US20070158901A1 - Document feeder for an image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Document feeder for an image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070158901A1 US20070158901A1 US11/650,483 US65048307A US2007158901A1 US 20070158901 A1 US20070158901 A1 US 20070158901A1 US 65048307 A US65048307 A US 65048307A US 2007158901 A1 US2007158901 A1 US 2007158901A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- recording medium
- rack
- document feeder
- guide
- pickup
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
- B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
- B65H3/0661—Rollers or like rotary separators for separating inclined-stacked articles with separator rollers above the stack
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25C—HAND-HELD NAILING OR STAPLING TOOLS; MANUALLY OPERATED PORTABLE STAPLING TOOLS
- B25C11/00—Nail, spike, and staple extractors
- B25C11/02—Pincers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/02—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles on edge
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2220/00—Function indicators
- B65H2220/09—Function indicators indicating that several of an entity are present
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2403/00—Power transmission; Driving means
- B65H2403/40—Toothed gearings
- B65H2403/41—Rack-and-pinion, cogwheel in cog railway
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/70—Other elements in edge contact with handled material, e.g. registering, orientating, guiding devices
- B65H2404/74—Guiding means
- B65H2404/742—Guiding means for guiding transversely
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
- B65H2511/12—Width
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/20—Location in space
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a document feeder of an image forming apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a document feeder of an image forming apparatus adapted to shift a recording medium pickup module in association with operation of a guide unit that arranges a width of a recording medium.
- image forming apparatuses for example, inkjet printers, multi-function peripherals, and laser beam printers, have a document feeder for supplying a recording medium into a main body of the apparatus.
- the document feeder includes a recording medium guide mounted to a paper feeding cassette or a paper feeding tray for stacking therein plural sheets of the recording medium to arrange and settle the recording medium as stacked.
- the recording medium guide arranges and settles various types of recording medium according to size, and guides the recording medium so that the recording medium can be fed without being skewed.
- FIG. 1 shows a conventional automatic document feeder (ADF).
- ADF automatic document feeder
- an ADF 1 includes a recording medium width controlling guide 30 reciprocating in directions of arrows A and B along a shaft 20 .
- the shaft 20 being made of metal, is transmitted with power from a driving part and rotated by a gear (not shown) connected to one side thereof.
- a recording medium pickup module 40 is mounted to the other side of the shaft 20 , that is, the opposite side to the recording medium width controlling guide 30 .
- the shaft 20 Upon being transmitted with power from the driving part, the shaft 20 is rotated.
- a pickup roller 41 of the recording medium pickup module 40 picks up and feeds the recording medium to a paper feeding roller (not shown).
- a buckler 43 is provided below the pickup roller 41 of the recording medium pickup module 40 to separate the recording medium sheets picked up by the pickup roller 41 so that the recording medium can be fed to the paper feeding roller sheet by sheet.
- a fixing arm 35 is formed at one side of the recording medium width controlling guide 30 to fit around the shaft 20 .
- a guide body 32 is integrally formed with the fixing arm 35 to area-contact with a frame 10 in a sliding manner.
- a projection constituting a first fixing projection unit (not shown) is formed on a bottom surface of the guide member 32 .
- a handle 34 is formed on an upper part of the guide member 32 .
- a plurality of projections constituting a second fixing projection unit 11 are formed on the frame 10 along a mounting direction of the shaft 20 to correspond to movement of the first fixing projection unit.
- a user holds the handle 34 of the guide body 32 of the recording medium width controlling guide 30 with one hand, moves the recording medium width controlling guide 30 in the direction B by a distance a little greater than a width of the recording medium, and releases the recording medium width controlling guide 30 from a force applied. Therefore, the first fixing projection unit of the recording medium width controlling guide 30 is serratedly meshed with the second fixing projection unit 11 of the frame 10 , thereby being moved by the guide body 32 in the direction B. Then, plural sheets of the recording medium are stacked in the frame 10 constructing a recording medium support.
- the user holds and moves the handle 34 of the guide body 32 of the recording medium width controlling guide 30 with one hand in the direction A as much as the width of the recording medium. Accordingly, the first fixing projection unit of the recording medium width controlling guide 30 is serratedly meshed again with projections of the second fixing projection unit 11 of the frame 10 and moved in the direction A. Therefore, the recording medium width controlling guide 30 is restricted in vertical movement by the fixing arm 35 moving along the shaft 20 and horizontal movement by the serration mesh between the first fixing projection unit and the second fixing projection unit 11 . As a result, the recording medium can be fixed between a guide surface of the recording medium width controlling guide 30 and a guide reference surface 45 of the frame 10 .
- the shaft 20 When a printing command is transmitted from an external device, such as a personal computer (PC), through a control unit of the image forming apparatus, the shaft 20 is rotated by the gear connected with the driving motor and accordingly, the pickup roller 41 connected to the shaft 20 is rotated, thereby picking up and feeding the stacked recording medium toward the buckler 43 .
- the recording medium fed to the buckler 43 keeps being fed by the paper feeding roller and printed with images or texts by a print head that jets ink.
- the recording medium pickup module 40 that picks up the recording medium is mounted inclined to one side, a force for picking up the recording medium may be unevenly applied so that the recording medium may be obliquely or skewedly fed.
- an aspect of the present invention is to provide a document feeder for an image forming apparatus adapted to shift a recording medium pickup module in association with operation of a recording medium width controlling guide that arranges a width of the recording medium to maintain a more optimum positioning of the recording medium pickup module corresponding to the width of the recording medium.
- a document feeder of an image forming apparatus includes a guide that arranges a width of a recording medium.
- a recording medium pickup module picks up the recording medium.
- a recording medium pickup module shifting unit shifts the recording medium pickup module in association with movement of the guide.
- the recording medium pickup module includes a guide rack connected to the guide by one end.
- a pinion unit supports a reciprocating motion of the guide rack.
- a pickup rack engaged with the pinion unit linearly reciprocates in parallel with the guide rack, and is connected to the recording medium pickup module.
- the guide rack and the pickup rack are moved in the same direction as each other.
- the pickup rack is moved by half a distance as much as a moving distance of the guide rack.
- the pinion unit includes a first gear wheel having a predetermined pitch circle diameter, and a second gear wheel having a pitch circle diameter half of the predetermined pitch circle diameter of the first gear wheel.
- An intermediate gear is connected to the second gear wheel and has a pitch circle diameter substantially the same as the pitch circle diameter of the second gear wheel.
- the first gear wheel is connected with the guide rack, and the intermediate gear is connected with the pickup rack.
- the document feeder may further include a driving motor that drives the recording medium pickup module.
- a motor shaft is connected to the driving motor.
- a pickup module shaft is connected with the recording medium pickup module for transmission of a rotational force from the motor and connected to the motor shaft to linearly move with respect to the motor shaft.
- the motor shaft is formed as a hollow pipe having a groove formed on an inner circumference in a lengthwise direction.
- the pickup module shaft is movably inserted in the motor shaft and has a projection corresponding to the groove.
- the recording medium pickup module is placed in the middle of width of the recording medium.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure of a document feeder in a conventional image forming apparatus
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a document feeder of an image forming apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of FIG. 2 seen in a direction of arrow II;
- FIG. 4 is a top plan view of FIG. 2 seen in a direction of arrow III;
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of portion B of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure of a document feeder for an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- a document feeder 100 includes a guide 110 for arranging a width of a recording medium stacked in a recording medium supply tray 101 .
- a recording medium pickup module 130 picks up and feeds the recording medium (not shown) stacked in the recording medium supply tray 101 .
- a recording medium pickup module shifting unit 150 shifts the recording medium pickup module 130 in association with operation of the guide 110 .
- the recording medium pickup module shifting unit 150 includes a guide rack 151 connected to the guide 110 at one end.
- a pinion unit 153 supports reciprocating motion of the guide rack 151 .
- a pickup rack 155 is connected with the pinion unit 153 and linearly reciprocates corresponding to the guide rack 151 .
- FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of FIG. 2 in an arrowed direction II.
- FIG. 4 is a top plan view of FIG. 2 in an arrowed direction III.
- the pinion unit 153 includes first and second gear wheels 153 a and 153 b , and an intermediate gear 153 d .
- a first pitch circle diameter D 1 of the first gear wheel 153 a is greater than a second pitch circle diameter D 2 of the second gear wheel 153 b .
- the first pitch circle diameter D 1 is twice as much as the second pitch circle diameter D 2 .
- a third pitch circle diameter D 3 of the intermediate gear 153 d is the same as the second pitch circle diameter D 2 of the second gear wheel 153 b.
- the first gear wheel 153 a is connected to the guide rack 151 .
- the second gear wheel 153 b is connected above the -first gear wheel 153 a coaxially with the first gear wheel 153 a .
- the intermediate gear 153 d is connected to the second gear wheel 153 b .
- the pickup rack 155 is connected to the intermediate gear 153 d . According to the above structure, the pickup rack 155 is moved in the same direction as the guide rack 151 by a distance approximately half as much as a moving distance of the guide rack 151 .
- a driving motor 171 is a driving source for driving the recording medium pickup module 130 .
- the driving motor 171 is mounted at a predetermined fixed position.
- a motor shaft 173 is connected to the driving motor 171 and is, for example, formed as a hollow pipe having a groove 173 a formed on an inner circumference thereof in a lengthwise direction, as shown in FIG. 5 .
- a pickup module shaft 175 connected to the recording medium pickup module 130 is inserted in the motor shaft 173 .
- a projection 175 a is formed on an outer circumference of the pickup module shaft 175 corresponding to the groove 173 a of the motor shaft 173 .
- the projection 175 a is fit with the groove 173 a so that a rotational force of the motor shaft 173 is transmitted to the recording medium pickup module 130 .
- the guide 110 is drawn in a direction shown by a dashed arrow by a distance greater than a width of the recording medium.
- the guide rack 151 is moved in the dashed-arrow direction, and the first gear wheel 153 a is rotated clockwise along the dashed-arrow direction.
- the second gear wheel 153 b disposed above the first gear wheel 153 a is rotated clockwise in the dashed-arrow direction.
- the intermediate gear 153 d meshed with the second gear wheel 153 b is rotated counterclockwise along the dashed-arrow direction.
- the pickup rack 155 is linearly moved in the same direction as the guide rack 151 along the dashed-arrow direction.
- the recording medium pickup module 130 is thus moved to a position appropriate for pickup of the recording medium, for example, in the middle of the width of the recording medium.
- the pickup rack 155 moves by a distance approximately half as much as the moving distance of the guide rack 151 because the second pitch circle diameter D 2 of the second gear wheel 153 b is approximately half of the first pitch circle diameter D 1 of the first gear wheel 153 a .
- the recording medium pickup module 130 is disposed approximately in the middle of the recording medium.
- Positioning of the recording medium pickup module 130 is not limited to the middle of the width of the recording medium as described above, but the recording medium pickup module 130 may be positioned at other locations. Also, although the recording medium pickup module 130 is moved in the same direction as the guide rack 151 according to this exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not so limited. For example, the recording medium pickup module 130 may be moved in the opposite direction to the guide rack 151 . An initial position of the recording medium pickup module 130 is set differently to account for movement in opposite directions of the recording medium pickup module 130 and the guide rack 151 .
- the pickup module shaft 173 connected to the recording medium pickup module 130 is slid along the inner circumference of the motor shaft 171 .
- the pickup module shaft 173 is rotated as the motor shaft 171 rotates, thereby performing the pickup of the recording medium.
- the recording medium pickup module is moved in association with the movement of the guide that arranges the width of the recording medium, so that the recording medium pickup module may be placed at the optimum position for picking up the recording medium.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
A document feeder of an image forming apparatus includes a guide that arranges a width of a recording medium. A recording medium pickup module picks up the recording medium. A recording medium pickup module shifting unit shifts the recording medium pickup module in association with the movement of the guide. The recording medium pickup module includes a guide rack connected to the guide at one end. A pinion unit supports reciprocating motion of the guide rack. A pickup rack engaged with the pinion unit linearly reciprocates in parallel with the guide rack, and is connected to the recording medium pickup module.
Description
- This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 2006-3466, filed Jan. 12, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a document feeder of an image forming apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a document feeder of an image forming apparatus adapted to shift a recording medium pickup module in association with operation of a guide unit that arranges a width of a recording medium.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Generally, image forming apparatuses, for example, inkjet printers, multi-function peripherals, and laser beam printers, have a document feeder for supplying a recording medium into a main body of the apparatus. The document feeder includes a recording medium guide mounted to a paper feeding cassette or a paper feeding tray for stacking therein plural sheets of the recording medium to arrange and settle the recording medium as stacked. The recording medium guide arranges and settles various types of recording medium according to size, and guides the recording medium so that the recording medium can be fed without being skewed.
-
FIG. 1 shows a conventional automatic document feeder (ADF). - Referring to
FIG. 1 , anADF 1 includes a recording mediumwidth controlling guide 30 reciprocating in directions of arrows A and B along ashaft 20. Theshaft 20, being made of metal, is transmitted with power from a driving part and rotated by a gear (not shown) connected to one side thereof. - A recording
medium pickup module 40 is mounted to the other side of theshaft 20, that is, the opposite side to the recording mediumwidth controlling guide 30. Upon being transmitted with power from the driving part, theshaft 20 is rotated. As accordingly rotated, apickup roller 41 of the recordingmedium pickup module 40 picks up and feeds the recording medium to a paper feeding roller (not shown). Below thepickup roller 41 of the recordingmedium pickup module 40, abuckler 43 is provided to separate the recording medium sheets picked up by thepickup roller 41 so that the recording medium can be fed to the paper feeding roller sheet by sheet. - A
fixing arm 35 is formed at one side of the recording mediumwidth controlling guide 30 to fit around theshaft 20. Aguide body 32 is integrally formed with thefixing arm 35 to area-contact with aframe 10 in a sliding manner. A projection constituting a first fixing projection unit (not shown) is formed on a bottom surface of theguide member 32. Ahandle 34 is formed on an upper part of theguide member 32. A plurality of projections constituting a secondfixing projection unit 11 are formed on theframe 10 along a mounting direction of theshaft 20 to correspond to movement of the first fixing projection unit. - When using the above-structured conventional ADF I of an image forming apparatus, to easily stack the recording medium into an inkjet printer or a multifunction peripheral, a user holds the
handle 34 of theguide body 32 of the recording mediumwidth controlling guide 30 with one hand, moves the recording mediumwidth controlling guide 30 in the direction B by a distance a little greater than a width of the recording medium, and releases the recording mediumwidth controlling guide 30 from a force applied. Therefore, the first fixing projection unit of the recording mediumwidth controlling guide 30 is serratedly meshed with the secondfixing projection unit 11 of theframe 10, thereby being moved by theguide body 32 in the direction B. Then, plural sheets of the recording medium are stacked in theframe 10 constructing a recording medium support. Next, the user holds and moves thehandle 34 of theguide body 32 of the recording mediumwidth controlling guide 30 with one hand in the direction A as much as the width of the recording medium. Accordingly, the first fixing projection unit of the recording mediumwidth controlling guide 30 is serratedly meshed again with projections of the secondfixing projection unit 11 of theframe 10 and moved in the direction A. Therefore, the recording mediumwidth controlling guide 30 is restricted in vertical movement by thefixing arm 35 moving along theshaft 20 and horizontal movement by the serration mesh between the first fixing projection unit and the secondfixing projection unit 11. As a result, the recording medium can be fixed between a guide surface of the recording mediumwidth controlling guide 30 and aguide reference surface 45 of theframe 10. - When a printing command is transmitted from an external device, such as a personal computer (PC), through a control unit of the image forming apparatus, the
shaft 20 is rotated by the gear connected with the driving motor and accordingly, thepickup roller 41 connected to theshaft 20 is rotated, thereby picking up and feeding the stacked recording medium toward thebuckler 43. The recording medium fed to thebuckler 43 keeps being fed by the paper feeding roller and printed with images or texts by a print head that jets ink. - However, in the
conventional ADF 1 as described above, because the recordingmedium pickup module 40 that picks up the recording medium is mounted inclined to one side, a force for picking up the recording medium may be unevenly applied so that the recording medium may be obliquely or skewedly fed. - Accordingly, a need exists for an image forming apparatus having an improved document feeder that moves a recording medium pickup module in association with the operation of a recording medium width controlling guide.
- Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a document feeder for an image forming apparatus adapted to shift a recording medium pickup module in association with operation of a recording medium width controlling guide that arranges a width of the recording medium to maintain a more optimum positioning of the recording medium pickup module corresponding to the width of the recording medium.
- A document feeder of an image forming apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes a guide that arranges a width of a recording medium. A recording medium pickup module picks up the recording medium. A recording medium pickup module shifting unit shifts the recording medium pickup module in association with movement of the guide.
- The recording medium pickup module includes a guide rack connected to the guide by one end. A pinion unit supports a reciprocating motion of the guide rack. A pickup rack engaged with the pinion unit linearly reciprocates in parallel with the guide rack, and is connected to the recording medium pickup module.
- The guide rack and the pickup rack are moved in the same direction as each other. The pickup rack is moved by half a distance as much as a moving distance of the guide rack.
- The pinion unit includes a first gear wheel having a predetermined pitch circle diameter, and a second gear wheel having a pitch circle diameter half of the predetermined pitch circle diameter of the first gear wheel. An intermediate gear is connected to the second gear wheel and has a pitch circle diameter substantially the same as the pitch circle diameter of the second gear wheel.
- The first gear wheel is connected with the guide rack, and the intermediate gear is connected with the pickup rack.
- The document feeder may further include a driving motor that drives the recording medium pickup module. A motor shaft is connected to the driving motor. A pickup module shaft is connected with the recording medium pickup module for transmission of a rotational force from the motor and connected to the motor shaft to linearly move with respect to the motor shaft.
- The motor shaft is formed as a hollow pipe having a groove formed on an inner circumference in a lengthwise direction. The pickup module shaft is movably inserted in the motor shaft and has a projection corresponding to the groove.
- The recording medium pickup module is placed in the middle of width of the recording medium.
- Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.
- The above aspect and other exemplary features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein;
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure of a document feeder in a conventional image forming apparatus; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a document feeder of an image forming apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view ofFIG. 2 seen in a direction of arrow II; -
FIG. 4 is a top plan view ofFIG. 2 seen in a direction of arrow III; and -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of portion B ofFIG. 2 . - Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components and structures.
- Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.
- In the following description, the matters defined in the description, such as a detailed construction and elements thereof, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention may be carried out without those defined matters. Also, well-known functions and constructions are omitted to provide a clear and concise specification.
-
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure of a document feeder for an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , adocument feeder 100 includes aguide 110 for arranging a width of a recording medium stacked in a recordingmedium supply tray 101. A recordingmedium pickup module 130 picks up and feeds the recording medium (not shown) stacked in the recordingmedium supply tray 101. A recording medium pickupmodule shifting unit 150 shifts the recordingmedium pickup module 130 in association with operation of theguide 110. - The recording medium pickup
module shifting unit 150 includes aguide rack 151 connected to theguide 110 at one end. Apinion unit 153 supports reciprocating motion of theguide rack 151. Apickup rack 155 is connected with thepinion unit 153 and linearly reciprocates corresponding to theguide rack 151. -
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view ofFIG. 2 in an arrowed direction II.FIG. 4 is a top plan view ofFIG. 2 in an arrowed direction III. - As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , thepinion unit 153 includes first andsecond gear wheels intermediate gear 153 d. In an exemplary implementation, a first pitch circle diameter D1 of thefirst gear wheel 153 a is greater than a second pitch circle diameter D2 of thesecond gear wheel 153 b. In an exemplary implementation, the first pitch circle diameter D1 is twice as much as the second pitch circle diameter D2. In an exemplary implementation, a third pitch circle diameter D3 of theintermediate gear 153 d is the same as the second pitch circle diameter D2 of thesecond gear wheel 153 b. - The
first gear wheel 153 a is connected to theguide rack 151. Thesecond gear wheel 153 b is connected above the -first gear wheel 153 a coaxially with thefirst gear wheel 153 a. Theintermediate gear 153 d is connected to thesecond gear wheel 153 b. Additionally, thepickup rack 155 is connected to theintermediate gear 153 d. According to the above structure, thepickup rack 155 is moved in the same direction as theguide rack 151 by a distance approximately half as much as a moving distance of theguide rack 151. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 5 , a drivingmotor 171 is a driving source for driving the recordingmedium pickup module 130. The drivingmotor 171 is mounted at a predetermined fixed position. - A
motor shaft 173 is connected to the drivingmotor 171 and is, for example, formed as a hollow pipe having agroove 173 a formed on an inner circumference thereof in a lengthwise direction, as shown inFIG. 5 . Apickup module shaft 175 connected to the recordingmedium pickup module 130 is inserted in themotor shaft 173. Aprojection 175 a is formed on an outer circumference of thepickup module shaft 175 corresponding to thegroove 173 a of themotor shaft 173. As thepickup module shaft 175 linearly reciprocates along the inner circumference of themotor shaft 173 in association with the linear motion of the recordingmedium pickup module 130, theprojection 175 a is fit with thegroove 173 a so that a rotational force of themotor shaft 173 is transmitted to the recordingmedium pickup module 130. - The operation of the document feeder according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention is explained below.
- Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 4 , first, theguide 110 is drawn in a direction shown by a dashed arrow by a distance greater than a width of the recording medium. Theguide rack 151 is moved in the dashed-arrow direction, and thefirst gear wheel 153 a is rotated clockwise along the dashed-arrow direction. Accordingly, thesecond gear wheel 153 b disposed above thefirst gear wheel 153 a is rotated clockwise in the dashed-arrow direction. Also, theintermediate gear 153 d meshed with thesecond gear wheel 153 b is rotated counterclockwise along the dashed-arrow direction. As a result, thepickup rack 155 is linearly moved in the same direction as theguide rack 151 along the dashed-arrow direction. - Next, plural sheets of the recording medium are stacked in the recording
medium supply tray 101, and theguide 110 is pushed in a direction shown by a solid arrow, thereby arranging the width of the recording medium. Therefore, thefirst gear wheel 153 a is rotated counterclockwise along the solid-arrow direction, thesecond gear wheel 153 b disposed above thefirst gear wheel 153 a is also rotated counterclockwise in the solid-arrow direction, and theintermediate gear 153 d meshed with thesecond gear wheel 153 b is rotated clockwise along the solid-arrow direction. As a result, thepickup rack 155 meshed with theintermediate gear 153 d is linearly moved in the same direction as theguide rack 151 along the solid-arrow direction. - The recording
medium pickup module 130 is thus moved to a position appropriate for pickup of the recording medium, for example, in the middle of the width of the recording medium. - During the above operation, the
pickup rack 155 moves by a distance approximately half as much as the moving distance of theguide rack 151 because the second pitch circle diameter D2 of thesecond gear wheel 153 b is approximately half of the first pitch circle diameter D1 of thefirst gear wheel 153 a. As a consequence, the recordingmedium pickup module 130 is disposed approximately in the middle of the recording medium. - Positioning of the recording
medium pickup module 130 is not limited to the middle of the width of the recording medium as described above, but the recordingmedium pickup module 130 may be positioned at other locations. Also, although the recordingmedium pickup module 130 is moved in the same direction as theguide rack 151 according to this exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not so limited. For example, the recordingmedium pickup module 130 may be moved in the opposite direction to theguide rack 151. An initial position of the recordingmedium pickup module 130 is set differently to account for movement in opposite directions of the recordingmedium pickup module 130 and theguide rack 151. - While the recording
medium pickup module 130 is linearly moved as described above, thepickup module shaft 173 connected to the recordingmedium pickup module 130 is slid along the inner circumference of themotor shaft 171. - Because the
projection 173 a of thepickup module shaft 173 is inserted in the groove 171 a formed on the inner circumference of themotor shaft 171, thepickup module shaft 173 is rotated as themotor shaft 171 rotates, thereby performing the pickup of the recording medium. - In a document feeder according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the recording medium pickup module is moved in association with the movement of the guide that arranges the width of the recording medium, so that the recording medium pickup module may be placed at the optimum position for picking up the recording medium.
- According to the above, oblique or skewed feeding of the recording medium that may be caused due to the unevenly applied force for picking up the recording medium is substantially prevented.
- While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (21)
1. A document feeder of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a guide that arranges a width of at least one recording medium;
a recording medium pickup module that picks up the at least one recording medium; and
a recording medium pickup module shifting unit that shifts the recording medium pickup module in association with movement of the guide.
2. The document feeder of claim 1 , wherein the recording medium pickup module includes
a guide rack connected to the guide;
a pinion unit supporting reciprocating motion of the guide rack; and
a pickup rack engaged with the pinion unit that linearly reciprocates substantially in parallel with the guide rack, and that is connected to the recording medium pickup module.
3. The document feeder of claim 2 , wherein
the guide rack and the pickup rack are moved in substantially the same direction.
4. The document feeder of claim 3 , wherein
the pickup rack is moved by a distance approximately half of a moving distance of the guide rack.
5. The document feeder of claim 4 , wherein the pinion unit includes
a first gear wheel having a first pitch circle diameter;
a second gear wheel having a second pitch circle diameter; and
an intermediate gear connected to the second gear wheel and having a third pitch circle diameter.
6. The document feeder of claim 5 , wherein
the first gear wheel is connected with the guide rack; and
the intermediate gear is connected with the pickup rack.
7. The document feeder of claim 5 , wherein
the second pitch circle diameter is approximately half of the first pitch circle diameter.
8. The document feeder of claim 7 , wherein
the third pitch circle diameter is approximately equal to the second pitch circle diameter.
9. The document feeder of claim 8 , wherein
the first gear wheel is connected with the guide rack; and
the intermediate gear is connected with the pickup rack.
10. The document feeder of claim 2 , wherein
a driving motor that drives the recording medium pickup module;
a motor shaft connected with the driving motor; and
a pickup module shaft connected with the recording medium pickup module for transmission of a rotational force from the motor and connected to the motor shaft to substantially linearly move with respect to the motor shaft.
11. The document feeder of claim 10 , wherein
the motor shaft is substantially hollow to receive the pickup module shaft therein.
12. The document feeder of claim 11 , wherein
the motor shaft has a groove formed on an inner circumference thereof in a lengthwise direction; and
the pickup rack module shaft has a projection extending outwardly therefrom corresponding to the motor shaft groove.
13. The document feeder of claim 2 , wherein
the recording medium pickup module is placed substantially in the middle of the width of the recording medium.
14. The document feeder of claim 2 , wherein
the guide rack and the pickup rack are moved in substantially opposite directions.
15. The document feeder of claim 5 , wherein
the second gear wheel is coaxially aligned with the first gear wheel.
16. A document feeder of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
an adjustable guide movable to receive a width of at least one recording medium; and
a recording medium pickup module to pick up the at least one recording medium, the
recording medium pickup module being movable in response to movement of the adjustable guide.
17. A document feeder of an image forming apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein
a guide rack is connected to the adjustable guide;
a pickup rack is connected to the recording medium pickup module; and
a pinion unit movably connects the guide rack to the pickup rack such that movement of the adjustable guide results in movement of the recording medium pickup module.
18. A document feeder of an image forming apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein
the guide rack and the pickup rack are moved in substantially the same direction.
19. A document feeder of an image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein
the pickup rack is moved by a distance approximately half of a moving distance of the guide rack.
20. A document feeder of an image forming apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the pinion unit includes
a first gear wheel having a first pitch circle diameter;
a second gear wheel having a second pitch circle diameter; and
an intermediate gear connected to the second gear wheel and having a third pitch circle diameter.
21. A document feeder of an image forming apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein
the first gear wheel is connected to the guide rack; and
the intermediate gear is connected to the pickup rack.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR2006-0003466 | 2006-01-12 | ||
KR1020060003466A KR20070075094A (en) | 2006-01-12 | 2006-01-12 | Recording medium supplying apparatus of image forming apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070158901A1 true US20070158901A1 (en) | 2007-07-12 |
Family
ID=38232072
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/650,483 Abandoned US20070158901A1 (en) | 2006-01-12 | 2007-01-08 | Document feeder for an image forming apparatus |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070158901A1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20070075094A (en) |
CN (1) | CN100999285A (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110049785A1 (en) * | 2009-09-01 | 2011-03-03 | Kinpo Electronics, Inc. | Paper tray of printer |
US20110156342A1 (en) * | 2009-12-28 | 2011-06-30 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image Forming Apparatus |
US20120300243A1 (en) * | 2008-10-16 | 2012-11-29 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Automatic document feeder, image reading device having the same and image forming apparatus having the same |
US8322704B1 (en) * | 2011-08-05 | 2012-12-04 | Lexmark International, Inc. | System and device for feeding sheets of media |
US8474812B1 (en) * | 2012-04-25 | 2013-07-02 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Manually translatable pick mechanism for feeding sheets of media of different widths |
US8636277B1 (en) | 2012-10-15 | 2014-01-28 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Automatically adjustable pick mechanism for feeding sheets of media of different widths |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102765262A (en) * | 2011-05-05 | 2012-11-07 | 鸿富锦精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | Printing device and paper width identification method |
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- 2007-01-08 US US11/650,483 patent/US20070158901A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Cited By (16)
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---|---|---|---|---|
US20120300243A1 (en) * | 2008-10-16 | 2012-11-29 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Automatic document feeder, image reading device having the same and image forming apparatus having the same |
US8456719B2 (en) * | 2008-10-16 | 2013-06-04 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Automatic document feeder, image reading device having the same and image forming apparatus having the same |
US20110298173A1 (en) * | 2009-09-01 | 2011-12-08 | Kinpo Electronics, Inc. | Paper tray of printer |
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US8052138B2 (en) * | 2009-09-01 | 2011-11-08 | Kinpo Electronics, Inc. | Paper tray of printer |
US20110156342A1 (en) * | 2009-12-28 | 2011-06-30 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image Forming Apparatus |
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US8322704B1 (en) * | 2011-08-05 | 2012-12-04 | Lexmark International, Inc. | System and device for feeding sheets of media |
US8474812B1 (en) * | 2012-04-25 | 2013-07-02 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Manually translatable pick mechanism for feeding sheets of media of different widths |
US8636277B1 (en) | 2012-10-15 | 2014-01-28 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Automatically adjustable pick mechanism for feeding sheets of media of different widths |
US20140103602A1 (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2014-04-17 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Automatically adjustable pick mechanism for feeding sheets of media of different widths |
US9090418B2 (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2015-07-28 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Automatically adjustable pick mechanism for feeding sheets of media of different widths |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN100999285A (en) | 2007-07-18 |
KR20070075094A (en) | 2007-07-18 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LEE, TAE-YOUNG;REEL/FRAME:018778/0565 Effective date: 20061220 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |