U.S. patent application number 13/868264 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-09 for paper aligning apparatus for printer.
This patent application is currently assigned to HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to PEI-YI CHAN, CHEN-YANG KUO.
Application Number | 20140008864 13/868264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49877928 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140008864 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KUO; CHEN-YANG ; et
al. |
January 9, 2014 |
PAPER ALIGNING APPARATUS FOR PRINTER
Abstract
A paper aligning apparatus includes a paper tray, a plurality of
blocking tabs, and an ordering block. The paper tray includes a
stack of paper. The paper tray includes a first edge and a second
edge. The plurality of blocking tabs is located on the paper tray
and adjacent the first edge. The plurality of blocking tabs is
aligned in a line. The ordering block is movably mounted on the
paper tray and adjacent to the second edge. The ordering block
pushes the stack of paper in the paper tray so that the plurality
of blocking tabs resist against the stack of paper.
Inventors: |
KUO; CHEN-YANG; (New Taipei,
TW) ; CHAN; PEI-YI; (New Taipei, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD. |
New Taipei |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO.,
LTD.
New Taipei
TW
|
Family ID: |
49877928 |
Appl. No.: |
13/868264 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 1/04 20130101; B65H
2553/414 20130101; B65H 2513/40 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101;
B65H 2220/02 20130101; B65H 2220/11 20130101; B65H 2403/21
20130101; B65H 2511/20 20130101; B65H 2513/40 20130101; B65H 7/10
20130101; B65H 2701/1315 20130101; B65H 1/00 20130101; B65H 2511/20
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/145 |
International
Class: |
B65H 1/00 20060101
B65H001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 9, 2012 |
TW |
101124622 |
Claims
1. A paper aligning apparatus, comprising: a paper tray configured
to hold a stack of paper, the paper tray comprising a first edge
and a second edge; a plurality of blocking tabs located on the
paper tray and adjacent to the first edge, the plurality of
blocking tabs being aligned in a line; and an ordering block
movably mounted on the paper tray and adjacent to the second edge,
wherein the ordering block is configured to push the stack of paper
in the paper tray so that the plurality of blocking tabs resist
against the stack of paper to align the stack of paper.
2. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a
motor and an inactive gear mounted on the paper tray, wherein the
motor comprises an active gear, a transmission belt is set on the
active gear and the inactive gear, an inner side of the
transmission belt comprises a plurality of transmission teeth; the
ordering block defines a tooth slot, one tooth of the plurality of
transmission teeth is engaged in the tooth slot, and the motor is
configured to rotate to move the ordering block together with the
transmission belt.
3. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the motor is
mounted on a bottom side of the paper tray and adjacent to the
first edge.
4. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 3, wherein a securing
member is mounted on the bottom side of the paper tray and adjacent
to the second edge, the securing member comprises a first piece and
a second piece, the first piece and the second piece defines pivot
holes, the inactive gear comprises a shaft, the inactive gear is
between the first piece and the second piece, and the shaft is
inserted into the pivot holes to pivotally mount the inactive gear
on the securing member.
5. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 4, wherein the paper tray
defines an opening adjacent to the second edge, the ordering block
comprises a guiding piece, the guiding piece defines a receiving
slot communicating with the tooth slot, the guiding piece is
configured to be inserted through the opening, and the transmission
belt is configured to be inserted through the receiving slot.
6. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 1, wherein a sliding foot
is mounted on the ordering block, the sliding foot comprises a
sliding piece, the paper tray defines a guiding groove, and the
sliding piece is configured to slide in the guiding groove.
7. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ordering
block defines an inserting hole, the sliding foot comprises an
inserting post, and the inserting post is inserted into the
inserting hole.
8. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first sensor
is mounted on the paper tray and adjacent to the first edge, a
reflecting piece is mounted on the ordering block, the first sensor
is configured to emit light on a topmost piece of paper of the
stack of paper and to detect light reflected back from the topmost
piece of paper and the reflecting piece, and the first sensor is
further configured to control movements of the ordering block
according the light reflected back to the first sensor.
9. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 1, wherein a second sensor
is mounted on the paper tray, the second sensor is adapted to
control the movements of the ordering block when the second sensor
is covered.
10. A paper aligning apparatus, comprising: a paper tray configured
to hold a stack of paper, the paper tray comprising a first edge
and a second edge; a plurality of blocking tabs located on the
paper tray and adjacent to the first edge, the plurality of
blocking tabs being aligned in a line; an ordering block movably
mounted on the paper tray and adjacent to the second edge; a first
sensor mounted on the paper tray and adjacent to the first edge;
and a reflecting piece mounted on the ordering block; wherein the
first sensor is adapted to emit light on a topmost piece of paper
of the stack of paper and to detect light reflected by the topmost
piece of paper and the reflecting piece, and the first sensor is
adapted to control movements of the ordering block to align the
stack of paper.
11. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 10, wherein a motor and
an inactive gear are mounted on the paper tray, the motor comprises
an active gear, a transmission belt is set on the active gear and
the inactive gear, an inner side of the transmission belt comprises
a plurality of transmission teeth; the ordering block defines a
tooth slot, one tooth of the plurality of transmission teeth is
engaged in the tooth slot, and the motor is configured to rotate to
move the ordering block together with the transmission belt.
12. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motor is
mounted on a bottom side of the paper tray and adjacent to the
first edge.
13. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 12, wherein a securing
member is mounted on the bottom side of the paper tray and adjacent
to the second edge, the securing member comprises a first piece and
a second piece, the first piece and the second piece defines pivot
holes, the inactive gear comprises a shaft, the inactive gear is
located between the first piece and the second piece, and the shaft
is configured to be inserted into the pivot holes to pivotally
mount the inactive gear on the securing member.
14. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the paper
tray defines an opening adjacent to the second edge, the ordering
block comprises a guiding piece, the guiding piece defines a
receiving slot communicating with the tooth slot, the guiding piece
is configured to be inserted through the opening, and the
transmission belt is inserted through the receiving slot.
15. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 10, wherein a sliding
foot is mounted on the ordering block, the sliding foot comprises a
sliding piece, the paper tray defines a guiding groove, and the
sliding piece is configured to slide in the guiding groove.
16. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 15, wherein the ordering
block defines an inserting hole, the sliding foot comprises an
inserting post, and the inserting post is inserted in the inserting
hole.
17. The paper aligning apparatus of claim 10, wherein a second
sensor is mounted on the paper tray, the second sensor is adapted
to control the movements of the ordering block to align the stack
of paper when the second sensor is covered.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to precise paper-stacking,
and more particularly to an aligning apparatus providing correctly
oriented paper for printers.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] A paper tray for a printer supports a stack of paper. When
the printer is in operation, the paper on the paper tray is
transmitted into the printer. When a top piece of paper of the
stack of papers is transmitted into the printer, a piece of paper
below the top piece of paper may be disturbed to become inclined or
misaligned. Therefore, the stack of papers becomes disarranged.
Furthermore, when the inclined or misaligned sheet of paper is
transmitted into the printer, content printed on the paper is also
inclined or misaligned.
[0005] Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] 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.
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded and isometric view of an embodiment of
a paper aligning apparatus.
[0008] FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but viewed from another
aspect.
[0009] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an encircled portion III of
FIG. 2.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the paper aligning apparatus
of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is another assembled view of the paper aligning
apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 6 is another assembled view of the paper aligning
apparatus of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] 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."
[0014] FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a structure of a paper aligning
apparatus for a printer in accordance with an embodiment. The paper
aligning apparatus includes a paper tray 10, a driving module 30,
and a sensor controlling module.
[0015] The paper tray 10 includes a top side 13 and a bottom side
15. The paper tray 10 includes a first edge 11 and a second edge 12
parallel to the first edge 11. The top side 13 forms a plurality of
blocking tabs 111 and a mounting block 18 adjacent to the first
edge 11. The plurality of blocking tabs 111 is arrayed in a line.
The top side 13 defines two sliding grooves 122 adjacent to the
second edge 12. The two sliding grooves 122 extend in a direction
perpendicular to the second edge 12. An opening 121 is defined
between the two sliding grooves 122. The bottom side 15 defines a
plurality of first mounting holes 151 adjacent to the first edge
11. The bottom side 15 defines a plurality of first securing holes
152 adjacent to the second edge 12.
[0016] The driving module 30 includes a motor 31, an endless and
flexible transmission belt 32, an inactive gear 33, a securing
member 40, and a ordering block 60. The motor 31 includes an active
gear 311. The motor 31 rotates the active gear 311. The motor 31
defines a plurality of second mounting holes 312 corresponding to
the plurality of first mounting holes 151. An inner side of the
transmission belt 32 defines a plurality of transmission teeth 321.
The transmission belt 32 is adapted to wind around the active gear
311 and the inactive gear 33. The inactive gear 33 includes a shaft
331.
[0017] The securing member 40 mounts the inactive gear 33 on the
paper tray 10. The securing member 40 includes a first piece 41, a
second piece 42 parallel to the first piece 41, and a connection
piece 47 connected to the first piece 41 and the second piece 42.
Each of the first piece 41 and the second piece 42 defines a pivot
hole 45. The second piece 42 defines a plurality of second securing
holes 43 corresponding to the plurality of first securing holes
152.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the ordering block 60 includes a
guiding piece 61 extending downwardly. A bottom portion of the
ordering block 60 defines two inserting holes 62. The guiding piece
61 defines a receiving slot 611 and a tooth slot 614. A width of
the receiving slot 611 is larger than a thickness of the
transmission belt 32. The receiving slot 611 receives the
transmission belt 32 therein. The tooth slot 614 can receive a
transmission tooth 321 of the transmission belt 32.
[0019] Two sliding feet 65 are mounted on the ordering block 60.
Each sliding foot 65 includes an inserting post 651 and a sliding
piece 652.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the sensor controlling module
includes a first sensor 81, two second sensors 82 and a reflecting
piece 83. The first sensor 81 is mounted on the mounting block 18.
The reflecting piece 83 is mounted on the ordering block 60. The
first sensor 81 emits light to the reflecting piece 83 and receives
light reflected from the reflecting piece 83. The two second
sensors 82 are mounted on the top side 13 of the paper tray 10 and
located adjacent to the second edge 12.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, in assembly, the second mounting
holes 312 of the motor 31 are aligned to the first mounting holes
151 of the paper tray 10. A plurality of screws is mounted in the
first mounting holes 151 and the second mounting holes 312 to mount
the motor 31 on the bottom side 15 of the paper tray 10. The
inactive gear 33 is located between the first piece 41 and the
second piece 42. The shaft 331 of the inactive gear 33 is inserted
in the pivot holes 45 to pivotally mount the inactive gear 33 on
the securing member 40. The second securing holes 43 of the
securing member 40 are aligned to the first securing holes 152 of
the paper tray 10. A plurality of screws is mounted in the first
securing holes 152 and the second securing holes 43 to mount the
securing member 40 on the bottom side 15 of the paper tray 10.
Then, the transmission belt 32 is mounted over the active gear 311
and the inactive gear 33.
[0022] The inserting posts 651 of the two sliding feet 65 are
inserted in the inserting holes 62 of the ordering block 60 to
secure the two sliding feet 65 on the ordering block 60. Then, the
ordering block 60 is placed on the top side 13 of the paper tray
10. The first sensor 81 faces the reflecting piece 83. The sliding
pieces 652 of the two sliding feet 65 are inserted in the guiding
grooves 122 of the paper tray 10. The guiding piece 65 extends
through the opening 121. The transmission belt 32 runs through the
receiving slot 611 of the guiding piece 61. One transmission tooth
321 of the transmission belt 32 engages in the tooth slot 614 of
the guiding piece 61. Thereby, the paper aligning apparatus is
assembled.
[0023] After a stack of sheets of paper is placed on the paper tray
10, the first sensor 81 emits light on a topmost piece of paper of
the stack, the topmost piece of paper reflects light to the
reflecting piece 83. The reflecting piece 83 in turn reflects light
back to the first sensor 81. When the topmost piece of paper is
transmitted into the printer, the light reflected back to the first
sensor 81 is changed. Then, the first sensor 81 controls the motor
to move the transmission belt 32. Because one transmission tooth
321 of the transmission belt 32 is engaged in the tooth slot 614 of
the guiding piece 61, the ordering block 60 moves together with the
transmission belt 32. The ordering blocks 60 pushes any sheets of
paper which are resting against the blocking tabs 111, to neatly
re-align and restack the sheets of paper. Then, the motor 31
rotates in reverse to move the ordering block 60 back.
[0024] If one or more pieces of paper of the stack of paper are
inclined to cover any one of the second sensors 82, the motor 31
also rotates to drive the ordering blocks 60 to re-align the stack
of paper from multiple directions. After the stack of paper has
been restacked, the motor 31 rotates in reverse to move the
ordering block 60 back.
[0025] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set
forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the
structure 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 present disclosure to the full extent indicated
by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended
claims are expressed.
* * * * *