Scanning device with paper feed mechanism

Abstract

A scanning device is provided that has a paper feed mechanism that is installed at the paper feed port of the scanning device and feeds paper into a paper feed path. [Solution] The scanning device includes a frame, a paper feed passage installed within the frame, a paper feed port installed at the upper end of the paper feed passage, a drive motor, a drive member 41 pivotally attached to the frame and connected to the drive motor, a guide plate 42 pivotally attached to the frame, a first return spring connected between the guide plate and the frame, a paper pressing member 43 movably installed on the frame, a second return spring connected between the paper pressing member and the frame, and a paper feed roller 44 pivotally attached to the frame.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper feed mechanism for a scanner, and more particularly to a paper feed mechanism that is installed at the paper feed port of a scanning device and feeds paper into a paper feed path. [Background technology]

[0002] 1 and 2, in order to reduce the footprint on a desk, a conventional automatic scanner 100' has a paper feed tray 211' installed at an angle on the upper side of the housing of the automatic scanner 100', and the paper is automatically aligned in the paper feed slot 21' by the weight of the paper. Then, at the start of scanning, the paper is fed into the paper feed path 20' by a paper feed roller 44' installed in the paper feed slot 21'. However, if the paper is not smooth or if a large number of sheets are stacked, the paper is likely to accidentally fall into the paper feed path 20'.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 3, a conventional automatic scanner 100' always includes a paper pressure member 43' at the paper feed slot 21' to prevent paper from accidentally falling into the paper feed path 20'. The paper pressure member 43' blocks the path from the paper feed tray 211' to the paper feed path 20' and retracts from the paper feed slot 21' to allow paper to pass when the paper feed roller 44' starts feeding paper. However, adding an independently operating paper pressure member 43' requires an additional drive motor, which increases the manufacturing cost of the scanner. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a paper feed mechanism that is driven by a shared drive motor with the original paper feed roller and that can prevent paper from accidentally entering the paper feed path. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper feed mechanism that is driven by a single motor and that prevents paper from accidentally entering the paper feed path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, a scanning device having a paper feed mechanism of the present invention comprises a frame, a paper feed path installed within the frame and having a paper feed opening at an upper end thereof, a paper feed tray installed at an angle to the paper feed opening, a drive motor installed within the frame, a drive member pivotally attached to the frame and connected to the drive motor, and positioned below the paper feed opening, the drive member including a rotation shaft, a first extension portion extending radially from the rotation shaft, and a second extension portion extending from the rotation shaft in a direction opposite to the first extension portion, a guide plate pivotally attached to the frame and positioned between the paper feed tray and the paper feed opening, and a pusher connected between the guide plate and the frame for pushing the guide plate into the paper feed path. a first return spring arranged to press the guide plate into the paper feed path; a paper pressure member movably installed on the frame and positioned between the paper feed path and the paper feed opening; a second return spring connected between the paper pressure member and the frame and arranged to press the paper pressure member into the paper feed path; and a paper feed roller pivotally attached to the frame, positioned above the guide plate, and connected to the drive motor, wherein when the drive motor is rotated in the reverse direction, the first extension portion contacts the guide plate and pushes it downward from the paper feed path, and when the drive motor is rotated in the forward direction, the second extension portion contacts the paper pressure member and pushes it downward from the paper feed path.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the guide plate is provided with a pivot shaft that is engaged with and pivotally connected to the frame, and a first abutment block that is installed at the bottom of the guide plate.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the paper pressing member is slidably connected to the frame and includes a main body portion whose sliding path is perpendicular to the paper feed path, a paper pressing arm extending upward from the main body portion, and a second abutment block installed at the lower end of the main body portion.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the first extension portion includes a first extension arm extending along a tangent direction of the rotation axis and a first contact arm installed at an 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 rotation axis, and the second extension portion extending along a tangent direction of the rotation axis and installed in a direction opposite to the extension direction of the first extension arm.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the paper feed roller includes a paper feed roller shaft connected to the drive motor, a drive block protruding from the outer surface of the paper feed roller shaft, a paper feed roller sleeve coaxially mounted on the paper feed roller shaft, and a drive groove installed on the inner surface of the paper feed roller sleeve, the drive groove being a C-shaped groove, and the drive block being accommodated in the drive groove. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional automatic scanner. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional automatic scanner in which a sheet of paper has accidentally entered the paper feed path; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another conventional automatic scanner. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a scanning device according to the present invention; [Figure 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the paper feed mechanism of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view of the driving member of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view of the paper pressing member of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a side view of the guide plate of the present invention. [Figure 9] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the paper feed mechanism according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the paper feed mechanism according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 11] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the paper feed mechanism according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the paper feed mechanism according to the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In order to explain in detail the technical contents, structural features, objectives achieved and effects of the present invention, the following examples are given in conjunction with the drawings.

[0012] 4 and 5, the scanning device 100 disclosed in the present invention includes a frame 10 having an internal storage space, a drive motor (not shown) installed in the storage space, and in this preferred embodiment, a paper feed path 20 housed in the storage space and guiding image media such as paper, the paper feed path 20 including a paper feed opening 21 installed at the upper end of the paper feed path 20 and a paper discharge opening 22 installed at the rear end of the paper feed path 20, a plurality of paper feed rollers 23 attached to the paper feed path 20 and connected to the drive motor for feeding the image media through the paper feed path 20, a scanner unit 30 installed in the paper feed path 20 and reading the image media sent to the paper feed path 20, and a paper feed tray 21a installed at the paper feed opening 21 for placing image media to be scanned.

[0013] In this specification, since multiple rotating components are involved and the actual rotation direction of each element is subject to change depending on the viewing angle and the design of the transmission mechanism, it is not appropriate to define it as clockwise or counterclockwise. To facilitate the description of the rotating components, in the following specification, a "forward direction" is defined as the direction in which the paper feed roller 23 feeds paper from the paper feed inlet 21 to the paper discharge outlet 22 when the components connected to the drive motor rotate, and a "reverse direction" is defined as the direction in which the paper feed roller 23 feeds paper from the paper feed inlet 21 to the paper discharge outlet 22 when the components connected to the drive motor rotate. Also, referring to Figures 5 to 9, in this preferred embodiment, the paper feed inlet 21 is further provided with a paper feed mechanism 40 to prevent paper loaded in the paper feed tray 21a from accidentally falling into the paper feed path 20.

[0014] The paper feed mechanism 40 includes a drive member 41 pivotally mounted below the paper feed opening 21 and connected to the drive motor, a guide plate 42 pivotally mounted movably between the paper feed tray 21a and the paper feed opening 21, a paper pressing member 43 movably installed between the paper feed path 20 and the paper feed opening 21, and a paper feed roller 44 installed above the guide plate 42. The drive member 41 is provided with a rotation shaft 411, a first extension portion 412 extending radially from the rotation shaft 411, and a second extension portion 413 extending from the rotation shaft 411 in the opposite direction to the first extension portion 412.

[0015] The guide plate 42 is provided with a pivot 421 that engages with and is pivotally mounted on the frame 10, a first abutment block 422 installed 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 pressure member 43 is provided with a main body 431 that is slidably connected to the frame 10 and whose sliding path is perpendicular to the paper feed path 20, a paper pressure arm 432 that extends upward from the main body 431, a second abutment block 433 installed at the lower end of the main body 431, and a second return spring 434 connected between the paper pressure member 43 and the frame 10. In this preferred embodiment, the second return spring 434 is provided as a torsion spring installed between the second abutment block 433 and the frame 10 and continues to press the paper pressure member 43 upward into the paper feed path 20, and the paper feed roller 44 is connected to the drive motor.

[0016] 5 to 9, the first extension portion 412 includes a first extension arm 414 extending in a tangential direction of the rotation shaft 411 and a first contact arm 415 installed at an end of the first extension arm 414, the first contact arm 415 being perpendicular to the first extension arm 414 and deflecting in a direction away from the axis of the rotation shaft 411, and holding the first extension portion 412 so as to urge the first abutment block 422 in a direction perpendicular to the first abutment block 422. The second extension portion 413 also extends in a tangential direction of the rotation shaft 411 and is installed in a direction opposite to the extension direction of the first extension arm 414. The feed roller 44 includes a feed roller shaft 441 connected to the drive motor, a drive block 442 provided on the outer surface of the feed roller shaft 441, a feed roller sleeve 443 coaxially mounted on the feed roller shaft 441, and a drive groove 444 provided on the inner surface of the feed roller sleeve 443. The drive groove 444 is a C-shaped groove, and the drive block 442 is accommodated in the drive groove 444.

[0017] 9 to 12, the paper feeding operation of the paper feeding mechanism 40 according to the present invention is as follows.

[0018] 9, when paper feeding has not yet started, the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction, which in turn rotates the rotary shaft 411 and the paper feed roller shaft 442 in the reverse direction. At this time, the first extension portion 412 contacts the first abutment block 422 and presses the guide plate 42 downward, thereby separating the paper sheets stacked on the guide plate from the paper feed roller 44. Similarly, since the second extension portion 413 installed on the rotary shaft 411 is separated from the second abutment block 433, the paper pressing member 43 is lifted up into the paper feed path 20 by the action of the second return spring 434. In addition, the paper feed roller shaft 441 rotates the paper feed roller 44 in the reverse direction in conjunction with the rotation of the drive motor.

[0019] 10, when paper feeding begins, the drive motor rotates in the forward direction, and in conjunction with this, the rotary shaft 411 and the paper feed roller shaft 442 also rotate in the forward direction. At this time, the first extension portion 412 begins to separate from the first abutment block 422, and the guide plate 42 is lifted upward by the action of the first return spring 423, causing the sheets stacked on the guide plate 42 to contact the paper feed roller 44. Similarly, the second extension portion 413 attached to the rotary shaft 411 also begins to rotate in the forward direction, but has not yet contacted the second abutment block 433, so the paper pressing member 43 is held up to the middle of the paper feed path 20 by the action of the second return spring 434. At the same time, the paper feed roller shaft 441 rotates in the forward direction into the drive groove 444, thereby stopping the rotation of the paper feed roller 44.

[0020] 11, the drive motor continues to rotate in the forward direction. At this time, the first extension portion 412 is completely separated from the first contact block 422, and the sheets stacked on the guide plate continue to be held in contact with the paper feed roller 44 by the action of the first return spring 423. Similarly, the second extension portion 413 installed on the rotation shaft 411 begins to contact the second contact block 433, pressing the paper pressure member 43 downward and retracting the paper pressure member 43 from the paper feed path 20. At the same time, the paper feed roller shaft 441 continues to rotate in the forward direction along the drive groove 444, and the paper feed roller 44 similarly remains stopped from rotating.

[0021] 12, the drive motor continues to rotate in the forward direction. At this time, the first extension portion 412 is completely separated from the first contact block 422, and the sheets stacked on the guide plate continue to be held in contact with the sheet feed roller 44. The second extension portion 413 continues to press the sheet pressure member 43 downward, causing the sheet pressure member 43 to retract from the sheet feed path 20. The sheet feed roller shaft 441 rotates in the forward direction to the end of the drive groove 444, causing the sheet feed roller 44 to rotate in the forward direction and start feeding the sheet.

[0022] According to the above, the scanning device with a paper feed mechanism of the present invention includes a frame, a paper feed path installed in the frame, a paper feed opening installed at the upper end of the paper feed path, a drive motor, a drive member pivotally attached to the frame and connected to the drive motor, a guide plate pivotally attached to the frame, a first return spring connected between the guide plate and the frame, a paper pressure member movably installed on the frame, a second return spring connected between the paper pressure member and the frame, and a paper feed roller pivotally attached to the frame. Thus, the paper take-up device of the present invention is driven by only a single motor, and when scanning is not started, the guide plate is lowered and the paper pressure member is raised, thereby preventing paper from accidentally entering the paper feed path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0023] 100' Automatic Scanner 20' paper feed path 21' Paper feed slot 211' Paper Tray 43' Paper holding member 44' Paper Feed Roller 100 Scanning Device 10 frames 11 Containment Space 20 Paper feed path 21 Paper feed slot 22 Paper output slot 23 Paper feed roller 21a Paper tray 30 Scanner Unit 40 Paper feed mechanism 41 Driving member 411 Rotation axis 412 1st extension part 413 Second extension part 414 First extension arm 415 First Contact Arm 42 Guide plate 421 Axis 422 First Abutment Block 423 First return spring 43 Paper holding member 431 Main body 432 Paper holding arm 433 Second Abutment Block 434 Second return spring 44 Paper feed roller 441 Paper feed roller shaft 442 Drive Block 443 Paper feed roller sleeve 444 Drive groove

Claims

1. A scanning device having a paper feed mechanism, The frame and a paper feed path disposed within the frame and having a paper feed opening at an upper end thereof; a paper feed tray installed at an angle to the paper feed port; a drive motor installed within the frame; a drive member pivotally attached to the frame and connected to the drive motor, and positioned below the paper feed opening, the drive member including a rotation shaft, a first extension portion extending radially from the rotation shaft, and a second extension portion extending from the rotation shaft in a direction opposite to the first extension portion; a guide plate pivotally attached to the frame and positioned between the paper feed tray and the paper feed opening; a first return spring connected between the guide plate and the frame and arranged to press the guide plate into the paper feed path; a paper pressing member movably mounted on the frame and positioned between the paper feed path and the paper feed opening; a second return spring connected between the paper pressure member and the frame and positioned to press the paper pressure member into the paper feed path; a paper feed roller pivotally attached to the frame, positioned above the guide plate, and connected to the drive motor; When the drive motor is rotated in the reverse direction, the first extension portion comes into contact with the guide plate and pushes the guide plate downward from the paper feed path; When the drive motor is rotated in the forward direction, the second extension portion contacts the paper pressing member and pushes the paper pressing member downward from the paper feed path.

2. 2. The scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the guide plate is provided with a pivot shaft that is engaged with and pivotally connected to the frame, and a first abutment block that is installed at the bottom of the guide plate.

3. The paper pressing member is a body portion slidably connected to the frame, the body portion having a sliding path perpendicular to the paper feed path; a paper pressing arm extending upward from the main body; The scanning device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second abutment block disposed at a lower end of the main body portion.

4. The first extension portion is a first extension arm extending along a tangential direction of the rotation axis; a first contact arm disposed at an end of the first extension arm; the first contact arm is deflected perpendicular to the first extension arm in a direction away from the axis of the rotation shaft; The scanning device according to claim 1 , wherein the second extension portion extends along a tangential direction of the rotation axis and is installed in a direction opposite to the extension direction of the first extension arm.

5. The paper feed roller a feed roller shaft connected to the drive motor; a drive block provided in a protruding manner on the outer surface of the paper feed roller shaft; a paper feed roller sleeve that is coaxially attached to the paper feed roller shaft; a drive groove disposed on the inner surface of the feed roller sleeve; 2. The scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the drive groove is a C-shaped groove, and the drive block is arranged to be received in the drive groove.

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