Wireless communication device

Abstract

To allow the position of an antenna to be easily displaced.SOLUTION: An image formation device (1) includes: a main board (85); a wireless communication board (81) having an antenna; and a sub-board (86) on which a first connector (86a) connected to a connector (85a) of the main board and a second connector (86b) connected to a connector (81a) of the wireless communication board are installed. A position of the first connector (86a) and a position of the second connector (86b) are displaced when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the main board (85).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication device.

Background Art

[0002] In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, the antenna portion of the wireless communication board is arranged at a position facing the space above the mounting portion so that radio waves transmitted and received by the antenna portion of the wireless communication board are not blocked by the metal side plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When mounting a wireless communication board on a wireless communication device, it is necessary to arrange the antenna at a position where there are no metal components around it, like the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1. However, when arranging the antenna at a position where there are no metal components around it with the position of the main board in the wireless communication device being fixed, there is a problem that it is difficult to easily shift the position of the antenna.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a wireless communication device capable of easily shifting the position of the antenna.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a wireless communication device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a main board, a wireless communication board having an antenna for performing wireless communication, a first connector that is electrically connected to a connector of the main board so that a board surface is parallel to a board surface of the main board, and a second connector that is electrically connected to a connector of the wireless communication board so that a board surface is parallel to a board surface of the wireless communication board, and a sub-board that is respectively installed on the board surface, and when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the board surface of the main board, a position of the first connector and a position of the second connector are shifted.

[0007] In the above configuration, the sub-board is provided with a first connector connected to a connector of the main board and a second connector connected to a connector of the wireless communication board. By connecting the connector of the main board and the first connector and connecting the connector of the wireless communication board and the second connector, the main board and the wireless communication board are connected via the sub-board. When the main board and the wireless communication board are connected, the position of the antenna of the wireless communication board when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the board surface of the main board is determined.

[0008] Here, the connector of the main board and the connector of the wireless communication board can be directly connected. In this case, the two connectors are directly connected without passing through the sub-board. When the main board and the wireless communication board are connected, the position of the antenna of the wireless communication board when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the board surface of the main board is determined.

[0009] In the above configuration, the position of the first connector and the position of the second connector installed on the sub-board are shifted. Therefore, the position of the antenna of the wireless communication board in the above configuration is shifted from the position of the antenna when the two connectors are directly connected without passing through the sub-board. Therefore, according to the above configuration, a wireless communication device capable of easily shifting the position of the antenna can be realized.

[0010] Further, a second aspect is the wireless communication device according to the first aspect, wherein the first connector is installed on the first substrate surface of the sub-substrate, and the second connector may be installed on the second substrate surface of the sub-substrate.

[0011] In the above configuration, the first connector is installed on the first substrate surface of the sub-substrate, the second connector is installed on the second substrate surface of the sub-substrate, and when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the substrate surface of the main substrate, the position of the first connector and the position of the second connector are displaced. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the position of the antenna of the wireless communication substrate in the above configuration is displaced from the position of the antenna when the two connectors are directly connected without passing through the sub-substrate.

[0012] Further, a third aspect is the wireless communication device according to the first aspect, wherein the first connector and the second connector are installed on the first substrate surface of the sub-substrate, and when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the substrate surface of the main substrate, the second connector and the connector of the wireless communication substrate may be connected so that the wireless communication substrate does not overlap the main substrate.

[0013] In the above configuration, when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the substrate surface of the main substrate, the second connector and the connector of the wireless communication substrate are connected so that the wireless communication substrate does not overlap the main substrate. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the radio waves caused by the transmission and reception of the antenna of the wireless communication substrate from being blocked by the main substrate.

[0014] Further, a fourth aspect is the wireless communication device according to the third aspect, wherein the antenna has an antenna pattern wired along the short side direction at an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the wireless communication substrate, and the second connector and the connector of the wireless communication substrate may be connected so that the longitudinal direction of the wireless communication substrate is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main substrate.

[0015] In the above configuration, when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the substrate surface of the main substrate, the wireless communication substrate does not overlap with the main substrate, and the longitudinal direction of the wireless communication substrate is configured to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main substrate. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the position of the antenna of the wireless communication substrate can be displaced by 90 degrees compared to the case where the connector of the main substrate and the connector of the wireless communication substrate are directly connected.

[0016] Further, a fifth aspect is the wireless communication device of the third aspect, wherein the antenna has an antenna pattern wired along the short-side direction at an end in the longitudinal direction of the wireless communication substrate, and the second connector and the connector of the wireless communication substrate may be connected so that the short-side direction of the wireless communication substrate is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main substrate.

[0017] In the above configuration, when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the substrate surface of the main substrate, the wireless communication substrate does not overlap with the main substrate, and the longitudinal direction of the wireless communication substrate is configured to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main substrate. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the main substrate can be displaced compared to the case where the connector of the main substrate and the connector of the wireless communication substrate are directly connected, with respect to the position of the antenna of the wireless communication substrate.

[0018] Further, a sixth aspect is the wireless communication device of the second aspect, wherein when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the substrate surface of the main substrate, the position of the second connector may be a position shifted along the longitudinal direction of the main substrate from the position of the first connector.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the position of the antenna of the wireless communication substrate can be shifted along the longitudinal direction of the main substrate compared to the case where the connector of the main substrate and the connector of the wireless communication substrate are directly connected.

[0020] Moreover, a seventh aspect is the wireless communication device of the second aspect, wherein, when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the substrate surface of the main substrate, in the sub-substrate, a region overlapping at least the location where the antenna is present is an insulating member, and except for the first connector, further comprising a holder that covers the sub-substrate and the wireless communication substrate, and the holder may hold the region in the sub-substrate.

[0021] By the substrate portion of the overlapping region formed of the insulating member in the sub-substrate being held by the holder, the wireless communication substrate and the sub-substrate can be appropriately supported by the holder.

[0022] Furthermore, an eighth aspect is the wireless communication device of the seventh aspect, wherein the first connector is installed on a first surface that is a surface other than the region in the first substrate surface of the sub-substrate, and the second connector is installed on a second surface that is a surface other than the region in the second substrate surface of the sub-substrate, and wiring patterns can be arranged on the first surface and the second surface, and a wiring pattern connected to the first connector and arranged on the first surface and a wiring pattern connected to the second connector and arranged on the second surface may be connected via a through hole of the sub-substrate.

[0023] According to the above configuration, in the sub-substrate, since the wiring patterns arranged on the first surface and the second surface are connected via through holes, the main substrate and the wireless communication substrate can be connected through the first connector and the second connector. And since the wiring patterns are arranged on surfaces of the sub-substrate other than the region overlapping the location where the antenna is present, the influence on wireless communication using the antenna can be suppressed.

[0024] Moreover, a ninth aspect is the wireless communication device of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, wherein the shape of the first connector of the sub-substrate is a convex portion shape, the shape of the connector of the main substrate is a concave portion shape, and the sub-substrate and the main substrate may be connected by fitting the first connector and the connector of the main substrate.

[0025] According to the above configuration, since the shapes of the first connector of the sub-board and the connector of the main board are mating connectors, the removal of the main board and the wireless communication board can be facilitated.

Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication device capable of easily shifting the position of the antenna can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] 〔Embodiment 1〕 Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0029] (Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is an example of a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention.

[0030] In the following description, the lower right side in FIG. 1 is defined as the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, the upper left side in FIG. 1 is defined as the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, the upper right side in FIG. 1 is defined as the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the lower left side in FIG. 1 is defined as the right side of the image forming apparatus 1. Also, the upper side and the lower side in FIG. 1 are defined as the upper side and the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively.

[0031] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a device main body 2. The device main body 2 is a housing that houses a paper feeding unit, an image forming unit, a discharging unit, a refeeding unit, a motor, etc., not shown. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device main body 2 is composed of a front cover 20, a rear cover 21, a right side cover 22, a left side cover 23, an upper cover 24, and an upper end cover 25.

[0032] (Wireless Communication Unit 80) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a wireless communication unit 80 disposed on a side surface 22a of a right side cover 22. The wireless communication unit 80 is an example of wireless communication means that enables information to be input into the image forming apparatus 1 from an external terminal by wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 80 is a part that enables communication with an external terminal such as a smartphone by radio waves, and includes a wireless communication board 81 and a sub-board (not shown). The wireless communication board 81 shown in the present embodiment is a board that realizes wireless communication by Wi-Fi. The sub-board will be described later.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the attachment status of a holder 82, a wireless communication board 81, and a sub-board 86 to a main board 85. In other words, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, each board and the like of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main board 85, the above-described wireless communication board 81, a sub-board 86, and a holder 82.

[0035] The main board 85 is a control board that controls the operations of each part of the image forming apparatus 1. The main board 85 is disposed on the back side of the right side cover 22. The wireless communication board 81 has an antenna 81b for performing wireless communication. A plurality of elements are arranged on a board surface 85c of the main board 85.

[0036] The sub-board 86 is a board interposed between the main board 85 and the wireless communication board 81. The sub-board 86 is a board for converting the pin shape of the male terminal of the connector 81a of the wireless communication board 81 into a convex-shaped first connector 86a so as to fit into the concave shape of the connector 85a of the main board 85. The wireless communication board 81 is connected to the sub-board 86. The sub-board 86 is connected to the main board 85. The wireless communication board 81 and the main board 85 are connected via the sub-board 86.

[0037] The holder 82 covers the sub-board 86 and the wireless communication board 81 except for the first connector 86a of the sub-board 86. The wireless communication board 81 and the sub-board 86 are attached to the main board 85 while being held by the holder 82. The first connector 86a of the sub-board 86 is connected to the connector 85a of the main board 85.

[0038] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an opening / closing cover 83 that closes an opening 22b formed in a side surface 22a of the right side cover 22. The image forming apparatus 1 is configured such that the user can remove the holder 82 from the main board 85 with the opening / closing cover 83 open. The shape of the first connector 86a of the sub-board 86 is not a pin shape but a convex shape. The connector 85a of the main board 85 is a concave shape. Therefore, since it is easy to fit the first connector 86a of the sub-board 86 into the connector 85a of the main board 85, the user can easily attach and detach the holder 82 to and from the main board 85.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the case where the wireless communication board 81 in the wireless communication unit 80 is a board for wireless LAN is illustrated. However, the board used as the wireless communication board 81 may be a board that realizes wireless communication according to other communication standards. For example, it may be a board for NFC (Near Field Communication) or a board for Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0040] (Wireless communication board 81) As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless communication board 81 includes a connector 81a and an antenna 81b. The connector 81a is a connector for connecting the wireless communication board 81 to a second connector 86b provided on the sub-board 86, and is configured to be detachable from the sub-board 86. The antenna 81b is composed of antenna elements for transmitting and receiving radio waves from the wireless communication board 81.

[0041] (Main board 85) As shown in FIG. 3, the main board 85 includes a connector 85a and an opening 85b. The connector 85a is a connector for connecting the sub-board 86 to the main board 85. The opening 85b is a hole used to position the holder 82 with respect to the main board 85. The diameter of the opening 85b is slightly larger than the outer shape of the protruding portion 82f of the holder 82, and is sized such that the protruding portion 82f can be inserted therethrough.

[0042] (Holder 82) As shown in FIG. 3, the holder 82 is composed of a first unit 82a and a second unit 82b. The first unit 82a and the second unit 82b are fitted to each other and integrated. More specifically, the main board 85 is mounted on the first unit 82a. The second unit 82b is fitted to the first unit 82a with the wireless communication board 81 and the sub-board 86 sandwiched between the second unit 82b and the first unit 82a.

[0043] The upper diagram of FIG. 4 is a side view showing the connection structure of the main board 85, the sub-board 86, and the wireless communication board 81. The lower diagram of FIG. 4 is a side view showing the connection structure of the main board 85 and the wireless communication board 81 according to the conventional example. Note that the connection structure in the lower diagram of FIG. 4 is the connection structure of these two boards when the main board 85 and the wireless communication board 81 according to the present embodiment can be directly connected.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure of the main board 85, the sub-board 86, and the wireless communication board 81. The left diagram of FIG. 5 shows the state where each board is unconnected. The right diagram of FIG. 5 shows the state where each board is connected.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 above, a connector 85a is installed on the substrate surface 85c of the main substrate 85. A first connector 86a is installed on the first substrate surface 86i of the sub-substrate 86, and a second connector 86b is installed on the second substrate surface 86j which is the back surface of the first substrate surface 86i. That is, in the sub-substrate 86, the substrate surface on which the first connector 86a is installed is different from the substrate surface on which the second connector 86b is installed. The first connector 86a is an example of the first connector of the present invention. The second connector 86b is an example of the second connector of the present invention.

[0046] The first connector 86a is electrically connected to the connector 85a of the main substrate 85 so that the first substrate surface 86i of the sub-substrate 86 and the substrate surface 85c of the main substrate 85 are parallel. The second connector 86b is electrically connected to the connector 81a of the wireless communication substrate 81 so that the second substrate surface 86j of the sub-substrate 86 and the substrate surface 81d of the wireless communication substrate 81 are parallel. Note that the term "parallel" includes not only the case where they are completely parallel but also a state close to parallel, for example, a state where they are deviated by several degrees from a parallel plane.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 above, in the image forming apparatus 1, in a direction orthogonal to the substrate surface 85c of the main substrate 85, that is, when viewed from the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1, the positions of the first connector 86a and the second connector 86b are shifted. Note that the term "orthogonal" includes not only the case where they are completely orthogonal but also a state close to orthogonal, for example, a state where they are deviated by several degrees from an orthogonal angle.

[0048] More specifically, in the image forming apparatus 1, when viewed from the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1, the position of the first connector 86a is shifted from the position of the second connector 86b in the longitudinal direction of the main substrate 85, that is, it is shifted by a shift width X along the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0049] Here, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 4, when the connector 85a of the main board 85 is connected to the first connector 86a of the sub-board 86 and the connector 81a of the wireless communication board 81 is connected to the second connector 86b of the sub-board 86, the antenna 81b provided on the wireless communication board 81 will be arranged at the position indicated by P1 when viewed from the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 4, when the connector 85a of the main board 85 and the connector 81a of the wireless communication board 81 are directly connected, the antenna 81b provided on the wireless communication board 81 will be arranged at the position indicated by P2 when viewed from the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0051] As shown in the upper and lower diagrams of FIG. 4, by shifting the position of the first connector 86a by a shift width X from the position of the second connector 86b, the position P1 of the antenna 81b can be shifted by a shift width Y from the position P1 of the antenna 81b. Needless to say, the respective values of the shift width X and the shift width Y are the same.

[0052] That is, the position P1 of the antenna 81b when the connector 81a of the wireless communication board 81 and the second connector 86b are connected can be shifted in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 1 from the position P2 of the antenna 81b when the connector 85a of the main board 85 and the connector 81a of the wireless communication board 81 are directly connected without passing through the sub-board 86.

[0053] Hereinafter, while also referring to FIG. 6, the details of the sub-board 86 will be continued to be described.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the wireless communication board 81 and its peripheral components. The upper diagram of FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearances of the first unit 82a, the sub-board 86, the wireless communication board 81, and the second unit 82b. The middle diagram of FIG. 6 is a top view showing the appearance of the wireless communication board 81. The lower diagram of FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the wireless communication board 81.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a connector 81a, an antenna 81b, and a wireless communication module 81c are installed on a substrate surface 81d of the wireless communication substrate 81.

[0056] Here, as shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the left - right direction of the image forming apparatus 1, the sub - substrate 86 is divided into a first region 86k in which a ground 86c is disposed inside an insulating layer 86d and a second region 86u that consists only of the insulating layer 86d without the ground 86c. The insulating layer 86d is composed of an insulating member. The first region 86k is located on the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1. The second region 86u is located on the upper side of the image forming apparatus 1. And, when viewed from the left - right direction of the image forming apparatus 1, the first region 86k overlaps with a region 81k where the connector 81a and the wireless communication module 81c exist in the wireless communication substrate 81. Also, the second region 86u overlaps with a region 81u where the antenna 81b exists in the wireless communication substrate 81.

[0057] According to the above configuration, when viewed from the left - right direction of the image forming apparatus 1, the position of the antenna 81b of the wireless communication substrate 81 is included in the second region 86u where the ground 86c does not exist in the sub - substrate 86. For this reason, the radio waves transmitted and received from the antenna 81b of the wireless communication substrate 81 are not inhibited by the ground 86c of the sub - substrate 86. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 80 can perform wireless communication without trouble using the antenna 81b.

[0058] Note that a portion corresponding to the second region 86u of the sub - substrate 86 is to be held by the first unit 82a of the holder 82 shown in FIG. 3. However, in terms of not interfering with the transmission and reception of radio waves from the antenna 81b, it is not necessary to provide a portion corresponding to the second region 86u of the sub - substrate 86. In this case, by holding a portion corresponding to the first region 86k of the sub - substrate 86 by the first unit 82a of the holder 82, the sub - substrate 86 can be supported by the holder 82.

[0059] Also, according to the above configuration, when viewed from the left - right direction of the image forming apparatus 1, the position of the antenna 81b of the wireless communication board 81 is included in the region 85f where the main board 85 does not exist. Therefore, the radio waves transmitted and received from the antenna 81b of the wireless communication board 81 are not obstructed by the ground 85d of the main board 85. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 80 can perform wireless communication without problems using the antenna 81b.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, the first connector 86a of the sub - board 86 is composed of male terminals of a convex shape. On the other hand, the connector 85a of the main board 85 is composed of female terminals of a concave shape. Then, the sub - board 86 and the main board 85 are electrically connected by fitting the convex shape of the first connector 86a of the sub - board 86 and the concave shape of the connector 85a of the main board 85. Also, there may be a support column that supports between the sub - board 86 and the main board 85.

[0061] Also, the second connector 86b of the sub - board 86 is composed of female terminals with holes. On the other hand, the connector 81a of the wireless communication board 81 is composed of male terminals of a pin shape. Then, the sub - board 86 and the wireless communication board 81 are electrically connected by inserting the pin - shaped male terminals of the connector 81a of the wireless communication board 81 into the holes of the second connector 86b of the sub - board 86. Needless to say, the number of male terminals and the number of holes of the female terminals are the same. Also, there may be a support column that supports between the sub - board 86 and the wireless communication board 81.

[0062] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the first board surface 86i and the second board surface 86j of the sub - board 86. The first board surface 86i is the surface facing the board surface 85c of the main board 85 shown in FIG. 5. The second board surface 86j is the surface facing the board surface 81d of the wireless communication board 81 shown in FIG. 5. The left figure of FIG. 7 shows the first board surface 86i. The right figure of FIG. 7 shows the second board surface 86j.

[0063] The sub-substrate 86 partially includes a printed circuit board 86p. When viewing the sub-substrate 86 from the first substrate surface 86i shown in the left figure of FIG. 7, the printed circuit board 86p is divided into a hatched portion 86m with hatching and a non-hatched portion 86q without hatching. The hatched portion 86m has a multilayer structure in which a ground 86c made of metal is disposed inside the insulating layer 86d. The hatched portion 86m corresponds to the first region 86k shown in FIG. 5. On the other hand, the non-hatched portion 86q has a single-layer structure composed only of the insulating layer 86d. The non-hatched portion 86q corresponds to the second region 86u shown in FIG. 5.

[0064] A wiring pattern 86e is disposed on the first surface 86k1 of the hatched portion 86m. The first connector 86a is installed on the first surface 86k1 and is electrically connected to the wiring pattern 86e.

[0065] On the other hand, when viewing the sub-substrate 86 from the second substrate surface 86j shown in the right figure of FIG. 7, the printed circuit board 86p is divided into a hatched portion 86n with hatching and a non-hatched portion 86r without hatching. The hatched portion 86n corresponds to the hatched portion 86m shown in the left figure of FIG. 7 when viewing the sub-substrate 86 from the second substrate surface 86j. Similarly, the non-hatched portion 86r corresponds to the non-hatched portion 86q shown in the left figure of FIG. 7 when viewing the sub-substrate 86 from the second substrate surface 86j.

[0066] A wiring pattern 86f is disposed on the second surface 86k2 of the hatched portion 86n. The second connector 86b is installed on the second surface 86k2 and is electrically connected to the wiring pattern 86f.

[0067] The printed circuit board 86p is provided with through-holes 86g that penetrate the printed circuit board 86p. The wiring pattern 86e shown in the left diagram of Fig. 7 and the wiring pattern 86f shown in the right diagram of Fig. 7 are electrically connected via the through-hole 86g. When the wiring pattern 86e and the wiring pattern 86f are electrically connected, the first connector 86a and the second connector 86b are electrically connected.

[0068] In addition, when the sub-board 86 and the wireless communication board 81 are supported using a support column, the support column is inserted into the through-hole 86h provided in the sub-board 86. Similarly, when the sub-board 86 and the main board 85 are supported using a support column, the support column is inserted into the through-hole 86h provided in the sub-board 86.

[0069] 〔Embodiment 2〕 Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0070] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the connection structure of the main board 85, the sub-board 861, and the wireless communication board 81 in the image forming apparatus 1a according to the present embodiment. The left diagram of Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure. The right diagram of Fig. 8 is a front view showing the connection structure.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 8, on the sub-board 861 of the image forming apparatus 1a, a first connector 86a that is electrically connected to the connector 85a of the main board 85 and a second connector 86b that is electrically connected to the connector 81a of the wireless communication board 81 are installed. In this case, both the board surface 85c of the main board 85 and the board surface 81d of the wireless communication board 81 are connected so as to face the first board surface 86i of the sub-board 861. Then, in a direction orthogonal to the board surface 85c of the main board 85, that is, when viewed from the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1a, the second connector 86b of the sub-board 861 and the connector 81a of the wireless communication board 81 are connected so that the wireless communication board 81 does not overlap the main board 85.

[0072] The antenna 81b has an antenna pattern 81b1 wired along the short side direction at the longitudinal end of the wireless communication board 81. Then, the second connector 86b of the sub-board 861 and the connector 81a of the wireless communication board 81 are connected so that the longitudinal direction of the wireless communication board 81 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main board 85.

[0073] Note that, in the sub-board 861 of the image forming apparatus 1a, the board surface on which the first connector 86a is installed and the board surface on which the second connector 86b is installed may be different. For example, the first connector 86a may be installed on the first board surface 86i, and the second connector 86b may be installed on the second board surface 86j. Also, the reverse may be true. In other words, in the left figure of Fig. 8, the second connector 86b may be installed on the second board surface 86j. In this case, the board surface to which the main board 85 is connected and the board surface to which the wireless communication board 81 is connected will be different.

[0074] Note that there may be a support column between the wireless communication board 81 and the sub-board 861. Also, regarding the arrangement of each board, the shape of the holder 82 according to this embodiment needs to be different from that of the first embodiment.

[0075] According to the above configuration, compared with the first embodiment, the wireless communication board 81 can be rotated 90 degrees with respect to the main board 85.

[0076] 〔Embodiment 3〕 Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in Embodiments 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0077] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the connection structure of the main board 85, the sub-board 862, and the wireless communication board 81 in the image forming apparatus 1b according to this embodiment.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 9, on the first substrate surface 86i of the sub-substrate 862 of the image forming apparatus 1b, a first connector 86a that is electrically connected to the connector 85a of the main substrate 85 and a second connector 86b that is electrically connected to the connector 81a of the wireless communication substrate 81 are installed. Then, in a direction orthogonal to the first substrate surface 86i of the main substrate 85, that is, when viewed from the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1b, the second connector 86b of the sub-substrate 862 and the connector 81a of the wireless communication substrate 81 are connected so that the wireless communication substrate 81 does not overlap with the main substrate 85.

[0079] The antenna 81b has an antenna pattern 81b1 that is wired along the short-side direction at the longitudinal end of the wireless communication substrate 81. Then, the second connector 86b of the sub-substrate 862 and the connector 81a of the wireless communication substrate 81 are connected so that the short-side direction of the wireless communication substrate 81 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main substrate 85.

[0080] According to the above configuration, the antenna 81b of the wireless communication substrate 81 can be configured above the main substrate 85.

[0081] [Embodiment 4] Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in Embodiments 1, 2, and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0082] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the connection structure of the main substrate 85, the sub-substrate 863, and the wireless communication substrate 81 in the image forming apparatus 1c according to the present embodiment.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 10, on the first substrate surface 86i of the sub-substrate 863 of the image forming apparatus 1c, a first connector 86a that is electrically connected to the connector 85a of the main substrate 85 is installed. On the other hand, on the second substrate surface 86j of the sub-substrate 863, a second connector 86b that is electrically connected to the connector 81a of the wireless communication substrate 81 is installed.

[0084] When viewed from the left - right direction of the image forming apparatus 1c, the sub - substrate 863 is divided into a first region 86k where the ground 86c is disposed inside the insulating layer 86d, and a second region 86u that consists only of the insulating layer 86d without the ground 86c. The first region 86k is located on the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1c. The second region 86u is located on the upper side of the image forming apparatus 1c. And when viewed from the left - right direction of the image forming apparatus 1c, the positions of the connector 81a of the wireless communication substrate 81 and the wireless communication module 81c are included in the first region 86k. Also, the position of the antenna 81b of the wireless communication substrate 81 is included in the second region 86u.

[0085] According to the above configuration, when viewed from the left - right direction of the image forming apparatus 1c, the position of the antenna 81b of the wireless communication substrate 81 does not overlap with the position of the ground 86c of the sub - substrate 863. Therefore, the radio waves transmitted and received by the antenna 81b are not inhibited by the ground 86c. Thus, the wireless communication unit 80 can perform wireless communication without trouble using the antenna 81b.

[0086] Also, according to the above configuration, when viewed from the left - right direction of the image forming apparatus 1c, the position of the antenna 81b of the wireless communication substrate 81 is included in the region 85f where the main substrate 85 does not exist. For this reason, the radio waves transmitted and received by the antenna 81b of the wireless communication substrate 81 are not inhibited by the ground 85d of the main substrate 85. Thus, the wireless communication unit 80 can perform wireless communication without trouble using the antenna 81b.

[0087] Note that it is not always necessary to provide a portion corresponding to the second region 86u on the sub - substrate 863. The sub - substrate 863 may be a substrate consisting only of a portion corresponding to the first region 86k.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the above - described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0089] 1, 1b, 1c Image forming apparatus 81 Wireless communication board 81a Connector 81b Antenna 81b1 Antenna pattern 81d Substrate surface 82 Holder 85 Main board 85a Connector 85c Substrate surface 86, 861, 862, 863 Sub-board 86a First connector 86b Second connector 86d Insulating layer 86e Wiring pattern 86f Wiring pattern 86g Through hole 86i First substrate surface 86j Second substrate surface 86k First region 86u Second region 86k1 First surface 86k2 Second surface

Claims

1. a main board, a wireless communication board having an antenna for performing wireless communication, a first connector that is electrically connected to the connector of the main board so that the board surface is parallel to the board surface of the main board, and a second connector that is electrically connected to the connector of the wireless communication board so that the board surface is parallel to the board surface of the wireless communication board. A sub-board installed on the board surface, a holder that covers the sub-board and the wireless communication board except for the first connector, comprising the first connector is installed on the first board surface of the sub-board, the second connector is installed on the second board surface of the sub-board, the sub-board has a first region in which the ground is disposed inside the insulating layer and a second region composed only of the insulating layer, the holder has a first unit and a second unit, and supports the wireless communication board and the sub-board by fitting them with the wireless communication board and the sub-board sandwiched between the first unit and the second unit. the first unit of the holder in the fitted state holds the second region of the sub-board, as viewed from a direction orthogonal to the board surface of the main board, in the sub-board, at least a region overlapping the location where the antenna exists is the second region, there is no region on the main board that overlaps the location where the antenna exists, A wireless communication device, characterized in that the position of the first connector is shifted from the position of the second connector.

2. The first connector is installed on a first surface that is a surface other than a region overlapping at least the location where the antenna exists in the sub-board among the first board surfaces of the sub-board. The second connector is installed on a second surface of the second substrate surface of the sub-substrate, which is a surface other than a region overlapping a location where at least the antenna exists in the sub-substrate. A wiring pattern can be arranged on the first surface and the second surface. A wiring pattern connected to the first connector and arranged on the first surface and a wiring pattern connected to the second connector and arranged on the second surface are connected via a through hole of the sub-substrate. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The shape of the first connector of the sub-substrate is a convex shape. The shape of the connector of the main substrate is a concave shape. The shape of the connector of the wireless communication substrate is a plurality of pin shapes. The sub-substrate and the main substrate are connected by fitting the first connector and the connector of the main substrate. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that.

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