Image form device having sheet turning passage and manual input tray integrated together

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an automatic paper feed tray, an output paper tray, a print path, a return paper path, a feed module, a print module, and a manual paper feed tray. The output paper tray carries printed paper. The print path is connected to the automatic paper feed tray, and the return paper path is connected in parallel with the print path. In a first mode, the feed module feeds paper from the automatic paper feed tray through the print path to the output paper tray. The print module is disposed on the print path and performs a first-side printing operation on the paper passing through the print module. The manual paper feed tray is connected to the return paper path and carries a medium. In a second mode, the feed module sequentially feeds the medium from the manual paper feed tray through a portion of the return paper path and the print path to the output paper tray, and the print module performs a first-side printing operation on the medium passing through the print module.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising at least: an automatic paper feeder for carrying a sheet of paper; an output paper feeder for carrying the printed sheet of paper; a printing channel connected to the automatic paper feeder; a return paper channel connected in parallel with the printing channel; a feed module, in a first mode, feeding the sheet of paper from the automatic paper feeder through the printing channel to the output paper feeder; a printing module disposed on the printing channel, and performing a first-side printing operation on the sheet of paper passing through the printing module; and a manual paper feeder directly connected to the return paper channel for... In a second mode, the feed module sequentially feeds the media from the manual feed tray through a portion of the return paper path and the print path to the output paper tray, and the print module performs the first side printing operation on the media passing through the print module. In a third mode, the feed module sequentially feeds the paper from the automatic feed tray through the print path, the entire return paper path, and the print path to the output paper tray, and the print module performs the first side printing operation and a second side printing operation on the paper passing through the print module.

2. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein: In a fourth mode, the feed module sequentially feeds the media from the manual feed tray through a portion of the return paper channel, the print channel, the return paper channel, and the print channel to the output paper tray, and the print module performs the first side print operation and the second side print operation on the media passing through the print module.

3. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further includes a controller electrically connected to the feed module and the printing module, and controlling the operation of the feed module and the printing module.

4. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further includes: a media gate electrically connected to the controller and disposed at the manual feed tray for controlling whether the media enters the return paper channel from the manual feed tray.

5. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the controller controls the operation of the feed module and the printing module, the controller controls the media gate to close the path of the media from the manual feed tray into the return paper channel.

6. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further includes: a media detector electrically connected to the controller and disposed at the manual paper feed tray for detecting the presence or absence of the media.

7. The image forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein when the controller does not control the operation of the feed module and the print module, and the media detector detects the presence of the media, the controller enables the fourth mode and disables the third mode.

8. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feed module includes a common roller, a first roller and a second roller, the common roller being located between the first roller and the second roller and rotating in contact with the first roller and the second roller.

9. The image forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein the medium placed on the manual feed tray enters the return paper channel by gravity and reaches a clamping point between the second roller and the common roller for feeding by the second roller and the common roller.

Images