Medium-fed multi-function scanner

Abstract

A feed-type multi-functional scanning device includes a feed mechanism, a scanning module, and a controller. The feed mechanism includes a paper-feeding roller and a paper-separating roller, which work together to feed media into a channel; and a feed roller assembly. The scanning module is located downstream of the paper-feeding roller and the paper-separating roller, wherein the feed roller assembly feeds the media through the scanning module, enabling the scanning module to capture images of the media. The controller is electrically connected to the feed mechanism and the scanning module to control their operation. In a first mode, the paper-feeding roller rotates in reverse, and the paper-separating roller rotates in reverse. In a second mode, the paper-feeding roller rotates in reverse, and the paper-separating roller rotates in forward.

Claims

1. A feed-type multi-functional scanning device, comprising: a feed mechanism including: a paper-feeding roller and a paper-separating roller, both working together to feed a medium into a channel; and a feed roller assembly; a scanning module located downstream of the paper-feeding roller and the paper-separating roller, wherein the feed roller assembly feeds the medium through the scanning module, enabling the scanning module to capture an image of the medium; and a controller electrically connected to the feed mechanism and the scanning module, for controlling the operation of the feed mechanism and the scanning module, wherein: In a first mode, the medium is a first document, the paper pick-up roller reverses, and the paper separation roller reverses to feed the first document to the scanning module for image capture; and in a second mode, the medium is a second document with a thickness greater than that of the first document, the paper pick-up roller reverses, and the paper separation roller rotates clockwise to feed the second document to the scanning module for image capture.

2. The feed-type multi-function scanning device as claimed in claim 1 further includes a mode selector electrically connected to the controller for outputting a mode signal to the controller to control the feed mechanism to enter the first mode or the second mode via the controller.

3. The feed-type multifunction scanning device as claimed in claim 2 further includes a user interface electrically connected to the controller for allowing a user to select the first mode or the second mode so that the mode selector outputs the mode signal.

4. The feed-type multi-functional scanning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feed mechanism further comprises: a first pulley and a second pulley disposed upstream of the paper feed roller; and a paper feed belt, wherein the first pulley drives the second pulley to rotate via the paper feed belt, thereby enabling the paper feed belt to assist in driving the medium to the paper feed roller.

5. The feed-type multi-functional scanning device as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: a first body; a second body connected to the first body such that the second body can be in an open and closed state relative to the first body; and a floating frame disposed floatingly in the second body to adapt to adjusting the height of the channel, wherein the paper separating roller is disposed in the floating frame and the paper picking roller is disposed in the first body.

6. The feed-type multi-functional scanning device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the scanning module comprises: a first scanning head disposed in the first body; and a second scanning head disposed in the floating frame, the first scanning head and the second scanning head scanning the image of the media.

7. The feed-type multi-functional scanning device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the feed roller assembly comprises a plurality of feed rollers respectively disposed in the first body and the floating frame, and each has a driving force for actively feeding the medium.

8. The feed-type multi-functional scanning device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the feed mechanism comprises: a motor disposed in the first body and driving the paper pick-up roller to rotate in reverse; and a second motor disposed in the second body and driving the paper separating roller to rotate in either forward or reverse.

9. The feed-type multi-functional scanning device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the feed mechanism comprises: a motor disposed on the first body and driving the paper take-up roller to rotate in reverse; and a transmission mechanism through which the motor is coupled to the paper separating roller to drive the paper separating roller to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.

10. The feed-type multi-functional scanning device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the transmission mechanism comprises: a first gear receiving power from the motor; a second gear meshing with the first gear; a torque limiter coaxially disposed on a shaft with the second gear and selectively limiting or stopping the torque transmitted between the second gear and the shaft; a third gear meshing with the first gear; a fourth gear disposed on the shaft, the third gear meshing with the fourth gear; and an electromagnetic clutch selectively coupling the fourth gear and the shaft, wherein the electromagnetic clutch is energized to couple the fourth gear and the shaft, and de-energized to decouple the fourth gear and the shaft, wherein: When the electromagnetic clutch is energized, the fourth gear and the shaft are coupled, the first gear rotates in reverse, the second and third gears rotate in clockwise, and the fourth gear rotates in reverse. The torque limiter limits or stops the torque transmitted by the second gear to the shaft, causing the shaft to rotate in reverse and drive the paper separating roller to rotate in reverse. When the electromagnetic clutch is not energized, the fourth gear and the shaft are decoupled, the first gear rotates in reverse, the second and third gears rotate in clockwise, and the fourth gear rotates in reverse. The torque limiter does not limit or stop the torque transmitted by the second gear to the shaft, causing the shaft to rotate in clockwise and drive the paper separating roller to rotate in clockwise.

11. The feed-type multi-function scanning device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the floating frame comprises: a first floating member; a second floating member pivotally connected to the first floating member; and a sliding member pivotally connected to the second floating member and slidably connected to the second body, such that the first floating member and the second floating member can be flattened and bent relative to each other.

12. The feed-type multi-functional scanning device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a first pin of the first floating member is pivotally mounted to a first mounting hole of the second floating member, and a second pin of the first floating member is pivotally mounted to a second mounting hole of the second floating member and a mounting hole of the sliding member.

13. The feed-type multi-functional scanning device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the feed roller assembly comprises: a first lower roller and a second lower roller, the second lower roller being located downstream of the first lower roller; and a first upper roller and a second upper roller, which work together with the first lower roller and the second lower roller respectively to feed the medium, wherein the floating frame is lifted by a thick portion of the medium and lifts a support of the first upper roller upward, the support lifting a second scanning head of the scanning module.

14. The feed-type multi-functional scanning apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second lower roller contacts a thin portion of the medium before the thick portion reaches the second upper roller, and the second upper roller contacts the thin portion.

15. The feed-type multi-functional scanning device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second upper roller is pivotally connected to a pivot frame via a pivot arm, and when the thick portion reaches the second upper roller, the second upper roller pivots relative to the pivot frame via the pivot arm and is lifted by the thick portion and moved downstream.

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