Media channel switching mechanism and image forming device

Abstract

The present invention provides a media channel switching mechanism disposed on a housing of an image forming device, comprising a media tray, a guide member and a linkage member. An inlet channel, a first outlet channel and a second outlet channel are formed in the housing. The media tray is pivotally connected to the housing, the guide member is pivotally connected to the housing, the linkage member is a single-piece structure and movably connects the media tray and the guide member. When the media tray pivots relative to the housing, the media tray drives the linkage member to drive the guide member to pivot relative to the housing, so that the guide member can selectively guide the media from the inlet channel into one of the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a media channel switching mechanism disposed on a housing of an image forming device and a related image forming device, and in particular to a media channel switching mechanism capable of selectively guiding different media into different exit channels and a related image forming device. Background Art

[0002] Image forming devices (such as scanners and printers) are widely used in homes or offices, bringing convenience to people's daily lives. In order to capture images of different types of media to be scanned (such as paper or cards) or to form images on different types of media to be printed (such as paper or cards), a plurality of channels and a switching mechanism are usually provided in the image forming device. The user can operate the switching mechanism according to the type of the media to be scanned or the media to be printed, so that the media to be scanned or the media to be printed can enter the correct channel, thereby preventing the media to be scanned or the media to be printed from being stuck in the image forming device due to entering the wrong channel. However, the existing switching mechanism has a complex structure and is not easy to operate, so there is still a need for improvement. Summary of the invention

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a media channel switching mechanism disposed on a housing of an image forming device and a related image forming device to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0004] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a media channel switching mechanism arranged in a housing of an image forming device, wherein an entrance channel, a first exit channel and a second exit channel are formed in the housing, and the media channel switching mechanism comprises a media tray, a guide member and a linkage member, wherein the media tray is pivotally connected to the housing and can be pivotally switched between a first position and a second position, the guide member is pivotally connected to the housing and can be pivotally switched between a third position and a fourth position, the linkage member is movably connected to the media tray and the guide member, and the linkage member is a single-piece structure. When the media tray is pivoted relative to the housing along a first pivot direction from a first position to a fourth position, the linkage member is movable. When the media tray pivots from the second position to the second position, the media tray drives the linkage to drive the guide member to pivot from the third position to the fourth position relative to the shell along the first pivot direction. When the guide member is at the fourth position, the guide member guides the media from the entrance channel to the second exit channel. When the media tray pivots from the second position to the first position relative to the shell along the second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, the media tray drives the linkage to drive the guide member to pivot from the fourth position to the third position relative to the shell along the second pivot direction. When the guide member is at the third position, the guide member guides the media from the entrance channel to the first exit channel.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the linkage member is a torsion spring, and the linkage member includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion are movably connected to the guide member and the media tray respectively.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the media tray includes a tray pivot portion and a tray connecting portion, wherein the tray pivot portion is pivotally connected to the housing, and the tray connecting portion deviates from the tray pivot portion and is movably connected to the second connecting portion of the linkage.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide member includes a guide pivot portion and a guide connection portion. The guide pivot portion is pivotally connected to the housing, and the guide connection portion is movably connected to the first connection portion of the linkage member.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the media tray includes at least one engaging portion, and the at least one engaging portion engages with at least one matching portion formed on the housing when the media tray is pivoted to the first position.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the guide member is located at the third position, the guide member covers the second outlet channel but does not cover the first outlet channel to guide the medium from the inlet channel to the first outlet channel, and when the guide member is located at the fourth position, the guide member covers the first outlet channel but does not cover the second outlet channel to guide the medium from the inlet channel to the second outlet channel.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention also provides an image forming device, which includes a shell and a media channel switching mechanism, wherein an entrance channel, a first exit channel and a second exit channel are formed in the shell, the media channel switching mechanism is arranged in the shell and is used to guide the media from the entrance channel into the first exit channel or into the second exit channel, the media channel switching mechanism includes a media tray, a guide member and a linkage member, the media tray is pivotally connected to the shell and can be pivotally switched between a first position and a second position, the guide member is pivotally connected to the shell and can be pivotally switched between a third position and a fourth position, the linkage member movably connects the media tray and the guide member, and the linkage member is a single-piece structure When the media tray pivots from the first position to the second position along the first pivot direction relative to the shell, the media tray drives the linkage to drive the guide member to pivot from the third position to the fourth position relative to the shell along the first pivot direction. When the guide member is located at the fourth position, the guide member guides the media from the entrance channel to the second exit channel. When the media tray pivots from the second position to the first position relative to the shell along the second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, the media tray drives the linkage to drive the guide member to pivot from the fourth position to the third position relative to the shell along the second pivot direction. When the guide member is located at the third position, the guide member guides the media from the entrance channel to the first exit channel.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the linkage member is a torsion spring, and the linkage member includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion are movably connected to the guide member and the media tray respectively.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the media tray includes a tray pivot portion and a tray connecting portion, wherein the tray pivot portion is pivotally connected to the housing, and the tray connecting portion deviates from the tray pivot portion and is movably connected to the second connecting portion of the linkage.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide member includes a guide pivot portion and a guide connection portion. The guide pivot portion is pivotally connected to the housing, and the guide connection portion is movably connected to the first connection portion of the linkage member.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the media tray includes at least one engaging portion, and at least one matching portion is formed on the housing. The at least one engaging portion is engaged with the at least one matching portion when the media tray pivots to the first position.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the guide member is located at the third position, the guide member covers the second outlet channel but does not cover the first outlet channel to guide the medium from the inlet channel to the first outlet channel, and when the guide member is located at the fourth position, the guide member covers the first outlet channel but does not cover the second outlet channel to guide the medium from the inlet channel to the second outlet channel.

[0016] In summary, in the present invention, since the linkage member movably connected to the media tray and the guide member is a single-piece structure, and when the media tray pivots relative to the shell, it can drive the linkage member to pivot relative to the shell, so that the guide member can selectively guide the media from the entrance channel into one of the first exit channel and the second exit channel, the present invention has the advantages of simple structure and easy operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The specific implementation modes of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of an image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention at different viewing angles;

[0019] Figure 3 is an exploded view of some components of an image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first state;

[0021] Figure 5 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a second state;

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of the image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first state;

[0023] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of the image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a second state;

[0024] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a portion of a housing and a media tray located at a first position according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of a portion of the housing and a media tray located at the second position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0027] 1: Image forming device;

[0028] 11: housing;

[0029] 111: Entranceway;

[0030] 112: first exit channel;

[0031] 113: Second exit channel;

[0032] 1131: exit port;

[0033] 114: Coordination unit;

[0034] 12: Media channel switching mechanism;

[0035] 121: media tray;

[0036] 1211: tray pivot portion;

[0037] 1212: tray connection part;

[0038] 1213: engaging portion;

[0039] 122: guide member;

[0040] 1221: guide pivot portion;

[0041] 1222: guide connection portion;

[0042] 123: Linking member;

[0043] 1231: first connecting portion;

[0044] 1232: second connecting portion;

[0045] P1: first pivot direction;

[0046] P2: Second pivot direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as: up, down, left, right, front or back, etc., are only referenced to the directions of the attached drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are used for illustration and are not used to limit the present invention. In addition, the term "connected" or "pivoted" herein includes any direct and indirect structural connection or pivoting means. Therefore, if the text describes a first device connected / pivoted to a second device, it means that the first device can be directly structurally connected / pivoted to the second device, or indirectly structurally connected / pivoted to the second device through other devices or connection means.

[0048] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the image forming device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention at different viewing angles, Figure 3 is an exploded view of some components of the image forming device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a partial structural diagram of the image forming device 1 in the first state according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a partial structural diagram of the image forming device 1 in the second state according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the image forming device 1 includes a housing 11 and a media channel switching mechanism 12. An inlet channel 111, a first outlet channel 112, and a second outlet channel 113 are formed in the housing 11. The inlet channel 111 connects the first outlet channel 112 and the second outlet channel 113. The media channel switching mechanism 12 is disposed in the housing 11 and is used to guide the media (such as paper, photos, or cards) from the inlet channel 111 to enter the first outlet channel 112 or enter the second outlet channel 113. For example, when the media is a relatively soft material paper, the user can operate the media channel switching mechanism 12 to place it in the position as shown in FIG. Figure 4 In the first state shown, the media can enter the first outlet channel 112 from the entrance channel 111; when the media is a card made of a relatively hard material, the user can operate the media channel switching mechanism 12 to make it in the position shown in FIG. Figure 5 The second state is shown so that the medium can enter the second outlet channel 113 from the inlet channel 111 .

[0049] The media channel switching mechanism 12 includes a media tray 121, a guide member 122 and a linkage member 123. The media tray 121 is pivotally connected to the housing 11 and is adjacent to an outlet end 1131 of the second outlet channel 113 away from the inlet channel 111. The media tray 121 can be Figure 4 The first position shown is similar to Figure 5The media tray 121 can be pivoted and switched between the second position shown in the figure, wherein the media tray 121 can be pivoted and switched manually by a user, or can be pivoted and switched by an interface operation mode using other electric or mechanical designs. The guide member 122 is pivotally connected to the housing 11 and adjacent to the connection between the inlet channel 111 and the first outlet channel 112 and the second outlet channel 113. The guide member 122 can be Figure 4 The third position shown is similar to Figure 5 The linking member 123 movably connects the media tray 121 and the guide member 122. The linking member 123 is a single-piece structure. When the media tray 121 is relative to the housing 11, the media tray 121 is pivotally connected to the guide member 122. Figure 4 The first position shown is Figure 5 When the media tray 121 pivots and switches between the second positions shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the media tray 121 drives the linkage 123 to drive the guide 122 relative to the housing 11 to move in a direction similar to the direction shown in FIG. Figure 4 The third position shown is similar to Figure 5 The guide member 122 can be pivotally switched between the fourth positions shown, so that the guide member 122 can selectively guide the medium from the inlet channel 111 into one of the first outlet channel 112 and the second outlet channel 113 .

[0050] Specifically, in order to realize the mechanism of driving the linkage member 123 to drive the guide member 122 to pivot relative to the housing 11 when the media tray 121 pivots relative to the housing 11, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the linkage 123 can be a torsion spring, and the linkage 123 includes a first connection portion 1231 and a second connection portion 1232. The first connection portion 1231 is located in the middle of the linkage 123, and the second connection portion 1232 is located at one end of the linkage 123. The first connection portion 1231 and the second connection portion 1232 are movably connected to the guide member 122 and the media tray 121 respectively.

[0051] Furthermore, the media tray 121 includes a tray pivot portion 1211 and a tray connection portion 1212 . The tray pivot portion 1211 is pivotally connected to the housing 11 . The tray connection portion 1212 is offset from the tray pivot portion 1211 and movably connected to the second connection portion 1232 of the linkage 123 .

[0052] In addition, the guiding member 122 includes a guiding pivot portion 1221 and a guiding connection portion 1222 . The guiding pivot portion 1221 is pivotally connected to the housing 11 , and the guiding connection portion 1222 is movably connected to the first connection portion 1231 of the linkage member 123 .

[0053] Please refer to Figures 4 to 7 , Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of the image forming device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first state, Figure 7FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of the image forming device 1 in the second state according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the medium is a card, the user can operate the media tray 121 to rotate relative to the housing 11 along the first pivot direction P1 as shown in FIG. Figure 4 The first position shown is pivoted to Figure 5 In the second position shown, when the media tray 121 is rotated relative to the housing 11 along the first pivot direction P1, Figure 4 The first position shown is pivoted to Figure 5 When the media tray 121 is in the second position, the media tray 121 drives the linkage 123 to drive the guide member 122 to rotate relative to the housing 11 along the first pivot direction P1. Figure 4 The third position shown is pivoted to Figure 5 The fourth position shown, as Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, when the guide member 122 is located at the fourth position, the guide member 122 can cover the first outlet channel 112 but not cover the second outlet channel 113, so the guide member 122 located at the fourth position can guide the medium from the inlet channel 111 to the second outlet channel 113; when the medium is paper, the user can operate the media tray 121 relative to the housing 11 along the second pivot direction P2 opposite to the first pivot direction P1 as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The second position shown is pivoted to Figure 4 In the first position shown in FIG. 1 , when the media tray 121 is rotated relative to the housing 11 along the second pivot direction P2, Figure 5 The second position shown is pivoted to Figure 4 When the media tray 121 is in the first position as shown, the media tray 121 drives the linkage member 123 to drive the guide member 122 to rotate relative to the housing 11 along the second pivot direction P2. Figure 5 The fourth position shown is pivoted to Figure 4 The third position shown, such as Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, when the guide member 122 is located at the third position, the guide member 122 can cover the second outlet channel 113 but not the first outlet channel 112 . Therefore, the guide member 122 located at the third position can guide the medium from the inlet channel 111 to the first outlet channel 112 .

[0054] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a portion of the housing 11 and a media tray 121 located at a first position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a portion of the housing 11 and the media tray 121 located at the second position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9As shown, in this embodiment, the linkage member 123 is a torsion spring. When the media tray 121 and the guide member 122 are respectively located at Figure 4 In the first position and the third position shown, the linking member 123 generates an elastic force that drives the media tray 121 to leave the first position and drives the guide member 122 to leave the third position. In order to prevent the media tray 121 and the guide member 122 from leaving the first position and the third position respectively, the media tray 121 includes two engaging portions 1213, and the housing 11 is formed with two matching portions 114. When the media tray 121 is pivoted to the first position, each engaging portion 1213 is engaged with the corresponding matching portion 114 to position the media tray 121 and the guide member 122 at the first position and the third position respectively. The present invention can also be designed that when the engaging portion 1213 of the media tray 121 and the matching portion 114 of the housing 11 are not engaged with each other, the elastic force of the linking member 123 can drive the media tray 121 to leave the first position and drive the guide member 122 to leave the third position, for example, drive the media tray 121 to the second position and drive the guide member 122 to the fourth position.

[0055] In this embodiment, preferably, each engaging portion 1213 can be a hook, and each matching portion 114 can be a notch, but the structure and number of the engaging portions of the present invention are not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the media tray can include only one engaging portion, and the housing can be formed with only one matching portion, and the engaging portion and the matching portion can be a notch and a hook respectively. Alternatively, in another embodiment, as long as the elastic force generated by the linkage can be overcome by other mechanisms (such as friction), the engaging portion and the matching portion can be omitted.

[0056] Compared to the prior art, in the present invention, since the linkage member movably connected to the media tray and the guide member is a single-piece structure, and when the media tray pivots relative to the shell, it can drive the linkage member to pivot relative to the shell, so that the guide member can selectively guide the media from the entrance channel into one of the first exit channel and the second exit channel, the media channel switching mechanism of the present invention has the advantages of simple structure and easy operation.

[0057] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention should all fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A media channel switching mechanism disposed in a housing of an image forming device, characterized in that: An inlet channel, a first outlet channel and a second outlet channel are formed in the housing, and the media channel switching mechanism includes: a media tray pivotally connected to the housing and capable of pivotally switching between a first position and a second position; A guide member, which is pivotally connected to the housing and can be pivotally switched between a third position and a fourth position; as well as A linkage, which movably connects the media tray and the guide, and the linkage is a single-piece structure; When the media tray pivots from the first position to the second position relative to the shell along the first pivot direction, the media tray drives the linkage to drive the guide member to pivot from the third position to the fourth position relative to the shell along the first pivot direction. When the guide member is located at the fourth position, the guide member guides the medium from the entrance channel to the second exit channel. When the media tray pivots from the second position to the first position relative to the shell along the second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, the media tray drives the linkage to drive the guide member to pivot from the fourth position to the third position relative to the shell along the second pivot direction. When the guide member is located at the third position, the guide member guides the medium from the entrance channel to the first exit channel. The linkage is a torsion spring. The linkage includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are movably connected to the guide member and the media tray, respectively.

2. The media channel switching mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The media tray includes a tray pivot portion and a tray connection portion, wherein the tray pivot portion is pivotally connected to the housing, and the tray connection portion deviates from the tray pivot portion and is movably connected to the second connection portion of the linkage.

3. The media channel switching mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide member includes a guide pivot portion and a guide connection portion, the guide pivot portion is pivotally connected to the housing, and the guide connection portion is movably connected to the first connection portion of the linkage member.

4. The media channel switching mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The media tray includes at least one engaging portion, and the at least one engaging portion engages with at least one matching portion formed on the housing when the media tray is pivoted to the first position.

5. The media channel switching mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: When the guide member is located at the third position, the guide member covers the second outlet channel but does not cover the first outlet channel, so as to guide the medium from the inlet channel to the first outlet channel. When the guide member is located at the fourth position, the guide member covers the first outlet channel but does not cover the second outlet channel, so as to guide the medium from the inlet channel to the second outlet channel.

6. An image forming device, characterized in that: It includes: a housing, wherein an inlet channel, a first outlet channel, and a second outlet channel are formed in the housing; as well as A media channel switching mechanism is disposed on the housing and is used to guide the media from the inlet channel into the first outlet channel or into the second outlet channel. The media channel switching mechanism includes: a media tray pivotally connected to the housing and capable of pivotally switching between a first position and a second position; A guide member, which is pivotally connected to the housing and can be pivotally switched between a third position and a fourth position; as well as A linkage, which movably connects the media tray and the guide, and the linkage is a single-piece structure; When the media tray pivots from the first position to the second position along the first pivot direction relative to the shell, the media tray drives the linkage to drive the guide member to pivot from the third position to the fourth position relative to the shell along the first pivot direction. When the guide member is located at the fourth position, the guide member guides the media from the entrance channel to the second exit channel. When the media tray pivots from the second position to the first position relative to the shell along the second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, the media tray drives the linkage to drive the guide member to pivot from the fourth position to the third position relative to the shell along the second pivot direction. When the guide member is located at the third position, the guide member guides the media from the entrance channel to the first exit channel. The linkage is a torsion spring. The linkage includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are movably connected to the guide member and the media tray, respectively.

7. The image forming device according to claim 6, wherein: The media tray includes a tray pivot portion and a tray connection portion, wherein the tray pivot portion is pivotally connected to the housing, and the tray connection portion deviates from the tray pivot portion and is movably connected to the second connection portion of the linkage.

8. The image forming device according to claim 6, wherein: The guide member includes a guide pivot portion and a guide connection portion, the guide pivot portion is pivotally connected to the housing, and the guide connection portion is movably connected to the first connection portion of the linkage member.

9. The image forming device according to claim 6, wherein: The media tray includes at least one engaging portion, and the housing is formed with at least one matching portion, and the at least one engaging portion is engaged with the at least one matching portion when the media tray is pivoted to the first position.

10. The image forming device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that: When the guide member is located at the third position, the guide member covers the second outlet channel but does not cover the first outlet channel, so as to guide the medium from the inlet channel to the first outlet channel. When the guide member is located at the fourth position, the guide member covers the first outlet channel but does not cover the second outlet channel, so as to guide the medium from the inlet channel to the second outlet channel.

Images