Scanning device with paper taking mechanism

Abstract

This invention discloses a scanning device with a paper-feeding mechanism, comprising: a frame; a paper feed channel disposed in the frame, and a paper inlet disposed at the top of the paper feed channel; a drive motor; an actuator pivotally connected to the frame and connected to the drive motor; a guide plate pivotally connected to the frame; a first return spring connected between the guide plate and the frame; a paper stop movably disposed in the frame; a second return spring connected between the paper stop and the frame; and a paper-feeding wheel pivotally connected to the frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a paper feeding mechanism for a scanner, and more particularly to a paper feeding mechanism disposed at the paper inlet of the scanner to feed paper into the paper path. Background Technology

[0002] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 To reduce the desktop space occupied by conventional scanners 100', conventional scanners 100' typically have a paper tray 211' tilted on the upper side of the scanner body, relying on the weight of the paper to automatically align it at the paper inlet 21'. When scanning begins, the paper is fed into the paper path 20' via a paper pick-up roller 44' located at the paper inlet 21'. However, when the paper is uneven or there is a large stack of paper, it can easily fall accidentally into the paper path 20'.

[0003] like Figure 3 As shown, to prevent paper from accidentally falling into the paper feed path 20', conventional scanners 100' often further include a paper stop 43' at the paper inlet 21'. The paper stop 43' is configured to close the passage from the paper tray 211' to the paper feed path 20', and moves away from the paper inlet 21' when the paper pick-up roller 44' begins picking up paper to allow the paper to pass. However, adding an independently moving paper stop 43' requires an additional drive motor, which increases the scanner's production cost. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a paper pick-up mechanism that shares the same drive motor as the original paper feed rollers and can prevent paper from accidentally entering the paper feed path. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a paper-picking mechanism that is driven by a single motor and can prevent paper from accidentally entering the paper feed path.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this invention discloses a scanning device with a paper feeding mechanism, comprising: a frame; a paper feeding channel disposed within the frame, the paper feeding channel having a paper inlet at its top end; a paper tray inclinedly disposed at the paper inlet; a drive motor disposed within the frame; and an actuator pivotally connected to the frame and connected to the drive motor, the actuator being positioned below the paper inlet and comprising: a rotating shaft, a first extension extending radially from the rotating shaft and a second extension extending from the rotating shaft in the opposite direction to the first extension; a guide plate pivotally connected to the frame, the guide plate being positioned between the paper tray and the paper inlet; and a first return spring connecting the guide plate and the frame. A first return spring is provided to push the guide plate into the paper feed channel; a paper stop is movably disposed on the frame, the paper stop being positioned between the paper feed channel and the paper inlet; a second return spring is connected between the paper stop and the frame, the second return spring being provided to push the paper stop into the paper feed channel; and a paper pick-up wheel is pivotally connected to the frame, the paper pick-up wheel being positioned above the guide plate and connected to the drive motor; wherein when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction, the first extension contacts the guide plate and pushes the guide plate downward from the paper feed channel, and when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction, the second extension contacts the paper stop and pushes the paper stop downward from the paper feed channel.

[0006] Furthermore, the guide plate is provided with a pivot that engages with the frame, and a first abutment block disposed at the bottom of the guide plate.

[0007] Furthermore, the paper stopper is provided with a body portion slidably connected to the frame, and the sliding path of the body portion is perpendicular to the paper feed channel, a paper stop arm extending upward from the body portion, and a second abutment block disposed at the bottom end of the body portion.

[0008] Furthermore, the first extension includes a first extension arm extending along the tangential direction of the pivot axis and a first contact arm disposed at the end of the first extension arm, the first contact arm being deflected in a direction perpendicular to the first extension arm and away from the axis of the pivot axis, and the second extension is configured to extend along the tangential direction of the pivot axis and opposite to the extension direction of the first extension arm.

[0009] Furthermore, the paper-feeding wheel includes a paper-feeding wheel shaft connected to the drive motor, an actuating block protruding from the outer surface of the paper-feeding wheel shaft, a paper-feeding wheel sleeve coaxially sleeved on the paper-feeding wheel shaft, and an actuating groove disposed on the inner surface of the paper-feeding wheel sleeve, wherein the actuating groove is a C-shaped groove, and the actuating block is accommodated in the actuating groove.

[0010] In summary, this invention provides a scanning device with a paper feeding mechanism, comprising: a guide plate; a first return spring connected to the guide plate; a movable paper stop; and a second return spring connected to the paper stop, thereby guiding the paper into the paper feeding channel. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a conventional automatic scanner;

[0012] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional diagram showing paper accidentally entering the paper feed channel of a conventional automatic scanner.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another known automatic scanner;

[0014] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the scanning device used in this work;

[0015] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the paper-taking mechanism in this work;

[0016] Figure 6 This is a side view of the actuator in this creation;

[0017] Figure 7 This is a side view of the paper-blocking component in this work;

[0018] Figure 8 This is a side view of the guide panel in this work;

[0019] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional diagram of the paper-fetching mechanism in this work.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional diagram of the paper-fetching mechanism in this work.

[0021] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional diagram of the paper-fetching mechanism in this work.

[0022] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional diagram of the paper-grabbing mechanism in this work. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To explain in detail the technical content, structural features, objectives, and technical effects of this invention, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0024] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 The scanning apparatus 100 disclosed herein includes a frame 10, the interior of which forms an accommodating space. A drive motor (not shown) is disposed within the accommodating space. A paper feed channel 20, in this preferred embodiment, is housed within the accommodating space to guide image media such as paper, and includes a paper inlet 21 at the top of the paper feed channel 20 and a paper outlet 22 at the rear end of the paper feed channel 20. A plurality of paper feed rollers 23 are mounted on the paper feed channel 20 and connected to the drive motor to feed the image media through the paper feed channel 20. A scanning optical engine 30 is disposed on the paper feed channel 20 to read the image media fed through the paper feed channel 20. A paper tray 21a is disposed at the paper inlet 21 to hold the image media to be scanned.

[0025] Because this specification involves multiple rotating components, and the actual rotation direction of each component can easily change due to different viewing angles or different transmission mechanism designs, it is inconvenient to define it as clockwise, counterclockwise, or similar methods. For ease of explanation of the rotating components, in the following specification, "clockwise" is defined as the direction in which the paper feed roller 23 feeds paper from the paper inlet 21 to the paper outlet 22 when the component connected to the drive motor rotates, and "counterclockwise" is defined as the direction in which the paper feed roller 23 feeds paper from the paper inlet 21 to the paper outlet 22 when the component connected to the drive motor rotates. Please refer to [further details omitted]. Figures 5 to 9To prevent paper stacked in the paper tray 21a from accidentally falling into the paper feed channel 20, in this preferred embodiment, a paper picking mechanism 40 is further provided at the paper inlet 21. The paper picking mechanism 40 includes: an actuator 41 pivotally connected to the lower part of the paper tray 21a and connected to the drive motor; a guide plate 42 movably pivotally connected between the paper tray 21a and the paper inlet 21; a paper stop 43 movably disposed between the paper feed channel 20 and the paper inlet 21; and a paper picking wheel 44 disposed above the guide plate 42. The actuator 41 includes a rotating shaft 411, a first extension 412 extending radially from the rotating shaft 411, and a second extension 413 extending from the rotating shaft 411 in the opposite direction to the first extension 412. The guide plate 42 is provided with a pivot 421 that is pivotally connected to the frame 10, a first abutment block 422 disposed at the bottom of the guide plate 42, and a first return spring 423 connected between the guide plate 42 and the frame 10. The paper stop 43 is provided with a body portion 431 slidably connected to the frame 10, and the sliding path of the body portion 431 is perpendicular to the paper feed channel 20, a paper stop arm 432 extending upward from the body portion 431, a second abutment block 433 disposed at the bottom end of the body portion 431, and a second return spring 434 connected between the paper stop 43 and the frame 10. In this preferred embodiment, the second return spring 434 is a torsion spring disposed between the second abutment block 433 and the frame 10, and continuously pushes the paper stop 43 upward into the paper feed channel 20. The paper pick-up wheel 44 is connected to the drive motor.

[0026] Please see Figures 5 to 9 The first extension 412 includes a first extension arm 414 extending tangentially along the pivot 411 and a first contact arm 415 disposed at the end of the first extension arm 414. The first contact arm 415 is deflected in a direction perpendicular to the first extension arm 414 and away from the axis of the pivot 411, so that the first extension 412 applies force to the first abutment block 422 in a direction perpendicular to the first abutment block 422. The second extension 413 is also configured to extend tangentially along the pivot 411 and in the opposite direction to the extension of the first extension arm 414. The paper-feeding roller 44 includes a paper-feeding roller shaft 441 connected to the drive motor, an actuating block 442 protruding from the outer surface of the paper-feeding roller shaft 441, a paper-feeding roller sleeve 443 coaxially sleeved on the paper-feeding roller shaft 441, and an actuation groove 444 disposed on the inner surface of the paper-feeding roller sleeve 443. The actuation groove 444 is a C-shaped groove, and the actuation block 442 is housed in the actuation groove 444.

[0027] Please see again Figures 9 to 12 The paper-taking mechanism 40 described in this work performs the following paper-taking action.

[0028] like Figure 9 As shown, before paper feeding begins, the drive motor reverses, causing the rotating shaft 411 and the paper feeding wheel shaft 441 to reverse as well. At this time, the first extension 412 contacts the first abutment block 422 and presses the guide plate 42 downward, thereby separating the paper stacked on the guide plate from the paper feeding wheel 44. Similarly, the second extension 413, which is also provided on the rotating shaft 411, moves away from the second abutment block 433, so the paper stop 43 is lifted upward into the paper feeding channel 20 under the action of the second return spring 434. The paper feeding wheel shaft 441 then drives the paper feeding wheel 44 to reverse.

[0029] like Figure 10 As shown, when paper feeding begins, the drive motor rotates clockwise, causing the rotating shaft 411 and the paper feeding wheel shaft 441 to rotate clockwise as well. At this time, the first extension 412 begins to separate from the first abutment block 422, so the guide plate 42 is lifted upward under the action of the first return spring 423, and the paper stacked on the guide plate comes into contact with the paper feeding wheel 44. Similarly, the second extension 413, which is also provided on the rotating shaft 411, also begins to rotate clockwise but has not yet come into contact with the second abutment block 433, so the paper stopper 43 remains lifted into the paper feed channel 20 under the action of the second return spring 434. At the same time, the paper feeding wheel shaft 441 rotates clockwise into the actuation groove 444, thus stopping the paper feeding wheel 44 from rotating.

[0030] In such Figure 11 As shown, when the drive motor continues to rotate clockwise, the first extension 412 completely separates from the first abutment block 422. Under the action of the first return spring 423, the paper stacked on the guide plate continues to remain in contact with the paper-taking wheel 44. Similarly, the second extension 413, which is also provided on the rotating shaft 411, begins to contact the second abutment block 433, and the paper stop 43 is pressed down, causing the paper stop 43 to exit the paper feeding channel 20. At the same time, the paper-taking wheel shaft 441 continues to rotate clockwise along the actuation groove 444, and the paper-taking wheel 44 also remains stationary.

[0031] Finally, as Figure 12As shown, when the drive motor continues to rotate clockwise, the first extension 412 completely separates from the first abutment block 422, allowing the paper stacked on the guide plate to continue to contact the paper-taking roller 44. The second extension 413 continues to press down the paper-stopping member 43, causing it to exit the paper feed channel 20. Meanwhile, the paper-taking roller shaft 441 rotates clockwise to the end of the actuation groove 444, causing the paper-taking roller 44 to begin rotating clockwise and picking up paper.

[0032] In summary, the scanning device with a paper-feeding mechanism of this invention includes: a frame; a paper feed channel disposed in the frame; a paper inlet disposed at the top of the paper feed channel; a drive motor; an actuator pivotally connected to the frame and connected to the drive motor; a guide plate pivotally connected to the frame; a first return spring connected between the guide plate and the frame; a paper stop movably disposed in the frame; a second return spring connected between the paper stop and the frame; and a paper-feeding wheel pivotally connected to the frame. This allows the paper-feeding device of this invention to be driven by only a single motor, and when scanning is not in progress, the guide plate is lowered and the paper stop is raised, thereby preventing paper from accidentally entering the paper feed channel.

Claims

1. A scanning device with a paper-taking mechanism, characterized in that... The device comprises: a frame; a paper feed channel disposed within the frame, the paper feed channel having a paper inlet at its top end; a paper tray inclined at the paper inlet; a drive motor disposed within the frame; and an actuator pivotally connected to the frame and connected to the drive motor, the actuator being positioned below the paper inlet and comprising: a rotating shaft, a first extension extending radially from the rotating shaft, and a second extension extending from the rotating shaft in the opposite direction to the first extension; a guide plate pivotally connected to the frame, the guide plate being positioned between the paper tray and the paper inlet; a first return spring connected between the guide plate and the frame, the first return spring being configured to push the guide plate into the paper feed channel; a paper stop movably disposed on the frame, the paper stop being positioned between the paper feed channel and the paper inlet; and a second return spring connected between the paper stop and the frame, the second return spring being configured to push the paper stop into the paper feed channel. And a paper-taking wheel pivotally connected to the frame, the paper-taking wheel being positioned above the guide plate and connected to the drive motor; wherein when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction, the first extension contacts the guide plate and pushes the guide plate downward from the paper feed channel, and when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction, the second extension contacts the paper stop and pushes the paper stop downward from the paper feed channel.

2. The scanning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The guide plate is provided with a pivot that is pivotally connected to the frame, and a first abutment block disposed at the bottom of the guide plate.

3. The scanning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The paper stop has a body portion slidably connected to the frame, and the sliding path of the body portion is perpendicular to the paper feed channel, a paper stop arm extending upward from the body portion, and a second abutment block disposed at the bottom end of the body portion.

4. The scanning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first extension includes a first extension arm extending along the tangential direction of the pivot axis and a first contact arm disposed at the end of the first extension arm. The first contact arm is deflected in a direction perpendicular to the first extension arm and away from the axis of the pivot axis. The second extension is configured to extend along the tangential direction of the pivot axis and in the opposite direction to the extension of the first extension arm.

5. The scanning device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The paper-feeding roller includes a paper-feeding roller shaft connected to the drive motor, an actuating block protruding from the outer surface of the paper-feeding roller shaft, a paper-feeding roller sleeve coaxially sleeved on the paper-feeding roller shaft, and an actuating groove disposed on the inner surface of the paper-feeding roller sleeve, wherein the actuating groove is a C-shaped groove, and the actuating block is accommodated in the actuating groove.

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