housing through the gap between the side cover and the joint cover, the drain duct portion receives and guides the liquid through the water inlet and allows it to drip downward from the drain outlet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-138991 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the above-mentioned conventional image forming device, liquid that drips downward from the drain outlet may end up remaining inside the lower housing, specifically in the space surrounded by the front end of the side cover and the side end of the front cover.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to provide an image forming device that can discharge liquid that has entered into a first housing to the outside while highly reliably preventing the liquid from remaining within the first housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a first housing that houses the image forming unit, The first housing includes: a top cover that covers the image forming unit from above; a front cover including a front wall having a first discharge hole and covering the image forming unit from the front, and a first upper wall extending from an upper end of the front wall toward the top cover, the first upper wall being adjacent to the top cover at least in the front-rear direction; a side cover including a first side wall having a second discharge hole and covering the image forming unit from one side in a width direction, and a second upper wall extending from an upper end of the first side wall toward the top cover, the second upper wall being adjacent to the top cover at least in the width direction; a first guide that guides liquid that has entered the first housing from the outside to the first drain hole, the first guide being connected to the front wall; The liquid discharged from the outside into the first housing is guided to the second drain hole by a second guide connected to the first side wall.

[0009] In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, if liquid such as water spills above the first housing and drips onto the top cover, the first upper wall of the front cover, or the second upper wall of the side cover, the liquid may seep into the first housing through the gap between the top cover and the first upper wall, or the gap between the top cover and the second upper wall.

[0010] Here, the first guide connected to the front wall of the front cover guides liquid that has entered the first housing from the outside to the first drain hole. The first drain hole then guides the liquid forward of the front wall of the front cover and drains it. As a result, the liquid drips down the front wall of the front cover outside the first housing.

[0011] The second guide connected to the first side wall of the side cover guides liquid that has entered the first housing from the outside to the second drain hole. The second drain hole guides the liquid to one side of the first side wall of the side cover in the width direction and drains it. As a result, the liquid drips down the first side wall of the side cover outside the first housing.

[0012] Therefore, the image forming device of the present invention can discharge liquid that has entered the first housing to the outside while preventing the liquid from remaining in the first housing with a high degree of reliability. As a result, the image forming device can prevent malfunctions in the image forming unit caused by liquid remaining in the first housing with a high degree of reliability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, illustrating a state in which the front cover is in a third position and the sub-cover is in a first position. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, illustrating a state in which the front cover is moved to a fourth position. [Diagram 3] 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a second cover and its periphery in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a partial perspective view of the second cover and its periphery as viewed from a different direction than in FIG. 2, showing a state in which the first cover has been removed. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a side cover body and an upper side cover of the side cover. [Figure 6] 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the second cover and its periphery in FIG. 2, showing a state in which the first cover and the upper side cover have been removed. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view of a second cover, a near-field wireless communication board, and an external memory connection board. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view of a second cover and a near-field wireless communication board including a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, illustrating a state in which the sub-cover has been moved to a second position. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the front cover, showing the front cover in a third position; [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial top view of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, illustrating the relative relationships among the second cover body, the first to fourth adjacent portions, the first guide, the first discharge hole, the first arm, the first rib, and the second rib when the front cover is in the third position. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, illustrating the relative relationships among the second side wall, the opposing portion, the first arm, the first rib, the second rib, etc. when the front cover is in the third position. [Figure 13] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the cross section BB of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a partial top view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Example 1 As shown in Fig. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment is an example of a specific aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In Fig. 1, the front cover 20 side of the image forming apparatus 1 is the front. The width direction of the image forming apparatus 1 is a direction that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction and extends horizontally. The side that is on the left when facing the front cover 20 is one side of the width direction. The directions shown in Fig. 2 and subsequent figures are all shown corresponding to the directions shown in Fig. 1.

[0016] <Overall composition> As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a first housing 70, an image forming section 5, a sheet tray 4, and a touch panel 18.

[0017] The first housing 70 is a substantially box-shaped body. As shown in Fig. 2, the first housing 70 has a pair of side frames 76L, 76R therein. The side frames 76L, 76R are an example of the "support portion" of the present invention.

[0018] The side frame 76L is located on one side surface of the first housing 70 in the width direction and extends in the front-rear and up-down directions. The side frame 76R is located on the other side surface of the first housing 70 in the width direction and extends in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0019] 1, the first housing 70 accommodates, in its lower portion, a sheet tray 4. The sheet tray 4 supports sheets on which images are to be formed in a stacked state.

[0020] The first housing 70 also accommodates an image forming unit 5 above the sheet tray 4 inside the first housing 70. The image forming unit 5 forms an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet tray 4 by electrophotography.

[0021] 2, the image forming section 5 has a drawer unit 5A. The drawer unit 5A has a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a toner storage section, etc. (not shown) and constitutes a part of the image forming section 5. The side frames 76L and 76R support the drawer unit 5A in a detachable manner. The drawer unit 5A can be pulled out forward from inside the first housing 70.

[0022] 1, the first housing 70 has a sheet discharge opening 70H and a discharge tray 70T on its upper surface. A sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 5 is discharged forward from the sheet discharge opening 70H. The discharge tray 70T supports the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge opening 70H.

[0023] Additionally, the first housing 70 accommodates, above the image forming unit 5 therein, the touch panel 18, a short-range wireless communication board 46, and an external memory connection board 48.

[0024] The operation surface 18T of the touch panel 18 is exposed at a position on one side in the width direction from the discharge tray 70T on the upper surface of the first housing 70. A control unit (not shown) controls the touch panel 18 and displays various information such as setting information and operating status of the image forming unit 5 on the operation surface 18T. In addition, the control unit (not shown) obtains information on an input operation performed by a user by touching the operation surface 18T from the touch panel 18.

[0025] The short-range wireless communication board 46 is located below one corner in the front and width direction on the upper surface of the first housing 70. The short-range wireless communication board 46 is not exposed to the outside.

[0026] The short-range wireless communication board 46 has a communication circuit 46A and a loop-shaped antenna circuit 47. When the user moves the external device 49C above the short-range wireless communication board 46, the communication circuit 46A transmits and receives weak radio waves to and from the external device 49C via the antenna circuit 47, thereby performing short-range wireless communication with the external device 49C.

[0027] The external device 49C is, for example, a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone. A control unit (not shown) receives information on an image to be formed on a sheet and setting information from the external device 49C, transmits information to the external device 49C, and performs authentication based on information from the external device 49C through short-distance wireless communication between the external device 49C and the short-distance wireless communication board 46. Another example of the external device may be an IC card.

[0028] The external memory connection board 48 is located at one front corner in the width direction on the top surface of the first housing 70, below the near field communication board 46. The external memory connection board 48 has a connector 48C. An end of the connector 48C is exposed on one side surface in the width direction of the first housing 70, and can be connected to an external memory 49M.

[0029] The external memory 49M is a storage medium such as a USB memory. The connector 48C is a connection terminal for an information device such as a USB connector. A control unit (not shown) reads information on an image to be formed on a sheet, setting information, etc. from the external memory 49M via the external memory connection board 48, and writes information to the external memory 49M.

[0030] <Exterior cover of the first housing> The first housing 70 includes, as exterior covers, a top cover 10, a lid body 10F, a side cover 60, and a front cover 20. In this embodiment, the top cover 10, the lid body 10F, the side cover 60, and the front cover 20 are each a resin molded product manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0031] <Top cover> The top cover 10 has a top cover body 19, a first cover 11 and a second cover 40.

[0032] The top cover body 19 defines the sheet discharge outlet 70H from below, one side in the width direction, and the other side in the width direction at its rear end. The top cover body 19 covers the image forming unit 5 from above. The upper surface of the top cover body 19 forms a discharge tray 70T in front of the sheet discharge outlet 70H.

[0033] 2 to 4, the top cover body 19 has a third guide 16 in front of the discharge tray 70T. As shown in Fig. 4, the third guide 16 is one step lower than the discharge tray 70T. The third guide 16 has a generally gutter shape with a plurality of ribs or the like that protrude upward from the upper surface and extend in the width direction.

[0034] 2, the third guide 16 supports the first cover 11 from below. The first cover 11 covers most of the third guide 16 from above. The front end of the third guide 16 protrudes forward beyond the front end of the first cover 11. The upper surface of the first cover 11 forms an exterior surface of the top cover 10 in front of the discharge tray 70T.

[0035] The second cover 40 is located at one corner in the front width direction on the upper surface of the first housing 70 and is connected to the top cover main body 19.

[0036] The second cover 40 is located to one side in the width direction than the first cover 11. The second cover 40 is located forward of the first cover 11 because its rear end is aligned in a straight line with the rear end of the first cover 11 and its front end is separated forward from the front end of the first cover 11. The second cover 40 is also smaller than the first cover 11 in the width direction. The specific configuration of the second cover 40 will be described in detail later.

[0037] <Cover> 1, the cover 10F is located rearward and above the discharge tray 70T, and its front end defines the sheet discharge opening 70H from above. The cover 10F covers the rear of the image forming unit 5 from above.

[0038] <Side cover> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the side cover 60 has a side cover main body 61 and an upper side cover 64.

[0039] 1, the side cover body 61 extends in a generally flat plate shape in the front-rear and up-down directions. The side cover body 61 covers the image forming unit 5 from one side in the width direction. The side cover body 61 bulges out in one side in the width direction at a portion corresponding to a portion of the touch panel 18 that protrudes in one side in the width direction.

[0040] The upper side cover 64 is located higher than the side cover main body 61. The upper side cover 64 has a side wall 63 and a second upper wall 62.

[0041] The rear portion of the side wall 63 is located below one widthwise edge of the lid body 10F, extends in the front-rear direction, and extends a short distance in the up-down direction. The front portion of the side wall 63 extends in the front-rear direction while bending along one widthwise edge of the top cover main body 19, a portion of the touch panel 18 that protrudes to one side in the width direction, and one widthwise edge of the second cover 40, and extends a short distance in the up-down direction. The side wall 63, together with the side cover main body 61, covers the image forming unit 5 from one widthwise direction.

[0042] The side cover main body 61 and the side wall 63 of the upper side cover 64 are an example of the "first side wall" of the present invention.

[0043] The second upper wall 62 extends from an upper end of the front portion of the side wall 63 toward the top cover body 19, the touch panel 18, and the second cover 40. The second upper wall 62 is adjacent to one edge in the width direction of the top cover body 19, a portion of the touch panel 18 that protrudes to one side in the width direction, and one edge in the width direction of the second cover 40 at least in the width direction.

[0044] 2 and 3, the front end of the side cover main body 61 and the front end of the upper side cover 64 coincide with each other in the front-rear direction. The side cover main body 61 has a facing portion 65. The facing portion 65 is bent from the front end of the side cover main body 61 toward the other side in the width direction and extends in the up-down direction and the width direction in a generally flat plate shape.

[0045] <Second cover> As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the second cover 40 integrally includes a second cover main body 41, a peripheral wall 42, a guide protrusion 44, a first groove 43A and a second groove 43B.

[0046] The second cover body 41 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape with one front corner in the width direction rounded. The second cover body 41 is surrounded by the front end of the touch panel 18, one width direction edge of the first cover 11, and a portion of the second upper wall 62 of the upper side cover 64 located forward of the touch panel 18.

[0047] The second cover body 41 protrudes forward beyond the front end of the first cover 11 and the front end of the upper side cover 64 .

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, the peripheral wall 42 extends along the front end, one widthwise edge, and the other widthwise edge of the second cover body 41 in a generally U-shape when viewed from above.

[0049] 4, an upper end of a side wall 42B extending in the front-rear direction on the other side of the width direction of the peripheral wall 42 is connected to the other edge in the width direction of the second cover body 41. The guide protrusion 44 protrudes from a rear portion of the side wall 42B toward the other side in the width direction.

[0050] The upper surface of the guide protrusion 44 is located one step lower than the upper surface of the second cover body 41. As shown in Fig. 2, one edge in the width direction of the first cover 11 covers the guide protrusion 44 from above.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the upper end of the peripheral wall 42 is located one step lower than the upper surface of the second cover main body 41, forward of the second cover main body 41 and on one side in the width direction.

[0052] The first groove 43A is recessed downward between the front end of the second cover body 41 and the peripheral wall 42 and extends in the width direction. The first groove 43A curves along the rounded corners of the second cover body 41. One end of the first groove 43A cuts out the front part of the upper end of the side wall 42B. The other end 43A1 of the first groove 43A is the rear end of the curved part of the first groove 43A.

[0053] The first groove 43A is located below a second adjacent portion 72, which will be described later. One end of the first groove 43A is located above a first guide 26, which will be described later.

[0054] The side wall extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the peripheral wall 42 is the second cover side wall 42A. The second groove 43B is recessed downward between one end edge in the width direction of the second cover main body 41 and the second cover side wall 42A, and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0055] The other end 43A1 of the first groove 43A is connected to one end of the second groove 43B. The other end 43B1 of the second groove 43B is adjacent to the rear of the second cover main body 41 and to one corner in the width direction.

[0056] 2, the side wall 63 of the upper side cover 64 covers the second cover side wall 42A from one side in the width direction. The second upper wall 62 of the upper side cover 64 covers the second groove 43B and the second cover side wall 42A from above.

[0057] The second upper wall 62 has a fourth adjacent portion 74. The fourth adjacent portion 74 is adjacent to one edge of the second cover main body 41 in the width direction.

[0058] The second groove 43B is located below the fourth adjacent portion 74. The other end 43B1 of the second groove 43B is located above a second guide 66, which will be described later.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, the first groove 43A and the second groove 43B receive liquid dripping onto the upper surface of the second cover body 41, and guide the liquid to one end of the first groove 43A and the other end 43B1 of the second groove 43B.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 7, the second cover 40 has a short-range wireless communication board 46 and an external memory connection board 48 on a lower surface 41D of the second cover main body 41. As shown in Fig. 6, the second cover 40 has a mark 41M indicating a position over which the external device 49C is held, on an upper surface of the second cover main body 41. Note that, although the shape of the mark 41M is simplified in Fig. 6, the actual shape of the mark 41M is designed so that the user can easily understand its meaning when he or she sees it.

[0061] 8, the near field communication board 46 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape and has a board opening 46H and a positioning hole 46K. The board opening 46H is a rectangular hole located on the inner circumference of the antenna circuit 47. The positioning hole 46K is a circular hole located next to the board opening 46H on the inner circumference of the antenna circuit 47.

[0062] The second cover 40 has a lower surface 41D of the second cover body 41 integrally provided with a locking claw 41G, a positioning protrusion 41T, positioning ribs 41R1 and 41R2, and a snap fit 41F.

[0063] The locking claw 41G is a protrusion that protrudes from the side wall 42B in one direction in the width direction. The locking claw 41G is spaced downward from the bottom surface 41D of the second cover main body 41 by the thickness of the short-range wireless communication board 46. The locking claw 41G locks the other edge of the short-range wireless communication board 46 in the width direction so that it does not move away from the bottom surface 41D of the second cover main body 41.

[0064] The positioning protrusion 41T is a generally cylindrical shape protruding downward from the lower surface 41D of the second cover body 41. The positioning rib 41R1 is a protrusion protruding in one direction in the width direction from the side wall 42B at a position rearwardly spaced apart from the locking claw 41G. The positioning rib 41R2 is a rib protruding downward from the lower surface 41D of the second cover body 41 at a position rearwardly spaced apart from the positioning protrusion 41T.

[0065] The positioning protrusion 41T fits into a positioning hole 46K of the short-range wireless communication board 46 that abuts against the lower surface 41D of the second cover body 41. The positioning rib 41R1 abuts against the other edge in the width direction of the short-range wireless communication board 46. The positioning rib 41R2 abuts against one edge in the width direction of the short-range wireless communication board 46. In this way, the positioning protrusion 41T and the positioning ribs 41R1 and 41R2 position the short-range wireless communication board 46 with respect to the second cover body 41.

[0066] The snap fit 41F protrudes downward from the lower surface 41D of the second cover body 41 at a position that allows it to pass through the board opening 46H of the near-field wireless communication board 46, and then folds back toward the rear.

[0067] The snap fit 41F has an engagement recess 41F1 at the upper end of the folded portion. The engagement recess 41F is spaced from the lower surface 41D and is recessed so as to be able to engage with the opening edge 46H1 of the board opening 46H. The rear surface of the folded portion of the snap fit 41F is an inclined surface 41F2 that is inclined so as to shift rearward as it advances upward.

[0068] When the short-range wireless communication board 46 approaches the underside 41D of the second cover body 41, the inclined surface 41F2 slides against the opening edge 46H1 of the board opening 46H, and the folded portion elastically deforms to move away from the opening edge 46H1, thereby allowing the short-range wireless communication board 46 to move.

[0069] When the short-range wireless communication board 46 has finished approaching the underside 41D of the second cover body 41, the inclined surface 41F2 separates from the opening edge 46H1, the folded portion returns to its original state, and the engagement recess 41F1 engages with the opening edge 46H1, thereby preventing the short-range wireless communication board 46 from coming loose from the second cover 40.

[0070] 7, the external memory connection board 48 is located between the near field communication board 46 and the second cover side wall 42A, and is screwed to the lower surface 41D of the second cover main body 41. The connector 48C protrudes from the external memory connection board 48 to one side in the width direction.

[0071] The second cover side wall 42A has a connector opening 42H. As shown in Fig. 6, the connector opening 42H is a rectangular hole through which the tip of the connector 48C passes and allows the external memory 49M to be inserted into the connector 48C. The second groove 43B passes above the connector opening 42H of the second cover side wall 42A.

[0072] 3, the side wall 63 of the upper side cover 64 has a connector opening 63H. The connector opening 63H is a rectangular hole that exposes the tip of the connector 48C and allows the external memory 49M to be inserted into the connector 48C.

[0073] <Front cover> 1 and 2, the front cover 20 integrally includes a front wall 21, a first upper wall 31, and a second side wall 36. Also, as shown in Fig. 1 and 9, the front cover 20 includes a sub-cover 50 which is a separate member from the front wall 21, the first upper wall 31, and the second side wall 36. The sub-cover 50 is also a resin molded product manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0074] 2, the first housing 70 has a first arm 78 and a second arm 79. The first arm 78 is an example of the "arm" of the present invention.

[0075] The first arm 78 connects the side frame 76L to one side end of the front cover 20 in the width direction. The second arm 79 connects the side frame 76R to the other side end of the front cover 20 in the width direction.

[0076] As a result, the side frames 76L, 76R support the front cover 20 so as to be movable between a third position shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 to 12, and a fourth position shown in FIGS.

[0077] The first housing 70 has a stopper (not shown) located on the other side of the side frame 76R in the width direction. The second arm 79 comes into contact with the stopper (not shown) to position the front cover 20 at the fourth position as shown in FIG.

[0078] The image forming unit 5 has link members 5R and 5S that are connected to the first arm 78. The first arm 78, which is linked to the front cover 20, can switch the state of the image forming unit 5, for example, connect and disconnect the clutch mechanism of the image forming unit 5, via the link members 5R and 5S.

[0079] In the following description of the shape of the front cover 20, the front-rear and up-down directions are based on a state in which the front cover 20 is in the third position.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 9, in the front cover 20, the front wall 21 has a sub-cover accommodating portion 21D recessed rearward in the center of a substantially rectangular flat plate portion extending in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0081] Further, the front wall 21 has an insertion opening 51 below the sub-cover accommodating portion 21D. The insertion opening 51 is a substantially rectangular opening with an open lower side, and penetrates the front wall 21 in the front-rear direction.

[0082] The insertion opening 51 is for inserting a sheet on which an image is to be formed toward the image forming unit 5. In this case, the sheet may be different in size or thickness from the sheets that can be accommodated in the sheet tray 4. The length of the insertion opening 51 in the width direction is larger than the width of the sheet on which an image is to be formed.

[0083] 1 and 11, the first upper wall 31 extends rearward from the upper end of the front wall 21 and extends in a generally flat plate shape in the width direction. The first upper wall 31 has a recess 31D. The recess 31D is recessed forward from the rear end of the first upper wall 31 so that the front portion of the second cover 40 can enter.

[0084] The first upper wall 31 is adjacent to at least the first cover 11 and the second cover 40 of the top cover 10 in the front-rear direction. The first upper wall 31 has a first adjacent portion 71, a second adjacent portion 72, and a third adjacent portion 73.

[0085] The first adjacent portion 71 is a rear end located on the other side of the width direction than the recess 31D in the first upper wall 31. The second adjacent portion 72 is a front edge of the recess 31D and a curved edge located on one side of the front edge in the width direction. The third adjacent portion 73 is an edge extending in the front-rear direction on the other side of the width direction of the recess 31D.

[0086] The second side wall 36 extends rearward from one side end of the front wall 21 in the width direction, and extends vertically in a generally flat plate shape.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 1, when the front cover 20 is in the third position, the front wall 21 stands up and covers the image forming unit 5 from the front. The first upper wall 31 extends toward the top cover 10 and covers the image forming unit 5 from above together with the top cover 10. The second side wall 36 extends toward the front end of the side cover main body 61 and the front end of the upper side cover 64 and covers the image forming unit 5 from one side in the width direction together with the side cover main body 61 and the side wall 63 of the upper side cover 64. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the second side wall 36 faces the facing portion 65 in the front-rear direction.

[0088] 2, when the front cover 20 is in the fourth position, it extends forward and moves further forward than the third position. In this state, the front wall 21 and the first upper wall 31 expose a part of the image forming unit 5, i.e., the front surface of the drawer unit 5A.

[0089] 1 and 11, when the front cover 20 is in the third position, the first adjacent portion 71 is adjacent to the front end of the first cover 11 in the front-rear direction and covers the third guide 16 from above.

[0090] In this state, the second adjacent portion 72 is adjacent to the front end of the second cover body 41 and the rounded corner of the second cover body 41 at least in the front-rear direction, and covers the front portion of the peripheral wall 42 and the first groove 43A from above.

[0091] In this state, the third adjacent portion 73 is adjacent to the other edge of the second cover main body 41 in the width direction between the first adjacent portion 71 and the second adjacent portion 72.

[0092] 9, the front cover 20 pivotally supports a pair of corners of the substantially rectangular flat sub-cover 50 located near the sheet tray 4. The front cover 20 also has a pair of link levers 20L, 20R.

[0093] The link levers 20L, 20R connect inner walls located on one side and the other side in the width direction of the sub-cover accommodating portion 21D to side ends located on one side and the other side in the width direction of the sub-cover 50. This allows the sub-cover 50 to move between a first position shown in FIG. 1 and a second position shown in FIG.

[0094] 1, when the sub-cover 50 is in the first position, it stands up and enters the sub-cover housing section 21D, and covers almost the entire sub-cover housing section 21D from the front, including the insertion opening 51. In this state, the front-facing surface of the sub-cover 50, together with the front-facing surface of the front wall 21, constitutes the front exterior surface of the first housing 70.

[0095] 9, when the sub-cover 50 is in the second position, it extends forward to open the insertion opening 51. In this state, the upward facing surface of the sub-cover 50 can support a sheet inserted from the insertion opening 51 toward the image forming unit 5. In other words, the sub-cover 50 also serves as a multi-purpose tray or a manual feed tray.

[0096] <First guide and first discharge hole> 10 and 11, the front cover 20 has a first guide 26 on the rear side of the front wall 21 and in the vicinity of the recess 31D of the first upper wall 31. The first guide 26 has a first vertical rib 26A, a bottom rib 26B, a second vertical rib 26C, and a partition rib 26D.

[0097] The first vertical rib 26A extends downward and in the front-rear direction from the third adjacent portion 73 of the first upper wall 31. A front end of the first vertical rib 26A is connected to the rear surface of the front wall 21 and the rear surface of the sub-cover accommodating portion 21D.

[0098] The bottom rib 26B is connected to a surface of the first vertical rib 26A facing one side in the width direction at a position downwardly away from the third adjacent portion 73, extends a short distance in one side in the width direction, and also extends in the front-rear direction. The front end of the bottom rib 26B is connected to the rear surface of the sub-cover storage portion 21D. The upper surface of the bottom rib 26B is horizontal in this embodiment, but may be gently inclined downward toward the front.

[0099] The second vertical rib 26C is connected to an end edge of the bottom rib 26B that is spaced from the first vertical rib 26A in the width direction. The second vertical rib 26C protrudes upward and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The front end of the second vertical rib 26C is also connected to the rear surface of the sub-cover storage section 21D. The upper end of the second vertical rib 26C is located above the upper end of the sub-cover storage section 21D.

[0100] The partition rib 26D projects upward from the rear end of the bottom rib 26B and extends in the width direction, connecting to a lower portion of the rear end of the first longitudinal rib 26A and a lower portion of the rear end of the second longitudinal rib 26C.

[0101] The first guide 26 is formed into a groove shape extending in the front-rear direction by a first vertical rib 26A, a bottom rib 26B, and a second vertical rib 26C, which have a generally J-shaped cross section when viewed from the front-rear direction. The partition rib 26D closes the rear end of the groove shape of the first guide 26.

[0102] The first guide is located below the third adjacent portion 73, extends in the front-rear direction, and is connected to the front wall 21. One end of the first groove 43A is located above the first guide .

[0103] 9, the front wall 21 has a first discharge hole 29 near the upper inner wall of the sub-cover housing section 21D and near one of the inner walls in the width direction. The insertion opening 51 is located away from the first discharge hole 29 in the other width direction.

[0104] 10 and 11, the first drain hole 29 penetrates the sub-cover housing portion 21D of the front wall 21 in the front-rear direction. The front end of the first guide 26 is connected to the first drain hole 29. The first guide 26 guides liquid that has entered the first housing 70 from the outside through a gap between the third adjacent portion 73 and the second cover main body 41 to the first drain hole 29. The first guide 26 also guides liquid dripping from one end of the first groove 43A to the first drain hole 29.

[0105] The first drain hole 29 drains the liquid guided by the first guide 26 forward, that is, to the front surface side of the sub-cover housing portion 21D.

[0106] 1, the sub-cover 50 covers the first discharge hole 29 from the front. On the other hand, when the sub-cover 50 is in the second position shown in FIG. 9, the sub-cover 50 opens the first discharge hole 29.

[0107] <First rib and second rib> As shown in FIG. 3, the side cover main body 61 has a first rib 67 and a second rib 68 below the second cover 40.

[0108] The first rib 67 protrudes forward from the opposing portion 65 and slopes downward in one direction in the width direction. The second rib 68 protrudes forward from the opposing portion 65 and is connected to a lower end 67D of the first rib 67 and extends downward.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 11, the lower end 67D of the first rib 67 and the second rib 68 are adjacent to the rear end of the second side wall 36 from the other side in the width direction when the front cover 20 is in the third position.

[0110] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the front cover 20 is in the third position, the first rib 67 covers from above an inclined surface 78A of the first arm 78 that slopes downward toward the rear.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 10, the front cover 20 has, in order from the top, a first lateral rib 24A, a second lateral rib 24B, and a third lateral rib 24C on the rear side of the front wall 21 and on one side end side in the width direction.

[0112] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the front cover 20 is in the third position, the first lateral rib 24A, the second lateral rib 24B, and the third lateral rib 24C are located above the first arm 78.

[0113] The rear ends of the first and second transverse ribs 24A and 24B are located forward of the rear end of the third transverse rib 24C. This results in a large distance between the opposing portion 65 of the side-cover body 61 and the rear ends of the first and second transverse ribs 24A and 24B. Therefore, when liquid seeps into the first housing 70 above the opposing portion 65 of the side-cover body 61, the liquid can drip downward without accumulating on the first and second transverse ribs 24A and 24B.

[0114] The rear end of the third transverse rib 24C is located rearward of the front end of the first rib 67. As a result, the third transverse rib 24C guides liquid dripping from the first transverse rib 24A and the second transverse rib 24B to the first rib 67, and the first rib 67 and the second rib 68 guide the liquid downward to one side in the width direction. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid from dripping onto the inclined surface 78A of the first arm 78.

[0115] <Second guide and second discharge hole> As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side cover 60 has a second discharge hole 69 and a second guide 66.

[0116] The second discharge holes 69 are located at the lower end of a portion of the side-cover body 61 that bulges out in one width direction to correspond to the protruding portion of the touch panel 18. The second discharge holes 69 are a plurality of small holes that are lined up in the front-rear direction and penetrate the side-cover body 61. The second guide 66 has an upstream guide 66U and a downstream guide 66D.

[0117] The upstream guide 66U has a fitting protrusion 66U1 shown in FIG. 5 and a fitting recess 66U2 shown in FIG.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 5, the fitting protrusion 66U1 bulges out from the inner surface of the upper side cover 64 in the other width direction and extends downward to protrude below the lower end of the upper side cover 64.

[0119] 6, the fitting recess 66U is located rearward of the connector opening 42H in the second cover side wall 42A of the second cover 40. The fitting recess 66U is recessed in the other width direction from the outer surface of the second cover side wall 42A and extends in the up-down direction. Although not shown in the figure, the fitting recess 66U fits with an upper portion of the fitting protrusion 66U1.

[0120] An upper end of the fitting recess 66U is connected to the vicinity of the other end 43B1 of the second groove 43B. In other words, the other end 43B1 of the second groove 43B is located above the second guide 66. The upstream guide 66U is connected to the second groove 43B and guides the liquid received in the first groove 43A and the second groove 43B downward.

[0121] The downstream guide 66D has a first inclined plate 66D1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and a second inclined plate 66D2 shown in FIG.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 5, the first inclined plate 66D1 is inclined upward from a position adjacent to the lower end of the second discharge hole 69 on the inner surface of the side-cover main body 61 toward the other side in the width direction, and extends in the front-rear direction like a flat plate.

[0123] The first inclined plate 66D1 has a rib. The rib protrudes upward from the rear end, the other edge in the width direction, and the front end of the first inclined plate 66D1. The rib at the rear end of the first inclined plate 66D1 is connected to the inner surface of the side-cover main body 61. The rib at the front end of the first inclined plate 66D1 is separated from the inner surface of the side-cover main body 61.

[0124] The second inclined plate 66D2 extends from a position lower than the lower end of the fitting protrusion 66U1 on the inner surface of the side-cover body 61 toward the other side in the width direction and extends in a flat plate shape so as to be inclined downward toward the rear. The rear end of the second inclined plate 66D2 is connected to the front end of the first inclined plate 66D1.

[0125] The second inclined plate 66D2 has a rib that protrudes upward from the other edge in the width direction of the second inclined plate 66D2.

[0126] The downstream guide 66D is connected to the upstream guide 66U by a second inclined plate 66D2 and guides the liquid dripping from the upstream guide 66U rearward and downward. The downstream guide 66D then guides the liquid to the second drain hole 69 by a first inclined plate 66D1 connected to the second drain hole 69.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 6, the second guide 66 penetrates into the first housing 70 from the outside through the gaps between the second adjacent portion 72 and the fourth adjacent portion 74 and the second cover body 41, and guides the liquid that accumulates in the first groove 43A and the second groove 43B to the second drain hole 69.

[0128] The second drain hole 69 drains the liquid guided by the second guide 66 to one side in the width direction, that is, to the outer surface side of the side cover main body 61.

[0129] <Third Guide> As shown in FIG. 4, the third guide 16 receives liquid that has entered the first housing 70 from the outside through the gap between the first adjacent portion 71 and the front end of the first cover 11, and guides it to the other side in the width direction.

[0130] The first housing 70 has a side cover main body 61R that covers the image forming unit 5 from the other side in the width direction. The side cover main body 61R and the side cover main body 61 form a pair.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 13, the upper end of the side cover main body 61R extends a short distance in one direction in the width direction and further has a rib 61R1 protruding upward from the tip thereof.

[0132] The other end of the third guide 16 in the width direction is located above the upper end of the side cover main body 61R and protrudes downward, and its lower end 16D is adjacent to the rib 61R1 from the other side in the width direction.

[0133] The other end in the width direction of the third guide 16 guides the liquid guided in the other direction in the width direction by the third guide 16 downward, and drips onto the upper end of the side cover main body 61R at the other side in the width direction beyond the rib 61R1 of the side cover main body 61R. As a result, the liquid drips down the side cover main body 61R outside the first housing 70.

[0134] <Fourth guide and guide protrusion> As shown in Fig. 6, the side frame 76L has a fourth guide 76L1. Although only one end of the fourth guide 76L1 in the width direction is shown in Fig. 6, the fourth guide 76L1 is a groove that is recessed downward in a semicircular arc shape and extends in the width direction.

[0135] One end of the fourth guide 76L1 in the width direction is located above the first inclined plate 66D1. Although not shown in the figure, the other end of the fourth guide 76L1 in the width direction is located below the rear end of the guide protrusion 44 of the second cover 40.

[0136] The guide protrusion 44 guides liquid that has entered the first housing 70 from the outside through the gap between one widthwise edge of the first cover 11 and the second cover body 41 rearward, and drips it onto the other widthwise end of the fourth guide 76L1.

[0137] The fourth guide 76L1 receives the dripping liquid and guides it to one side in the width direction, causing it to drip onto the first inclined plate 66D1. As a result, the second drainage hole 69 drains the liquid dripping from the fourth guide 76L1 onto the first inclined plate 66D1 to one side in the width direction, i.e., to the outer surface side of the side-cover main body 61.

[0138] <Action and effect> In the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, liquid such as water may spill above the first housing 70 and drip onto the first cover 11 or the second cover 40 of the top cover 10, or onto the first upper wall 31 of the front cover 20, or onto the second upper wall 62 of the upper side cover 64. In this case, the dripping liquid may seep into the first housing 70 through the gap between the first cover 11 and the first upper wall 31, the gap between the second cover 40 and the first upper wall 31, or the gap between the second cover 40 and the second upper wall 62.

[0139] 10, the first guide 26 is formed into a groove shape extending in the front-rear direction by a first vertical rib 26A, a bottom rib 26B, and a second vertical rib 26C. The partition rib 26D closes the rear end of the groove shape of the first guide 26.

[0140] 11 , the first guide 26 is located below the third adjacent portion 73 of the first upper wall 31, extends in the front-rear direction, and is connected to the front wall 21. Such a first guide 26 receives liquid that has entered the first housing 70 from the outside through the gap between the third adjacent portion 73 and the second cover body 41, and guides the liquid to the first drain hole 29.

[0141] More specifically, liquid seeping in through the gap between the third adjacent portion 73 and the second cover body 41 drips down the first vertical rib 26A and accumulates on the bottom rib 26B. Then, the liquid is prevented from moving rearward or in one direction in the width direction by the bottom rib 26B and the second vertical rib 26C and is guided forward to reach the first drain hole 29.

[0142] Then, first drain hole 29 guides the liquid to a position forward of sub-cover accommodating portion 21D of front wall 21 and drains it. As a result, the liquid drips down front wall 21 of front cover 20 outside first housing 70.

[0143] 5 and 6, the second guide 66 has an upstream guide 66U and a downstream guide 66D. Liquid that has seeped into the first housing 70 from the gap between the second adjacent portion 72 of the first upper wall 31 and the second cover body 41 or the gap between the fourth adjacent portion 74 of the second upper wall 62 and the second cover body 41 collects in the first groove 43A and the second groove 43B.

[0144] The upstream guide 66U guides the liquid pooled in the first groove 43A and the second groove 43B downward by the fitting convex portion 66U1 and the fitting concave portion 66U2. The downstream guide 66D guides the liquid dripping from the upstream guide 66U to the second drain hole 69 by the first inclined plate 66D1 and the second inclined plate 66D2.

[0145] The second drain hole 69 guides the liquid to one side in the width direction beyond the side cover main body 61 and drains it. As a result, the liquid drips down the side cover main body 61 to the outside of the first housing 70.

[0146] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the third guide 16 receives liquid that has entered the first housing 70 from the outside through the gap between the first adjacent portion 71 of the first upper wall 31 and the front end of the first cover 11, and guides the liquid to the other side in the width direction.

[0147] 13, the other end in the width direction of the third guide 16 guides the liquid guided by the third guide 16 to the other side in the width direction downward, and drips onto the upper end of the side cover main body 61R at the other side in the width direction beyond the rib 61R1 of the side cover main body 61R. As a result, the liquid drips down the side cover main body 61R outside the first housing 70.

[0148] 6, the guide protrusion 44 guides liquid that has entered the first housing 70 from the outside through a gap between one edge in the width direction of the first cover 11 and the second cover body 41 rearward, causing the liquid to drip onto the fourth guide 76L1. The fourth guide 76L1 receives the dripped liquid and guides it to one side in the width direction, causing the liquid to drip onto the first inclined plate 66D1. As a result, the second drain hole 69 drains the liquid that has dripped onto the first inclined plate 66D1 to one side in the width direction, i.e., to the outer surface side of the side cover body 61.

[0149] Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment can discharge the liquid that has entered the first housing 70 to the outside while highly reliably preventing the liquid from remaining in the first housing 70. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can highly reliably prevent malfunctions in the image forming unit 5 caused by the liquid remaining in the first housing 70.

[0150] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, this image forming device 1 is configured such that the front cover 20 has a sub-cover 50 that covers the first discharge hole 29 from the front, thereby preventing the appearance quality of the front side of the first housing 70 from being reduced by the first discharge hole 29.

[0151] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1, the sub-cover 50 is movable between a first position shown in Fig. 1 and a second position shown in Fig. 9. In other words, the sub-cover 50 also serves as a multi-purpose tray or a manual feed tray. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts and a decrease in the appearance quality, compared to a case in which a sub-cover that covers the first ejection hole 29 is provided separately from the multi-purpose tray or the manual feed tray.

[0152] 3 and 12, the side cover body 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 has a facing portion 65, a first rib 67, and a second rib 68. When liquid infiltrates into the first housing 70 above the facing portion 65 of the side cover body 61, the first rib 67 receives the liquid and guides it downward in the width direction, that is, to the gap between the facing portion 65 of the side cover body 61 and the rear end of the second side wall 36. The second rib 68 restricts the liquid dripping along the gap from returning into the first housing 70. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can discharge the liquid that has infiltrated into the first housing 70 to the outside while more reliably preventing the liquid from remaining in the first housing 70.

[0153] 11 and 12, in the image forming apparatus 1, the first rib 67 covers the inclined surface 78A of the first arm 78 from above when the front cover 20 is in the third position. With this configuration, when liquid enters the first housing 70 above the facing portion 65 of the side cover main body 61, the first rib 67 and the second rib 68 receive the liquid above the inclined surface 78A of the first arm 78 and guide the liquid away from the first arm 78. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can reliably prevent the liquid that has entered the first housing 70 from dripping backward and downward along the inclined surface 78A of the first arm 78 and penetrating deeply into the first housing 70.

[0154] 1, the top cover 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 has a first cover 11 and a second cover 40. The first upper wall 31 has a first adjacent portion 71, a second adjacent portion 72, and a third adjacent portion 73. The second upper wall 62 has a fourth adjacent portion 74. That is, the upper surface of the first housing 70 has many gaps through which liquid can enter the first housing 70 from the outside. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can enjoy the effects of the first guide 26, the first discharge port 29, the second guide 66, and the second discharge port 69 with high reliability.

[0155] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 10, since the front cover 20 has the first guide 26 together with the first discharge opening 29, it is possible to eliminate a gap from the connection portion between the first guide 26 and the first discharge opening 29.

[0156] 6, in the image forming apparatus 1, one end of the first groove 43A is located above the first guide 26, and the other end 43B1 of the second groove 43B is located above the second guide 66. Therefore, the first guide 26 and the second guide 66 can receive the liquid accumulated in the first groove 43A and the second groove 43B with high reliability.

[0157] Furthermore, in this image forming device 1, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second guide 66 is configured to have an upstream guide 66U and a downstream guide 66D, so that liquid collecting in the first groove 43A and the second groove 43B can be guided with high reliability to the second discharge hole 69, and liquid dripping from the guide bulge 44 can also be guided with high reliability to the second discharge hole 69 via the fourth guide 76L1.

[0158] 6, in the image forming apparatus 1, the second groove 43B passes above the connector opening 42H of the second cover side wall 42A. This allows the second groove 43B to guide the received liquid away from the connector opening 42H to the first guide 26 or the second guide 66. As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid from adhering to the connector 48C and causing problems.

[0159] 7 and 8, in the image forming apparatus 1, the second cover 40 has a snap fit 41F on the lower surface 41D of the second cover main body 41. The snap fit 41F is located inside the board opening 46H to prevent the short-range wireless communication board 46 from coming off from the second cover 40. With this configuration, the second cover 40 can be made smaller in size than if the second cover 40 had a snap fit that engages with the outer periphery of the short-range wireless communication board 46.

[0160] Example 2 As shown in FIG. 14, the image forming apparatus 2 of the second embodiment does not have the cover body 10F and the touch panel 18 associated with the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and further includes a second housing 90, a reading unit 3, a document cover 99, an automatic transport mechanism 6, and an operation panel 80.

[0161] Other configurations of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0162] The second housing 90 is located above the first housing 70. In the top cover 10, the shape of the top cover main body 19 is changed so that it also functions as a joint cover that supports the second housing 90, but the first cover 11 and the second cover 40 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0163] The second housing 90 is a so-called flatbed having a reading surface (not shown) on its upper surface, and houses the reading unit 3. The reading unit 3 reads an image of a document placed on the reading surface of the second housing 90.

[0164] The document cover 99 is located above the second housing 90 and is capable of closing and opening the reading surface. The document cover 99 also houses the automatic transport mechanism 6. The automatic transport mechanism 6 automatically transports a sheet to be read toward the reading surface and operates when the reading unit 3 reads the image on the sheet.

[0165] The operation panel 80 protrudes forward from a front end 90F of the second housing 90. The operation panel 80 has an operation surface 80T. The operation surface 80T is an inclined surface in which the front edge 80F is located lower than the rear edge 80R. The configuration of the operation surface 80T is similar to that of the operation surface 18T of the touch panel 18 according to the first embodiment.

[0166] 15, the third adjacent portion 73 is located between one edge 80A in the width direction of the operation surface 80T and the other edge 80B in the width direction of the operation surface 80T. The second adjacent portion 72 and the fourth adjacent portion 74 are also located between one edge 80A in the width direction of the operation surface 80T and the other edge 80B in the width direction of the operation surface 80T.

[0167] In the image forming apparatus 2 of the second embodiment, liquid spilled on the second housing 90 or the operation panel 80 tends to drip forward along the operation surface 80T, and the dripping liquid tends to seep into the first housing 70 through the gap between the third adjacent portion 73 and the second cover main body 41. The same is true for the gap between the second adjacent portion 72 and the second cover main body 41, and the gap between the fourth adjacent portion 74 and the second cover main body 41.

[0168] In this regard, in the image forming device 2, the first guide 26, the first discharge hole 29, the second guide 66, and the second discharge hole 69 provide the same effects as those in the first embodiment, so that the liquid that has entered the first housing 70 can be discharged to the outside while highly reliably preventing the liquid from remaining in the first housing 70. As a result, the image forming device 2 can highly reliably prevent malfunctions in the image forming unit 5 caused by the liquid remaining in the first housing 70.

[0169] In the above, the present invention has been described based on Examples 1 and 2. However, the present invention is not limited to the above Examples 1 and 2, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0170] For example, in the first and second embodiments, the front cover 20 has the first guide 26 together with the first discharge hole 29, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a member of the first housing other than the front cover, such as an internal frame of the first housing, may have the first guide.

[0171] In the first and second embodiments, the side cover 60 has the second guide 66 together with the second discharge hole 69, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a member other than the side cover in the first housing, such as an internal frame of the first housing, may have the second guide.

[0172] In the first and second embodiments, the first guide 26 is a groove having a substantially J-shaped cross section when viewed from the front-rear direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first guide may be a groove recessed downward from the upper surface of a horizontal rib, or a rib bent to have a substantially V-shaped cross section when viewed from the front-rear direction.

[0173] In the first and second embodiments, the sub-cover 50 also serves as a multi-purpose tray or a manual feed tray, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The sub-cover may be any type that can cover at least the first ejection hole from the front, and may be configured not to move.

[0174] In the first and second embodiments, the side cover 60 has the side cover main body 61 and the upper side cover 64 separately, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the side cover 60 may be modified to have the side cover main body 61 and the upper side cover 64 that are integrally molded.

[0175] In the first and second embodiments, the top cover 10 has a top cover body 19, a first cover 11, and a second cover 40, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the top cover 10 may be integrally molded.

[0176] In the first and second embodiments, the front cover 20 has the second side wall 36, which is located on one side of the second cover 40 of the top cover 10 in the width direction and aligned with the side cover 60 in the front-rear direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the side cover 60 may be configured to be aligned with the front cover 20 in the width direction and aligned with the second cover 40 in the width direction and front-rear direction by changing the shape of the side cover 60 so that it extends to a position forward of the second cover 40 and is further bent from that forward position to the other side in the width direction.

[0177] In the first and second embodiments, the second cover 40 has the short-range wireless communication board 46 and the external memory connection board 48, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the second cover 40 may have a configuration in which at least one of the short-range wireless communication board 46 and the external memory connection board 48 is not included. [Industrial Applicability]

[0178] The present invention can be used in, for example, an image forming apparatus or a multifunction peripheral. [Explanation of symbols]

[0179] 1, 2... image forming apparatus, 5... image forming unit, 70... first housing 10...top cover, 29...first discharge hole, 21...front wall, 31...first upper wall 20...front cover, 69...second exhaust hole, 60...side cover 61, 63...first side wall (61...side cover main body, 63...side wall of upper side cover) 62...second upper wall, 26...first guide, 66...second guide 50...sub-cover, 51...insertion opening, 36...second side wall, 65...opposing portion 67...first rib, 67D...lower end of first rib, 68...second rib 76L, 76R…Support part (side frame), 78…Arm (first arm) 11...First cover, 40...Second cover, 49C...External device 47...antenna circuit, 46...near-field wireless communication board 41D…Underside of second cover (underside of second cover body) 71...first adjacent portion, 72...second adjacent portion, 73...third adjacent portion 74...fourth adjacent portion, 43A...first groove, 43B...second groove 43A1...the other end of the first groove, 43B1...the other end of the second groove 66U…Upstream guide, 66D…Downstream guide, 49M…External memory 48C…connector, 48…external memory connection board 42A... second cover side wall, 63H, 42H... connector opening, 46H... board opening 41F...Snap fit, 46H1...Edge of board opening, 3...Reading section 90: second housing; 90F: front end of second housing; 80: operation panel 80T: Operation surface, 80F: Front edge of operation surface, 80R: Rear edge of operation surface 80A…One edge in the width direction of the operation surface 80B: The other edge in the width direction of the operation surface

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a first housing that houses the image forming unit, The first housing includes: a top cover that covers the image forming unit from above; a front cover including a front wall having a first discharge hole and covering the image forming unit from the front, and a first upper wall extending from an upper end of the front wall toward the top cover, the first upper wall being adjacent to the top cover at least in the front-rear direction; a side cover including a first side wall having a second discharge hole and covering the image forming unit from one side in a width direction, and a second upper wall extending from an upper end of the first side wall toward the top cover, the second upper wall being adjacent to the top cover at least in the width direction; a first guide that guides liquid that has entered the first housing from the outside to the first drain hole, the first guide being connected to the front wall; An image forming apparatus comprising: a second guide that guides liquid that has seeped into the first housing from the outside to the second drain hole, the second guide being connected to the first side wall.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front cover has a sub-cover that covers the first discharge hole from the front.

3. the front wall of the front cover has an insertion opening for inserting a sheet toward the image forming unit, The insertion opening is located away from the first discharge hole in the width direction, 3. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein the sub-cover is movable between a first position that covers the insertion opening and the first discharge hole from the front and a second position that exposes the insertion opening and the first discharge hole and is capable of supporting a sheet.

4. the front cover has a second side wall extending rearward from a side end of the front wall located on the one side in the width direction toward the side cover, The side cover has an opposing portion opposed to the second side wall in the front-rear direction; a first rib that protrudes forward from the opposing portion, slopes downward toward the one side in the width direction, and has a lower end adjacent to the second side wall; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second rib protruding forward from said opposing portion, connected to a lower end of said first rib, and extending downward while remaining adjacent to said second side wall.

5. the front cover is movable between a third position in which the front wall covers the image forming unit from the front and a fourth position in which the front cover is moved forward of the third position to expose a part of the image forming unit, The first housing includes a support portion that movably supports the front cover; an arm that connects the support portion and the front cover and moves in conjunction with the front cover, 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first rib covers the arm from above when the front cover is in the third position.

6. The top cover is A first cover; a second cover located forward of the first cover and smaller than the first cover in the width direction, the second cover having a short-range wireless communication board on a lower surface thereof, the short-range wireless communication board having an antenna circuit for performing short-range wireless communication with an external device; The first upper wall is a first adjacent portion adjacent to the first cover in the front-rear direction; a second adjacent portion adjacent to the second cover at least in the front-rear direction; a third adjacent portion adjacent to the second cover in the width direction between the first adjacent portion and the second adjacent portion, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second upper wall has a fourth adjacent portion adjacent to the second cover in the width direction.

7. the front cover has the first guide below the third adjacent portion, 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first guide is a groove extending in the front-rear direction.

8. the second cover has a first groove located below the second adjacent portion and extending in the width direction, and a second groove located below the fourth adjacent portion and extending in the front-rear direction, One end of the first groove is located above the first guide, and the other end is connected to one end of the second groove, 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the other end of the second groove is located above the second guide.

9. 9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second guide has an upstream guide connected to the second groove and guiding the liquid downward, and a downstream guide connected to the upstream guide, guiding the liquid rearward and downward, and connecting to the second discharge hole.

10. the second cover has an external memory connection board on a lower surface thereof, the external memory connection board having a connector connectable to an external memory, and a second cover side wall covered by the first side wall of the side cover; the second cover side wall and the first side wall each have a connector opening into which the external memory can be inserted; 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second groove passes above the connector opening of the second cover side wall.

11. the short-range wireless communication board has a board opening located on an inner periphery of the antenna circuit, the second cover has a snap fit on the lower surface; The snap fit allows movement of the near-field wireless communication board by sliding against the edge of the board opening and elastically deforming when the near-field wireless communication board approaches the underside, and returns to its original state and engages with the edge of the opening when the near-field wireless communication board has finished approaching the underside, thereby preventing the near-field wireless communication board from coming off the second cover.

12. a second housing located above the first housing and having a reading unit that reads an image of a document; an operation panel protruding forward from a front end of the second housing; Further equipped with The operation panel has an operation surface whose front edge is located lower than its rear edge, 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the third adjacent portion is located between one edge of the operation surface in the width direction and the other edge of the operation surface in the width direction.

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