Image forming device with foldable paper guide

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image forming device with a foldable paper guide, a housing, on which a media gateway opening is formed; a first tray structure, which is arranged on the housing and adjacent to the media gateway opening; and a paper guide, which includes: a first base, which is arranged on the first tray structure; and a first paper guide, which is pivotally connected to the first base; wherein the paper guide can be switched between a use position and a folded position relative to the first tray structure, and when the paper guide is in the use position, the angle between the first paper guide and the first base is less than 90 degrees. When the first tray structure is folded, the first paper guide can interfere with the image forming device during the folding process of the first tray structure and be folded by force, thereby avoiding the paper guide from being broken and damaged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming device, and in particular to an image forming device with a foldable paper guide. Background Art

[0002] With the development of equipment automation, image forming devices (such as scanners or multi-function printers) are equipped with automatic document feeders to increase work efficiency. Automatic document feeders can provide single or multiple pages of paper to enter or exit the image forming device in sequence, greatly reducing the tedious operations of operators. Users can put a stack of paper on a tray structure (such as a paper feed tray) at a time, and then the automatic document feeder will feed the single or multiple pages of paper into the interior of the image forming device to perform business tasks such as scanning and printing. The tray structure on the automatic document feeder is usually equipped with a paper guide to guide paper of the same width to ensure that paper will not be skewed during the paper feeding or paper output process. In addition, generally considering the factors of dust prevention and storage space, the image forming device needs to be stored separately when it is not in continuous use. However, the tray structure takes up more space, so there is a folding storage design. When the tray structure is folded, if you forget to fold the paper guide on it first, it may cause the paper guide to break. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide an image forming device with a foldable paper guide, comprising a housing, a first tray structure and a paper guide, wherein the paper guide comprises a first base and a first paper guide. The paper guide can be switched between a use position and a folded position relative to the first tray structure. When the paper guide is in the use position, the angle between the first paper guide and the first base is less than 90 degrees. When the first tray structure is folded, the first paper guide can interfere with the image forming device during the folding process of the first tray structure and be folded by force, thereby preventing the paper guide from being broken and damaged.

[0004] A technical means adopted to achieve the above-mentioned purpose is to make the aforementioned image forming device include a shell, a first tray structure and a paper guide, a media gateway opening is formed on the shell, the first tray structure is arranged on the shell and adjacent to the media gateway opening, the paper guide includes a first base and a first paper guide, the first base is arranged on the first tray structure, the first paper guide is pivotally connected to the first base, the paper guide can be switched between a use position and a folded position relative to the first tray structure, when the paper guide is in the use position, the angle between the first paper guide and the first base is less than 90 degrees when the paper guide is in the use position.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the paper guide further includes a second base and a second paper guide. The second base is disposed on the first tray structure and opposite to the first base. The second paper guide is pivotally connected to the second base.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper sides of the first paperboard guide and the second paperboard guide both include inclined surfaces, and the first paperboard guide and the second paperboard guide can be pivotally folded in the first folding direction and the second folding direction respectively through the interference of the inclined surfaces and the image forming device.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first paper guide and the second paper guide each further include a positioning structure, through which the first paper guide and the second paper guide can make the angle between the first paper guide and the first base and between the second paper guide and the second base less than 90 degrees when the paper guide is in the use position.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first positioning structure further includes a first elastic arm and a first limiting member, the first elastic arm is located on the first paper guide, and the first limiting member is located on the first base.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first guide structure is formed on the first elastic arm, and a second guide structure is formed on the first limit member. When the paper guide is switched from the use position to the folded position, the first paper guide is folded by the sliding cooperation between the first guide structure and the second guide structure.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second positioning structure further includes a second elastic arm and a second limiting member, the second elastic arm is located on the second paper guide, and the second limiting member is located on the second base.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a third guide structure is formed on the second elastic arm, and a fourth guide structure is formed on the second limit member. When the paper guide is switched from the use position to the folded position, the second paper guide is folded by the sliding cooperation between the third guide structure and the fourth guide structure.

[0012] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides an image forming device with a foldable paper guide, which includes a shell, a first tray structure and a paper guide. A media gateway opening is formed on the shell. The first tray structure is arranged on the shell and is adjacent to the media gateway opening. The paper guide includes a first base, a second base, a first paper guide and a second paper guide. The first base and the second base are arranged on the first tray structure. The first base is opposite to the second base. The first paper guide and the second paper guide are pivotally connected to the first base and the second base respectively. When the first paper guide and the second paper guide are tilted relative to each other in the use position of the first tray structure, the virtual extension lines of the first paper guide and the second paper guide intersect at an angle.

[0013] In summary, the paper guide of the present invention can be interfered and folded by force during the process of switching the image forming device from the use state to the folded state, so the present invention can effectively prevent the paper guide from being broken or damaged.

[0014] 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

[0015] The specific implementation modes of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figures 1 to 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the image forming device in different states according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a first paper guide and a second paper guide according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a first paper guide and a second paper guide according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 6 It is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the first paper guide and the second paper guide according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of the image forming device in another state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0022] 1: Image forming device;

[0023] 10: Shell;

[0024] 101: Accommodation space;

[0025] 102: first media gateway opening;

[0026] 103: second media gateway opening;

[0027] 11: First tray structure;

[0028] 111: chute;

[0029] 12: Second tray structure;

[0030] 13: Paper guide;

[0031] 131: First base;

[0032] 132: Second base;

[0033] 133: first paper guide;

[0034] 1332: first surface;

[0035] 134: second paper guide;

[0036] 1331, 1341: inclined plane;

[0037] 1342: second surface;

[0038] 135: first positioning structure;

[0039] 1351: first elastic arm;

[0040] 1352: first stopper;

[0041] 1353: first guide structure;

[0042] 1354: second guide structure;

[0043] 136: second positioning structure;

[0044] 1361: second elastic arm;

[0045] 1362: second stopper;

[0046] 1363: third guide structure;

[0047] 1364: fourth guide structure;

[0048] R1: first folding direction;

[0049] R2: The second folding direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] 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 embodiment, this does not mean that the features of this invention are limited to this implementation. On the contrary, the purpose of introducing the invention in conjunction with the implementation is to cover other options or modifications that may be extended based on 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.

[0051] The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front or back, etc., are only used to refer to the directions of the attached drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are used to illustrate and not to limit the present invention.

[0052] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 1 to 3 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the image forming device 1 in different states according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the image forming device 1 may be a scanner, a printer or a multi-function printer. Figures 1 to 3As shown, the image forming device 1 includes a housing 10, a first tray structure 11 and a second tray structure 12. The housing 10 includes a accommodating space 101, a first media gateway opening 102 and a second media gateway opening 103. The first media gateway opening 102 may be an exit for allowing media (such as paper) to leave the media gateway in the image forming device 1, and the second media gateway opening 103 may be an entrance for allowing media to enter the media gateway of the image forming device 1. An automatic paper feeding device is provided in the image forming device 1. The first tray structure 11 is disposed in the image forming device 1 and adjacent to the exit, that is, the first tray structure 11 is a paper output tray for carrying media, and the second tray structure 12 is pivotally connected to the housing 10 and disposed adjacent to the entrance, that is, the second tray structure 12 is a paper input tray for carrying media.

[0053] The second tray structure 12 can be arranged relative to the housing 10 as follows: Figure 1 The expanded position shown is similar to Figure 2 When the second tray structure 12 is pivoted to the folded position, the second tray structure 12 covers the accommodating space 101 of the housing 10; when the second tray structure 12 is pivoted to the unfolded position, one side of the second tray structure 12 is adjacent to the second media gateway opening 103 to allow the media to enter the second media gateway opening 103, and one side of the first tray structure 11 is adjacent to the first media gateway opening 102 to allow the media to leave the first media gateway opening 102.

[0054] The paper guide 13 includes a first base 131, a second base 132, a first paper guide 133, and a second paper guide 134. The first base 131 and the second base 132 are disposed on the first tray structure 11 and are opposite to each other. The first tray structure 11 includes a slide groove 111. The slide groove 111 allows the first base 131 and the second base 132 to move relative to the first tray structure 11 and move away from or close to each other. The first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 are respectively pivotally connected to the first base 131 and the second base 132. The first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 are used to abut against the edge of the paper and can move synchronously with the first base 131 and the second base 132 according to the size of the paper.

[0055] When the image forming device 1 is switched to Figure 1 In the use state shown, the second tray structure 12 can be pivoted and unfolded to Figure 1 In the unfolded position shown, the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 can be pivoted open and tilted relative to each other, that is, the angle between the first paper guide 133 and the first base 131 and the angle between the second paper guide 134 and the second base 132 are less than 90 degrees, that is, the virtual extension lines of the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 will intersect at an angle.

[0056] When the image forming device 1 is to be folded and stored as Figure 2 In the folded state shown in FIG. 1 , the second tray structure 12 can be pivoted to the folded position. At this time, the second tray structure 12 covers the accommodating space 101 of the image forming device 1. The first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 are folded by the external force of the second tray structure 12 and attached to the first base 131 and the second base 132 (as shown in FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , since the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 are tilted relative to each other when the image forming device 1 is in use, that is, the angle between the first paper guide 133 and the first base 131 and the angle between the second paper guide 134 and the second base 132 is less than 90 degrees, the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 can be pivoted and retracted into the accommodating space 101 in different retracting directions by the interference of the second tray structure 12. In this embodiment, the paper guide 13 includes a plurality of bases and a plurality of paper guides, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, the paper guide may also include only one base and one paper guide, so as to guide the medium on one side.

[0057] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the upper surfaces of the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 can be designed as inclined surfaces 1331 and 1341 respectively. The first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 can be more easily pivoted and folded in the first folding direction R1 and the second folding direction R2 respectively through the interference of the inclined surfaces 1331 and 1341 with the second tray structure 12, so that the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 can be folded more smoothly.

[0058] In addition, please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, the first surface 1332 of the first paper guide 133 adjacent to the first base 131 and the second surface 1342 of the second paper guide 134 adjacent to the second base 132 are arc surfaces. When the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 are folded due to interference with the second tray structure 12, the first surface 1332 and the second surface 1342 can prevent the first paper guide 133 and the first base 131 and the second paper guide 134 and the second base 132 from being unable to fold due to interference.

[0059] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the paper guide 13 further includes a first positioning structure 135 and a second positioning structure 136. When the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 are in the unfolded position of the second tray structure 12 and are pivoted and opened relative to the first tray structure 11, the first positioning structure 135 and the second positioning structure 136 can respectively prevent the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 from being opened more than 90 degrees, that is, the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 are in an inclined relative state. The first positioning structure 135 includes a first elastic arm 1351 and a first stopper 1352, wherein the first elastic arm 1351 is formed on the first paper guide 133, and the first stopper 1352 is formed on the first base 131. When the first paper guide 133 is in the unfolded position of the second tray structure 12 and pivots open relative to the first tray structure 11, the first elastic arm 1351 on the first paper guide 133 can be snapped into the first stopper 1352 on the first base 131, which can ensure that the angle between the first paper guide 133 and the first base 131 is less than 90 degrees. The second positioning structure 136 includes a second elastic arm 1361 and a second stopper 1362, wherein the second elastic arm 1361 is formed on the second paper guide 134, and the second stopper 1362 is formed on the second base 132. When the second paper guide 134 is in the unfolded position of the second tray structure 12 and pivots open relative to the first tray structure 11, the second elastic arm 1361 on the second paper guide 134 can be snapped into the second stopper 1362 on the second base 132, which can ensure that the angle between the second paper guide 134 and the second base 132 is less than 90 degrees.

[0060] like Figure 6 As shown, in order to make the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 more smoothly folded, in this embodiment, a first guide structure 1353 is formed on the first elastic arm 1351 of the first paper guide 133, and a second guide structure 1354 is formed on the first position-limiting member 1352. When the paper guide 13 is switched from the use position to the folded position, the first paper guide 133 is folded by the sliding cooperation between the first guide structure 1353 and the second guide structure 1354. Similarly, a third guide structure 1363 is formed on the second elastic arm 1361 of the second paper guide 134, and a fourth guide structure 1364 is formed on the second position-limiting member 1362. When the paper guide 13 is switched from the use position to the folded position, the second paper guide 134 is folded by the sliding cooperation between the third guide structure 1363 and the fourth guide structure 1364. In this embodiment, the first guiding structure 1353 , the second guiding structure 1354 , the third guiding structure 1363 and the fourth guiding structure 1364 may be arc surface structures, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0061] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the image forming device 1 in another state. Figure 7 As shown, in addition to the problem of folding and storing, the image forming device 1 may need to open the first tray structure 11 for inspection when a fault needs to be eliminated. At this time, if the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 are not folded first, the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 may be damaged or even broken when the first tray structure 11 is opened. Since the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 are inclined relative to each other when the paper guide 13 is in the use position, that is, the angle between the first paper guide 133 and the first base 131 and the angle between the second paper guide 134 and the second base 132 is less than 90 degrees, when the first tray structure 11 is opened upward, even if the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 are not folded first, the first paper guide 133 and the second paper guide 134 may interfere with the first tray structure 11 and be folded by force.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, in another embodiment, the first tray structure and the second tray structure can be divided into a paper feed tray pivotally connected to the shell and a paper output tray fixed in the accommodating space of the shell. When the first tray structure is pivoted from the unfolded position to the folded position, the first paper guide and the second paper guide arranged on the first tray structure can interfere with the second tray structure or other structures located in the accommodating space and pivot and fold in different folding directions respectively.

[0063] Compared with the prior art, the paper guide of the present invention can be interfered and folded by force during the process of switching the image forming device from the use state to the folded state, so the present invention can effectively prevent the paper guide from being broken and damaged.

[0064] 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, characterized in that: include: A housing having a media gateway opening formed therein; A first tray structure disposed on the housing and adjacent to the media gateway opening; as well as A paper guide comprising: A first base, disposed on the first tray structure; and A first paper guide, pivotally connected to the first base; A first positioning structure, the first positioning structure further comprising a first elastic arm and a first limiting member, the first elastic arm is located on the first paper guide, and the first limiting member is located on the first base; In which, the paper guide can be switched between a use position and a folded position relative to the first tray structure. When the paper guide is in the use position, the first elastic arm on the first paper guide paper is snapped into the first limit piece on the first base to position the paper guide in the use position, and the angle between the first paper guide paper and the first base is less than 90 degrees.

2. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein: The upper side of the first paper guide further includes an inclined surface, and the first paper guide can be pivotally folded toward a first folding direction through interference between the inclined surface and the image forming device.

3. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein: The first paper guide can be arranged such that the angle between the first paper guide and the first base is less than 90 degrees when the paper guide is located at the use position through the first positioning structure.

4. The image forming device according to claim 3, wherein: A first guide structure is formed on the first elastic arm, and a second guide structure is formed on the first limiting member. When the paper guide is switched from the use position to the folded position, the first paper guide is folded by the sliding cooperation between the first guide structure and the second guide structure.

5. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: A second base, disposed on the first tray structure and opposite to the first base; as well as A second paper guide, pivotally connected to the second base; Wherein, when the paper guide is located at the use position, the angle between the second paper guide and the second base is less than 90 degrees.

6. The image forming device according to claim 5, wherein: The upper side of the second paper guide further includes an inclined surface, and the second paper guide can be pivotally folded toward a second folding direction through interference between the inclined surface and the image forming device.

7. The image forming device according to claim 5, wherein: The paper guide further includes a second positioning structure, and the second paper guide can use the second positioning structure to ensure that the angle between the second paper guide and the second base is less than 90 degrees when the paper guide is located in the use position.

8. The image forming device according to claim 7, wherein: The second positioning structure further includes a second limiting member and a second elastic arm, the second elastic arm is located on the second paper guide, and the second limiting member is located on the second base.

9. The image forming device according to claim 8, wherein: A third guide structure is formed on the second elastic arm, and a fourth guide structure is formed on the second limit member. When the paper guide is switched from the use position to the folded position, the second paper guide is folded by the sliding cooperation between the third guide structure and the fourth guide structure.

10. An image forming device having a foldable paper guide, characterized in that: include: A housing having a media gateway opening formed therein; A first tray structure disposed on the housing and adjacent to the media gateway opening; as well as A paper guide comprising: A first base, disposed on the first tray structure; A second base, disposed on the first tray structure and opposite to the first base; A first paper guide, pivotally connected to the first base; and A second paper guide, pivotally connected to the second base; A first positioning structure, the first positioning structure further comprising a first elastic arm and a first limiting member, the first elastic arm is located on the first paper guide, and the first limiting member is located on the first base; Among them, the first paper guide and the second paper guide are tilted relative to each other when the first tray structure is in the use position, so that the virtual extension lines of the first paper guide and the second paper guide intersect to form an angle, and when the paper guide is in the use position, the first elastic arm on the first paper guide is buckled into the first limit piece on the first base to position the paper guide in the use position, and the angle between the first paper guide and the first base is less than 90 degrees.

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