Paper feeding device

Abstract

The utility model provides a paper feeding device, including upper cover, frame body, mounting seat, signal transmitter and signal receiver. The frame body is located below the upper cover. The mounting seat is movably arranged in the upper cover along the first direction. The signal transmitter is arranged in one of the frame body or the mounting seat. The signal receiver is arranged in the other of the frame body or the mounting seat, and is aligned with the signal transmitter in the first direction. When the paper passes between the mounting seat and the frame body, it is guided by the mounting seat and is not easy to fluctuate, so that the position and angle of the paper are not easy to change, ensuring the stability of signal receiving and improving the accuracy of signal judgment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a paper feeding device, and more particularly to a paper feeding device capable of sensing the feeding of multiple sheets of paper. Background Technology

[0002] Mid- to high-end paper feeding devices on the market, such as multi-function printers, copy machines, or sheet feeders, typically have the function of sensing multiple sheets being fed and stopping the paper feed in time to avoid missing images that require rescanning, and to prevent documents from being damaged due to paper jams, resulting in irreparable losses.

[0003] To achieve the aforementioned sensing function, existing technologies typically place a signal sensor above and below the paper transport path within the paper feeding device. These signal sensors serve as transmitters and receivers, respectively, with a fixed distance and angle between them. By measuring the attenuation or offset of the received signal, it can be determined whether multiple sheets of paper have been fed in.

[0004] However, the paper transport path of a typical paper feeding device is curved rather than straight, and the paper transport channel has a certain height to avoid obstruction or impact with components during paper movement. As a result, when the paper passes through the signal detection area, it inevitably fluctuates and drifts, causing changes in its position, which affects signal stability and reduces the accuracy of the judgment results. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention provides a paper feeding device that can improve the accuracy of judging the feeding of multiple sheets of paper.

[0006] The paper feeding device of this utility model includes a top cover, a frame, a mounting base, a signal transmitter, and a signal receiver. The frame is disposed below the top cover. The mounting base is movably disposed on the top cover along a first direction. The signal transmitter is disposed on either the frame or the mounting base. The signal receiver is disposed on the other of the frame or the mounting base and is aligned with the signal transmitter in the first direction.

[0007] In one embodiment of this invention, the paper feeding device further includes an elastic body. The elastic body is disposed between the upper cover and the mounting base. The mounting base is at least partially abutted against the frame by the elastic force of the elastic body.

[0008] In one embodiment of this invention, the paper feeding device further includes a support member. The support member is located adjacent to either a signal transmitter or a signal receiver. An elastomer abuts between the upper cover and the support member.

[0009] In one embodiment of this utility model, the mounting base includes a recess. A gap exists between the recess and the frame.

[0010] In one embodiment of this utility model, the mounting base includes a hollow limiting post. The upper cover includes an inner wall surface and a protruding post. The protruding post protrudes from the inner wall surface, and the limiting post is movably sleeved on the protruding post.

[0011] In one embodiment of this utility model, the aforementioned limiting post has an end face facing the upper cover. When the mounting base moves toward the upper cover in the first direction, the inner wall surface is adapted to stop the end face.

[0012] In one embodiment of this utility model, the above-mentioned paper feeding device further includes a stop member. The stop member is disposed on the protruding post and includes a stop portion exposed outside the protruding post. A limiting post is located between the stop portion and the inner wall surface. When the mounting seat moves towards the frame in a first direction, the stop portion is adapted to stop the mounting seat.

[0013] In one embodiment of this utility model, the mounting base further includes a through hole. The through hole is disposed on the limiting post and extends through the mounting base, with the protrusion passing through the through hole.

[0014] In one embodiment of this invention, the frame has a flat surface. The flat surface is parallel to a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the signal transmitter does not extend beyond the opening of one of the frame or the mounting base, and the signal receiver does not extend beyond the opening of the other of the frame or the mounting base.

[0016] Based on the above, in the paper feeding device of this utility model, the mounting base is movably disposed on the upper cover along a first direction. A signal transmitter and a signal receiver are disposed opposite to each other on the mounting base and the frame to form a sensing area for sensing the feeding of multiple sheets of paper. When the paper passes between the mounting base and the frame, it is guided by the mounting base and is less prone to undulation, thus the position and angle of the paper are less likely to change. In this way, even if the paper's transport path within the paper feeding device is not linear, the stability of signal reception can be ensured, improving the accuracy of the judgment results. Furthermore, if a large number of sheets of paper are fed at once, the mounting base can also move accordingly to prevent the paper from getting stuck on the mounting base and affecting the sensing results.

[0017] To make the above-mentioned features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below, and detailed descriptions are provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a paper feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2A yes Figure 1 A partial sectional view of the paper feeding device along line AA;

[0020] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A A magnified exploded view of the components;

[0021] Figure 3A yes Figure 2A A schematic diagram of the mounting base and support components;

[0022] Figure 3B yes Figure 2A A diagram from another perspective;

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the paper feeding device along line BB;

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the paper feeding device along line CC;

[0025] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A partial sectional view of the paper feeding device when the mounting base is against the top cover.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0027] 100: Paper feeding device;

[0028] 110: Top cover;

[0029] 112: Inner wall surface;

[0030] 114a, 114b: Convex pillars;

[0031] 116: Circular groove;

[0032] 120: Frame;

[0033] 122: Flat surface;

[0034] 126: Opening;

[0035] 130: Mounting bracket;

[0036] 132: concave part;

[0037] 134a, 134b: Limiting posts;

[0038] 136: Opening;

[0039] 138: Lower end face;

[0040] 140: Signal transmitter;

[0041] 150: Signal receiver;

[0042] 160: Elastomer;

[0043] 170: Support component;

[0044] 180: Stop component;

[0045] 182: Stop section;

[0046] AA, BB, CC: lines;

[0047] D1: First direction;

[0048] D2: Second direction;

[0049] E: End face;

[0050] G: Gap;

[0051] M: Direction of movement;

[0052] O: Through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element reference numerals are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0054] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a paper feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 1 The paper feeding device 100 in this embodiment is, for example, a multifunction printer, copier, or document scanner, which allows paper to be fed into it for paper image capture operations, but the type and function of the paper feeding device 100 are not limited thereto.

[0055] In this embodiment, the paper feeding device 100 can detect the feeding of multiple sheets of paper and stop paper feeding in a timely manner, preventing defects in paper image capture that would necessitate rescanning and avoiding paper jams that could damage documents. It is worth noting that the design of the paper feeding device 100 improves the accuracy of detecting the feeding of multiple sheets of paper, reduces misjudgments, and thus enhances work efficiency. The design of the paper feeding device 100 will be described in detail below.

[0056] Figure 2A yes Figure 1 A partial sectional view of the paper feeding device along line AA. Figure 2B yes Figure 2A A magnified exploded view of the components. Figure 3A yes Figure 2A A schematic diagram of the mounting base and support components. Figure 3B yes Figure 2A A schematic diagram from another perspective.

[0057] Please see Figures 2A to 3B The paper feeding device 100 of this embodiment includes a top cover 110, a mounting base 130, a signal transmitter 140, and an elastic body 160. The top cover 110 is, for example, a hinged structure, including an inner wall surface 112 and two protrusions 114a and 114b. The two protrusions 114a and 114b protrude from the inner wall surface 112 toward the mounting base 130.

[0058] In this embodiment, the mounting base 130 is movably disposed on the upper cover 110 along the first direction D1. Specifically, the mounting base 130 includes two hollow limiting posts 134a and 134b, which correspond to the two protruding posts 114a and 114b of the upper cover 110, respectively. The limiting posts 134a and 134b are disposed on one side of the mounting base 130 and protrude towards the upper cover 110 along the first direction D1.

[0059] Mounting base 130 further includes two through holes O ( Figure 3A , Figure 3B Two through holes O are respectively provided on the limiting posts 134a and 134b and pass through the mounting base 130. The protruding posts 114a and 114b can pass through the through holes O of the limiting posts 134a and 134b respectively, and the limiting posts 134a and 134b are movably sleeved on the protruding posts 114a and 114b in the first direction D1 respectively.

[0060] In this embodiment, a signal transmitter 140 is disposed on the mounting base 130 for emitting a signal to sense the paper feed. The mounting base 130 has an opening 136 on the other side relative to the limiting posts 134a, 134b, and the signal transmitter 140 is at least partially exposed by the opening 136 so that the signal generated by the signal transmitter 140 can be well transmitted through the opening 136.

[0061] In addition, the size of the opening 136 is smaller than the size of the signal transmitter 140 to prevent the signal transmitter 140 from falling out of the opening 136.

[0062] In this embodiment, the paper feeding device 100 may further include a support member 170, which is disposed on the mounting base 130. The support member 170 is made of a non-conductive material, for example. The support member 170 is adjacent to the signal transmitter 140 and is located between the signal transmitter 140 and the upper cover 110.

[0063] On the other hand, the elastic body 160, such as a metal spring, is disposed between the upper cover 110 and the mounting base 130. Specifically, the elastic body 160 is disposed within the circular groove 116 of the upper cover 110 and abuts against the upper cover 110 and the support member 170. The elastic body 160 can apply an elastic force to the support member 170 to move the mounting base 130 away from the inner wall surface 112 of the upper cover 110.

[0064] Since a non-conductive support member 170 is provided between the signal transmitter 140 and the elastic body 160, the elastic body 160 can be prevented from directly contacting the signal transmitter 140 and affecting the operation of the signal transmitter 140.

[0065] Please see Figure 2B The paper feeding device 100 further includes two stops 180. The stops 180 are respectively disposed at the ends of the protrusions 114a and 114b, and include a stop portion 182 exposed on the protrusions 114a and 114b. The stops 180 are, for example, screws or bolts, and are fixed to the protrusions 114a and 114b by a locking manner, but the type and fixing method of the stops 180 are not limited thereto.

[0066] The limiting posts 134a and 134b are located between the stop portion 182 and the inner wall surface 112, and the size of the stop portion 182 is larger than the size of the through hole O. Therefore, when the mounting seat 130 moves away from the upper cover 110 along the first direction D1, the stop portion 182 can stop the mounting seat 130 to prevent the mounting seat 130 from disengaging from the protrusions 114a and 114b.

[0067] Next, we will explain how the mounting bracket 130 is installed on the upper cover 110. First, as... Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the signal transmitter 140 and the support member 170 can be sequentially assembled onto the mounting base 130. Next, after placing the elastic body 160 into the circular groove 116 of the upper cover 110, the limiting posts 134a and 134b of the mounting base 130 can be respectively fitted onto the protrusions 114a and 114b of the upper cover 110, so that the elastic body 160 abuts against the upper cover 110 and the support member 170.

[0068] Finally, the mounting base 130 can be assembled by simply fixing the stop 180 from below the mounting base 130 to the ends of the protrusions 114a and 114b. The assembly process is quite simple. The assembled mounting base 130 can move relative to the top cover 110 along the first direction D1.

[0069] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial sectional view of the paper feeding device along line BB. Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A partial sectional view of the paper feeding device along line CC. It should be noted that... Figure 4 The direction of paper movement, M, is indicated by a bold arrow.

[0070] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5The paper feeding device 100 in this embodiment also includes a frame 120 and a signal receiver 150. The frame 120 is disposed below the upper cover 110 and has a flat surface 122, which is parallel to the second direction D2 (e.g., the horizontal direction) and the second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0071] like Figure 5 As shown, the mounting base 130 further includes a recess 132, which is formed recessed from the lower end face 138 of the mounting base 130 and extends along the second direction D2. A gap G exists between the recess 132 and the frame 120.

[0072] In this embodiment, a signal transmitter 140 is disposed on a mounting base 130, and a signal receiver 150 is disposed on a frame 120, capable of receiving signals emitted by the signal transmitter 140. The signal receiver 150 is aligned with the signal transmitter 140 in a first direction D1.

[0073] Of course, the positions of the signal transmitter 140 and the signal receiver 150 can be interchanged. That is, the signal transmitter 140 can be set on the frame 120 and the signal receiver 150 can be set on the mounting base 130, which can also realize the transmission and reception of signals.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the signal transmitter 140 and signal receiver 150 are, for example, an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver, respectively. The signal transmitter 140 emits an ultrasonic signal, which is received by the signal receiver 150. In another embodiment, the signal transmitter 140 and signal receiver 150 are a magnet and a Hall effect sensor, respectively, using Hall effect sensing technology to detect the paper feed. In yet another embodiment, the signal transmitter 140 and signal receiver 150 are a magnet and a coil element, respectively, using eddy current sensing to detect the paper feed. The signal sensing and sensor types are existing technologies, and their detailed operation will not be described here.

[0075] When the mounting base 130 is in its normal position, it at least partially abuts against the frame 120 by the elastic force of the elastomer 160. Specifically, the elastic force of the elastomer 160 is applied to the support 170 to push the mounting base 130 away from the inner wall surface 112 of the top cover 110, so that the lower end surface 138 of the mounting base 130 abuts against the frame 120. Since the recess 132 of the mounting base 130 does not contact the frame 120, a gap G that allows paper to pass through can be formed between the recess 132 and the frame 120.

[0076] In this embodiment, the paper can be as follows: Figure 4The paper is fed from the left side of the mounting base 130, for example, along the direction of movement M. When paper enters the sensing area between the signal transmitter 140 and the signal receiver 150, the signal emitted by the signal transmitter 140 can be received by the signal receiver 150 through the paper. By observing the attenuation or offset of the received signal, the paper feeding device 100 can determine whether multiple sheets of paper have been fed in.

[0077] If a single sheet of paper is detected as being fed, the paper will continue to pass through the aforementioned sensing area and move to the right side of the mounting base 130 for subsequent operations such as image capture of the paper. If multiple sheets of paper are detected as being fed, the paper feeding device 100 will stop paper feeding in a timely manner to avoid missing subsequent operations and to prevent paper jams that could damage documents.

[0078] Furthermore, when the paper enters the sensing area, the recess 132 of the mounting base 130 can restrict the position of the paper in the first direction D1, thereby guiding the paper to move horizontally in the second direction D2, so as to avoid the position of the paper fluctuating in the first direction D1, and to keep the angle of the paper relative to the signal transmitter 140 and the signal receiver 150 stable.

[0079] In this way, even if the paper is conveyed along a curved rather than non-linear path within the paper feeding device 100, the stability of signal reception can be ensured, the accuracy of the judgment results can be improved, and the probability of misjudgment can be reduced.

[0080] Furthermore, the paper passes over a flat surface 122 before entering the sensing area. Since the flat surface 122 is parallel to the second direction D2, the paper can move more easily horizontally along the second direction D2, which helps to maintain the paper's position and angle within the sensing area and improves the stability of signal reception.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the signal transmitter 140 does not extend beyond the opening 136 of the mounting base 130, and the signal receiver 150 does not extend beyond the opening 126 of the frame 120. That is, the signal transmitter 140 and the signal receiver 150 do not protrude from the mounting base 130 and the frame 120, thus preventing the signal transmitter 140 and the signal receiver 150 from interfering with or obstructing the paper feeding.

[0082] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A partial sectional view of the paper feeding device with the mounting base abutting the top cover. (See also...) Figure 6 In this embodiment, when a large number of sheets of paper are fed at one time, the overall thickness of the paper is greater than the gap G between the recess 132 and the frame 120. Figure 5 When the paper is lifted, the mounting base 130 can be moved toward the upper cover 110 along the first direction D1 to avoid the paper getting stuck in the entrance of the mounting base 130 and being unable to enter the sensing area.

[0083] Once these sheets of paper successfully enter the sensing area, due to the overall thickness of the paper, the received signal will significantly exceed the reasonable range, thus easily indicating that multiple sheets of paper have been fed in. In other words, even if the mounting base 130 is lifted, causing a change in the relative position between the signal transmitter 140 and the signal receiver 150, it will not affect the determination of multiple sheets of paper being fed in.

[0084] In addition, the limiting posts 134a and 134b of the mounting base 130 have end faces E facing the upper cover 110. When the mounting base 130 moves toward the upper cover 110 along the first direction D1, the inner wall surface 112 of the upper cover 110 can stop the end face E, so that the mounting base 130 does not displace excessively and cause damage to the upper cover 110.

[0085] In summary, in the paper feeding device 100 of this utility model, the mounting base 130 is movably disposed on the upper cover 110 along a first direction D1. The signal transmitter 140 and the signal receiver 150 are disposed opposite to each other on the mounting base 130 and the frame 120 to form a sensing area for sensing the feeding of multiple sheets of paper. When the paper passes between the mounting base 130 and the frame 120, it is guided by the mounting base 130 and is less prone to undulation, thus the position and angle of the paper are less likely to change. In this way, even if the paper's transport path within the paper feeding device 100 is not linear, the stability of signal reception can be ensured, improving the accuracy of the judgment results. Furthermore, if a large number of sheets of paper are fed at once, the mounting base 130 can also move accordingly to prevent the paper from getting stuck on the mounting base 130 and affecting the sensing results.

[0086] Additionally, the paper feeding device 100 may also include a flat surface 122. The paper passes over the flat surface 122 before entering the sensing area. The flat surface 122 can guide the paper to move more easily in the horizontal direction, which helps to reduce the position and angle variation of the paper in the sensing area and improve the stability of the aforementioned signal reception.

[0087] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A paper feeding device, characterized in that, include: Top cover; The frame is located below the upper cover; The mounting base is movably disposed on the upper cover along the first direction; A signal transmitter is disposed in either the frame or the mounting base; as well as A signal receiver is disposed in the other of the frame or the mounting base and is aligned with the signal transmitter in the first direction.

2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is disposed between the top cover and the mounting base, and the mounting base is at least partially abutted against the frame by the elastic force of the elastomer.

3. The paper feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a support member, wherein the support member is adjacent to one of the signal transmitter or the signal receiver, and the elastomer abuts between the top cover and the support member.

4. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting base includes a recess, and there is a gap between the recess and the frame.

5. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting base includes a hollow limiting post, and the upper cover includes an inner wall surface and a protruding post. The protruding post protrudes from the inner wall surface, and the limiting post is movably sleeved on the protruding post.

6. The paper feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The limiting post has an end face facing the upper cover, and when the mounting seat moves toward the upper cover in the first direction, the inner wall surface is adapted to stop the end face.

7. The paper feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a stop member, wherein the stop member is disposed on the protrusion and includes a stop portion exposed on the protrusion, the limiting post is located between the stop portion and the inner wall surface, and the stop portion is adapted to stop the mounting seat when the mounting seat moves toward the frame along the first direction.

8. The paper feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mounting base also includes a through hole, which is disposed at the limiting post and passes through the mounting base, and the protrusion passes through the through hole.

9. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame has a flat surface that is parallel to a second direction and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

10. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal transmitter does not extend beyond the opening of one of the frame or the mounting base, and the signal receiver does not extend beyond the opening of the other of the frame or the mounting base.

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