U.S. patent application number 15/962610 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-25 for paper size detection module.
The applicant listed for this patent is Primax Electronics Ltd.. Invention is credited to Chih-Chia Lee, Chao-Min Yang.
Application Number | 20190225442 15/962610 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66995937 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-25 |
![](/patent/app/20190225442/US20190225442A1-20190725-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190225442/US20190225442A1-20190725-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190225442/US20190225442A1-20190725-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190225442/US20190225442A1-20190725-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20190225442/US20190225442A1-20190725-D00004.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20190225442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang; Chao-Min ; et
al. |
July 25, 2019 |
PAPER SIZE DETECTION MODULE
Abstract
A paper size detection module includes a position sensing
assembly and a sliding block assembly. The position sensing
assembly is installed on a bottom side of a paper supporting plate.
The position sensing assembly includes a carrier plate, a sensing
circuit board and plural elastomers. The first ends of the
elastomers are connected with the sensing circuit board. The second
ends of the elastomers are protruded out of the carrier plate and
have corresponding pressed surfaces. The sliding block assembly
includes a paper positioning block and at least one roller. The
paper positioning block is installed on the paper supporting plate.
The roller is connected with the paper positioning block and rolled
along the carrier plate. When a position of the pressed surface
rolled and pressed by the roller is detected, the sensing circuit
board generates a paper size signal.
Inventors: |
Yang; Chao-Min; (Taipei
City, TW) ; Lee; Chih-Chia; (Taipei City,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Primax Electronics Ltd. |
Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
66995937 |
Appl. No.: |
15/962610 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2511/20 20130101;
B65H 2511/20 20130101; B65H 7/02 20130101; B65H 2511/12 20130101;
B65H 2511/12 20130101; B65H 2220/03 20130101; B65H 2405/1142
20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101; B65H 1/04 20130101; B65H 2553/61
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65H 7/02 20060101
B65H007/02; B65H 1/04 20060101 B65H001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 19, 2018 |
TW |
107102088 |
Claims
1. A paper size detection module installed on a paper supporting
plate, the paper size detection module comprising: a position
sensing assembly located under the paper supporting plate, and
comprising a carrier plate, a sensing circuit board and plural
elastomers, wherein the sensing circuit board is installed on a
bottom side of the carrier plate, first ends of the elastomers are
connected with the sensing circuit board, and second ends of the
elastomers are protruded out of the carrier plate and have
corresponding pressed surfaces of the elastomers; and a sliding
block assembly comprising a paper positioning block and at least
one roller, wherein the paper positioning block is installed on the
paper supporting plate, and the roller is located under the paper
positioning block and the paper supporting plate, wherein the
roller is connected with the paper positioning block and rolled
along the carrier plate, wherein while the paper positioning block
is moved, the roller is correspondingly rolled along the carrier
plate and the pressed surfaces of the elastomers, wherein when a
position of one of the pressed surfaces of the elastomers rolled
and pressed by the roller is detected, the sensing circuit board
generates a paper size signal.
2. The paper size detection module according to claim 1, wherein
the sliding block assembly further comprises a sliding track, and
the sliding track is slidably connected between the paper
supporting plate and the carrier plate, wherein a bottom side of
the paper positioning block is connected with a side of the sliding
track, and the roller is rotatably coupled to the sliding track, so
that the roller is rotatably coupled to the paper positioning block
through the sliding track, wherein as the paper positioning block
is moved, the roller is correspondingly rolled through the sliding
track.
3. The paper size detection module according to claim 2, wherein
the paper positioning block comprises a supporting slab and a
vertical positioning plate, wherein the vertical positioning plate
is protruded upwardly from the supporting slab, and the supporting
slab is connected with the sliding track.
4. The paper size detection module according to claim 3, wherein
the sliding block assembly further comprises plural fixing
elements, wherein the fixing elements are penetrated through the
sliding track and the supporting slab, so that the supporting slab
is fixed on the sliding track through the fixing elements.
5. The paper size detection module according to claim 4, wherein
the sliding block assembly further comprises plural protrusion
posts, and the plural protrusion posts are protruded from a bottom
surface of the supporting slab, wherein the paper supporting plate
has a sliding slot, and the protrusion posts are penetrated through
the sliding slot and movable along the sliding slot, wherein the
fixing elements are tightened into the corresponding protrusion
posts, so that the sliding track and the supporting slab are
connected with each other.
6. The paper size detection module according to claim 2, wherein
the sliding block assembly further comprises a ratchet, and the
ratchet is pivotally coupled to the paper supporting plate and
located under the paper supporting plate, wherein plural teeth are
formed on a lateral surface of the sliding track, and the teeth of
the sliding track are engaged with the ratchet.
7. The paper size detection module according to claim 6, wherein a
ring-shaped raised structure is protruded from an outer surface of
a side of the ratchet away from the paper supporting plate, and a
bottom surface of the sliding track is contacted with the
ring-shaped raised structure.
8. The paper size detection module according to claim 2, wherein
the position sensing assembly further comprises a resilience plate,
and the resilience plate is clamped between the sensing circuit
board and the carrier plate, wherein the plural elastomers are
protruded from the resilience plate, and the plural elastomers are
connected with the sensing circuit board through the resilience
plate.
9. The paper size detection module according to claim 8, wherein
the carrier plate has plural perforations, wherein the plural
elastomers are penetrated through and protruded out of the
corresponding perforations, so that the pressed surfaces of the
elastomers are exposed outside a top side of the carrier plate.
10. The paper size detection module according to claim 8, wherein
the position sensing assembly further comprises plural fastening
elements, and the plural fastening elements are penetrated through
the sensing circuit board, the resilience plate and the carrier
plate sequentially.
11. The paper size detection module according to claim 8, wherein
the resilience plate and the plural elastomers are integrally
formed, and the resilience plate and the plural elastomers are made
of rubber, silicone or casting polyurethane.
12. The paper size detection module according to claim 9, wherein
the plural elastomers are aligned with the corresponding
perforations, and the plural elastomers and the plural perforations
are linearly arranged.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a paper size detection
module, and more particularly to a paper size detection module that
is installed on a paper supporting plate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As known, people usually need to copy paper documents in
daily lives or in working places. Generally, the paper document to
be printed is placed in a paper input platform. At the time when
the paper document is fed into the inner portion of a printer or a
copier, the printer or the copier detects the width of the paper
document. According to the width of the paper document, the printer
or the copier selects the print paper with a suitable size from a
paper input tray. Then, the contents of the paper document are
printed out and printed on the print paper.
[0003] Conventionally, the sensors for measuring the paper width
paper are installed within the paper input platform of the printer
or the copier. For example, the sensors are infrared sensors,
pressure sensors or any other appropriate optical sensors. Since
sensors are power-consuming, the printer or the copier has to
provide a lot of electric power to the sensors. For allowing the
sensors to successfully detect the paper width, the problem of
wasting electric power occurs.
[0004] Moreover, since the sensors are installed within the paper
input platform of the printer or the copier, the paper input
platform needs to have the corresponding structures for installing
the sensors. Generally, the sensors are only able to detect limited
number of paper width sizes. For accurately detecting different
paper width sizes, it is necessary to install many sensors within
the paper input platform. Under this circumstance, the inner
structure of the paper input platform is complicated. Moreover,
since the sensors are bulky, the sensors occupy much inner space of
the paper input platform. In other words, the conventional paper
size detection device is detrimental to miniaturization of the
product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a paper size detection
module.
[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a paper size detection module. The paper size detection
module is installed on a paper supporting plate. The paper size
detection module includes a position sensing assembly and a sliding
block assembly. The position sensing assembly is located under the
paper supporting plate, and includes a carrier plate, a sensing
circuit board and plural elastomers. The sensing circuit board is
installed on a bottom side of the carrier plate. The first ends of
the elastomers are connected with the sensing circuit board. The
second ends of the elastomers are protruded out of the carrier
plate and have corresponding pressed surfaces. The sliding block
assembly includes a paper positioning block and at least one
roller. The paper positioning block is installed on the paper
supporting plate. The roller is located under the paper positioning
block and the paper supporting plate. The roller is connected with
the paper positioning block and rolled along the carrier plate.
While the paper positioning block is moved, the roller is
correspondingly rolled along the carrier plate and the pressed
surfaces of the elastomers. When a position of the pressed surface
rolled and pressed by the roller is detected, the sensing circuit
board generates a paper size signal. Consequently, the function of
detecting the width size of the paper is achieved.
[0007] In an embodiment, the sliding block assembly further
includes a sliding track, and the sliding track is slidably
connected between the paper supporting plate and the carrier plate.
A bottom side of the paper positioning block is connected with a
side of the sliding track. The roller is pivotally coupled to the
sliding track. Consequently, the roller is pivotally coupled to the
paper positioning block through the sliding track. As the paper
positioning block is moved, the roller is correspondingly rolled
through the sliding track. In an embodiment, the paper positioning
block includes a supporting slab and a vertical positioning plate.
The vertical positioning plate is protruded upwardly from the
supporting slab. The supporting slab is connected with the sliding
track. Consequently, the purpose of saving the material cost is
achieved.
[0008] In an embodiment, the sliding block assembly further
includes plural fixing elements. The fixing elements are penetrated
through the sliding track and the supporting slab. Consequently,
the supporting slab is fixed on the sliding track through the
fixing elements. Preferably, the sliding block assembly further
includes plural protrusion posts, and the plural protrusion posts
are protruded from a bottom surface of the supporting slab. The
paper supporting plate has a sliding slot. The protrusion posts are
penetrated through the sliding slot and movable along the sliding
slot. The fixing elements are tightened into the corresponding
protrusion posts. Consequently, the sliding track and the
supporting slab are connected with each other.
[0009] In an embodiment, the sliding block assembly further
includes a ratchet, and the ratchet is pivotally coupled to the
paper supporting plate and located under the paper supporting
plate. Moreover, plural teeth are formed on a lateral surface of
the sliding track, and the teeth of the sliding track are engaged
with the ratchet. In an embodiment, a ring-shaped raised structure
is protruded from an outer surface of a side of the ratchet away
from the paper supporting plate, and a bottom surface of the
sliding track is contacted with the ring-shaped raised
structure.
[0010] In an embodiment, the position sensing assembly further
includes a resilience plate, and the resilience plate is clamped
between the sensing circuit board and the carrier plate. The plural
elastomers are protruded from the resilience plate. The plural
elastomers are connected with the sensing circuit board through the
resilience plate. Preferably, the carrier plate has plural
perforations. The plural elastomers are penetrated through and
protruded out of the corresponding perforations, so that the
pressed surfaces are exposed outside a top side of the carrier
plate. In such ways, the elastomers are not detached.
[0011] In an embodiment, the position sensing assembly further
includes plural fastening elements. The plural fastening elements
are penetrated through the sensing circuit board, the resilience
plate and the carrier plate sequentially. Preferably, the
resilience plate and the plural elastomers are integrally formed.
Moreover, the resilience plate and the plural elastomers are made
of rubber, silicone or casting polyurethane. Preferably, the plural
elastomers are aligned with the corresponding perforations, and the
plural elastomers and the plural perforations are linearly
arranged.
[0012] The above objects and advantages of the present invention
will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in
the art after reviewing the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a
portion of a paper size detection module according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic cutaway view illustrating a portion of
the paper size detection module according to the embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view illustrating the paper
size detection module according to the embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
paper size detection module in a usage state according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a
portion of a paper size detection module according to an embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cutaway view
illustrating a portion of the paper size detection module according
to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic
bottom view illustrating the paper size detection module according
to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2
and 3, the paper size detection module 100 is installed on a paper
input platform 90 of a copier or a printer. The paper input
platform 90 comprises a paper supporting plate 91. The paper
supporting plate 91 has two sliding slots 911. The paper size
detection module 100 comprises a position sensing assembly 10 and a
sliding block assembly 20.
[0018] The position sensing assembly 10 is located under the paper
supporting plate 91 and aligned with one sliding slot 911 of the
paper supporting plate 91. The position sensing assembly 10
comprises a carrier plate 11, a sensing circuit board 12, a
resilience plate 13, plural elastomers 14 and plural fastening
elements 15. The carrier plate 11 is located beside the paper
supporting plate 91. Moreover, the carrier plate 11 comprises
plural perforations 111. The plural perforations 111 are formed in
the carrier plate 11 in a linear arrangement. The sensing circuit
board 12 is installed on a bottom side of the carrier plate 11. An
example of the sensing circuit board 12 includes but is not limited
to a pressure sensor board. The resilience plate 13 is clamped
between the sensing circuit board 12 and the carrier plate 11. The
plural elastomers 14 are extended from the resilience plate 13.
Especially, the plural elastomers 14 are disposed on the resilience
plate 13 in a linear arrangement. The elastomers 14 are aligned
with the corresponding perforations 111. A first end of each
elastomer 14 is coupled to the resilience plate 13 and contacted
with the sensing circuit board 12 through the resilience plate 13.
A second end of each elastomer 14 is arranged away from the
resilience plate 13 and has a pressed surface 141. The plural
elastomers 14 are penetrated through the corresponding perforations
111 of the carrier plate 11. Moreover, the pressed surfaces 141 are
protruded out of the carrier plate 11 and exposed outside a top
side of the carrier plate 11. In an embodiment, the resilience
plate 13 and the plural elastomers 14 are integrally formed.
Preferably, the resilience plate 13 and the plural elastomers 14
are made of rubber, silicone or casting polyurethane. After the
fastening elements 15 are tightened into the sensing circuit board
12, the resilience plate 13 and the carrier plate 11 sequentially,
the sensing circuit board 12, the resilience plate 13 and the
carrier plate 11 are combined together. Consequently, the
resilience plate 13 is securely clamped between the carrier plate
11 and the sensing circuit board 12.
[0019] The sliding block assembly 20 comprises a paper positioning
block 21, a sliding track 22, at least one roller 23, plural
protrusion posts 24, plural fixing elements 25, a ratchet 26, a
linked positioning block 27 and a linked sliding track 28. The
paper positioning block 21 is installed on a first side of the
paper supporting plate 91 and located over the carrier plate 11.
The paper positioning block 21 comprises a supporting slab 211 and
a vertical positioning plate 212. The vertical positioning plate
212 is protruded upwardly from the supporting slab 211. The plural
protrusion posts 24 are protruded from a bottom surface of the
paper positioning block 21. The protrusion posts 24 are penetrated
through the sliding slot 911 that is located at a first side of the
paper supporting plate 91. The protrusion posts 24 are aligned with
the position sensing assembly 10. The protrusion posts 24 are
movable along the sliding slot 911. The sliding track 22 is
slidably connected between the paper supporting plate 91 and the
carrier plate 11. The fixing elements 25 are penetrated through the
sliding track 22 and tightened into the corresponding protrusion
posts 24. After the fixing elements 25 are tightened into the
corresponding protrusion posts 24, the sliding track 22 and the
supporting slab 211 are connected with each other. Moreover, plural
teeth 221 are formed on a lateral surface of the sliding track
22.
[0020] The roller 23 is located under the paper positioning block
21 and the paper supporting plate 91. The roller 23 is pivotally
coupled to the sliding track 22. Consequently, the roller 23 is
pivotally coupled to the paper positioning block 21 through the
sliding track 22. As the paper positioning block 21 is moved, the
roller 23 is correspondingly rolled through the sliding track 22.
Consequently, the roller 23 is rolled along the carrier plate 11.
The ratchet 26 is pivotally coupled to the paper supporting plate
91 and located under the paper supporting plate 91. The teeth 221
of the sliding track 22 are engaged with the teeth of the ratchet
26. A ring-shaped raised structure 261 is protruded from an outer
surface of a side of the ratchet 26 away from the paper supporting
plate 91. A bottom surface of the sliding track 22 is contacted
with the ring-shaped raised structure 261. Consequently, the
sliding track 22 is supported by the ring-shaped raised structure
261.
[0021] The linked positioning block 27 is installed on a side of
the paper supporting plate 91 away from the position sensing
assembly 10. The linked positioning block 27 also comprises plural
linked protrusion posts (not shown). The linked protrusion posts
are penetrated through the sliding slot 911 at the side away from
the position sensing assembly 10. The linked sliding track 28 is
slidably connected with the bottom side of the paper supporting
plate 91. A bottom surface of the linked sliding track 28 is
contacted with the ring-shaped raised structure 261. Moreover,
plural teeth 281 are formed on a lateral surface of the linked
sliding track 28. The teeth 281 of the linked sliding track 28 are
engaged with the teeth of the ratchet 26.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
paper size detection module in a usage state according to an
embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, the user places a
paper 80 on the paper support plate 91. Then, the paper positioning
block 21 is moved in the direction toward the paper 80.
Correspondingly, the sliding track 22 is moved in the direction
toward the paper 80. Due to the engagement between the sliding
track 22 and the ratchet 26, the ratchet 26 is correspondingly
rolled. As the ratchet 26 is rolled, the linked sliding track 28 is
correspondingly moved in the direction toward the paper 80. As the
linked sliding track 28 is moved, the linked positioning block 27
is moved in the direction toward the paper 80 until the paper
positioning block 21 and the linked positioning block 27 are
respectively contacted with the two edges of the paper 80. While
the paper positioning block 21 is moved in the direction toward the
paper 80, the sliding track 22 is moved and the roller 23 is rolled
with the movement of the sliding track 22. Consequently, the roller
23 is rolled along the carrier plate 11 and the pressed surfaces
141. When the vertical positioning plate 212 of the paper
positioning block 21 is contacted with the paper 80 and a specified
pressed surface 141 is pressed by the roller 23, the elastomer 14
corresponding to the specified pressed surfaces 141 provides a
force or a pressure to the sensing circuit board 12. According to
the position of the elastic element 14 which provides the force or
the pressure, the sensing circuit board 12 generates a paper size
signal. That is, when the position of the pressed surface 141
pressed by the roller 23 is detected by the sensing circuit board
12, the sensing circuit board 12 generates the corresponding paper
size signal. After receiving the paper size signal from the sensing
circuit board 12, the printer or the copier calculates the width
size of the paper 80. Then, According to the width size, the
printer or the copier selects the print paper with a suitable size
from a paper input tray. Then, the contents of the paper document
are printed out and printed on the print paper.
[0023] Since the width of the paper 80 is calculated according to
the result of detecting the position of the pressed elastomer 14 by
the sensing circuit board 12, it is not necessary to additionally
install position sensors within the printer or the copier to detect
the paper width. Consequently, the paper size detection module
achieves the benefits of simplifying the structure, reducing the
structural cost, saving the material cost and saving the structural
space. Since the sensing circuit board 12 cooperates with the
roller 23 and the elastomers 14 to detect the paper width, it is
not necessary to additionally install sensors and the power-saving
purpose is achieved. Moreover, as long as the number of the
elastomers 14 is increased, the range of the paper width size can
be expanded.
[0024] As mentioned above, the elastomers 14 are protruded from the
resilience plate 13, and the resilience plate 13 is clamped between
the sensing circuit board 12 and the carrier plate 11.
Consequently, when the elastomers 14 are pressed by the roller 23,
the elastomers 14 are not shifted. Under this circumstance, the
elastomers 14 are not detached from the perforations 111 of the
carrier plate 11.
[0025] As mentioned above, the sliding track 22 is supported by the
ring-shaped raised structure 261 of the ratchet 26. Consequently,
while the sliding track 22 is moved, the sliding track 22 is
continuously moved along the same horizontal line. In other words,
the sliding track 22 is not moved aslant.
[0026] From the above descriptions, the paper size detection module
of the present invention has the following features. Firstly, the
position sensing assembly 10 and the sliding block assembly 20 are
used to achieve the function of detecting the width size of the
paper 80. Secondly, since the information about the width size of
the paper 80 is realized according to the result of detecting the
position of the pressed elastomer 14 by the sensing circuit board
12, the paper size detection module can achieve the benefits of
simplifying the structure, reducing the structural cost, saving the
material cost and saving the structural space. Thirdly, since the
resilience plate 13 is clamped between the sensing circuit board 12
and the carrier plate 11, the elastomers 14 are not shifted.
[0027] While the invention has been described in terms of what is
presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be
limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which
are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all modifications and similar structures.
* * * * *