Image forming device with cover and tray structure thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming device with a cover body and a tray structure thereof, comprising a housing member formed with a media gateway opening and a tray structure, wherein the tray structure comprises a tray body, a cover body and an elastic member, wherein when the tray body pivots from a first folded position to a first use position along a first pivot direction relative to the housing member, the tray body drives the cover body to pivot from a second folded position to a second use position relative to the housing member along the first pivot direction to reveal the media gateway opening, and when the tray body pivots from the first use position to the first folded position relative to the housing member along a second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, the elastic member drives the cover body to pivot from the second use position to the second folded position relative to the housing member along the second pivot direction to cover the media gateway opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an image forming device and a tray structure thereof, and in particular to an image forming device with a cover body and a tray structure thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the development of equipment automation, image forming devices, such as scanners or printers, are provided with media gateway openings for media, such as paper, to enter and exit, so as to achieve automation of scanning or printing operations. However, the existing media gateway openings are usually designed to be open. This structural design not only allows foreign objects to easily enter the image forming device through the media gateway openings, causing wear or failure of internal components, but also affects the appearance. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an image forming device with a cover body, which includes a shell member and a tray structure, the shell member includes an upper side and a side adjacent to the upper side, a media gateway opening is formed on the side, the tray structure includes a tray body, a cover body and an elastic member, the tray body is pivotally connected to the shell member and can be pivotally switched between a first use position and a first folded position relative to the shell member, when the tray body is pivoted to the first folded position, the tray body covers the upper side of the shell member, when the tray body is pivoted to the first use position, one side of the tray body is adjacent to the media gateway opening, the cover body is pivotally connected to the shell member and can be pivotally switched between a second use position and a second folded position relative to the shell member, when the cover body is pivoted to the second folded position When the cover body is pivoted to the second use position, the cover body does not cover the media gateway opening. The elastic member is connected to the cover body so that the cover body has the potential energy to pivot toward the second folded position. When the disk body pivots from the first folded position to the first use position along the first pivot direction relative to the shell member, the disk body pushes against the cover body to drive the cover body to pivot from the second folded position to the second use position relative to the shell member along the first pivot direction. When the disk body pivots from the first use position to the first folded position relative to the shell member along a second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, the elastic member drives the cover body to pivot from the second use position to the second folded position relative to the shell member along the second pivot direction.

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first guide structure is formed on the cover body, and at least one second guide structure is formed on the disk body. During the process of the disk body pivoting from the first folded position to the first use position, the disk body is driven by the sliding cooperation between the at least one second guide structure and the first guide structure to pivot the cover body away from the second folded position.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a receiving space is formed on the tray body, and when the tray body and the cover body are respectively located at the first folded position and the second folded position, the cover body is partially received in the receiving space.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tray body includes at least one protrusion structure, and the at least one protrusion structure contacts and cooperates with the cover body when the tray body pivots relative to the housing member.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention further provides a tray structure, which includes a tray body, a cover body and an elastic member. The tray body is pivotally connected to the outer shell of the image forming device and can be pivotally switched between a first use position and a first folded position relative to the outer shell. When the tray body is pivoted to the first folded position, the tray body covers the upper side of the outer shell. When the tray body is pivoted to the first use position, one side of the tray body is adjacent to a media gateway opening formed on the side of the outer shell. The cover body is pivotally connected to the outer shell and can be pivotally switched between a second use position and a second folded position relative to the outer shell. When the cover body is pivoted to the second folded position, the cover body covers the side of the outer shell to shield the media. Gateway opening, when the cover body is pivoted to the second use position, the cover body does not cover the media gateway opening, the elastic member is connected to the cover body so that the cover body has the potential energy to pivot toward the second folded position, when the disk body is pivoted from the first folded position to the first use position relative to the outer shell along the first pivot direction, the disk body pushes against the cover body to drive the cover body to pivot from the second folded position to the second use position relative to the outer shell along the first pivot direction, when the disk body is pivoted from the first use position to the first folded position relative to the outer shell along the second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, the elastic member drives the cover body to pivot from the second use position to the second folded position relative to the outer shell along the second pivot direction.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first guide structure is formed on the cover body, and at least one second guide structure is formed on the disk body. During the process of the disk body pivoting from the first folded position to the first use position, the disk body is driven by the sliding cooperation between the at least one second guide structure and the first guide structure to pivot the cover body away from the second folded position.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a receiving space is formed on the tray body, and when the tray body and the cover body are respectively located at the first folded position and the second folded position, the cover body is partially received in the receiving space.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tray body includes at least one protrusion structure, and the at least one protrusion structure contacts and cooperates with the cover body when the tray body pivots relative to the housing member.

[0011] In summary, in the present invention, when the disk body pivots from the first folded position to the first use position along the first pivot direction relative to the outer shell, the disk body pushes against the cover body to drive the cover body to pivot from the second folded position to the second use position relative to the outer shell along the first pivot direction to reveal the media gateway opening. When the disk body pivots from the first use position to the first folded position relative to the outer shell along the second pivot direction, the elastic member drives the cover body to pivot from the second use position to the second folded position relative to the outer shell along the second pivot direction to cover the media gateway opening. In other words, when the image forming device of the present invention is not in use, the user only needs to pivot and fold the disk body to the first folded position, and the cover body can be driven to pivot to the second folded position to cover the media gateway opening. Therefore, the present invention can effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the image forming device and has a better appearance aesthetics.

[0012] In order to make the above contents of the present invention more clearly understood, preferred embodiments are given below and described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The specific implementation modes of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the appearance of an image forming device in different states according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention in different states;

[0016] Figure 5 The image forming device of the embodiment of the present invention is as follows Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of section A is shown;

[0017] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a cover body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of the disk body at different viewing angles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Description of reference numerals:

[0020] 1: Image forming device;

[0021] 11: Shell parts;

[0022] 111: upper side;

[0023] 112: lateral;

[0024] 113: media gateway opening;

[0025] 12: Pallet structure;

[0026] 121: disk body;

[0027] 1211: second guide structure;

[0028] 1212: protrusion structure;

[0029] 1213: Accommodation space;

[0030] 122: cover;

[0031] 1221: first guide structure;

[0032] 123: elastic member;

[0033] P1: first pivot direction;

[0034] P2: Second pivot direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. Although the description of the present invention will be introduced in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, this does not mean that the features of this invention are limited to the implementation. On the contrary, the purpose of introducing the invention in conjunction with the implementation is to cover other options or modifications that may extend from the claims of the present invention. In order to provide a deep understanding of the present invention, the following description will include many specific details. The present invention can also be implemented without using these details. In addition, in order to avoid confusion or blurring the focus of the present invention, some specific details will be omitted in the description.

[0036] See also Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 1 and Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the appearance of the image forming device 1 in different states according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an image forming device 1 in different states according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 The image forming device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention is as follows Figure 3 The enlarged schematic diagram of part A is shown. Figures 1 to 5As shown, the image forming device 1 includes a housing 11 and a tray structure 12. The housing 11 includes an upper side 111 and a side 112 adjacent to the upper side 111. A media gateway opening 113 is formed on the side 112. In this embodiment, the image forming device 1 may be a printer, the media gateway opening 113 may be an entrance of a media gateway that allows print media (such as paper) to enter the printer, and the tray structure 12 may be an entrance tray disposed near the entrance and used to carry print media, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, the media gateway opening may be an exit of a media gateway that allows print media to leave the printer, and the tray structure may be an exit tray disposed near the exit and used to carry print media. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the image forming device may also be a scanner, the media gateway opening may be an exit / entrance of a media gateway that allows scanned media to leave / enter the scanner, and the tray structure may be an exit tray / entrance tray disposed near the exit / entrance and used to carry scanned media.

[0037] The tray structure 12 includes a tray body 121, a cover body 122 and an elastic member 123. The tray body 121 is pivotally connected to the outer shell 11 and can be moved relative to the outer shell 11. Figure 2 and Figure 4 The first use position shown is similar to Figure 1 and Figure 3 When the tray 121 is pivoted to the first retracted position, the tray 121 covers the upper side 111 of the housing 11; when the tray 121 is pivoted to the first use position, one side of the tray 121 is adjacent to the media gateway opening 113 to allow the print media to enter the media gateway opening 113. The cover 122 is pivotally connected to the housing 11 and can be moved relative to the housing 11 as shown in the figure. Figure 2 and Figure 4 The second use position shown is similar to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The cover 122 pivots and switches between the second folded position shown in the figure. When the cover 122 pivots to the second folded position, the cover 122 covers the side 112 of the outer shell 11 to cover the media gateway opening 113; when the cover 122 pivots to the second use position, the cover 112 does not cover the media gateway opening 113. The elastic member 123 is connected to the cover 122 so that the cover 122 has the potential energy to pivot toward the second folded position. In this embodiment, the elastic member 123 is preferably a torsion spring connected to the cover 122 and the outer shell 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment, the elastic member may also be a tension spring or a leaf spring connected to the cover and another structural member.

[0038] When the plate body 121 is rotated relative to the housing member 11 along the first pivot direction P1, Figure 3 The first folded position shown is pivoted to Figure 4 In the first use position shown in FIG. 1 , the tray 121 pushes against the cover 122 to drive the cover 122 to rotate relative to the housing 11 along the first pivot direction P1. Figure 3 The second stowed position shown is pivoted to Figure 4 In the second use position shown, the cover 112 does not cover the media gateway opening 113, and the elastic member 123 is elastically deformed by force. Figure 4 The first use position shown is pivoted to Figure 3 When the cover 122 is in the first retracted position shown in FIG. 1 , the elastic member 123 can utilize its elastic restoring force to drive the cover 122 to rotate relative to the housing 11 along the second pivot direction P2. Figure 4 The second use position shown is pivoted to Figure 3 In the second folded position shown, the cover 122 covers the side 112 of the housing 11 to shield the media gateway opening 113 .

[0039] See also Figures 6 to 8 , Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a cover body 122 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the disk body 121 at different viewing angles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 6 to 8 As shown, in order to make the above-mentioned disk body 121 push against the cover body 122 more smoothly, specifically, in this embodiment, a first guide structure 1221 is formed on the cover body 122, and a plurality of second guide structures 1211 are formed on the disk body 121. In the process of the disk body 121 pivoting from the first folded position to the first use position, the disk body 121 drives the cover body 122 to pivot away from the second folded position by the sliding cooperation between the second guide structure 1211 and the first guide structure 1221. In addition, in this embodiment, preferably, each second guide structure 1211 can be an oblique rib, and the first guide structure 1221 can be an inclined surface structure with a circular arc chamfer, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0040] In addition, the disk body 121 includes two protrusion structures 1212. When the disk body 121 pivots relative to the outer shell 11, the two protrusion structures 1212 contact and cooperate with the cover body 122 to avoid direct contact between the entire side of the disk body 121 and the cover body 122, thereby reducing the contact area between the disk body 121 and the cover body 122. In addition to preventing the disk body 121 from being damaged due to contact and friction with the cover body 122, it can also prevent excessive friction between the disk body 121 and the cover body 122 from hindering the disk body 121 from pushing against the cover body 122 to pivot.

[0041] Furthermore, in order to allow the cover 122 at the second folded position to closely cover the side 112 of the outer shell 11 , a receiving space 1213 is formed on the disk 121 . When the disk 121 and the cover 122 are respectively at the first folded position and the second folded position, the cover 122 is partially received in the receiving space 1213 .

[0042] However, the structure, quantity and shape of the tray and cover of the present invention are not limited to this embodiment, and are determined according to actual needs. For example, in another embodiment, the tray may also only include a first guide structure, a second guide structure and a protrusion structure, the first guide structure may be an inclined surface structure with a circular arc chamfer, and the second guide structure may be an arc curved surface structure. Alternatively, in another embodiment, as long as it does not affect the tray pushing the cover to pivot relative to the outer shell, the first guide structure, the second guide structure, the protrusion structure or the accommodating space may be selectively omitted.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, when the user needs to use the image forming device 1, the user can operate the tray 121 to rotate relative to the housing 11 along the first pivot direction P1 as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The first folded position shown is pivoted to Figure 4 When the tray 121 moves away from the housing 11 along the first pivot direction P1, Figure 3 When the tray 121 is in the first retracted position, the second guide structure 1211 and the first guide structure 1221 slide together to smoothly drive the cover 122 to pivot away from the second retracted position. Figure 3 The second stowed position shown is pivoted to Figure 4 During the process of the second use position shown in the figure, the two protrusion structures 1212 are in contact with the cover 122 to effectively prevent the tray 121 from being damaged due to contact and friction with the cover 122, and also reduce the friction between the tray 121 and the cover 122, so that the cover 122 can pivot toward the second use position more smoothly. Figure 4 In the first use position and the second use position shown, the tray 121 is adjacent to the media gateway opening 113, and the media gateway opening 113 is exposed. At this time, the user can feed the print media into the image forming device 1 through the tray 121 and the media gateway opening 113. In addition, when the tray 121 and the cover 122 are respectively pivoted relative to the housing 11 to the positions shown in FIG. Figure 4 In the first use position and the second use position shown, the elastic member 123 is subjected to force and elastically deforms.

[0044] On the other hand, when the user does not need to use the image forming device 1, the operable tray 122 can be rotated relative to the housing 11 along the second pivot direction P2 as shown in FIG. Figure 4 The first use position shown is pivoted to Figure 3 When the tray 122 is rotated relative to the housing 11 along the second pivot direction P2, the tray 122 is rotated relative to the housing 11 along the second pivot direction P2. Figure 4 The first use position shown is pivoted to Figure 3 When the cover 122 is in the first retracted position shown in FIG. 1 , the elastic member 123 can utilize its elastic restoring force to drive the cover 122 to rotate relative to the housing 11 along the second pivot direction P2. Figure 4 The second use position shown is pivoted to Figure 3 The second folded position is shown and partially accommodated in the accommodation space 1213, so as to closely cover the side 112 of the housing 11 to shield the media gateway opening 113. In addition, in the above process, the contact and cooperation between the two protrusion structures 1212 and the cover body 122 can also effectively prevent the disk body 121 from being damaged due to contact and friction with the cover body 122, reduce the friction between the disk body 121 and the cover body 122, and make the cover body 122 pivot toward the second folded position more smoothly.

[0045] Compared to the prior art, in the present invention, when the disk body pivots from the first folded position to the first use position along the first pivot direction relative to the outer shell, the disk body pushes against the cover body to drive the cover body to pivot from the second folded position to the second use position relative to the outer shell along the first pivot direction to reveal the media gateway opening. When the disk body pivots from the first use position to the first folded position relative to the outer shell along the second pivot direction, the elastic member drives the cover body to pivot from the second use position to the second folded position relative to the outer shell along the second pivot direction to cover the media gateway opening. In other words, when the image forming device of the present invention is not in use, the user only needs to pivot and fold the disk body to the first folded position, and the cover body can be driven to pivot to the second folded position to cover the media gateway opening. Therefore, the present invention can effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the image forming device and has a better appearance aesthetics.

[0046] In summary, the above embodiments provided by the present invention are only illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone familiar with the technology may modify or change the above embodiments without violating the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or changes made by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field without departing from the spirit and technical ideas disclosed by the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An image forming device having a cover, characterized in that: include: A housing member and a tray structure, wherein the housing member comprises an upper side and a side adjacent to the upper side, and a media gateway opening is formed on the side; The tray structure comprises: a tray, the tray being pivotally connected to the housing and being pivotally switchable relative to the housing between a first use position and a first folded position, wherein when the tray is pivoted to the first folded position, the tray covers the upper side of the housing, and when the tray is pivoted to the first use position, one side of the tray is adjacent to the media gateway opening; a cover body, the cover body being pivotally connected to the housing member and being pivotally switchable relative to the housing member between a second use position and a second folded position, wherein when the cover body is pivoted to the second folded position, the cover body covers the side of the housing member to shield the media gateway opening, and when the cover body is pivoted to the second use position, the cover body does not shield the media gateway opening; and an elastic member, the elastic member being connected to the cover body so as to enable the cover body to have potential energy to pivot toward the second folded position; When the tray body pivots from the first folded position to the first use position along a first pivot direction relative to the outer shell, the tray body pushes against the cover body to drive the cover body to pivot from the second folded position to the second use position relative to the outer shell along the first pivot direction; when the tray body pivots from the first use position to the first folded position relative to the outer shell along a second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, the elastic member drives the cover body to pivot from the second use position to the second folded position relative to the outer shell along the second pivot direction.

2. The image forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first guide structure is formed on the cover body, and at least one second guide structure is formed on the tray body. During the process of the tray body pivoting from the first folded position to the first use position, the tray body is driven by the at least one second guide structure to pivot away from the second folded position due to the sliding cooperation between the at least one second guide structure and the first guide structure.

3. The image forming device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An accommodating space is formed on the tray body. When the tray body and the cover body are respectively located at the first folded position and the second folded position, the cover body is partially accommodated in the accommodating space.

4. The image forming device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The tray body includes at least one protrusion structure, and the at least one protrusion structure contacts and cooperates with the cover body when the tray body pivots relative to the housing member.

5. The image forming device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The tray body includes at least one protrusion structure, and the at least one protrusion structure contacts and cooperates with the cover body when the tray body pivots relative to the housing member.

6. A tray structure, characterized in that: include: A tray body, the tray body is pivotally connected to the housing member of the image forming device and can be pivotally switched between a first use position and a first folded position relative to the housing member, when the tray body is pivoted to the first folded position, the tray body covers the upper side of the housing member, when the tray body is pivoted to the first use position, one side of the tray body is adjacent to a media gateway opening formed on a side of the housing member; a cover body, the cover body being pivotally connected to the housing member and being capable of pivoting and switching between a second use position and a second folded position relative to the housing member, when the cover body is pivoted to the second folded position, the cover body covers the side of the housing member to shield the media gateway opening, and when the cover body is pivoted to the second use position, the cover body does not shield the media gateway opening; as well as an elastic member, the elastic member being connected to the cover body so as to enable the cover body to have potential energy to pivot toward the second folded position; When the tray body pivots from the first folded position to the first use position along a first pivot direction relative to the outer shell, the tray body pushes against the cover body to drive the cover body to pivot from the second folded position to the second use position relative to the outer shell along the first pivot direction; when the tray body pivots from the first use position to the first folded position relative to the outer shell along a second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, the elastic member drives the cover body to pivot from the second use position to the second folded position relative to the outer shell along the second pivot direction.

7. The tray structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: A first guide structure is formed on the cover body, and at least one second guide structure is formed on the tray body. During the process of the tray body pivoting from the first folded position to the first use position, the tray body is driven by the at least one second guide structure to pivot away from the second folded position due to the sliding cooperation between the at least one second guide structure and the first guide structure.

8. The tray structure according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: An accommodating space is formed on the tray body. When the tray body and the cover body are respectively located at the first folded position and the second folded position, the cover body is partially accommodated in the accommodating space.

9. The tray structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The tray body includes at least one protrusion structure, and the at least one protrusion structure contacts and cooperates with the cover body when the tray body pivots relative to the housing member.

10. The tray structure according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The tray body includes at least one protrusion structure, and the at least one protrusion structure contacts and cooperates with the cover body when the tray body pivots relative to the housing member.

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