Paper output mechanism

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to image forming devices, more particularly, to a paper output mechanism.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, an image forming device, such as a printer, a scanner, or a copier, includes a paper output unit which outputs sheets of paper. However, it is difficult to output thick and heavy paper from the paper output unit. Therefore, there is room in the art for improvement.

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a paper output mechanism in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 , but viewed from a different aspect.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1 , and shows the paper outputting mechanism in a first position.

FIG. 4 is a similar to FIG. 3 , but shows the paper outputting mechanism in a second position.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the paper outputting mechanism in accordance with an another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 , but viewed from a different aspect.

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

FIGS. 1 and 4 show a paper outputting mechanism in accordance with an embodiment. The paper outputting mechanism comprises a paper tray 10 , a paper drive device 20 above the paper tray 10 , and a paper outputting device 30 located on the paper drive device 20 . The paper tray 10 receives paper. The paper outputting device 30 can be moved along the paper drive device 20 . In one embodiment, the paper outputting mechanism can be used as a part of a scanner, a printer, or a copier, for example.

The paper arm 20 comprises a drive gear 21 , an intermediate gear 22 , and a slave gear 23 . The intermediate gear 22 is positioned between and meshes with the drive gear 21 and the slave gear 23 . The drive gear 21 can be rotated about a first rotating shaft 24 that is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. The intermediate gear 22 is rotated by the drive gear 21 and rotates the slave gear 23 when the drive gear 21 is rotated.

The outputting device 30 comprises a belt 31 and a rotating arm 36 . The rotating arm comprises a drive wheel 32 , a slave wheel 34 , and an idler wheel 33 meshing with the drive wheel 32 and the slave wheel 34 . When the drive wheel 32 is rotated by the slave gear 23 , the idler wheel 33 is rotated by the drive wheel 32 , and the slave wheel 34 is rotated by the belt 31

The belt 31 surrounds the drive wheel 32 and the slave wheel 34 , and the belt 31 can be moved with the drive wheel 32 . The belt 31 comprises a touching portion 311 with a touching surface, which abuts the paper of the paper tray 10 . The slave wheel 32 is rotated about the second rotating shaft 35 , which is substantially parallel to the first rotating shaft 24 . The rotating arm 36 can be rotated about the second rotating shaft 35 toward or away from the paper tray 10 . The drive wheel 32 is engaged with the slave gear 23 by a shaft (not shown). When the slave gear 23 moves the drive wheel 32 , a first direction 401 of the slave gear 23 is opposite to a second direction 402 of the drive wheel 32 .

FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the paper outputting device 30 can be located between a first position (see FIG. 3 ) and a second position (see FIG. 4 ). In the first position, a first end of the touching portion 311 abuts the papers of the paper tray 10 , and a second end of the touching portion 311 is away from the paper of the paper tray 10 . In the second position, the first end of the touching portion 311 and the second end of the touching portion 311 together abut the papers of the paper tray 10 , so the touching surface of the touching portion 311 completely abuts the paper of the paper tray 10 .

FIGS. 2-4 show that in use, the drive gear 21 is rotated about the first rotating shaft 24 in the first direction 401 . The intermediate gear 22 is rotated in a counterclockwise (the second direction 402 ) by the drive gear 21 to rotate the slave gear 23 in the first direction 401 . Simultaneously, the drive wheel 32 is rotated about the second rotating shaft 35 in the second direction 402 . Thus, the idle wheel 33 is rotated by the drive wheel 32 in the first direction 401 . The slave wheel 34 is rotated by the belt 31 in the second direction 402 .

FIG. 3 shows that until a first end of the touching portion 311 abuts the paper in the paper tray 10 , the paper drive device 20 is stopped. The paper outputting device 30 continues to operate, the drive wheel 32 rotates the belt 31 which is counterclockwise. Therefore, a first frictional force is generated between the touching portion 311 and the paper of the paper tray 10 . When a first paper of the paper tray is light and thin, the first paper of the paper tray 10 is moved towards a third direction 403 .

FIGS. 3 and 4 , if a second paper of the paper tray 10 is heavy and thick, a second frictional force greater than the first frictional force must be generated between the touching portion 311 and the second paper of the paper tray 10 . When the drive wheel 32 is rotated about the second rotating shaft 35 , the rotating arm 36 is also rotated about the rotating shaft 35 towards the paper tray 10 in the second direction, until a second end of the touching portion 311 abuts the paper of the paper tray 10 . The second frictional force is greater than the first frictional force, is generated between the touching portion 311 and the second paper of the paper tray. Therefore, the second paper of the paper tray 10 is moved towards the right (a third direction 403 ).

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a paper outputting mechanism in accordance with another embodiment. In one embodiment, the paper tray 10 is moveable upwards or downwards. The paper tray 10 comprises a supporting plate 11 and a lifting device 12 . The paper is received in the supporting plate 11 , and the lifting device 12 can adjust an angle between the supporting plate 11 and the level plane. The supporting plate 11 is adjusted by the lifting device 10 to abut the belt 31 . In one embodiment, the lifting device 12 can be a spring, which is moved upwards or downwards.

In use, the drive wheel 32 is rotated about the second rotating shaft 35 in the second direction 402 . The idle wheel 34 is rotated by the drive wheel 32 in the first direction 401 , to rotate the slave wheel 34 in the second direction 402 . The supporting plate 11 moves upwards by the lift device 12 , until the first end of the touching portion 311 abuts the paper of the paper tray 10 . When the first paper of the paper tray 10 is light and thin, the first paper is moved in a forth direction 404 .

If the second paper of the paper tray 10 is heavy and thick, a second frictional force greater than the first frictional force, must be generated between the touching portion 311 and the second paper of the paper tray. When the drive wheel 32 is rotated about the second rotating shaft 35 , the rotating arm 36 is also rotated about the rotating shaft 35 towards the paper tray 10 in the second direction. The supporting plate 11 moves upwards by the lifting device 12 , until the second end of the belt 31 abuts the paper of the paper tray 10 . The second frictional force greater than the first frictional force, is generated between the touching portion 311 and the second paper of the paper tray 10 , gripped by the belt 31 . Therefore, the second paper of the paper tray 10 is moved in the forth direction 404 .

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.